There are several types of Chinese tea available. Tea is currently produced in more than 20 provinces in China, and it’s sold all over the world. Tea in China has a huge following. It’s been used for hundreds of years in ceremonies and for medicinal purposes. All tea comes from the same plant, but the processing changes the flavor and appearance of the tea. Some people prefer lighter teas, and will do better with green tea, while others want a darker tea that resembles coffee. If you are new to the different types of Chinese tea, here is a quick guide to help you understand them all.
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Green Types of Chinese Tea
Green tea is one of the most popular types of Chinese tea available today. It has a lighter flavor, and the processing minimizes the damage to the leaves. Since the Chinese tea leaves aren’t fermented or damaged, they maintain more of the benefits of tea such as antioxidants. There are several types of green tea, including Dragon Well tea, jasmine tea, and Gunpowder tea. The varieties have to do with which region the tea is grown. Some teas are also processed differently. For instance, some types of Chinese tea require the leaves to be pan fried, while others are steamed and rolled.
Black Tea
In Chinese black tea varieties the leaves are allowed to ferment completely before they are processed and sold. This results in a much darker tea with a bolder flavor. These types of Chinese tea products have a higher caffeine content. This makes black tea popular as a coffee alternative. Black tea is also called Chinese red tea. This can be confusing because red teas from Africa are different. If you want a Chinese tea, look for this on the package. If you see red tea that is listed as bush tea or red bush tea, it’s not from the same region. In the western regions of the world red tea is more commonly a term used for rooibos tea, which comes from South Africa.
Oolong Tea
Wu Long or Oolong tea is somewhere in between black and green tea. The leaves are allowed to partially ferment. This results in a darker tea that has more of a green tea taste. A lot of people say that Oolong has a less grassy flavor than green tea. Since green tea can be an acquired taste, a good Oolong can be a good alternative. The tea is smoother than black tea, has a little caffeine for those who need a morning pick me up, and still has many of the benefits of green tea.
Pu-Erh Tea
When it comes to types of Chinese tea, this is one of the least popular varieties in the western world. In this type of tea the leaves are allowed to ferment for years. This gives the tea a much darker and earthier flavor. It can sometimes be found in discs that have been compressed. It’s also common to find this type of tea sold as art in parts of China since it can be formed in to shapes. This is also one of the more expensive types of Chinese tea because of the care that must be taken during the processing and fermentation process.
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