| There
are more than 3,000 different types of teas produced worldwide.
Tea
can be divided into 6 main categories - White Teas, Black
Teas, Oolong Teas, Green Teas, Compressed Teas and Flavored
Teas. Herbal Teas are made from different plants altogether.
The
Camellia Sinesis is an evergreen tree that produces white
flowers and can grow up to 9 meters tall if left in its’
natural state. The plants are kept trimmed to a bushy and
manageable size.
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White
Tea is a very rare type of tea grown in China |
White
Tea
When
brewed, white tea imparts a delicate flavor into the water
with little color.
Tea plants grown in the mountain areas of the Fujian Province
produce little buds that are covered in silvery hairs. These
give the baby curled-up leaves their white appearance.
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Black
Teas were actually discovered by accident |
Black
Tea
Discovered
by accident, this is a fully fermented tea, picked from young
leaves. Black Tea accounts for the largest sales worldwide
and are generally full flavored and aromatic.
In
the late 1600’s, a shipment of semi-fermented tea was
delayed on its’ journey to Britain. Becoming fully fermented
by the time it arrived, this new taste was actually embraced
and became popular.
|
On
a tea plantation, the Camellia Sinesis will take 3-5
years to produce quality tea leaves that are ready for
picking. |
Oolong
Tea
Made
from mature leaves, this tea is semi-fermented. Oolong Tea
grown in Thailand is one of the most popular. Connoisseurs
believe that Oolong Teas should be savored on their own.
Green
Tea
This
Tea is not fermented and green in color. Green Tea has more
taste variables and stimulants than any other tea types.
Green
Tea is more of a palate cleansing drink after dinner, rather
than drinking with foods. Generally cool, clean and refreshing,
Green Tea is best consumed without milk and sugar.
Compressed
Tea
The
Chinese once used tea as a currency. The leaves were compressed
to form a brick and sealed with the official makers stamp.
A sheep might have cost 12 bricks of Compressed Tea.
Today,
Compressed Tea is made by compressing Black, Green or Oolong
tea leaves tightly together to form bricks, tiny balls, cakes
or beautiful 3D floral shapes.
|
Flavored
Teas are a delicious alternative |
Flavored
Tea
Flavored
Teas are made by using Black, Oolong or Green Teas and adding
natural oils, spices, dried fruit, or flowers for flavoring.
Flavors are added either in the form of granules or as a liquid
sprayed onto the leaves.
The
varieties of Flavored Teas are steadily growing as people
like to explore with all the new taste sensations. The tea
flavors and additions can range from Jasmine flowers, Rose
petals, Orchids, Gardenias, Lemon, Orange, Mango, Ginger,
Mint, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Caramel, Chocolate, Raisin, Sticky
Toffee and Vanilla - just to mention a few.
Article
provided by Tea Rose Lane
http://www.tearoselane.com.au
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