Tea is one of the world’s most popular drinks the world over, with more and more varieties on the market.
In fact, it is estimated that over 2 billion people around the world drink tea every day, according to experts BrandonGaille.com.
Tea, of course, is a wonderful and essential accompaniment to afternoon tea. If you’re hosting an afternoon tea party at home this spring or summer, visit specialists https://www.afternoonteabox.com/ for an array of afternoon tea boxes to unpack and serve.
Let’s have a look at some varieties of this popular drink and how they’re made, to help you decide which type of tea to choose on your next trip to the supermarket.
Black tea
Black tea originates from the Camellia sinensis plant, farmed in China, Sri Lanka and India. It is picked from the plant and oxidised to boost its natural, rich flavour.
Rooibos
Rooibos is a caffeine-free alternative to black tea. Interestingly, the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant are fermented to give Rooibos a unique flavour unlike any other tea.
Green tea
Green tea is black tea’s close relative, deriving from the same plant. However, green tea is not oxidised: instead, the leaves are steamed or even fried to keep that natural lush green colour and a stronger flavour. This leaves plentiful antibodies in the tea, making it a healthy choice.
White tea
White tea also comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, but minimal processing takes place. Leaves are left to dry quickly after harvesting, resulting in a delicious flavour.
Yerba Mate
This centuries old tea has roots in a traditional process of drying the tea leaves over a wood fire. Once they are fully dry, leaves are left to age gracefully for several months. This process results in a tea which tastes earthy and full-bodied.
Oolong
Lastly, let’s talk about oolong tea. Like black tea, oolong is oxidised, although less so than its breakfast tea counterpart. The leaves are sometimes twisted or rolled, which boosts oolong’s natural flavour.