The world of tea is diverse, with many different types to choose from. The major differences between teas come from how they are produced, but this also has a significant impact on how and where we drink them. Some types of teas are common, some not. The most common types of tea you may run into are:
Black Tea
Black tea is everywhere, from iced tea at restaurants to your grandmother’s Victorian tea cup. It may have the widest range of all teas as well, from simple Lipton to delicately refined varieties Mariage Frères. My personal favorites lie somewhere in the middle. Black tea also has a huge number of blended and flavored varieties. These include teas like Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Chai, Darjeeling, and many others.
Black tea is called black because – unlike other teas – it is fermented in addition to being withered and dried. This gives you the rich amber color that’s so warm and yummy.
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Green Tea
Legend has it that green tea is the oldest of all teas, and it also has the rep of being healthiest for you, although recent studies have suggested that black tea might be just as good. Green tea is wonderful pure and is sometimes blended with things like jasmine or chamomile or flavored (especially with fruit like orange, pomegranate or apricot). Refined varieties include Gunpowder green tea and Dragon Well. You will find green tea in your local supermarket, sushi bar, or Japanese tea ceremony.
Green tea is less processed than black tea, and it is never fermented – only withered and dried (which is why it retains its green color). It can be sweeter, lighter, or more delicate and usually has a pale green or a soft golden color.
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Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is popular in China, as well as Chinese restaurants. Nothing goes as good with a fortune cookie to me. Oolong tea has a distinctive taste, and can be intensely pungent.
Something of a blend between green and black tea in both coloring and flavor, oolong tea is partially fermented, as well as withered and dried.
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White tea
White tea is increasingly more available due to beverage companies’ ongoing quest for a drink that’s new and different. Once rare, you can now get Lipton Diet White Tea with Raspberry at the convenience store. Of course, finer white teas with poetic names like silver needle and white cloud do not taste exactly the same…. White tea is the sweetest tea and usually has a very pale golden color. It may also be even healthier for you than green tea.
Like green tea, it is never fermented; it is only withered and dried. The difference is that the leaves for white tea are picked while they are still “babies” – young leaves that have not quite opened yet.
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Herbal Teas
Strictly speaking, herbal teas are not teas, but “herbal infusions” or tisanes. This is mostly because they actually contain no tea. Popular favorites such as Peppermint, Lemon, or Orange Spice are enjoyed in much the same way that true teas are, though, and so I think they are sister drinks, at least. Part of the same family. As long as you know the difference, I see no reason to deny anyone the pleasure of a nice Lemon Ginger just because it has no
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Red tea is also not really a tea, because it is actually made from a different bush, grown mostly in Africa. It is very sweet, slightly nutty, and the brew is (you guessed it) red.
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