Types and varieties of tea: how to choose your own?

Tea is one of the most ancient drinks. For several centuries, its popularity has not diminished at all, and among thousands of species and varieties, even the most sophisticated gourmets can find the ideal option.

Types of tea

The tea is made from leaves harvested from special bushes. There are 3 types of such plants in total. Chinese tea grows not only in China, but also in Japan, Vietnam and Georgia. Ceylon, Indian, African tea is made from the leaves of Assamese bushes. The rarest is the Cambodian species, which is a hybrid of the two previous bushes. It only grows in a few regions of Indochina.

Classic tea production consists in processing the leaves of the tea bush, and the type of product obtained is determined by the method of exposure and its duration:

• White tea is made from young leaves with unblown buds. In this case, minimal processing is applied, the infusion turns out to be yellowish or greenish. This drink has a delicate taste, which contains herbal, floral and even melon notes, as well as a floral honey aroma. White tea is brewed with water at 60-70 °C for about 6 minutes;
• Green tea – for its preparation, the leaves are dried immediately after collection. Processing provides for minimal fermentation, so the product retains all its beneficial properties: a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants. The taste and color of the drink depends on the processing method - roasting or heating with steam. Good green tea has a tart taste, sometimes sweetish, with notes of jasmine in the aroma. The drink is brewed for 3-6 minutes with water at 85-90 °С;
• Yellow tea – the method of making is the same as green tea, but without rapid heating. Leaves, along with intact buds, languish in a humid environment. The drink has an amber or red-brown hue, a floral smell. Brewing water temperature - 65-80 °С, time - about 6 minutes;
• Oolong tea is a medium fermentation tea with a special flavor. Only mature sheets are used for its manufacture. They are dried in the sun, rolled, then fermented and toasted, as well as curled and dried. When brewed, the leaf turns green in the middle and red at the edges. This tea has a pungent and spicy taste, floral aroma. It takes 1-4 minutes to brew it, the water temperature is 65-80 °C;
• Pu-erh is a tea made from leaves that have been compressed and oxidized for several years. It has a red or dark brown color and a sweetish aftertaste. To brew tea, pour hot water twice, strain after a few seconds, and then leave for 15-25 minutes. Water temperature - 85-100 °С;
• Black tea - made from leaves and unblown buds of tea bushes. In 2-4 weeks, they are completely oxidized, and then further processing is carried out. This tea has a tart and rich, but not bitter taste, resinous aroma, red or red-brown color. It needs to be brewed for 2-6 minutes with water heated to 95-100 °C.

Pu-erh and oolong are made only in China. India specializes mainly in black teas, as well as elite Darjeeling tea, which is grown on alpine plantations. In Africa, exclusively black tea is made.

Shape of tea

Tea also differs in shape. The most appreciated is the loose product, which is also called baikhov. By the appearance of the leaves, one can draw conclusions about the quality of such tea. It is convenient for dosage when brewing, allows you to mix different varieties, creating your own taste.

Another option is pressed tea. Pu-erh is most often sold in the form of tiles, tablets, bricks, but other varieties are also offered in this form. One of the most convenient options is tea bags. It appeared at the end of the 19th century; silk was first used for its manufacture, later on special paper. The most modern form is tea in capsules, which is prepared in much the same way as espresso coffee.

Tea drinks

Tea is often called a product made from plants that have nothing to do with the tea bush. These drinks include:

• Rooibos – made from the leaves, stems and shoots of an African shrub called aspalatus linear. Caffeine free, sweet taste;
• Hibiscus tea – a reddish infusion of hibiscus flowers with a lot of vitamin C;
• Mate is a Paraguayan holly leaf drink that has a tonic effect due to its caffeine content;
• Anchan is a Thai drink made from flowers of an exotic blue triple clitoris;
• Ku Qiao is a caffeine-free buckwheat Chinese drink.

A separate category is herbal teas, which are infusions of various plants.