Different Kinds of Tea and Their Characteristics

Tea, one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, is an important part of daily life and culture in many countries globally. With origins in South East Asia, it has been traded for millennia and adopted by cultures in the West, China, India and many more.

Tea is made by steeping the leaves of two principal plants, the small-leaved China plant (C. sinensis variety sinensis) and the large-leaved Assam plant (C. sinensis variety assamica), in freshly boiled water. It can be consumed hot or cold, with added milk or fruit juice, with sugar or without.

There are over 3000 different varieties of tea, each with its own characteristics, chemical compositions and flavour profiles. Much like wine, each tea is an expression of the territory in which it is grown and carries significance for the people who consume it. Here are a few of the most popular types of tea and their characteristics.

Green Tea

Green tea is made from fresh non-oxidised leaves, which gives it its pale green or golden colour. Drinking green tea has many proven health benefits including the promotion of weight loss, blood sugar regulation, disease prevention, and exercise recovery. It can also help keep your skin and liver healthy, reduce blood fat levels, regulate blood pressure, and improve brain health. Green tea is most commonly made with loose-leaf tea or in tea bags and because it contains caffeine it is a popular morning drink. It is also often taken as an aid to weight loss and for post-exercise recovery.

Black Tea

So-called because of its colour, black tea is also known as red tea in some parts of the world. The colour comes from the oxidisation of the leaves, which are dried or withered. It is the most commonly consumed tea in the world. There are many different types of black tea with Earl Grey and Oolong among the most popular. It is thought to possess many health benefits including improved heart and gut health, and the lowering of 'bad' LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.

White Tea

White tea is the mildest form of tea because it is the least processed, and mild in taste and colour. Like black and green tea, white tea comes from the camellia sinensis plant. Popular types of white tea include Bai Mudan, Shou Mei and Silver Needle. Like its related tea types, it is also associated with health benefits – it is thought to reduce the risk of heart disease, combat skin ageing and even help with weight loss.

Herbal Tea

Herbal tea refers to any botanical infusion and there are thousands of different types. The most popular herbal teas are peppermint, hibiscus, chamomile and ginger. Considered to aid digestion and as a sleep aid, herbal teas are also used to reduce inflammation and as an antioxidant.

Oolong Tea

Making oolong tea from Chinese tea varieties involves a natural process of oxidisation by allowing the leaves to whither under a strong sun. The tea is very popular in China, Japan and in the West, especially in England where milk is added and it is served as ‘high tea'. It is high in caffeine and tannins and has a smoky, somewhat bitter flavour which makes it a favourite for serving with pastries and sweets, especially in the afternoon.

Matcha Tea

Matcha tea is powdered green tea made from the dried fresh leaves of the tea plant. It has been the cornerstone of the Japanese tea ceremony for centuries but has become popular in Western café culture in recent years. It is high in caffeine, and has a slightly vegetal taste and a bright green colour because of the high chlorophyll content.

Yerba Tea

Yerba tea, otherwise known as yerba mate or just mate, is a tea consumed in South America. It is made by soaking the leaves and twigs of the yerba mate in water and is served with a metal straw. It can be served hot or cold and like black tea, it contains caffeine and is a stimulant. Yerba tea is not as beneficial as other teas and some do not recommend overconsumption of it. Proponents of yerba, however, claim it can relieve fatigue, aid in weight loss, ease depression, and help treat headaches and various other conditions.

Yellow Tea

Yellow tea is a rare variety and the name refers to Chinese huángchá or Korean hwangcha. It is called yellow tea because of its colour, which is due to the harvesting and drying process. The tea leaves are picked at a very young stage and only the very best and most tender leaves are harvested, and sometimes the buds are included. Once the leaves are dried and slightly oxidised, a process of fermentation is carried out. Yellow tea has a smoother less earthy flavour than green tea and is higher in antioxidants than other teas. Because it can be fermented several times, it can be more expensive and is considered a tea for special occasions in many cultures, especially in China.

Pu-erh Tea

Pu'er or pu-erh tea is a fermented tea that comes from Yunnan province in China. It has a rich and complex aroma and a flavour profile often described as having layers and malty and fruity components. As a so-called dark tea, it has a similar composition and health benefits to black teas, is high in caffeine and tannins, and cleanses toxins and free radicals. It has been used as an aid for headaches and migraine for centuries.

Purple Tea

Purple tea comes from Kenya and is so called because of its beautiful purple colour when brewed. It has a mild flavour with floral notes and a clean finish. The tea is made from the camellia sinensis plant, which is the same plant that gives us black, green, and oolong tea. It is made in a similar way to green tea, but the plant varietal yields purple leaves and shoots – hence the colour.

Rooibos Tea

Rooibos is a South African plant, the leaves of which are used to make rooibos tea, also known as red tea or redbush tea. Extremely popular in South Africa it has gained popularity worldwide in recent years. It has a citrusy, slightly tart, earthy flavour and can be served hot or cold, sweetened or unsweetened. Rooibos tea contains antioxidants, which are thought to have many health benefits, and it is also thought to have anti-inflammatory properties and to reduce stress.

There is perhaps no other drink that has embedded itself so deeply into our cultures than tea. It is a daily ritual for billions that signals a moment for people to come together, to talk, slow down and enjoy life. Despite its importance, it remains relatively inexpensive and is the ultimate democratic drink, enjoyed by the planet’s most wealthy and the poorest, every day.