TYPES OF TEA

                 TYPES OF TEA                  

INTRODUCTION TO TEA:

Tea dazzles us with its diversity. One plant, many dimensions. While the teas of the world reveal endless complexities and variations, all tea springs from a singular plant species: Camellia sinensis. The four varieties of tea include:

TYPES OF TEA:

The six different types of tea – Green tea, Yellow tea, White tea, Oolong tea, Black tea and Post-fermented tea – are all made from the same tea plant and its cultivars. The kind of processing a tea leaf is subjected to defines the type of tea.

GREEN TEA

Loosely-rolled green tea

Green tea is one of the least oxidized teas. To make green tea, freshly plucked leaves are “fixed” through the application of heat (via steaming or pan-firing) before being rolled and dried. Because these leaves undergo minimal withering and only a little bit of natural oxidation, they retain much of their green color and grassy, vegetal taste, similar to green vegetables.  

Yellow tea

Yellow tea is processed in much the same way as green tea. However, once “fixed”, the damp leaves are lightly “sweltered” for six to eight hours at a closed container, which turns them yellow. Yellow teas taste similar to black teas though they are milder.

White tea

Silver needle white tea from Darjeeling

White tea is made from young leaves that are simply wilted and dried. White tea is called so because of the presence of silvery-white pubescent hairs on the surface of young tea buds and also for the light cream-colored liquor. It’s quite floral and tastes incredibly light, and bright

Oolong tea

Indian oolong tea

Oolong tea is made from bruised and semi-oxidized tea leaves. Due to partial oxidation, the leaves tend to develop rich flavors but no briskness. Oolongs are made in a variety of styles and shapes, including semi-ball rolled, and strip and leafy styles.

Black tea

Darjeeling black tea

Well rolled, high fired and fully oxidized, black teas are distinct for their briskness and bold taste. It is the most widely consumed type of tea in the world.