Tea Blog

Types Of Tea - Tea Varieties You Need To Know

Did you know that after water, tea is the second widely consumed drink in the whole world?

Tea is made by pouring boiling or hot water over a cup or glass mug of cured or fresh leaves to create an aromatic beverage. For thousands of centuries, many people all over the world have been drinking tea. And as time passed by, a variety of techniques for processing tea, and a number of different types of tea, was developed. It is also consumed at social events, such as a tea party. Many believed that the tea plant originated in western China, north Myanmar, and Northeast India. Various ethnic groups used tea as a medicinal drink also.

For thousands of centuries, in different parts of the globe. People have been drinking tea and for good reason. There’s a lot of health benefits to drinking this type of beverage. Different tea varieties offer different health benefits to our bodies. It is believed that drinking tea often helps to prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease. Tea may also improve mental alertness, boost our immune system, and can help with weight loss.

Let’s determine the different tea types.

White Tea

White tea may refer to minimally processed leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. This tea is merely dried with the least processing tea variety. It is unoxidized, which results in its light flavor. It belongs to the group of tea that does not require panning, rolling, or shaking. The selection of raw materials is extremely strict. Only young tea leaves with fine hair can produce high-quality white tea. This might be the healthiest tea to drink due to the highest concentration of antioxidants because it is the least processed tea.

Yellow Tea

This tea variety is very rare and that’s why it is expensive.

The process for making yellow tea is somewhat to that of green tea but with an additional step of encasing and steaming the tea leaves. By doing this it allows the tea to oxidize at a slow rate for a short period and then it is heated fully to denature the oxidizing enzymes, producing a far more mellow taste than is found in most green tea leaves and it gives the leaves a slightly yellow coloring during the drying process.

Green Tea

Green tea is made from Camellia Sinensis leaves and buds that do not undergo the withering and oxidation process. By doing this process, its flavor is best described as fresh, light, and slightly grassy. And it is known as the most popular tea variety in the world.

Oolong Tea

Oolong or wūlóng or otherwise known as “Black Dragon” tea is semi-oxidized and withered. This tea is 8%-80% oxidized depending on the style of production. The flavor can be described as sweet, fruity with honey aromas, woody, and thick with roasted aromas. Oolong tea varieties can vary widely in flavor depending on the horticulture and style of production.

Black Tea

Black tea is the most oxidized and has the most strong flavor among the other types of tea available in the market today. The great thing about this tea, it can retain its flavor for several years. It has the most caffeine content among the other teas, though it is less than when you drink a cup of coffee. It is also known as the most common type of tea and the most popular base for making an iced tea.

Watch this video on YouTube on the 6 tea types: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUuw5rqWkZU

There are also different types of tea packaging available in the market today.

Tea Bags
Loose Tea
Compressed Tea
Instant Tea
Bottled and Canned Tea

It is important that you keep or store your favorite tea leaves properly. Using a proper tea storage container for your loose tea leaves will help it to retain its unique qualities and extend its shelf life. Proper tea storage is of the utmost importance to prevent the accumulation of impurities that alter both the aroma and flavor of your favorite tea. It can also harm your body when not properly stored. Therefore it is very important that you know how to store loose leaf tea properly.

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3 Questions About Tea & All It's Wonders

Question 1: How many tea variants are there?

This question is very easy and straight forward. And thankfully the answer is just as simple.

There are about 20,000 (or more) different tea variants out there according to Robert J. Heiss & Mary Lou in The Tea Enthusiast's Handbook.

But for now we'll just focus on the 4 main types...

Green Tea
Black Tea
Oolong Tea
White Tea

Here’s a surprising fact you may not know about tea!

All 4 tea variants come from the same plant called Camellia Sinensis. Each of them having their own unique process from the beginning cultivating steps all the way to packaging etc.

Question 2: How much Caffeine does tea contain compare to coffee & is it safe for kids to drink?

Although most people think Coffee contains the most caffeine, this is not true!

Tea leaves have 3.5% caffeine, while coffee beans have about 1.1–2.2%.

