All from the same Camellia sinensis plant, just processed differently
1. Black Tea ☕
- Fully oxidized, bold, rich, and dark in color. Strong caffeine content.
- Famous varieties:
- Assam (India) – Malty, strong, used in chai.
- Darjeeling (India) – Lighter, floral, muscatel (grape-like) notes.
- Ceylon (Sri Lanka) – Brisk, citrusy, medium-bodied.
- Keemun (China) – Smooth, slightly smoky, often used in English Breakfast.
- Lapsang Souchong (China) – Smoked over pinewood, very smoky taste.
- Earl Grey – Black tea flavored with bergamot oil, giving it a citrusy aroma.
2. Green Tea 🍃
- Unoxidized, retains its green color and grassy flavors. Lower caffeine than black tea.
- Famous varieties:
- Sencha (Japan) – Most common Japanese green tea, slightly sweet, grassy.
- Gyokuro (Japan) – Shade-grown, very rich, umami-heavy.
- Matcha (Japan) – Powdered tea, used in ceremonies, creamy & vegetal.
- Dragon Well / Longjing (China) – Nutty, smooth, slightly sweet.
- Gunpowder (China) – Tightly rolled leaves, smoky and strong.
3. White Tea 🤍
- Minimally processed, delicate, subtle, and lightly caffeinated.
- Famous varieties:
- Silver Needle (China) – Made from buds, smooth and floral.
- White Peony (China) – Slightly more robust, with a mix of leaves and buds.
4. Oolong Tea 🏵
- Partially oxidized, between green and black tea, with a floral and complex taste.
- Famous varieties:
- Tieguanyin / Iron Goddess (China) – Floral, creamy, semi-fermented.
- Da Hong Pao (China) – Rich, roasted, known as “The King of Teas.”
- Milk Oolong (Taiwan) – Naturally creamy, buttery taste.
5. Pu-erh Tea 🍂
- Fermented and aged, develops deep, earthy, and sometimes musty flavors.
- Famous types:
- Raw Pu-erh (Sheng Pu-erh) – Aged like wine, gets smoother over time.
- Ripe Pu-erh (Shou Pu-erh) – Artificially aged, dark and mellow.
6. Herbal & Infusions 🌿
Not “true” tea, since they don’t come from Camellia sinensis
- Rooibos (South Africa) – Naturally caffeine-free, nutty and sweet.
- Chamomile – Floral, calming, used as a bedtime tea.
- Peppermint – Refreshing, cooling, good for digestion.
- Hibiscus – Tart, cranberry-like, high in vitamin C.
Caffeine content by tea type:
- Coffee: ~95mg per cup (237ml)
- Matcha: Up to 70 mg per serving.
- Black tea: 40-70 mg per cup.
- Green tea: 20-45 mg per cup.
- White tea: 15-30 mg per cup.