Popular tea types

A single plant can give rise to mind boggling varieties of tea types. The main one are green, black, white and pu-erh teas, these result due to the method of processing and growing used. The region where tea is grown also plays and important part. The flavors of tea leaf can be vastly different depending upon where the tea leaf comes from. Darjeeling tea and Assam black tea are the most popular all over the World.

Other popular forms of tea leaf are pu-erh tea and oolong tea leaf while flavored tea and spiced tea blends are also gaining popularity all over. The organic tea is simply any kind of tea which is cultivated using organic manure without the use of pesticides and fertilizers. Organic green tea and organic black tea are consumed for their health benefits, albeit they are as flavorful but like all organic foods they are costly.

White tea leaf

White tea does not undergo fermentation is less popular of the tea types. It is popular in Fujian province of China The tea leaf gives colorless liquor, a delicate sweet flavor and a mellow creamy or nutty quality. White tea leaves are the whitish grey buds of the tea plant which are sun dried or steamed.

Green tea leaf

The fermentation of green tea leaves begins with withering, the next step is pan-frying or steaming to prevent fermentation. Once the steaming process is complete, the green tea leaves are cut dried and cured. In various countries different shapes are given to the green tea leaf depending upon the popularity Green tea is light green/yellow in color, with a subtle flavor that remind one of the aroma fresh green leaves. The health giving properties of green tea leaf are well known.

Oolong tea leaf

Oolong tea leaves are among the top quality and expensive teas they are cultivated in China and Taiwan from Taiwan. The tea leaves are semi fermented going through a short stint of oxidation. The leaves are reddish brown in color and the liquor is pale yellow and the aroma is a fresh floral and fruity with a reminiscent of smoke.

Black tea leaf

Black tea is the most extensively consumed form of tea all over the Globe. Black tea is fermented fully unlike the green tea leaf which si partially fermented. It has bitter sweet and astringent flavor and the tea leaf give dark brown liquor.

Pu-erh tea leaf

Pu-erh tea is same as black tea, but this form of tea is fermented twice than regular black tea leaves and fermentation then followed by period of maturation till a thin layer of mold forms on the surface. The mold imparts a characteristic soil-like flavor and a strong earthy quality.

These main types of tea leaves give rise to multitude of varieties that are a product of specific cultivation methods and the regions where they come from. The season in which the tea is grown also gives rise to difference in flavor and color.