Tea Varieties

T ea is a beloved drink for many people all over the world. The English are probably the most well known tea drinkers, but drinking tea has become a relaxing ritual for many others as well. There are more than 3,000 varieties of tea for you to choose from when you settle down to brew a cup.

There are a number of tea categories including: (1) black tea, (2) oolong tea, (3) white tea, (4) compressed teas, (5) flavored teas, and (6) green tea. Herbal teas are another category and they contain at least one plant.

Black tea is one of the most commonly consumed teas and is accountable for most of the tea sales in the world. A black tea will have a full and robust flavor and is favored for its aromatic qualities. Black tea is generally served with a bit of sugar and milk, but this will vary depending where in the world it is consumed. Black tea is often combined with other milder teas to tone down its flavor.

Oolong tea is made from the mature leaves of a plant grown in Thailand. It is considered to be a semi-fermented tea. Expert tea drinkers believe that oolong tea should never be blended with other teas and enjoyed entirely on its own.

Green tea is believed by many to be the healthiest tea. It is green in color, not fermented and is full of stimulants and other healthy ingredients. It's often used to cleanse the palate so is served after meals, and cream and sugar are not added.

Flavored teas are growing in popularity and give a lift to green, black, and oolong teas. You can add spices, flowers, or even dried fruit. Some of the most widely enjoyed are jasmine, vanilla, ginger, mango, and lemon teas. Adding a bit of sugar or honey can give it even more zest. This gives a bit of sweetness to a busy day. Try a number of them until you find a few favorites.

You'll find tea served in most cafes and restaurants around the world. If you're traveling to a different country you may want to try some different teas that you aren't able to purchase at home. As tea grows in popularity it may soon rival coffee as the beverage of choice among adults.