Tea Types List: The Ultimate Guide to Different Types and Varieties
The world of tea is vast and diverse, with many different types to choose from. Some of the most popular types of tea include black, green, oolong, white, pu’erh, and herbal teas. This is an ancient beverage that has been around for centuries. It has been consumed in many ways, from its discovery in the Yunnan province of China to today.
In this article, we will explore some of the best-known types of tea and their popularity in different countries.
Main Types of Tea Defined
Black Tea
Black tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant and is fully fermented. The leaves are withered, rolled, and fully fermented to produce black tea. Black tea is known for its bold and robust flavour, with common varieties including Earl Grey, Darjeeling, and English Breakfast tea.
Black tea is rich in antioxidants and has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and stroke and improved bone health.
Green Tea
Green tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant and is minimally processed. The leaves are steamed or pan-fried to prevent fermentation and produce green tea. Green tea is known for its light and delicate flavour, with common varieties including Sencha, Gyokuro, and Dragonwell tea. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and linked to improved brain function, fat loss, and a lower risk of certain cancers.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant and is partially fermented. The leaves are withered, rolled, and partially fermented to produce oolong tea. Oolong tea is known for its unique blend of the flavours of black and green teas, with common varieties including Tie Guan Yin, Pouchong, and Narcissus oolong tea. Oolong tea has been linked to improved cardiovascular health, weight loss, and a lower risk of certain cancers.
White Tea
White tea is made from the buds and leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant and is minimally processed. The leaves are withered and dried to produce white tea. White tea is known for its delicate and nuanced flavour, with common varieties including Yin Zhen and Bai Mudan tea. White tea is rich in antioxidants and has been linked to improved heart health, weight loss, and a lower risk of certain cancers.
Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant and is fermented. The leaves are withered, rolled, and fermented to produce pu-erh tea. Pu-erh tea is known for its unique earthy and musty flavour, with common varieties including Ripe Pu-erh and Raw Pu-erh tea. Pu-erh tea has been linked to improved digestion, weight loss, and a lower risk of certain cancers.
Herbal Tea
Herbal tea is a non-caffeinated infusion made from herbs, fruits, spices, or flowers. Herbal teas are not made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. Popular herbal teas include chamomile, mint, ginger, and rooibos, each with a unique flavour and health benefits such as reducing stress, improving digestion and promoting sleep.
List of 70 Tea Types with Definition
- Black tea is a fully fermented tea made from Camellia sinensis leaves.
- Green tea is a minimally processed tea made from Camellia sinensis leaves.
- Oolong tea is a partially fermented tea made from Camellia sinensis leaves.
- White tea is a minimally processed tea made from the buds and leaves of Camellia sinensis.
- Pu-erh tea is a fermented tea made from Camellia sinensis leaves and aged for several years.
- Herbal tea – a non-caffeinated infusion made from herbs, fruits, spices, or flowers.
- Chai tea – is a popular Indian tea made by brewing black tea with a blend of spices such as ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Earl Grey tea – is a black tea flavoured with the oil of bergamot, a citrus fruit.
- Darjeeling tea – is a black tea grown in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India.
- Jasmine tea – a scented tea made by adding jasmine flowers to green or white tea.
- English Breakfast tea – a blend of black teas commonly served with breakfast.
- Irish Breakfast tea – a more robust version of English Breakfast tea, often blended with Assam teas.
- Lapsang Souchong tea – a black tea that is smoke-dried over pinewood fires.
- Masala Chai tea – a blend of black tea and spices commonly found in India.
- Matcha tea – a green tea ground into a powder, traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies.
- Genmaicha tea – a blend of green tea and roasted brown rice.
- Sencha tea – is a Japanese green tea that is steamed and rolled.
- Gyokuro tea – is a Japanese green tea that is shaded for several weeks before harvest.
- Dragonwell tea – is a Chinese green tea pan-fried for a unique flavour.
- Keemun tea – is a Chinese black tea known for its smoky flavour.
- Liu An Gua Pian tea – is a Chinese green tea made from a unique variety of Camellia sinensis.
- Longjing tea – is a Chinese green tea grown in the West Lake region of Hangzhou.
- Milk Oolong tea – a Taiwanese oolong tea known for its creamy, milky flavour.
- Narcissus oolong tea – a Taiwanese oolong tea that is scented with narcissus flowers.
- Pouchong tea – is a Chinese oolong tea that is lightly fermented.
