Different types of Teas you should know and its uses!
Tea Plant Camellia Sinensis: Source of Different Types of Teas
All types of teas come from one place — the Camellia Sinensis plant. The camellia sinensis is the plant from which all 'true' tea types of teas originate. It's an evergreen plant that can grow as tall as sixty feet in the wild. However, when grown with the intent of harvest, camellia sinensis bushes are typically only grown to about three feet. This plant originated thousands of years ago in southern China.
The leaves of Camellia sinensis are used to make up all of the crowd-favourites when it comes to types of teas, including black tea, green tea, oolong tea and white tea. Which tea types are made from the plant will depend upon the specific plant variety of Camellia sinensis and its growing environment and processing method. Tea types that don't contain Camellia sinensis aren't actually tea - but because most people consider them herbal teas, they tend to be thought of as different types of teas.
There are two main varieties of Camellia sinensis:
Camellia sinensis var. sinensis — This plant grows primarily in China and other East Asian countries. Tea types made from this plant tend to have a mild and mellow flavour.
Camellia sinensis var. assamica — Of the tea variety this one grows primarily in India. Types of teas made from this plant tend to have a stronger flavour.
First on our list of all the delicious types of teas available is green Tea. As a member of the legitimate tea types, this tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It is no secret that this tea has many health benefits, and health gurus always sing this warm beverage's praises. Despite this, the tea isn't an overpowering healthy-tasting concoction; it has a delicate flavour and light colouring. Green tea's subtle taste varies from a nutty/grassy palette to a sweet and floral aroma, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
Camellia sinensis leaves are withered, rolled, and then heated through a process called steaming or pan-firing to produce this tea. It is critical to do this because it preserves the natural compounds in the leaves and the polyphenols and antioxidants that make green tea both tasty and so beneficial to health. Different are created by altering this process in various ways. Some types of teas are fermented while others are dried. Besides providing a gentle boost of energy with its natural caffeine addition, it contains antioxidants and other compounds that may reduce inflammation, prevent cancer, and promote health.
Green tea is typically drunk on its own; however, it is also a popular flavour to add to tea blends.
Next up on our list of the different types of teas — is matcha tea. Matcha tea, perhaps the most eye-catching of the tea types around, is a bright green powder that is ground from specially grown and processed green tea leaves. Matcha plays an essential role in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies in which it is prepared and served in specific ways to honour guests and promote mindfulness and tranquillity.
Matcha's uniqueness lies in its processing. The tea leaves used to make matcha spend several weeks in the shade before being picked. This step increases the amount of chlorophyll (the compound that creates the green pigment in many plants and algae). Once harvested, the leaves are steamed, dried, and ground into a fine powder. Voila — the magical matcha powder that can be mixed with hot water. From the many many types of teas, this may be one of the most unique, especially given its bright colour.
While most teas are brewed in hot water, matcha is blended entirely with hot water, with the tea leaves being consumed in their entirety. As a result, it is a rich source of antioxidants and may help to reduce heart disease risk, enhance fat burning, and improve cognition. Matcha is one of the most unique of the tea types, offering a truly different tea experience.
Of all the types of teas, this one may be the most exotic and flavourful. A cup of chai tea traditionally consists of black tea, milk, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves. Like all types of teas, this tea is made from Camellia sinensis leaves. Some modern versions of chai tea may substitute herbal "tea" for black tea. We have included chai tea on this list of all the tea types a) because it's delicious and b) because it is traditionally considered a tea when black tea is used as the blend's base.
Chai tea originated in India but is now a popular drink worldwide. Chai tea is full of flavour, with a smooth consistency and a soothing appeal. There is a long history behind chai tea. The name itself, "chai," is the Hindi word for "tea", originating from "cha", which is the Chinese word for tea.
Chai tea is delicious hot or iced, and it is frequently used in baking and cooking to add richness and flavour — well and truly earning its place on our list of the very best types of teas.
Next up on our list of tasty types of teas — Oolong. Oolong is a pretty special tea that's kind of a mix of green and black tea. Before you fret, it is made from the camellia sinensis plant, which makes the other two also. However, it's a touch different as the tea has been partially oxidised, resulting in a more distinct taste. The flavour can be earthy, floral, or fruity, depending on the type of oolong tea and where it was produced.
Oolong tea is made by withering, rolling, and partially oxidising Camellia sinensis leaves through crushing or bruising. Different types of oolong tea have varying degrees of oxidation, but most fall between 10-70%.
You can enjoy oolong tea alone, but it can also be combined with other ingredients to create bespoke blends. Various health benefits are associated with oolong, including weight loss, inflammation reduction, and heart health improvement. Don't be afraid to try it; you might just fall in love with oolong, moving it to the top of your favourite types of teas.
