Tea for Beginners: Which to Choose and How to Prepare It?
Teas or infusions | White tea | Green tea | Blue tea or oolong tea | Black tea | Red tea or pu-erh tea | Rooibos | Herbal infusions | Making the perfect tea
Drinking a cup of tea a day is a great way to stay healthy and happy . Tea is a complex beverage with different flavors, varieties, and preparation methods that depend on the growing regions, traditions, and production methods. This leads to thousands of types of tea, a nearly endless world if we include herbal infusions.
With so much variety, it can be difficult to decide where to start if you're new to the world or want to try new flavors. That's why we've created this guide to help you understand the different types of tea based on their flavor and aroma, with some tips on how to prepare the perfect cup.
Teas or infusions
The first thing to clarify is the difference between tea and infusions . Infusions are made by steeping spices, herbs, and roots in hot water, whereas tea is prepared by steeping tea leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant, which naturally contain theine. Herbal infusions do not contain theine.
Theine or caffeine
Theine and caffeine are the same alkaloid. Science has proven that they are the same component; they simply act differently . The theine in tea has a different effect than the caffeine in coffee; this is because theine binds with other components present in tea. When tea is infused , the theine combines with tannins, which attenuate and stabilize its effect . It could be said that tea has a stimulating effect and coffee has an excitatory effect.
RELATED INFORMATION
White tea
White tea is the least processed of all teas, and its production process consists of a single step. The tea leaves are harvested and then immediately left to dry in the sunlight. All white teas are produced in Fujian Province, China, and only the youngest and most tender tea leaves are used.
There are two main varieties of white tea: Silver Needle and Pai Mu Tan . The former is made using only the new shoots of the plant and has a sweet flavor. Pai Mu Tan is made using both shoots and leaves, resulting in a more robust, sweet, and spicy flavor.
Flavor and aroma
The delicate, sweet, and rounded flavors give this tea its smooth and subtle flavor profile. White tea has floral and fruity undertones that can be enhanced by adding a slice of lemon or a little honey. It's one of the mildest teas, making it a great choice for almost everyone, perfect for both beginners and tea connoisseurs.
RELATED INFORMATION
Green tea
Green teas require minimal processing , but their production method is somewhat more complex than that of white tea. The tea leaves are harvested and withered to reduce their moisture content. The leaves are then pan-fried or steamed to prevent oxidation. During the drying process, the masters roll the leaves into balls or long twigs, depending on the variety.
The most popular varieties of green tea are Chinese gunpowder and dragon well , and Japanese sencha, matcha, and genmaicha . Sencha is the most popular in Japan, matcha is made by grinding green tea leaves into a fine powder, and genmaicha is a unique blend of green tea and roasted rice grains. Gunpowder is named for its bullet-like shape, and dragon well is the highest quality green tea produced in China, often used as a gift for loved ones.
Flavor and aroma
Chinese green teas are typically pan-fired and have a roasted , nutty flavor , while Japanese green teas are steamed and have more vegetal and grassy flavors. Most green teas are light green, with the exception of matcha, which is a bright, vibrant green.
RELATED INFORMATION
Blue tea or oolong tea
Blue tea, or oolong tea , is known in China as "wulong tea," where it has been consumed for centuries. It is a partially oxidized tea , with a more intense flavor profile than green tea but milder than black tea. It follows a similar process to black tea, but during oxidation, tea masters apply heat to the leaves to halt the process.
Flavor and aroma
The tea is a deep amber color. Its flavor is floral and medium-bodied. Oolong teas can vary greatly in flavor, depending on when the oxidation process has stopped. Less oxidized oolong teas will be more similar to green teas, while more oxidized ones will be more similar to black teas. This is a favorite among tea lovers, as it combines some of the qualities of more well-known teas, retaining the vegetal and floral flavor of green teas, and adding the fruity flavor and more intense body of black teas.
RELATED INFORMATION
Black tea
Black tea is commonly known in the West as "black tea," but in China it is called "red tea." This is the most processed of all teas. The leaves are harvested and allowed to wither . They are then rolled to create small fissures in the leaves. This causes enzymes to react with oxygen and begin the oxidation process. Finally, the leaves are heated and allowed to dry. The result is a dark brown beverage.
The most famous black teas are those produced in China, India, and Sri Lanka . In India, the largest producing regions are Assam and Darjeeling, giving rise to black teas recognized worldwide. Sri Lankan teas are known as Ceylon and are also highly valued.