However when brewing coffee we use hotter water temperatures, extracting more caffeine from the beans.

Also one will usually use more coffee beans than they will tea leaves. Resulting in more caffeine per serving.

So this brings us to our next question...

Should children drink tea?

While most adults can drink up to 400 mg of caffeine a day safely, 12 - 18 year olds should limit their intake to100 mg per day. And children younger than 12 should not drink any caffeine.

Question 3: Whats the perfect water temperature for tea?

This is a great question which most beginners over look!

Did you know that you should never put boiling water on your delicate tea leaves? Not only will it disrupt the taste but also kill the antioxidants which contain many health golden nuggets.

For the best flavor it is imperative that you follow and respect these water temperatures for maximum benefits.

Here are the degrees in Fahrenheit for the 4 main types of tea:

Green tea - Between 150 to 180 F
Black tea - Between 180 to 212 F
Oolong tea - Between 190 to 200 F
White tea - Between 170 to 185 F

This video will show you some easy steps and tricks on how to heat your water like a pro ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmDbqGCYIkA

Excerpt:

For our first blog post we will answer 3 common questions about tea.

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Amazing Chinese Tea Culture And History

In many cultures tea is not just an ordinary drink. It represents peace, harmony, spiritual enlightenment, connection, and contentment to make tea.

The origin of tea came from China and eventually spread in East Asian countries. According to studies, in the early 2nd century BC, tea was consumed by the Han dynasty emperors in China. It was the time that most of the Chinese culture was established, also known as the “Golden Age of Ancient China”.

What Exactly Is Tea Culture?

It is the process of how tea is made, consumed, and the aesthetics that surround tea drinking. In this blog we will talk about: Chinese tea culture, how they interact with tea, how significant it is for them, and the rich history behind it. So let’s dive into it.

Chinese Tea Culture

During the Tang Dynasty boiling water with tea leaves simultaneously was a common method. They would usually add salts to enhance the teas flavor. Also in this period there were two known phases of tea drinking - Tea bricks and loose leaf tea.

Tea Bricks Vs Loose Leaf Tea In China

Before Ming Dynasty tea was formed into tea bricks. Tea leaves were partially or thoroughly dried and then ground before pressing them into bricks. Creating a tea requires toasting, grinding, and whisking. By that time, tea bricks are stored openly in storage rooms. By toasting it over a fire any mold or insects found in the tea will be destroyed. After that they grind it into fine tea powder and whisk it into hot water before serving. As of today, the practice of using a powdered tea is seen in Japanese tea ceremonies in the form of matcha powder.

In the loose leaf tea phase in 1391 the Hongwu Emperor (founder of the Ming Dynasty) ordered the court to change the tea from brick to loose-leaf form. This changed the tea-drinking habits of the people from whisked teas to steeped teas. With these changes a new method was required in preparing teas.

The New Method Of Tea Making

For this new way of preparing tea, the leaves should be separately steep from the drinking vessels so they can properly infuse into the hot water. In order to carry this out, they needed a teapot.

To be able to properly conserve the flavor and aroma of the tea leaves, tea caddies became necessary. Unlike tea bricks, loose leaves are more delicate. So people now had to focus on the natural aroma of tea due to the new preparation method.

Chinese people started using small drinking bowls and teacups. Using the small cups directs the tea aroma steam to the nose of the drinker and this allows for better appreciation of the tea.

Purple Clay Teawares

During the Ming Dynasty period, a special kind of purple clay known as “Zisha” from Yixing was develop to make teaware. This purple clay is great in preserving the heat, that’s why it is perfect for making teapots. It suddenly becomes the most preferred teaware in the Chinese tea ceremonies. In todays times, loose leaf tea and the use of purple clay teaware is still the preferred method of preparing tea with Chinese culture.

Chinese Tea Drinking Customs

In Chinese tradition as a sign of respect, the younger generation should offer a cup of tea to the elders. As holiday activities, elders are invited to restaurants and tea houses. A newlywed couple should also offer tea to the older generations of the family. They kneel in front of their parents and elderly then serve them tea. It shows appreciation, gratitude, and respect.

