Tea Types for all tastes

What is your favorite type of tea? Learn how each is made and how long to brew it for your best cup ever.

Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world. = T’ien Yiheng

True tea is taken from the Camellia Sinensis bush, which is an evergreen with dark green, leathery leaves. It is grown in about 35 countries worldwide, including the United States (on an island off the coast of Charleston, South Caroline and in Hawaii.) Worldwide, there are over 3,000 varieties. Tea is the second most popular drink worldwide, after water.

Tea types are determined by the processing method used.

Black tea is made with fully fermented tea leaves. Green tea leaves are allowed to wither and then are twisted to release and oxidize their enzymes. The tea is then allowed to dry. Brew 3-5 minutes only!

Green tea is the oldest type of tea and is made with unfermented leaves. The leaves are simply steamed, rolled and dried. Brew with almost boiling water for 2-4 minutes.

Oolong tea, which is Chinese for “black dragon,” is semi-fermented and has a flavor between black and green tea. This tea is traditionally served in Chinese restaurants. Brew 3-5 minutes.

White tea is the most delicate and most expensive tea. It is made from the very tips of the tea bush (the newest growth) and is simply dried. This tea will be very light in the cup, or it’s not true white tea. Brew with almost boiling water for only 1-3 minutes.

Rooibos tea (pronounced roy bus) is not a true tea. It is made from the leaves of the rooibos plant, which is only found in the Cedar Valley of South Africa. This tea is often referred to as red tea or red bush tea. Brew 3-5 minutes.

Herbal teas are technically not “teas” at all. They do not contain any tea leaves but are instead composed of herbs, flowers, fruits, roots, berries and bark or other leaves. They are naturally caffeine free. Brew 5-10 minutes, depending on the contents. Larger pieces require larger brewing.

To remove most of the caffeine from your tea, simply let it steep for 30 seconds, pour that water off, and steep again. Regular tea has about 40 milligrams of caffeine per cup, compared to about 80 milligrams in a cup of coffee. Most white tea has the least caffeine.

Information provided by Lavender Lane Photography and Tea