Types of Tea

True Teas: Camellia Sinensis

There are 5 main varieties of tea: green tea, black tea, oolong tea, white tea and pu-erh tea. All of these teas are produced from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis.

Teas are defined according to their level of oxidation, their age at the time of plucking, and whether they have been fermented. Green tea is not oxidized, and it is steamed or fired to stop it from oxidizing. This, incidentally, is why green tea is noted for its high levels of antioxidants. Black tea, on the other hand, is completely oxidized, while oolong tea is partially oxidized. White tea is made from unopened tea buds and the very first leaves of the tea plant. Like green tea, it is not oxidized and receives only minimal processing. Finally, pu-erh tea is the only tea which undergoes a fermentation process. For this reason, good pu-erh tea improves with age and can be stored for years.

For more about any of these teas, click the links above or check out the category for each:

• Green Tea
• Black Tea
• Oolong Tea
• White Tea
• Pu-erh Tea

Tisanes

Tisanes are teas made by infusing other plants. This includes herbal teas and teas made from fruits, spices or flowers.

To see what I've written about tisanes, check the link above or see the list of tisanes I've written about below:

• Ginger Tea
• Dandelion Tea