Chinese tea has a long past that goes back thousands of years and is an integral part of Chinese culture and practices. Chinese tea has changed from a drink used for health reasons to a sign of respect and kindness. It is now a complicated and varied drink that people worldwide enjoy. In this detailed guide we will look at the five main types of Chinese tea each with its tastes, qualities and ways of making.
Green Tea
People probably know and drink green tea more than any other Chinese tea. It is known for tasting fresh and green and being light and relaxed. To keep the leaves from turning brown they are quickly boiled after being picked for green tea. This method helps the tea keep its bright green color and light taste.
Chinese green tea comes in several well known types each with its own taste and qualities. Longjing, also called Dragon Well tea, is one of the most well known. It is grown in the West Lake area of Hangzhou. Longjing tea is famous for its smooth chestnut-like taste and sweet smell.
Gunpowder tea is another well known Chinese green tea. Its leaves are tightly rolled into balls that look like pellets. Gunpowder tea has a strong slightly smoky taste and unfolds into long thin leaves when it is made. People often praise green tea for being good for you.
Green tea contains many antioxidants which help protect the body from free radicals and lower the danger of creating long term diseases like cancer and heart disease. People also think green tea can speed up metabolism and help them lose weight. People in China often see green tea as a sign of health, energy and respect. They usually serve it to friends as a welcome gift and drink it all day as a cooling drink.
Oolong Tea
This traditional Chinese tea is somewhere between green and black tea in terms of how much it has been oxidized. It is famous for having many different tastes and smells that depend on where it comes from and how it is processed. People often say that oolong tea tastes smooth and balanced with notes of flowers, fruit or toast.
One of the most well known kinds of Chinese oolong tea is the Tieguanyin variety also called the Iron Goddess of Mercy. It is made in the Fujian area in China and is famous for its flower smell and sweet creamy taste. Da Hong Pao Big Red Robe is another well known oolong tea. It is grown in Fujian Wuyi Mountains. People love Da Hong Pao tea because it has a deep roasted flavor that lasts for a long time.
People love oolong tea because it can help digestion and make you feel better. It has vitamins and other chemicals that may help lower inflammation and keep your immune system healthy. People also think oolong tea can speed up your metabolism and help you lose weight.
Black Tea
One of the most famous and widely drunk types of tea worldwide is black tea called red tea in China because of its deep red liquor. People who like strong teas like this one because it has a deep taste, a strong aroma and a strong personality. In this part we’ll learn more about black tea including where it comes from, the kinds of tea available, its health benefits and how to make it.
Black tea is created from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant which also makes green white and oolong teas. The unique way black tea is made including wilting, rolling oxidation and drying makes it stand out. Oxidation is the procedure by which enzymes in the tea leaves react with air to make the leaves darker and develop their flavor. The tea strength and flavor depend on how much it has been oxidized.
China and India are two of the most prominent black tea makers. Each country has its unique types of tea and tastes. Keemun, a strong and smoky tea that tastes like wine and Dianhong, a rich and sweet tea with cocoa notes, are two well known black teas in China. You may have heard of Assam tea which is intensely brisk and full bodied and Darjeeling tea which is lighter, more floral and has muscatel notes.
There are many health perks to drinking black tea besides just being tasty. Black tea, like other types of tea, has a lot of antioxidants. Antioxidants help keep cells from getting hurt and reduce swelling. The caffeine in black tea can also give you a short term energy and focus boost. Some studies show that black tea may be suitable for your heart because it lowers cholesterol and the risk of stroke.
White Tea
People love white tea because it has a gentle taste, a light aroma and many health benefits. This tea is made from young tea buds and leaves that are dried in the sun or lightly warmed. It is the least prepared tea. Because it is so little processed white tea keeps more natural vitamins. This makes it a popular choice among tea drinkers who care about their health.
White tea has been enjoyed in China for hundreds of years. Bai Hao Yin Zhen also known as Silver Needle is the most well known type of Chinese white tea. It is made only from the buds of the tea plant. This type is prevalent because it looks silvery white and tastes sweet and fruity.
Bai Mu Dan White Peony is another famous type of white tea. It is made from both the buds and leaves of the tea plant. Bai Mu Dan tastes a little stronger than Silver Needle but people still love its delicate taste and smell.
People love white tea because it tastes light and sweet with hints of fruit and flowers. When brewed it turns a light golden color and tastes smooth and clean. White tea tastes best when made with water that is just below boiling. Let the tea sit for two to three minutes. It is essential to watch the brewing time closely because too much time can make the coffee taste bitter.
Yellow Tea
It is scarce and different from other kinds of Chinese tea. Yellow tea goes through a unique brewing process called yellowing. This method wraps the tea leaves in a cloth and leaves to ferment briefly before drying. Ultimately you get a tea that tastes green but smoother and less grassy.
People love yellow tea because it is golden and tastes smooth and cool. While yellow tea isn’t as well known as some other Chinese tea it is highly praised for its health benefits such as its ability to help digestion and improve the immune system.
Junshan Yinzhen grown on Junshan Island in Hunan Province is among the most well known Chinese yellow tea. Only the buds of the tea plant are used to make this tea. The buds have a skinny layer of white hairs that make them look silver. People love Junshan Yinzhen because of its gentle taste and smell, often described as sweet and floral.
Huoshan Huangya is another well known type of Chinese yellow tea. It is grown in the Huoshan Mountains in Anhui Province. The sprouts and young leaves of the tea plant are used to make this tea which is processed carefully to preserve its delicate taste. The Huoshan Huangya fruit is bright yellow and has a smooth sweet taste that people often compare to apricots.
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