Flavor and aroma
Assam black tea is the most robust and earthy-flavored. Darjeeling is the most delicate black tea, offering softer, fruitier flavors reminiscent of muscatel wine. Ceylon black teas from Sri Lanka have notes of chocolate, spices, and citrus. Chinese black teas have a more powerful and astringent flavor.
In addition to pure black teas, two varieties of black tea that are well-known and valued in the West are worth mentioning due to their importance: Earl Grey and Chai. Earl Grey tea has a citrusy flavor and aroma due to its blend with bergamot. Chai tea is spiced with cardamom, ginger, black pepper, and cinnamon, and is usually drunk mixed with milk.
RELATED INFORMATION
Red tea or pu erh
Although it's known as red tea in Spain, it's also known as " Pu-erh " in China, where it's revered for its health-promoting properties . There are two types of Pu-erh tea: raw and aged . Raw Pu-erh is made by harvesting the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant and then subjecting them to high temperatures. The heat destroys the enzymes.
Aged pu-erh undergoes further fermentation and is aged for years to develop distinct flavor profiles. As the tea leaves age, they are exposed to natural oxidation, which is why these teas are considered post-fermented or post-oxidized teas.
Flavor and aroma
Raw pu-erh teas are more similar in flavor and aroma to green teas, while aged pu-erh teas are more similar in composition to black tea. Aged pu-erh teas typically have a dark reddish color, while raw pu-erh tea is slightly lighter. Pu-erh tea has an earthy flavor, with toasty and sweet undertones.
RELATED INFORMATION
The 5 Properties of Red or Pu-erh Tea Beneficial for Your Health
Rooibos tea
Although it is often calledrooibos tea , it is actually made from the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant. This plant is grown almost exclusively in the Cederburg Mountains of South Africa. The leaves are rolled, oxidized, and dried. The oxidation process turns the leaves a deep red color , which is why it is also known as "red bush tea." Rooibos is caffeine-free and can be drunk with or without milk, making it a great alternative to black tea.
Flavor and aroma
Rooibos has a refreshing, nutty, and full-bodied flavor . It's often described as a beverage with a vanilla, caramel, and honey flavor. The color of the infusion is a deep, vibrant red.
RELATED INFORMATION
Herbal infusions
Herbal infusions are made with spices, herbs, roots, and flowers . As a general rule, infusions do not contain caffeine . Herbal infusions have been used by humans since ancient times to treat various ailments naturally. The most common are those containing ginger, mint, nettle, chamomile, or fennel.
Flavor and aroma
The flavor and aroma of infusions depend largely on the plants and spices used in their preparation. They can range from the floral flavors of chamomile and cornflower to the citrus flavors of lemon or lemon balm, and even the spicy flavors of ginger or licorice.
Tips for preparing the perfect tea
These tips for preparing the perfect cup of tea apply to loose teas or infusions . Matcha tea has a special preparation method, which you can read about in this short guide .
Use loose tea
Many people who start drinking tea think it tastes bad, often because they use low-quality tea bags. As with most foods and beverages, quality is important . Tea bags are mostly made from the leftover leaves and often contain dust and other impurities. Quality loose tea , on the other hand, is made from whole leaves, and steeping allows the leaves to fully expand, releasing their full flavor and aroma. Tea leaves can also be re-steeped multiple times, depending on the type of tea.
RELATED INFORMATION
Water temperature
One of the most common reasons a tea may taste bitter and unpalatable is brewing it at the wrong temperature. Some teas, such as green tea, taste very bitter when brewed with excessively hot water . In general, white and green teas should be brewed with water between 75-85°C, as they are more delicate and have a more subtle flavor. Stronger teas, such as oolong and black tea, should be brewed with hot water between 90-100°C. Herbal teas and rooibos tea are brewed with boiling water (100°C).
We recommend checking the water temperature with a tea thermometer . If you don't have one, you can follow this simple rule. Bring the water to a boil (100°C) and let it sit uncovered for a few minutes, depending on the temperature you want. Wait 2 minutes for the water to reach 90-95°C, 5 minutes for 80-85°C, and approximately 10 minutes for 75°C.
Infusion time
The steeping time for different teas also varies depending on the type . If steeped too long, teas can develop unappealing bitter flavors. The recommended steeping time for white and green teas is 1-3 minutes. For oolong tea, it's 2-4 minutes. For black and red tea, the appropriate steeping time is 3-5 minutes. For herbal teas and rooibos tea, the steeping time ranges from 5-10 minutes.
If you want to start enjoying the flavor and aroma of the best teas, you can try our Loose Tea Starter Pack .