This tea is perhaps the most popular on our list of the very best types of teas. It’s made from the delicious leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Black tea is one of the best-selling tea types globally. It's known for its distinctive flavour, rich colour, and stimulating properties (it has the most caffeine out of all the different tea types, so if you are looking to get a bit of a buzz from your cuppa, this is the option for you).
Black is differentiated from the other types of teas through its processing. It’s made by withering, rolling, oxidising, and drying the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. During the oxidation process, the air is exposed to the leaves for some time, giving the tea its distinctive flavour (full-bodied and can be both earthy and fruity) and colour (a red-brown amber shade). As well as being naturally caffeinated, this tea is packed with antioxidants.
Unlike most other types of teas from the camellia sinensis plant, people tend to make a cup of this tea with milk or sugar, but some people drink it on its own. It can be served hot or iced, making for a versatile seasonless beverage.
White tea is a unique tea to add to this list of tea varieties that you may not have encountered before. But don't let that fool you; white tea has well and truly earned its spot on this list of tea types. It's made from Camellia sinensis; however, White tea is made unique to other types of teas by picking young leaves and buds before they are fully open. This gives white tea a sweet and subtle flavour.
One of the coolest characteristics of white tea is that it's less processed than most types of teas. During drying, the leaves are simply exposed to the sun or oven baked at very low temperatures, which helps preserve their natural flavours and nutrients.
White tea is naturally lower in caffeine than other types of teas. White tea can be sipped on its own or with honey to sweeten it up. So, if white tea has slipped your radar until now, we highly recommend it. It might change your tea-drinking habits indefinitely and climb the ranks as one of your favourites types of teas.
Yellow tea is a bit like that shy friend who doesn't say much but has a lot to offer if you take the time to get to know them. Like all true types of teas, yellow tea is made from the same plant as black and green variety of tea but is far less commonly found.
Unlike other types of teas, it has a more intensive production process, making it more difficult to produce. Yellow tea undergoes much of the same process as green tea and other types of teas but undergoes 'yellowing' by wrapping the tea in paper and allowing it to ferment for a short period. Only experience traditional tea makers can do this effectively. However, make sure to keep an eye out for this subtle yet flavourful tea experience.
Yellow tea can be served hot or iced, making it a versatile addition to our list of tea varieties.
Purple tea is unlike other tea types as it's made from a newly discovered, purple-tinted version of the tea plant. How cool? Unlike other types of teas, this plant is only recently discovered so doesn’t have a long history of cultivation or tradition, so put your own spin on it. This is because the tea has high levels of anthocyanins, the same compound that makes blueberries purple or bluish in here. They also have the same antioxidant effect on our bodies.
What about the taste? It is more similar to Black tea than any other variant but with a more delicate flavour. For anyone worried about getting sired on purple tea, take a deep breath; this tea is naturally low in caffeine. While hard to find, this uniquely colourful tea is a must-do for any tea lover, it will quickly become one of your favourite types of teas.
Consuming purple tea without milk or sweeteners is best since it contains everything you need for a warm cup of goodness.
So… you think you know your tea types. Do you know about Pu-erh tea? Originally from China, it is becoming more popular around the globe. Using Camellia sinensis, the same plant used to make all other tea types, Pu-erh tea is made by allowing the leaves to ferment and age. It is through this fermentation process that Pu-erh develops its distinctive taste, which is often described as mushroom-like or very earthy compared to other types of teas.
Additionally, Pu-erh tea may aid digestion, reduce cholesterol levels, and promote weight loss. So whether you are a tea lover looking to try something new or want to unlock the potential health benefits, Pu-erh tea is a great addition to your tea collection.
As with other types of teas, it can be prepared by steeping the leaves in hot water. While some people choose to have Pu-erh tea as is, it can also be mixed with milk.
We have decided to include this tea in our list of the very best types of teas. Although not technically real tea, these teas are absolutely delicious, and we won't let semantics stop us from brewing a delicious mug — neither should you. These teas (also called tisanes for the tea experts among us) don't contain any tea leaves. Instead, they are brewed from dried herbs, flowers, fruits, and spices, and they are usually caffeine-free. Herbal teas are often known for their calming and relaxing properties. And are often used in sleepy blends, compared to the other (usually caffeinated) types of teas.
These teas are made much like other tea types, brewed in hot water to let all the flavour seep out. If you are looking for a delicious herbal tea, we recommend chamomile, peppermint, jasmine, lemongrass or rooibos — just to name a few of the delicious types of teas in the herbal department.
So, there we have it, a complete guide to all of the types of teas AKA most delicious beverages in the world (no bias here). There are so many tea types out there, and while we covered most of the popular types of teas, there are so many more for you to discover. Both "true" tea and herbal teas are stacked with flavour and health advantages, so don't worry; we won't judge if you can't go past a cup of herbal tea at the end of the day.
