Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world and for good reason. Not only does it come in a wide variety of flavors, styles, textures, and tastes, but it is also widely regarded for its health benefits. Let’s take a look at five different types of tea you should try and see where they come from, what health benefits they have, and how they taste.
Black Tea
Black tea is valued for its naturally sweet flavor and many health benefits. While it is made from the Camellia Sinensis plant same as green tea, the process to create black tea is much different and involves fermentation. This is what gives it its well-known black color and its instantly recognizable taste that is enjoyed around the world.
Origin
Black tea originated in China but came after green tea and oolong tea. This is because black tea was the result of the Chinese fermenting tea leaves to improve their storage life. The process caused the lease to dry and wither which led to the discovery of black tea. While China is still known for being a major producer of black tea, it also comes from other areas these days such as Japan, Nepal, and India.
Taste
In contrast to its name, black tea is naturally sweet. The taste has also been described as caramel, citrus, and smokey. Some even say it has a natural honey flavor to it. While black tea does have a strong taste, it is not overpowering. The distinct taste comes from a process in which the tea leaves are allowed to wither and dry while they are processed.
Benefits
Several benefits come from consuming black tea. These include improving heart health, lowering bad cholesterol, and reducing blood pressure. There are also reports that black tea can help improve gut health and reduce the risk of cancer. Many of black tea’s benefits come from the fact that it is packed full of antioxidants.
Green Tea
Green tea is an extremely popular variety of tea that also originated in China. It is well known for its health benefits and is made from leaves that have not undergone the extensive processing that is responsible for creating other types of tea such as black, yellow, and oolong.
Origin
While green tea can be found all over the world these days, it is generally accepted to have originated in China. In fact, in China, the word “tea” referees only to green tea specifically. Green tea comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant which grows in China’s Yunnan province. Another interesting fact is that while there are over 380 varieties of tea globally, 260 of them can be found in the Yunnan province.
Taste
The taste of green tea depends on how it is cooked. However, common descriptions include floral, fruity, nutty, sweet, and oceanic. Of particular note is the fact that steamed green tea tends to have a bitter-sweet taste while other teas tend to simply taste sweet. That said, if green tea tastes overwhelmingly bitter, it was likely prepared incorrectly. Overall, the taste of green tea can be attributed to its high amount of catechins which provide various health benefits. This being the case, many people drink green tea for the health benefits and not the taste.
Benefits
Green tea is very well known for its health benefits. Not only does it improve brain function, but it also helps with fat loss, cancer prevention, and reducing the risk of heart disease. This is because it contains a variety of healthy bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, catechin, and EGCG. Green tea also has a variety of minerals that are good for you as well. It should be mentioned, however, that higher quality green tea is typically the healthiest since lower quality products may be high in fluoride. Even so, the health benefits more than makeup for this.
White Tea
White tea is also known for having many health benefits but should be consumed in moderation. In fact, you shouldn’t have more than three cups a day and it should be avoided before bedtime because it can act as a stimulant. Even so, white tea is very popular and must be prepared very carefully to preserve its delicate flavor.
Origin
Like many types of tea, white tea originated in China with the first varieties being found in the 1700s in the Fujian province. Interestingly, white tea is one of the world’s least processed varieties and is prepared in much the same way it was back when it was first discovered to preserve its flavor. These days white tea still comes from Fujian for the most part, though it is also being produced in places such as Tawain and India as well as other Chinese provinces.
Taste
The taste of white tea is often described as being fruity, with many comparing it to cucumber or melons. That said, the taste is mild overall and isn’t sugary. This subtle flavor makes white tea a popular choice for practically any meal.
Benefits
White tea is rich in antioxidants which play an important role in protecting your cells from harmful free radicals. As with many teas that contain high amounts of antioxidants, it can help reduce the risk of heart disease, aid in losing weight and possibly even fight cancer. In addition to this, white tea also helps protect your teeth from bacteria because it contains fluoride, tannins, and catechins. It is also said to help relieve constipation as well.
Oolong Tea
Like green and black tea, oolong tea comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant. However, it is processed much differently, giving it a vastly different taste and texture. The name “oolong” is pronounced like “wu-lung” and means black dragon in Chinese. In addition to its unique taste, oolong tea is known for its very high L-theanine content which provides a variety of health benefits.
Origin
Even though it is made from the same plant as green and black tea, the making of oolong tea originated in the Baiyun region of Fenghuangshan in China. This was during the Tang Dynasty of 618 to 907. Oolong remained popular over the centuries and was even considered a highly valuable “tribute tea” by many dynasties. This made it especially favored among monks, scholars, and government officials.
Taste
Oolong tea is processed differently from green and black tea, giving it a very distinct taste and texture. It is typically described as smooth and milky giving it a much more complex flavor than green tea. If for some reason your oolong tea tastes like green tea, then something likely went wrong during the preparation. There is also a variant known as dark oolong from the Chinese Wuyu mountains that tastes like coffee.
Benefits
The health benefits of oolong tea are comparable to those of green and black tea thanks to its high antioxidant content. However, studies have shown it to have impressive fat-burning properties. In fact, it can even increase the number of calories your body burns by 3.4% Oolong tea is also high in L-theanine, an amino acid that helps improve sleep quality and bran activity. It is also great for reducing stress and anxiety as well.
Yellow Tea
Like green tea, yellow tea also comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant but what makes it special is its unique method of preparation by encasing the tea and then steaming it. This extra step has made yellow tea somewhat rarer and more expensive than other variants. Even so, it is still known for its health benefits and unique texture.
Origin
While yellow tea comes from the same plant as green tea, it wasn’t first made until the early Qing Dynasty that lasted from 1644 to 1912. It is also primarily produced in areas such as Huo Shan and Meng Ding Shan. Generally speaking, there are three types of yellow tea:
- Huang Xiao Cha
- Huang Ya Cha
- Huang Da Cha
Taste
While the most definitive trait of yellow tea is its golden yellow hue, its taste also sets it apart. While it does have a similar flavor to green tea, it lacks the “grassy” taste and has a very silky smooth texture. That said, it should not taste bitter.
Benefits
Like green tea, yellow tea is high in polyphenols that can ward against several ailments such as heart disease, stress, and cancer. It’s also good for your blood sugar and may even help people with diabetes. However, it may not be the best for weight loss as it is said to increase appetite. This could help those with other forms of eating disorders though. Aside from that, yellow tea can also increase energy levels and improves liver health.
