Tea is one of the most popular after food drinks in the
world, but still very few people are aware that there are four inherently
different flavours and types of tea one can find in every supermarket. Each tea
is made out of different ingredients and each tea has its advantages and
disadvantages. I will explain.
What you should always remember is that there are only four
types of tea.
1) Black tea
2) Green tea
3) White tea
4) Oolong tea
All these are made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis,
also known as the tea plant. Other herbal infusions such as chamomile tea,
ginger tea or red tea made of rooibos leaves are disqualified as types of tea
since the tea plant is not involved in their making. The difference between the
four tea variations lies in the process of making them. In addition, each type
of tea has another flavour and various health benefits.
1) Black Tea
The strong flavoured burnt Sienna coloured hot beverage is
the most popular type of tea in the West. Either served with a squeeze of lemon
or added milk and a cube of sugar, the cup of 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 any
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, rumours 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
variety of other conditions and illnesses. The green tea is lightly oxidized,
dried, but not fermented. It is usually served plain, without sugar or milk.
Since some of the green tea variants 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 the other types
of teas mentioned above. Originated in the Fujian province of China, the white
tea is made of young Camellia sinensis leaves, which 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.
Moreover, it contains the smallest amount of caffeine and the largest amount of
antioxidant 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.
The oolong tea, black dragon in 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 oxidization, cooling and drying
processes. The result is a lighter flavour than the popular black tea and stronger
than the delicate green tea.
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