A Little About Tea…

If you are cold, tea will warm you.  If you are too heated, it will cool you.  If you are depressed, it will cheer you.  If you are excited, it will calm you. 

~Gladstone, 1865

Although written nearly 150 years ago, that sentiment is still true today. There is nothing quite like a nice cup of tea. Relaxing by the fire with a good book and a hot cup of tea or enjoying the sunshine with a glass of iced tea. Sounds good.

That being said however, where do you start? Blacks, greens, whites, oolongs, herbals; Which one should I choose? Here’s a little secret: Aside from herbals (which are not teas at all), all of the above teas are from the same plant. That plant is the Camiella Sinensis. It is simply a matter of processing that creates the differences. Here’s a brief primer.

White Teas: White teas are the least processed and rarest of any tea. White tea usually contains buds and young tea leaves. The dried buds have a silver-like appearance because the tiny white hairs of new growth are still present.  White teas are nearly caffeine free.

Green Teas: The processing of green tea is similar to that of white tea in that it does not oxidize. After the leaves are plucked, they are laid out for 8 to 24 hours. This lets most of the water evaporate. Then, to prevent oxidation, the leaves are steamed or pan fried. Green teas contain low levels of caffeine.

Oolong Teas: Oolong teas are only partially oxidized. After the leaves are plucked, they are laid out for 8-24 hours. This lets most of the water evaporate. Then the leaves are tossed in baskets in order to bruise the edges of the leaves. This bruising allows the leaves to only partially oxidize. Next, the leaves are steamed in order to stop any further oxidation. Oolong teas contain moderate levels of caffeine.

Black Teas: Black teas are completely oxidized, giving them their rich, dark color. After the leaves are plucked, they are laid out for 8-24 hours, letting most of the water evaporate. The leaves are then rolled, in order to damage the surface of the leaf, which begins the oxidation process, then left to completely oxidize. Black teas are moderately caffeinated, but still contain far less caffeine than coffee.

Herbal Teas (or Tisanes): Herbal teas can be made with a variety of ingredients. The one major difference is that there are no leaves that come from the actual tea plant (Camellia Sinensis). They are commonly referred to as herbal teas because the wonderful flavors come from a variety of herbs and botanicals that are blended to make these infusions. They are a caffeine free alternative to traditional teas.

This is obviously a simplification. While these descriptions give you the basics, there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of different variations and nuances within each category, each with it’s own history, flavor and characteristics all it’s own. How do you choose? Easy. Start with what you know and experiment from there. First and foremost though, remember this; It should not be how you feel about a cup of tea, but rather how that tea makes you feel.