Tea, often referred to as the cup that cheers is more than just a beverage; it’s a cultural phenomenon with a rich history dating back thousands of years. As a beverage, tea comes in a multitude of varieties, each offering a unique flavour and aroma. In this blog, we’ll take a journey through some of the most popular tea varieties and explore how to brew them to perfection.
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Black Tea
Black tea is perhaps one of the most well-known and widely consumed types of tea, widely known for its robust flavour and dark colour. Some famous black tea varieties include assam, Darjeeling, earl grey, English breakfast, and Ceylon. Here’s how to brew a delightful cup of black tea:
Brewing Instructions:
- Tea Leaves: use 1 teaspoon of loose black tea leaves per 8 ounces of water.
- Water Temperature: boiling water of 100 degrees.
- Steep Time: steep for 3-5 minutes, depending on your taste preference. Longer steeping times will result in a stronger flavour.
- Additions: you can add milk, sugar, or honey for added flavour.
Green Tea
Green tea is celebrated for its grassy flavour plus numerous health benefits. Varieties like sencha, matcha and dragonwell are cherished by tea enthusiasts. This variety, made from unoxidised tea leaves, offers a mild caffeine boost and a wealth of health benefits, thanks to it’s high concentration of antioxidants and polyphenols.
Brewing instructions:
- Tea leaves: use 1 teaspoon of loose green tea leaves per 8 ounces of water.
- Water temperature: use water just below boiling (around 80 degrees). Boiling water can make the green tea bitter.
- Steep time: steep for 1-3 minutes. Over steeping can lead to bitterness, so adjust to your taste.
- Additions: green tea is usually enjoyed plain. You can add a slice of lemon or a touch of honey if desired.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea falls between black tea and green tea in terms of oxidisation, offering a diverse range of flavours. Popular varieties include Tie Guan Yin, Da Hong Pao, and Formosa Oolong. . This partially oxitised tea undergoes a unique production process that results in a spectrum of tastes, from floral and fruity to toasty and earthy. Oolong’s versatility allows for multiple infusions. It’s a tea variety that captures the essence of tradition and craftsmanship, making every sip an adventure in taste and aroma.
Brewing instructions:
- Tea Leaves: use 1-2 teaspoons of oolong tea per 8 ounces of water.
- Water temperature: use water around 85-95 degrees depending on the oolong variety. Lighter oolongs require lower temperature.
- Steep time: steep for 2-5 minutes. The flavour can vary, so experiment with steeping times.
- Additions: oolong tea is best enjoyed without milk or sugar to savour its nuanced Flavors.
Herbal Tea
Herbal teas aren’t technically “true” teas as they are not made from the camelia sinensis plant, but they are immensely popular for their diverse flavours and potential health benefits. Some common herbal teas include chamomile, peppermint, and hibiscus.
Brewing instructions:
- Tea leaves: use 1-2 teaspoons of dried herbs or flowers per 8 ounces of water.
- Water temperature: boiling water at 100 degrees for most herbal teas.
- Steep time: steep for 5-7 minutes or longer for stronger flavours.
- Additions: herbal teas are often enjoyed plain but can be sweetened with honey or a slice of citrus if desired.
White Tea
White tea is known for its delicate, subtle flavours and minimal processing. Varieties like silver needle and white peony are prized for their mild taste. This variety is made from the young leaves and buds of the tea plant, which are minimally processed to preserve their natural, subtle sweetness.
Brewing instructions:
- Tea leaves: use 1-2 teaspoons of loose white tea leaves per 8 ounces of water.
- Water temperature: use water just below boiling – around 80-85 degrees.
- Steep time: steep for 2-5 minutes. Longer steeping times may be needed for some white teas.
- Additions: white tea is best enjoyed plain to appreciate its delicate taste.
Conclusion
Tea is a versatile beverage with a variety of flavours and brewing methods to explore. Whether you’re a seasoned tea connoisseur or just beginning your tea journey, there’s a tea variety for everyone. So, why not take a moment to brew a cup of your favourite tea, savour the aroma and enjoy the calming ritual that is tea drinking.