The different types of tea
What's the difference?
Wondering which tea is best for you? This article is for you! It's the treatment that the leaves undergo - oxidation - that creates the different varieties of tea. Depending on the oxidation process, teas will have different colors, aromas and flavors. Composition, caffeine (or theine) content and benefits will also vary. We tell you all about it.
White tea undergoes the simplest process: the buds and very young leaves are plucked and left to dry naturally in the sun. This preserves a large proportion of the tea's active ingredients and therefore its benefits. It is undoubtedly the most delicate of teas, and the one with the shortest shelf-life.
Main characteristics: soft & subtle
Green tea leaves, on the other hand, are slightly more oxidized, without undergoing too much processing. Nevertheless, they retain many of their antioxidants and nutrients. Green tea is not very bitter, unless you infuse it more than necessary!
Main characteristics: light & delicate
Black tea is the most oxidized of all essences. It's appreciated for its intense, full-bodied taste. The little extra? This tea keeps for a long time without losing any of its flavor. In France, it is the most widely consumed tea.
Main characteristics: intense and full-bodied
As far as oxidation is concerned, Oolong tea is somewhere between green and black tea. Its taste varies greatly from one production to another. It can be fruity with a hint of honey, or fresh and vegetal. It is consumed because it combines the benefits of both black and green teas.
Main characteristics: between freshness and intensity, depending on production
In fact, "red tea" is not a tea at all! The term is used to designate rooibos, a red South African shrub with leaves. The leaves are harvested for infusion. The composition of the leaves and their oxidation process bear certain similarities to those of tea. However, rooibos is completely caffeine-free. It's an ideal alternative for children or people who can't consume theine, also known as caffeine.
Main characteristics: mild and bitter-free
Pu'Erh tea is a specific variety produced in the Yunnan region. There are different types. Some are not oxidized at all: they are green. Others, darker, undergo an oxidation process. Pu'Erh tea is said to mature through a natural (or artificial) post-fermentation process that can last several years.
Main characteristics: it improves with age!
To each his own...
Choosing your tea is ultimately a very personal choice, and also depends on the time of day. The choice is based on a number of criteria: its aroma, its benefits and your mood. Some add sugar, a splash of milk, honey or lemon juice.