What is tea: classification

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

What types of tea are there? Quite a difficult question. Teas come in many varieties and types, but few people know about their classifications. However, it's not that hard to figure it out. The article will discuss what varieties of tea are.

Place of production

Before you know what tea is, you need to find out where it is produced. It is grown in many countries. But only a few of them are leaders. Thus, most of all tea produced in the world is grown and processed in China. This country is the birthplace of the drink, so teas of all possible varieties are made here. Next after the leader is India. Most of the production is occupied by chopped and granulated teas. It is important to note that they immediately make Darjeeling tea, which is considered elite.

Sri Lanka (Ceylon tea) takes an honorable third place and produces 10% of the world volume. The production technology in this country is similar to Indian. Japan makes a predominantly green variety, and even then not for export. In Africa (Kenya), only the black variety is made. In addition, this drink is produced in almost all former British colonies and some other countries.

Types of bushes and leaves

What is tea like?First of all, it depends on the types of tea bushes. They come in three varieties: Chinese, Cambodian and Assamese. Chinese grow in Georgia, Vietnam, Japan, China. They also make Indian "Darjeeling". The Assam variety includes African, Ceylon, Indian tea. Cambodian bushes grow in some regions of Indochina and are a hybrid of the first two species.

What is tea like? The answer to this question also depends on the degree of machining.

• Long leaf or loose teas are the most popular. In this case, the sheet can be of three different types - whole-leaf, medium-leaf, shredded.
• Compressed can be tiled, tableted or brick. Whole leaves are used for the production of bricks, sometimes together with shoots, and for tiled and tableted crushed - often powdery material.
• Extracted, they are also soluble or instant. May be sold as a crystalline form or extract. This also includes granular and tea bags.

Processing

Depending on additional processing, tea can be fermented, non-fermented or even smoked.

There is only one smoked tea - Lapsan Xiao Zhong. Produced in South China. The reason why it is called smoked lies in the manufacturing technology. The processing of rolled sheets in large baskets is done above or near the fire. And during drying it is heated on pinefirewood. As a result, sophisticated amateurs feel notes of wood and smoke in it, and beginners - smoked sausage, smoked cheese or even rubber, turpentine.

Fermentation not only changes the taste of the future drink, but also its color. It is thanks to her that there are different colors of tea, which will be discussed below. This or that color is obtained depending on the duration of fermentation and whether it is carried out at all.

Fermented varieties go through a lengthy processing process before packaging to give the tea a new taste or remove the excess. Unfermented tea does not lend itself to particularly long processing - green and white varieties can be included here.

In addition, tea can be additionally roasted and steamed to achieve a better aroma, color.

Supplements

What is tea like? Various additives can be added to different types of drink. They not only change the taste, but also the color of the tea, its aroma, and sometimes even the shape, if we talk about modern teas that can take the form of blossoming flowers or buds in water.

Tea can be added:

• essential oils and fragrances;
• buds and leaves of flowers and herbs;
• some fruits and berries.

What types of tea are there?

The most obvious way to tell different teas apart is by color. Depending on this, its features, benefits and even the place of production change, because some colors of the drink are produced only in a certain area.

White tea

Made from half-blown leaves. This variety is made exclusively in China and consumed there. Only a small part of the entire production is exported. The reason for this is the difficulty in transportation and storage. This variety is the most expensive and rare. During production, practically nothing is done with the leaves - they do not ferment, but only wither and dry. The taste of this drink is delicate, floral, and the aroma is extraordinary. As for the benefits, there is no more healing variety and type of tea than white. It has anti-cancer properties, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, protects against viruses and bacteria.

Green tea

What are green teas? These varieties are among the most useful. The color can be light green, green and even yellowish - depending on the type, processing method and strength. The classification given above also applies to green tea. It can be Indian or Ceylon, bagged or loose, with or without additives, etc.

Its feature in the presence of caffeine. Although many people think that this drink is incredibly good for the heart, but due to the high level of this substance, which is sometimes more than in a black drink or even coffee, you need to use it wisely and in moderation.

Black or red tea

Black tea in Asia is called red. It is the most fermented. After harvesting leaves from plantations, it goes through many stages of processing, which changes its color, saturation, taste, and so on.

Its benefit depends on the type of bushes, processing, andalso a manufacturer and additives, but among other varieties it is the most harmful. What is black tea? We have already talked about this above. It, like any other (green, white, etc.), can be classified according to several parameters (leaf size, packaging, place of production, etc.).

Yellow tea

Partly fermented variety. Made exclusively in China. To obtain this variety, special types of tea bushes with full, golden yellow buds are used.

It has an incredibly pleasant aroma and a delicate, velvety taste. This variety is one of the most delicious, and therefore expensive. In terms of price category, it can only be compared with white. While drinking, you can feel incredible bliss. It also has a significant stimulating effect and is considered strong.

Chinese Red Tea

Known in China, but not widely distributed around the world. It has an amber-gold color. The taste is tart, with the aroma of fruits. It is considered the best alternative to coffee due to its stimulating effect. But, unlike coffee, less harmful and even healing. Contains antioxidants and vitamins.

Turquoise tea or "Oolung" ("Oolong")

Translated as "black dragon". This variety is incredibly tasty, which is why it has gained wide popularity in different countries. The degree of fermentation can be low, medium or strong. For manufacturing, fully ripened leaves with cuttings are collected, in which there are a lot of useful oils.

It has a cleansing and immunostimulating effect andrecommended to everyone without exception. Even heart patients and people with high blood pressure can drink it all day without any consequences.

Puer

This drink is made using complex technology. First, the collected leaves are brought to the state of green tea, and then fermentation is carried out. This process takes a different time, which is why it may have a brown or black color in the final form. Its peculiarity is that it is pressed into cakes, cubes, bowls, gourds, tiles and so on.

In China, this variety is considered effective against all diseases. It helps with problems with the intestines, the nervous system, fights toxins, improves immunity. But other than that, it's the only tea in the world that you can drink on an empty stomach!

Herbal tea

Herbal teas do not contain tea leaves, they are sometimes called herbal teas. These are very he althy drinks made from different herbs and flowers.

What are herbal teas? Among the most popular herbs used for their production are: chamomile, hibiscus, mint, lemon balm, oregano, St. John's wort, currant and raspberry, thyme, rosehip, rooibos and mate.