Types of Teas
Green tea is picked and then quickly dried, by pan frying, streaming or oven drying. Because the leaf is so delicate, the tea should be brewed in water that is well below boiling to prevent cooking the leaves and destroying the subtle notes of the tea. Green Teas do not stay fresh long due to their short life spam Given the high levels of polyphenols, it is believed to have the greatest amount of health benefits. Green tea leaves are minimally oxidized and thus have less caffeine than other types of tea.
This is the type of tea that comes to mind when many people think of tea. Black tea accounts for 80 percent of the tea manufactured worldwide. Black Tea also known as Red Tea is the result of a complete oxidation of the leaf before being dried. First the leaf is spread out and left to wilt, resulting in loss of moisture, rigidity and much of its weight. The leaves are then rolled or crushed to expose the natural oils in the leaf and to start the oxidization process. When the oxidization process is complete the leaf is fired to stop this process and graded and packed. Black tea is a full body tea and able to retain it full taste when sweeteners and milk are added.
Oolong teas are the teas that are most often served in Chinese restaurants. They are known for their rich tastes and lasting aftertastes. Oolong tea is gently rolled after picking allowing the essential oils to react with the air and slowly oxidize. This process turns the leaf darker with time and produces distinctive fragrances. When the leaf has reached the desired oxidation the leaf is heated, in a process called 'panning', to stop the process. It's then rolled to form the tea into its final shape. The resulting tea can be anywhere between a green and a black, depending on the processing method. This tea is handcrafted, undergoing a labor intensive process. The tea maker must carefully balance many elements in the critical few hours after the leaf is picked including weather conditions, quality of the leaf, and the time the leaf oxidizes.
White tea is only processed minimally, generally air dried to allow a minimum amount of oxidation. The highest quality white teas are picked before the leaf buds have opened, while still covered with silky white hairs. Of all teas, whites probably have the least amount of caffeine. These teas should be steeped in water well below boiling and for at least 4-5 minutes. There has been a lot of research on the beneficial health effects of white tea.
Herbal teas are not made from the Camellia sinensis, so they are not technically teas. Herbal teas are made from herbs, so they are naturally free of caffeine. While they do not share in the health benefits of actual teas, herbal teas have many advantages of their own. They are a great beverage for children since they are naturally sweet, and they do not contain caffeine or sugar.
Black Tea | Green Tea | White Tea | Oolong Tea | White Tea | Herbal Tea / Other