Types of Tea

Published on: Mar 26 2011 by Shenron

Tea is one of the most popular drinks all over the world. There are many countries where tea is taken with milk and sugar while there are countries where is drunk plain, i.e. without adding milk or sugar. It is yellowish brown in color with a hint of bitter taste.

The tea plants are usually cultivated in the tropical and subtropical climatic conditions. Tea plants are normally evergreen which thrive well in the low altitudes with warm airs. In colder conditions, the growth of the tea plant slows down. Tea plants bear small, white fragrant flowers. There are three seeds in each flower that resemble the hazel nuts. These seeds are first planted in the tea gardens or tea estates and after a year or so these are relocated into fields.

There are many countries where tea is grown but some countries are known for their production of tea including Kenya, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, China, Japan, Indonesia, Turkey, Malawi, Great Britain, Ireland and New Zealand.

The three main types of tea are: Black tea, Green tea and Oolong tea. All the three types of tea used different processing method for their leaves.

Oolong tea

Oolong tea also follows the same procedure as that of black tea but the oxidation time for oolong tea is lesser than black tea. Oolong tea is a tea that falls between black and the green tea. However, it doesn’t mean that you assess the features of this tea in respect to other teas. It has something of its own such as its strong floral aroma with noteworthy peachy taste. There are some varieties of oolong tea that possess vegetal features.

Black Tea

To get the black tea, the leaves are first harvested and then left to wither and oxidize for few hours. After that these are introduced to fire so that the leaves get dry fully.

Green tea

Green tea is another popular type of tea that has so many different varieties. Unlike black or oolong tea, green tea isn’t oxidized rather the harvested leaves are turned and fired without letting them to wither or oxidized. Due to this reason, green tea shows more of vegetal or herbaceous features than black or oolong teas. It is greenish gold in color.

Following are given some of the sub-varieties of tea:

Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

Ceylon tea is produced in Sri Lanka and is available in so many different varieties. This tea is normally used as blend with other varieties. For instance, the commercial blends of Ceylon tea is publicized as ‘Orange Pekoe’ which is a blend of Ceylon and Indian varieties. Ceylon is pretty much like a tea that westerners demand with reddish-brown liquor having lively flavor.

Darjeeling (India)

The most wanted and costly sub-variety of black tea which is cultivated in India. The majority of the varieties of Darjeeling are given the name after the tea estate where these were cultivated.

The tea labeled Darjeeling usually is a blend which 50 percent of real Darjeeling. The blended Darjeeling is normally collected in the rainy season which means that they are not rich in flavors. The fine Darjeeling has liquor which ranges from reddish color to a bright gold. It has an intense flavor with a feel of almond and wildflowers and pleasant aroma.

Lapsang Souchong (China)

It is also produced in China and is rich in smoky aroma and taste. They get this smoky aroma and flavor from the smoking pine needles on which they are fired. This tea is widely used in several Russian Caravan blends.

Nilgiri (India)

Nilgri is another tea which is produced in the India. Nilgri along with two other teas, i.e. Darjeeling and Assam can be used unblended. However, Nilgri has not gained the fame like those of Darjeeling and Assam as self drinkers. Its features are pretty much similar to Ceylon tea and like Ceylon it is used in blends most of the time.

Sikkim (India)

Sikkim is another tea belonged to India. It is cultivated in tea estate located very near to the Darjeeling’s plantation site. It is a blend of Darjeeling’s subtle flavor and soft maltiness of Assam. Even though it is a good tea in its own, but it is not very popular like Darjeeling.

Keemun (China)

Keemun is produced in China is known to make the base of English breakfast blends. It is available in numerous varieties which are used in different blends. Majority of the Keemun varieties has red color liquor with a delicate blend of flavors. It has strong, fruity aroma often with a feel of apple and plum. However, there are few varieties that give you smoky taste.

Yunnan (China)

This tea comes from China that has delicate, peppery and earthy taste. It is not rich in flavor but top quality Yunnan is magnificent. Like Lapsang Souchong, it is also used in Russian Caravan blends.

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