Offering tea may also be a part of formal apology if the children misbehave.

Finger tapping of the index or middle fingers is an informal way to show gratitude and respect to the individual who served the tea. While saying “thank you” or head nodding is more appropriate during formal tea ceremonies.

Modern Chinese Tea Culture

In todays modern world Chinese tea culture revolves around the Gongfu cha or Kung Fu tea ceremony. Gongfu cha means "making tea with skill". In this ceremony they use oolong, pu’er, or black tea. They use tiny tea cups, Yixing purple clay teapot, gaiwan, tea strainer, tea pitcher, and a tea tray. Tea utensilsare optional. Gongfu tea is consumed after a meal to help digestion.Yixing purple clay teapot gaiwan, tea strainer

Watch video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F898rbUvzV4

Chinese tea culture has a very rich history. For them, tea is not just a drink but a symbol of gratitude and respect. The level of their dedication to teas is way beyond many other cultures. No wonder they were able to influence other countries with their tea culture.

Excerpt:

What Exactly Is Tea Culture?

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Blooming Tea - Amazing Things About Flowering Tea Ball

There are a lot of tea variants available in the market today. But there’s a tea, that is very elegant and stunning to see while steeping. It is the blooming tea, also known as flowering tea.

Join me as we dive deeper into why exactly this blooming tea is very special and close to the hearts of many tea enthusiasts out there. If you are curious about this type of tea, continue reading to learn more.

Blooming Tea Origin

Yes, we all know the tea originates from China so there is no surprise that the flowering tea came from there. In the 1980s, its bulb form was developed. In the early 2000s, it became very popular in Western countries. It is typically sourced from Yunnan China.

A Very Unique Tea

The blooming flower tea is made with edible dried flowers wrapped around with dried tea leaves binding them together to create a tea ball. It may be one or more flowers with green tea leaves dried together. Globe amaranth, lily, chrysanthemum, hibiscus, osmanthus, and jasmine are the flowers that are commonly used.

See The Magic Happens

The flowering tea ball is usually infused in a clear glass teapot because it is where and when you see the magic happens. During the infusion process, the blooming tea expands and unfurls that mimics a blooming flower then you will witness the centerpiece of the whole infusion process which is the flowers. The flowering effect is very mesmerizing and satisfying to watch.

Steeping Your Blooming Flower Tea

If you want to fully enjoy the blooming process, you need to use clear glass teapots and hot water in steeping your flower tea ball. The infusion takes about 4-5 minutes to witness the unfurling of the tea ball, so be patient and it is worthy of your time. Once it fully blooms, you can pour the tea into your teacup and enjoy the refreshing taste of green tea leaves and the perfect aroma of the flowers.

After your first brew, you can still steep your blooming tea another two times. Each tea ball can be steep two to three times without having bitter-tasting tea. To keep your flower tea appearance for another 24 hours, just refill the teapot with cold water and set it aside in a suitable location at your home. It has a much more delicate taste on the second and third brewing, but still, it is very enjoyable to drink.

Blooming Tea Health Benefits

Like other teas, blooming tea or flowering tea is packed with health benefits since ancient times. It is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It aids to boost your metabolism and weight loss.

It is also great for your skin and can slows down the aging process. It may also improve your eyesight and vision. It relieves stress and good for your heart.

Consuming blooming teas can do wonders for our bodies. In just a cup of tea per day, you will feel rejuvenated.

Enjoy Steeping Your Flowering Tea

Blooming or flowering tea is perfect for anyone who wants to have a unique tea experience. Thanks to its unique blooming process while steeping, its great flavor, aroma, and lots of possible health benefits.

Combining art and healthy drink in one teapot. So there you have it, now you know more about blooming teas why don’t you try it yourself!

Watch video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z50qYm677Rw

Excerpt:

There are a lot of tea variants available in the market today. But there’s a tea, that is very elegant and stunning to see while steeping. It is the blooming tea, also known as flowering tea.