Drink to your health with tea

Most New Yorkers can't function without at least one turbocharged cup of joe a day. And for some who work long, long hours, or who endure Fashion Week, the caffeine is more than necessary.

But coffee has a competitor that should be considered: tea. It's an alternative that's worth drinking, as both a Zen calm-inducing or energy-boosting refreshment. With tea, you can say goodbye to the negative side effects that come from drinking too much coffee.

"Tea is more soothing than coffee, and at the end of a stressful day, can be a significant mood adjuster," said Dr. Gopal Chopra, a New York City neurosurgeon. "Even the aroma can be settling to the mind."

Popular tea options such as green, black, white and oolong all contain caffeine, but naturopathic doctor and nutrition expert Dr. Doni Wilson recommends tea as a healthier alternative.

"With tea, you can get the same benefits as you do from coffee, but without the fatigue, headaches and acid reflux," explained Wilson, who created The Hamptons Cleanse, a holistic diet program.

Research shows that green tea in particular can decrease the risk of diabetes, stroke, cancer and neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Green tea has also been linked to lowering cholesterol and to weight loss.

Enjoy a spot of tea

Argo Tea is the largest tea café chain in the world with six locations in Manhattan, including Union Square and Chelsea. Argo Tea prides itself on a selection of fine international teas and tasty and healthy beverages. To help you watch your figure, all beverages have a calorie count.

Seasonal pick: Chocolate Mint, a decadent blend of dark chocolate, mint, tea and steamed milk.

The French tea shop Le Palais des Thés made its New York City debut on the Upper West Side in 2012 and recently opened a 700-square-foot flagship store in SoHo that showcases a striking "Tea Wall," with more than 100 tea varieties in large metal canisters. Well-regarded in France for its Tea School, Le Palais des Thés is known for its quality, directly sourced teas and unique-to-the-world tea blends.

Seasonal pick: Vive Le Thé!, an uplifting mix of green tea, ginger and citrus.

Los Angeles transplants welcomed The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf to New York City with open tea cups. Customers get the best of both caffeinated worlds here, and The Coffee Bean has 11 shops in the city, with plans for expansion.

Seasonal pick: Cherry Blossom, a delicate Taiwan green tea blended with pomegranate petals and all-natural cherry flavors.

The Canada-based David's Tea has four New York City locations, and offers over 150 types of tea -- from exclusive blends to limited-edition seasonal collections. It also boasts the largest selection of organic teas and infusions in North America.

Seasonal pick: Pumpkin Chai, a blend of black tea, cinnamon, cloves, lemon peel, carrot, caramel bits, pumpkin candies and other flavoring.

Meet friends for a proper afternoon tea at the landmark Tea & Sympathy (108 Greenwich Ave.) Enjoy all the fixin's -- finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and raspberry jam, an assortment of cakes and, of course, a piping-hot pot of tea. (There are over 30 types to choose from.)

Seasonal pick: Tea & Sympathy Earl Grey, a traditional blend of China black teas flavored with fragrant bergamot oil.