4 Types of Tea You Must Know

Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world after food, but people are still very few people know that there are four inherently different flavors and types of tea one can find in every supermarket. Each tea is made from different ingredients and each tea has its advantages and disadvantages. I'll explain.

What you must always remember is that there are only four types of tea.

1) Black Tea

2) Green tea

3) White tea

4) Oolong tea

All this is made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, also known as the tea plant. Other herbal infusions such as chamomile tea, ginger tea or red tea rooibos leaves are disqualified because as types of tea since the tea plant is not involved in the decision. The difference between the four tea variations lies in the process of manufacture. In addition, each type of tea has another flavor and various health benefits.

1) Black Tea

The strong flavor of burnt sienna colored hot beverage is the most popular type of tea in the West. Either served with a squeeze of lemon or added milk and sugar, black tea is part of daily tea ceremonies that take place worldwide. Black tea is made of heavily oxidized Camellia sinensis leaves. When served plain, it contains no calories, carbohydrates, or fats. A cup of black tea contains more caffeine than other types of tea but less than in any cup of coffee.

2) Green Tea

The lightly oxidized tea has been popular in China, Japan and Korea for centuries. Recently, rumors on its health benefits increased its popularity in the West as well. It has been proven that drinking green tea can lower cholesterol, prevent cancer, increase metabolic rates and be helpful in a variety of other conditions and diseases. The green tea is lightly oxidized, dried, but not fermented. It is usually served plain, without sugar or milk. For some variants of green tea taste a bit bitter, it should be brewed in lower temperature than the boiling point.

3) White Tea

White tea is rarer and more expensive than other types of teas mentioned above. From the province of Fujian, China, white tea is made from young leaves of Camellia sinensis, that go through a long process of steaming or frying, inactivate fermenting and drying. Since the leaves are harvested while the buds are still covered by white hair, it is called white tea. White tea has the most delicate, sweet taste than the other types of tea. In addition, it contains the smallest amount of caffeine and the largest amount of antioxidants that help prevent cancer.

4) Oolong Tea

The traditional Chinese tea is the common companion of Chinese foods such as dim sum and chop suey in American Chinese restaurants. Oolong tea, black dragon Chinese, got its name after its long, dark distinguished leaves that look like wild black dragons when brewed. The unique taste of the oolong tea is achieved by a long process that includes sun drying of the Camellia sinensis leaves, light oxidation, cooling and drying. The result is a lighter flavor than the popular black tea and stronger than the delicate green tea.