Tea - This is reference to the actual tea plant (Camellia sinensis). This can reference the plant itself, the processed plant/herb (what is brewed to make a drink), or a drink made from brewing it. All of this is âtea.'Â
Infusion - The act of using hot water to pull oils &c from ingredients into the water. Creates broths, teas, etc. This word can also refer to the actual broth/tea/drink/potion.
Herbal tea - Anything brewed in the same method as you would brew the tea plant to make tea, but not actually made with the tea plant. Because of this discrepancy, I like to refer to these drinks as 'infusionsâ and not 'teasâ or 'herbal teasâ because they are, by definition, not exactly 'tea.â (Itâs a lot like calling a spider a 'bugâ â and since Iâm trying to talk specifically about tea, Iâd rather not use confusing or ambiguous language).
Flavored tea - Mixing tea leaves with other ingredients. For example, putting some dried strawberries into your tea leaves then brewing it to make a strawberry tea. This is a flavored tea.
Scented tea - Tea leaves that have absorbed the oils of other plants, usually by a process of 'bathingâ the leaves in them. For example, to create most jasmine tea, jasmine leaves are placed over the tea leaves, and left to sit. The leaves absorb the jasmine oils and then the tea leaves contain both the jasmine and tea oils, releasing both when infused.
Processing - When referring to tea, processing does not mean injecting with chemicals and trudged through a factory. Processing refers to the actions done to tea before it is brewed. For example, what makes black tea is the process of fermentation â the leaves sit and then are fired/fried/etc. to stop the fermentation. Whereas a tea like white tea is steamed as soon as it is picked so it does not ferment. The exact process (hence the word!) that is used is referenced by the teaâs processing, or how it is 'processed.â So when someone says black tea is more processed than green tea, it doesnât mean modified by chemicals or something like that.
CLASSIFICATIONS & METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Tea can be classified into 'classes,â 'groups,â or 'gradesâ depending on when it is picked, how it is processed, etc. It is all the exact same plant, just grown, raised, picked, processed, etc. in different ways  In general, the tea plant is said to have a fire affinity. However, in its time, before drinking, tea is greatly exposed to and empowered by all four elements.
In general, there are four, though many of these four classes can be broken down. Tea processing has also become more advanced so even more kinds of teas are made, and groups have been broken down even further. For drinking, selling, etc., you may want to use all of these extended definitions, but for magical purposes and potion-crafting, you donât need to worry about why there are 23502938598 names for classes of tea. Of course, where a tea is grown and exactly how it is processed is important, but you only need to 'lumpâ them into four main groups for basic correspondences.
The four main classes of tea can be viewed as relating to the cycles of the moon and the wheel of the year. I will explain with each of the four types, starting with white tea:
White Tea - White tea is the least processed of teas. It is picked when the leaves are very young buds. Because it can only be picked during this 'babyâ stage, it is quite rare. Because it is picked during the 'earlyâ phase and is still growing, we can see its relation to the spring season. It is a masculine tea with an air affinity, and the strongest connection to the moon. White teas are very pure, so they are great for purification and protection. They also relate with clarity, realization, meditation, cleansing, and connection to the Goddess or spirits. You can easily see this in their look (the tea will be very clear and lightly-colored). They are also a tea of new beginnings. Associated colors are white, silver, and yellow.
Green Tea - Green tea is more processed than white tea, and is picked later as well. However, itâs not as aged as other teas, making it still a very 'youthfulâ tea. There are many varieties. Green tea inspires many cultures, and has led to much passion. Naturally, this is because green tea is a masculine tea with a fire affinity, and a tea of summer. It is also a tea of physical healing. Green tea is also great for the conscious mind, passions, sexual health and magic, energy, and love. Itâs a tea of progress and moving forward. Associated colors are red, blue, and green. (I know, weird.)
Oolong Tea - Oolong is when tea is no longer youthful, but processed enough that it is starting to ferment. We can see this in the autumn season as well (when oolong tea happens to taste the best, too!) Oolong is a feminine tea of the water affinity, and is a tea of reflection. It is a tea of meditation, wisdom, and deep concentration. It is a tea of romance and beauty, feelings and friendship. It is a very calming and soothing tea, and has a very interesting taste. It also is good for digestion and breaking down foods â it is a mealtime tea. Associated colors are blue, brown, and purple.
Black Tea - Black tea is the most fermented ad processed of all teas. At this point, the tea gets shriveled and black in color, sometimes with âgoldenâ tips (called 'tippyâ teas). It no longer looks like the tea plant at all. This relates to the winter season. Black tea is a feminine tea with the earth affinity. Perhaps this is why it has such a rich, earthy taste. It is a tea of nature, a tea of strength and stability. It is also a tea of endings, a tea of death, a tea of closing. Because of this, itâs good for expelling and removing unwanted or negative energies. Associated colors are black, green, and orange.
