Quick "Sips" of Tea

How much do you know about what you drink? How much do you know about tea? Black? Green? Oolong? Red? What's it all mean?!

Well, here's some information on the differences between types of tea that I got from the world famous Twinings of London.

First of all, where does tea come from?

Answer: From tea growing farms in places like India and China, which are the top two growers in the world. Other places include, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Ukraine and Belarus. THIS LINK will show a map of where Celestial Seasonings obtains some of the flavors for their teas.

For some great FAQ on teas, click HERE.

For a glossary list of tea terms, click HERE.

Black Tea is the most commonly drank tea. It had the strongest, fullest flavor. Black tea is made by exposing enzymes in the tea leaves to oxygen through a special process that turns the leaves from green to brown. Black tea has the longest process of oxidation.

Green Tea is not oxidized at all, which allows the leaves to retain their full color, flavor, and aroma. It has a very delicate flavor. To prevent oxidation, leaves are either pan fried or steamed to kill active enzymes before rolling. It is naturally rich in antioxidants that help support the body from free radical damage.

White Tea comes from the most tender, young portion of the tea plant. It has a delicate flavor and aroma. The white tea leaves are picked early to avoid it over-aging and barely processed. This helps it to retain its flavor and aroma. White tea contains the HIGHEST LEVELS OF ANTIOXIDANTS of any tea and very little caffeine.

Chai Tea is a class all its own. It is identified by its cinnamon-, cardamom-, cloves-, and ginger-induced flavor added to black tea. It is commonly associated with a warm, soothing aroma and fresh, zesty taste. In Thailand, it is common to drink Chai Tea over ice with condensed milk added just before serving.

Oolong Tea are treated the same as black teas, but with a shorter processing time. These teas have a strong red color. The flavours range from mild to strong (light to dark) with a taste of roasted caramel.

Red Tea, or Roobios, are herbal infusions made from the leaves of the African red bush. These "teas" are naturally caffeine-free and high in antioxidants. They are gently oxidized for their reddish-brownish colour and sweet flavour.

Herbal Tea is not actually a tea and does not come from the tea plant, Camellia. They are actually an herbal infusion of herbs, spices, fruits, and flowers. All of the ingredients have components that benefit the body in some way. Herbal Infusions are naturally caffeine-free.


So that's the "sip" on tea. Next time you feel like trying a new tea, be sure to look and see if there is a local tea shop in your area. Some offer samples of teas for you to try. Also, if you follow Celestial Seasonings or Twinnings of London on Facebook, they often put out promotions for free samples. I actually just received three free samples from Twinings of London in the mail today.