Types of Tea - The Guide to the World of Tea
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For all the tea-lovers and even people trying to explore, the first thing that comes to mind is - What actually is tea? What is it made of? How can it be made most flavourful? Why are there so many varieties of tea and how are all of them different from each other?
It’s about time you got all the answers to those questions. Kapemai is all about making tea good, simple and accessible to everyone. So let’s get down to business and see all the types of tea you can find. We will also see what makes the tea varieties different from one another and what benefits and flavour profiles each tea type has.
But first, some fundamentals -
What is Tea?
Tea is a drink that comes from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, native to China and India. It’s been around for over 5,000 years, with the story going that a Chinese emperor, Shen Nung, first discovered it by accident when he was sitting under a tree and boiling water and a few leaves from the nearby tree fell into the pot. He loved the flavor so much that he told his chefs to make more drinks with the leaves.
Since then, tea has spread across the world, becoming a go-to drink for relaxation, conversation, and health. The tea plant grows best in tropical and subtropical climates, with the two main types being Camellia sinensis sinensis and Camellia sinensis assamica. From these, we get all sorts of teas like green, black, and white, each with their own unique flavor and benefits.
Let’s dive into the different types of tea and see what makes each one special!
1. What is Green Tea
Green tea, like its name, is known for its light green or yellowish appearance and fresh, grassy flavor. It grows mainly in China and Japan. Once green tea is sourced, it is quickly steamed or pan-fired. This helps the leaves to prevent oxidation, which preserves their natural green color and delicate flavor. The lack of oxidation results in a light, refreshing taste, sometimes with sweet or slightly vegetal notes.
Flavor:
Green tea has a light, fresh taste with grassy and vegetal notes. Some types, like Japanese Sencha, may have a slightly sweet and savory flavor, while others, like Matcha, can be creamy and smooth. Darjeeling Green tea on the other hand has a distinct lightness to its flavor that sets it apart from other green teas.
Health Benefits:
Packed with antioxidants, green tea is known for boosting metabolism, improving brain function, and reducing the risk of certain cancers. It also helps with fat burning and promotes heart health.
How to Brew for the Best Flavor:
- Water temperature: 70-80°C (160-180°F)
- Steeping time: 2-3 minutes
- Recipe: Use 1 teaspoon of green tea leaves for every 250 ml. of water. Avoid boiling water as it can scorch the leaves and make the tea taste bitter.
2. What is Black Tea
Black tea is a tea with dark brown to black leaves and is recognized for its bold, robust flavor. It’s grown in various regions, including India, Sri Lanka, China, and Kenya. Black tea is fully oxidized, which darkens the leaves and intensifies its flavor profile, offering a malty, strong, or sometimes smoky flavor. Assam, Darjeeling, and Earl Grey are some of the well-known varieties. Black tea is available in two forms; Loose leaf and CTC (Crush Tear Curl). Black tea is often the base for many blends and is commonly enjoyed with milk and sugar.
Flavor:
Black tea has a strong, bold flavor with a malty, sometimes smoky, finish. It's the most robust tea, with varieties like Assam offering a rich, full-bodied taste, while Darjeeling provides a lighter, more floral profile.
Health Benefits:
Black tea contains antioxidants and compounds that may lower cholesterol, improve gut health, and reduce blood pressure. It also helps improve focus and alertness.
How to Brew for the Best Flavor:
- Water temperature: 90-100°C (195-212°F)
- Steeping time: 3-5 minutes
- Recipe: Use 1 teaspoon of black tea leaves per 250 ml. of water. For a stronger cup, steep longer or add more tea leaves, but avoid over-steeping to prevent bitterness.
3. What is White Tea
White tea is the least processed of all teas, giving it a light, delicate flavor with a subtle sweetness. Made from young buds and leaves, white tea has a pale appearance, with silvery white buds. It originates from the Fujian province in China and undergoes minimal processing, with no oxidation. This gentle treatment allows the tea to retain its soft and mellow character, making it a favorite for those who enjoy a more subtle tea.
Flavor:
White tea is the most delicate, offering a light, subtle, and mildly sweet flavor. It's smooth with gentle floral and fruity notes, making it perfect for those who prefer a less intense tea.
