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Tea Varietys
All teas are made from the leaf of the Camellia sinensis plant,
they differ only in the amount of fermentation.
Compressed Green Pu-erh |
Black Tea
Black tea is fermented during processing.
Black tea is generally stronger and contains more caffeine than the less oxidized teas.
Generally, unblended black teas are named after the region in which they are grown.
Different regions are known for producing teas with characteristic flavors.
Green Tea
Green tea leaves are steamed to stop fermentation.
This keeps
the original color of the leaves is retained. The result is a fresh tasting
tea that produces a pale green-yellow liquid that has a grassy flavor.
Steaming prevents the loss of polyphenols,
which is why there are so many more benefits to green tea.
All Japanese teas are green.
Oolong Tea
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Oolong Tea
Oolong Tea is fermented like black tea, but the process is stopped part way through.
White tea
White tea is steamed and dried and does not go through fermentation.
White tea is also called silvertip pekoe or white needle. When you brew white
tea it is a pale yellow straw color. It has a slightly sweet flavor with
none of the grassy undertones of green teas.
Pu'erh
Pu-erh (or Pu'er tea) is a type of tea made from a "large leaf" variety
of the tea plant and named after Pu'er county near Simao, in southern Yunnan, China.
Pu-erh can be aged for many years, the quality, taste and value improves with age.
Pu-erh teas are often
classified by year and region of production much like wine vintages.
Pu-erh is often blended with other teas.
Taste and flavor can vary greatly depending on type, grade and age.
Good Pu'er teas are wonderful, bad Pu'er teas taste like dirt.
Spiced Teas
Scented teas are made
by mixing flowers and petals with green or oolong tea leaves. Jasmine
is one of the best of the scented teas.
Spiced teas can be flavored with just about anything, peach, vanilla, cherry,
cinnamon, nutmeg, dried orange or lemon peel as an example.
Herbal tea, tisane or ptisan
Tisanes look and smell like a potpourri.
Herbal teas contain no Camellia sinensis leaves, they are not really tea
because they are not made from tea leaves.
Herbal tea refers to infusions of herbs such as rosehip, ginger,
chamomile, jiaogulan or dried fruit and berries.
They are caffeine-free
and present a delicious and healthy alternative to regular iced teas or fruit drinks.
They are excellent summer treats for kids
They taste great hot or as an iced tea. There are no preservatives, chemicals
or sugars added which make them ideal for children having "their" tea party.
They are caffeine free and the mystery detective Hercule Poirot drinks them.
Varieties of teas
More than 2000 subspecies, of the Camellia sinensis plant exist,
resulting in thousands of teas, each with unique characteristics.
Caravan is usually a blend of Chinese
and Indian black teas,
heavily sweetened, with sugar
honey or jam. Caravan has its origins in Russia and gets its name from the camel
caravans that brought the tea.
Congous is grown in China, are called “red teas” and are
commonly served in Chinese restaurants.
Darjeeling is a region in northeast India. Darjeeling is referred to as
the “Champagne of teas.”
Darjeeling’s have a wide range of flavors from floral to nutty.
Earl Grey is a blend of black teas, its characteristic tangy flavor is due to
citrus oil from the bergamot orange.
Genmaicha is a blend of roasted brown rice, a few kernels of popped corn
and green tea.
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Irish Breakfast tea, from Ireland. It is a robust black tea
blend, generally made with an Assam tea base.
It is usually drunk in the morning because it is strong. Is best with
sugar and milk.
Jasmine Tea is made from Pouchong tea leaves
that are scented with jasmine flowers. Jasmine flowers are harvested during the
day, during the night, the flowers bloom and the blooms are layered over the tea
leaves during the scenting
process.
Keemun is grown in many regions of China and Taiwan and is a style of tea instead
of region. Keemun is the “Burgundy” of teas. Chinese Keemuns have a
rich, fruity flavor.
Lapsang Souchong is from in China and Taiwan.
Lapsang Souchong has a smoky flavor that is made by drying the leaves
over a smoldering pine fire. Lapsang Souchong is made from larger leaves that are
lower in caffeine, which make it a good evening tea.
Pu-erh (or Puer) a Chinese black tea,
that is fermented twice. Has a strong earthy quality and is used as a digestive aid.
Pouchong (Chinese Green) is a slightly fermented
tea. It brews a light yellow hue, a mild aroma, and a delicate flavor.
Pouchong tea, originated in the Pinlin region outside of Taipei, Taiwan.
Pouchong tea is one of the best in the world.
Yunnan is produced in the Yunnan province in China. Yunnans have a slightly
peppery quality with a agreeable full flavor.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ericales
Family: Theaceae
Genus: Camellia
Species: C. sinensis
Binomial name
Camellia sinensis
By Harvey Robinson
Nothing in this essay is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Green tea has not been approved by the Food & Drug Administration for the treatment of any disease.
If you are not a tea drinker, you can still get the nutritional benefits
in the convenience of a capsule form.
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