- Tieluohan tea – is a Chinese oolong tea grown in the Wuyi Mountains.
- Tie Guan Yin tea – a Chinese oolong tea known for its floral aroma.
- Yin Zhen tea – is a Chinese white tea made from only the buds of Camellia sinensis.
- Bai Hao Yinzhen tea is a Chinese white tea made from a unique variety of Camellia sinensis.
- Bai Mudan tea is a Chinese white tea made from various Camellia sinensis.
- Shoumei tea – is a Chinese white tea made from a unique variety of Camellia sinensis.
- Shoumei tea is a Chinese white tea made from various Camellia sinensis.
- Ripe Pu-erh tea – a fermented tea made from Camellia sinensis leaves and aged for several years.
- Raw Pu-erh tea is a fermented tea made from Camellia sinensis leaves and aged for several years.
- Jasmine Dragon Pearls tea – a scented green tea made by rolling green tea leaves around jasmine flowers.
- Chrysanthemum tea – a Chinese herbal tea made from the chrysanthemum flower’s petals.
- Rose tea – a scented tea that adds rose petals to black, green or white tea.
- Lemon Balm tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Lemon Balm plant.
- Passionflower tea – is a herbal tea made from the leaves and flowers of the Passionflower plant.
- Peppermint tea – is a herbal tea that is made from the leaves of the Peppermint plant.
- Red Clover tea – a herbal tea that is made from the leaves and flowers of the Red Clover plant.
- Rooibos tea – a South African herbal tea made from the Aspalathus linearis plant leaves.
- Sage tea – is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Sage plant.
- Spearmint tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Spearmint plant.
- Turmeric tea – is a herbal tea that is made from the root of the Turmeric plant.
- Valerian root tea is a herbal tea made from the root of the Valerian plant.
- Yarrow tea – is a herbal tea made from the leaves and flowers of the Yarrow plant.
- Yellow Dock tea – a herbal tea made from the roots of the Yellow Dock plant.
- Yerba Mate tea – a South American herbal tea made from the Ilex paraguariensis plant leaves.
- Zedoary root tea is a herbal tea made from the roots of the Zedoary plant.
- Chamomile tea – is a herbal tea that is made from the flowers of the Chamomile plant.
- Lemon Grass tea – a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Lemon Grass plant.
- Dandelion Root tea – is a herbal tea made from the roots of the Dandelion plant.
- Elderberry tea – is a herbal tea that is made from the fruits of the Elderberry plant.
- Echinacea tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves and flowers of the Echinacea plant.
- Fennel tea – is a herbal tea made from the seeds of the Fennel plant.
- Ginkgo tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Ginkgo Biloba tree.
- Ginger tea – is a herbal tea made from the root of the Ginger plant.
- Gota Kola tea – a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Gotu Kola plant.
- Holy Basil tea – a herbal tea that is made from the leaves of the Holy Basil plant.
- Hops tea – a herbal tea made from the Hops plant’s flowers.
- Horsetail tea – a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Horsetail plant.
- Licorice tea is a herbal tea made from the Liquorice plant’s roots.
- Marshmallow tea – is a herbal tea made from the leaves and roots of the Marshmallow plant.
- Nettle tea – is a herbal tea that is made from the leaves of the Nettle plant.
- Oregano tea – is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Oregano plant.
- Parsley tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Parsley plant.
- Red Raspberry Leaf tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Red Raspberry plant.
- Rose Hip tea – is a herbal tea that is made from the hips of the Rose plant.
- Saw Palmetto tea – a herbal tea that is made from the berries of the Saw Palmetto plant.
How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Tea
It is essential to pay attention to the temperature of the water, the steeping time, and the water quality to brew the perfect cup of tea. Black teas typically require hotter water and longer steeping times, while green teas require cooler water and shorter steeping times. It’s also essential to use the right water quality; the best water for tea should be free of chlorine or other impurities.
Each type of tea requires a specific brewing method to bring out its unique flavour and aroma. It’s essential to check the instructions for each type of tea and experiment with different brewing methods to find the perfect cup.
So what we learned today?
This article covered the different types of tea, including black, green, oolong, white, Pu-erh and herbal teas. Each tea type has a unique flavour, aroma and health benefits.
With so many different types of tea to choose from, there is something for everyone to enjoy. We encourage you to explore and experiment with different kinds of tea to find the perfect cup that suits your taste.
If you want to learn more about the world of tea, many resources, such as books, and tea experts, can provide you with more detailed information.
