The numerous types of tea
We all love a cup of tea. A hot, satisfying drink after a Full English breakfast, the ultimate caffeine fix in the afternoon, or great with scones and a Victoria Sponge during a tea party when you break out your luxury kitchen accessories. However do you know that there are so many types of tea available?
According to Tea Palace, there are four different varieties of tea:
· Black tea gets its flavour and colour due to oxidisation. This is why many black teas have a darker, richer flavour. Black tea is the most popular, the well known blends Earl Grey, English Breakfast and Red Label fall into this category.
· Green tea is heated to denature the enzymes that oxidise it, oxidisation is prevented. The heating process preserves vitamins and antioxidants which makes green tea healthier. It is more popular in Asian countries like
· Oolong tea is semi-oxidised, so it is a hybrid of the black and green tea, the flavour is more smoother. According to wisegeek, it is known for its digestive benefits, Oolong tea helps the body to break down food more quickly and works as an antiseptic.
· White tea is a very rare tea, it is picked before the leaf buds fully open, which means that it can only be picked in a very short time during the year. Despite its rarity, it is very beneficial to the body as it contains three times more antioxidants than green tea, has less caffeine than other teas and has been know to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, according to whiteteaguide.
Herbal tea may not consist of tea leaves, however they could be made from leaves or fruits from other plants or even spices. There are many varieties including mint tea, strawberry tea, even anise tea.
Therefore, the humble cup of tea may be more complex than previously thought. Hopefully with this article, many tea lovers will try something new when reaching for a brew, like the healthy and rare white tea, or even a sweet strawberry herbal tea.
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