Here's a breakdown of tea products, highlighting some of the most popular varieties:
Black Tea: Known for its bold and robust flavor profile.
- Varieties: Assam (malty, full-bodied), Darjeeling (aromatic, slight astringency), Earl Grey (distinctive bergamot flavor), English Breakfast (strong blend for mornings).
- Characteristics: Bold, robust, malty, full-bodied, rich, smoky (some varieties), fermented, astringent, dark.
Spiced Tea (Chai Tea): Aromatic and warming blend often containing spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and pepper.
- Flavor Profile: Spiced, sweet, creamy (often with milk and sugar).
- Qualities: Aromatic, warming.
Green Tea: Known for its fresh, vegetal taste and health benefits.
- Varieties: Sencha (commonplace green tea), Gyokuro (shade-grown for sweetness), Genmaicha (green tea with roasted brown rice), Dragonwell (esteemed Chinese green tea).
- Characteristics: Fresh, grassy, vegetal, umami, steamed, light, nutty, toasted.
- Origin: Japanese and Chinese varieties are most prominent.
Herbal Tea: Naturally caffeine-free and known for its relaxing and soothing properties.
- Varieties: Chamomile (calming), Peppermint (digestive), Hibiscus (tart, cranberry-like), Lemongrass (citrusy), Lavender (floral, calming).
- Characteristics: Caffeine-free, relaxing, soothing, infusion (often refers to herbal tea steeping).
- Flavor Profile: Blended, floral, citrusy, spicy (depending on the variety).
Matcha Tea: A vibrant green tea powder whisked into hot water for a frothy beverage.
- Types: Ceremonial (highest grade), Culinary (for cooking and baking).
- Characteristics: Ceremonial - Vibrant jade color, earthy, frothy, rich, creamy, smooth. Culinary - Earthy, ground.
- Preparation: Traditional preparation involves a bamboo whisk to create a frothy beverage.
Oolong Tea: A partially oxidized tea offering a complex flavor profile between black and green tea.
- Varieties: Tie Guan Yin (floral), Da Hong Pao (roasted), varieties named after their Wuyi mountain region origin.
- Characteristics: Semi-oxidized, complex, floral, toasty, mineral, medium-bodied, hand-rolled (often), roasted, fragrant, elegant, layered.
Rooibos Tea (Red Bush): A naturally sweet and caffeine-free herbal tea from South Africa.
- Characteristics: Sweet, nutty, caffeine-free, herbal, vanilla, honey notes, smooth, naturally sweet, oxidized (gives it a reddish color), rich, fruity.
White Tea: The least processed tea, known for its delicate and subtle flavors.
- Varieties: Silver Needle (highest grade), White Peony, Long Life Eyebrow, Tribute Eyebrow.
- Characteristics: Delicate, subtle, floral, fruity, light, sweet, mellow, fresh, handpicked.
