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| 4 Types of Tea: How is Each One Made |
Tea is one of the most popular after food drinks globally, but very few people are aware that there are four inherently different flavors and types of tea in every supermarket. Each tea is made out of other ingredients, and each tea has its advantages and disadvantages. I will explain.
It would be best never to forget that there are only four types of tea.
1) Black tea
2) Green tea
3) White tea
4) Oolong tea
All these are made from the Camellia sinensis, also known as the tea plant. Other herbal infusions such as chamomile tea, ginger tea, or red tea made of rooibos leaves are disqualified as types of tea since the tea plant is not involved in their making. The difference between the four tea variations lies in making them. In addition, each type of tea has another flavor and various health benefits.
1) Black Tea
The solid flavored burnt Sienna colored hot beverage is the most popular type of tea in the West. Either served with a squeeze of lemon or added milk, and a cube of sugar, the cup of black tea is part of daily tea ceremonies worldwide. Black tea is made of heavily oxidized Camellia sinensis leaves. When served plain, it contains no calories, carbohydrates, or fats. A cup of black tea contains more caffeine than any other type of tea but less than in any cup of coffee.
2) Green Tea
The lightly oxidized tea has been popular in China, Japan, and Korea for centuries. Recently, rumors on its health benefits increased its popularity in the West. It has been proven that drinking green tea can lower cholesterol, prevent cancer, increase metabolic rates and be helpful in a variety of other conditions and illnesses. The green tea is lightly oxidized, dried but not fermented.
3) White Tea
White tea is rarer and more expensive than the other teas mentioned above. Originated in the Fujian province of china, the white tea is made of young Camellia sinensis leaves, which go through a long process of steaming or frying, inactivating fermenting, and drying. Since the leaves are harvested while the buds are still covered by white hair, it is white tea. White tea has the most delicate, sweet taste than the other types of tea. Moreover, it contains the smallest amount of caffeine and the most antioxidants that help prevent cancer.
4) Oolong Tea
Traditional Chinese tea is the everyday companion of Chinese foods such as dim sum and chop suey in American Chinese restaurants. The oolong tea, black dragon in Chinese, got its name after its long, dark distinguished leaves that look like wild black dragons when brewed. The unique taste of the oolong tea is achieved by a long process that includes sun drying of the Camellia sinensis leaves, light oxidization, cooling, and drying processes. The result is a lighter flavor than the popular black tea and more robust than the delicate green tea.
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