Health Benefits:
Rich in antioxidants, white tea promotes skin health, supports weight loss, and has anti-aging properties. It’s also good for heart health and may help lower the risk of cancer.
How to Brew for the Best Flavor:
- Water temperature: 75-85°C (170-185°F)
- Steeping time: 4-5 minutes
- Recipe: Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of white tea leaves per 250 ml. of water. Since the tea is delicate, avoid using water that's too hot, as it can ruin the flavor.
4. What is Oolong Tea
Oolong tea can appear anywhere from green to dark brown, offering a balance between the freshness of green tea and the strength of black tea. It offers a diverse flavor range, depending on the level of oxidation it undergoes, which can vary between 15% and 85%. Originating from Taiwan and China, oolong is semi-oxidized, creating floral, fruity, and earthy flavor profiles. The complexity of oolong makes it one of the most versatile teas, with varieties like Tie Guan Yin and Da Hong Pao being highly regarded.
Flavor:
Oolong tea offers a wide range of flavors, from sweet and floral to toasty and woody, depending on how it's processed. It's a perfect balance between green and black tea, often described as having a rich, complex flavor with notes of fruit and honey.
Health Benefits:
Oolong tea boosts metabolism, aids in digestion, improves heart health, and helps with weight management. It's also known to improve brain function and reduce stress.
How to Brew for the Best Flavor:
- Water temperature: 85-90°C (185-195°F)
- Steeping time: 3-5 minutes
- Recipe: Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of oolong tea leaves per 250 ml. of water. Oolong can be steeped multiple times, with each infusion bringing out different flavor profiles.
5. What is Herbal Tea (Tisanes)
Herbal teas, also known as tisanes, are made from a wide range of herbs, flowers, fruits, and spices rather than from the Camellia sinensis plant. As a result, they come in various colors and flavors, depending on the ingredients used. Popular herbal teas include chamomile, peppermint, and hibiscus. Since they are caffeine-free and undergo no oxidation, herbal teas are loved for their soothing, calming properties and wide range of health benefits, making them a favorite for relaxation and wellness.
Flavor:
Herbal teas aren’t technically "tea" since they don’t come from the Camellia sinensis plant, but they offer a wide variety of flavors, from fruity and floral to spicy and minty. Popular choices include chamomile, peppermint, and hibiscus.
Health Benefits:
Herbal teas vary widely in their benefits depending on the ingredients. Chamomile is calming, peppermint aids digestion, and hibiscus can help lower blood pressure. Many herbal teas also help with relaxation, sleep, and immune support.
How to Brew for the Best Flavor:
- Water temperature: 90-100°C (195-212°F)
- Steeping time: 5-7 minutes
- Recipe: Use 1 to 2 teaspoons of herbs per 250 ml. of water. Since there’s no caffeine in herbal teas, you can steep longer to extract more flavor without worrying about bitterness.
6. What is Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh tea is distinct for its dark, earthy appearance and flavor, a result of its unique fermentation and aging process. Native to the Yunnan province of China, Pu-erh is fermented for months or even years, developing deep, rich flavors that can include woody, mushroom-like, or slightly sweet notes. The tea leaves are often packed into cakes or bricks, allowing them to age like fine wine, with the flavor becoming more refined over time. Pu-erh is prized for its digestive benefits and unique brewing experience.
Flavor:
Pu-erh tea is earthy, rich, and sometimes even slightly sweet. Aged and fermented, it develops deep, complex flavors over time, with some describing it as having notes of wood, mushroom, or dark chocolate.
Health Benefits:
Pu-erh tea aids in digestion, reduces cholesterol, and promotes heart health. It’s also known for its detoxifying properties and can help with weight loss.
How to Brew for the Best Flavor:
- Water temperature: 95-100°C (200-212°F)
- Steeping time: 3-5 minutes
- Recipe: Use 1 teaspoon of Pu-erh tea leaves per 250 ml. of water. Like oolong, Pu-erh can be steeped multiple times, with the flavor becoming smoother with each infusion.
Hope this helps you understand the world of tea a bit more. Every tea is as unique as a snowflake. Some are strong in their taste while some are mild but every tea can be adjusted to suit your preference. Tea offers numerous health benefits along with an abundance of flavors to choose from. The diverse variety in tea makes sure that there is always something for everyone. So what are you waiting for? Try some teas and find your favorite! Happy sipping!