INTRO
TO TEA
ALL TEA COMES FROM ONE PLANT: CAMELLIA SINENSIS
That's right, all tea from green to black come from one plant called Camellia Sinensis. This tea plant comes in a couple different forms- tea bushes or tea trees. In China, there are tea trees up to thousands of years old that yield highly prized and expensive tea.
Tea originated in China six thousand years ago and for most of its history was consumed medicinally. In more recent history, tea spread to other parts of the world and today is grown and enjoyed as the most consumed beverage worldwide (after water).
THE ORIGIN OF TEA
Watch this TEDEd video on the myth behind how tea was discovered.
TEAS VS. TISANES: A COMMON MISCONCEPTION
Often we use the same word to describe a green tea and a chamomile tea: just tea. However, there is a difference between herbal teas, which are known as tisanes, and a classic tea (green, black, oolong, etc.). The major difference is that tisanes are made with plants other than the Camellia Sinensis tea plant, whereas teas are made with this specific plant. Tea blends are also becoming more popular- mixes of tea and herbs.
THE 6 MAJOR TYPES OF TEA
GREEN TEA
Green tea has been praised for its health benefits and is the everyday drinking tea of the Chinese and Japanese. Matcha, a type of green tea, is used in the Japanese tea ceremony.
WHITE TEA
White tea is the least processed of the major tea types. This gives it a unique look, some interesting flavor characteristics and health benefits.
YELLOW TEA
Like green and white teas, yellow tea is minimally processed. Yellow tea production is becoming increasingly rare and this tea can be difficult to find.
OOLONG TEA
Oolong is one of the most diverse tea categories. Teas that are oxidized anywhere between 15 and 75% are categorized as oolongs.
BLACK TEA
What most westerners have come to know as black tea is called red tea in China. This is the tea that the English drink traditionally with a little milk and sugar and some sweets.
PU ERH TEA
Green tea has been praised for its health benefits and is the everyday drinking tea of the Chinese and Japanese. Matcha, a type of green tea, is used in the Japanese tea ceremony.