Herbal teas aren't tea at all because they don't come from the tea plant. They are made from the leaves, roots, seeds, berries, bark and flowers of other plants. Herbal teas may have their own healthy benefits, but they aren't attributable to the compounds in Camellia sinensis.

Chai (rhymes with pie) is a drink common in India and enjoying a burst of popularity here, made of black tea, milk, spices and sweetener. Recipes vary, but traditionally the spices can include cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, pepper and ginger. Coffee bars also prepare iced chais and chais that border on milkshakes.