Types of Chinese tea (wisdom teas)

China is said to be the birthplace of tea and has nurtured a variety of tea cultures depending on the region and season. there are hundreds of different types of Chinese tea. There are many ways to classify tea, such as by color, shape, and aroma.

for thousands of years, the habit of drinking tea has continued in this ancient nation.

What are the types of tea? What are the six traditional Chinese tea categories? We will introduce one by one green tea, black tea, oolong tea, Pu-Erh tea, white tea, and yellow tea, the six major tea system, and recommend the corresponding characteristics of the famous tea, to help you really understand the Chinese tea culture, tasting regional characteristics of fragrant tea.

 

Best 6 types of Chinese tea 

China is the home of the tea tree, and China is the country where the earliest and most wild tea trees were discovered.

To this day, there are various ways to classify Chinese teas, the accepted one is based on the production method and the degree of oxidation (fermentation) of tea polyphenols, which can be divided into six categories: green tea (unfermented), white tea (slightly fermented), yellow tea (lightly fermented), green tea (also called oolong tea, semi-fermented), black tea (post-fermented), and black tea (fully fermented). The appearance gradually changes from green to yellow-green, yellow, green-brown, dark green, and black, and the tea broth also gradually changes from green to yellow-green, yellow, green-brown, and reddish-brown. In addition to these six categories, there is actually a category of re-processed flower tea, for the division of this type of tea, there is still controversy in the tea industry. Your own home in the office can also be casual DIY flower tea, especially the female machine friend is very necessary to drink more flower tea to nourish themselves.

What are the most known types of Chinese tea? 

1. Green tea 

Green tea has been the Chinese national drink for thousands of years and is enjoyed on every occasion. Among the most famous green tea varieties is China Chun Mee, which delights with its fresh and slightly smoky aroma and bright cup.

It originates from the Jiangxi province.

Chun Mee, like other fine green teas, should always be brewed with a water temperature of around 80 degrees, otherwise, it could lose its good taste.

Perfectionists use a kettle with an adjustable temperature display for this purpose.

Green tea complements very well with other flavors, so it likes to be refined with jasmine, cherry, or rose blossoms.

2. White tea

Picture from Pinterest 

White tea is a particularly noble variety that also originated in China. Because the tiny hairs on the underside of the dried tea leaves have a white-silvery color, the Chinese refer to the tea as "báichá", which means "white tea". 

This tea specialty scores not only with its mild-floral taste because the white tea is also attributed to a health-promoting effect. It contains effective antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and have a positive impact on the immune system. White tea is prepared similarly to green tea with water cooled down to about 80 degrees. Since tap water often contains too much lime, many tea connoisseurs swear by mineral water or the use of a water filter.

3. Oolong tea

The story goes that oolong tea originated when the owner of a tea plantation was startled by a black dragon while drying his tea leaves. When the man returned to his tea leaves after a few days, they were half oxidized and produced a delicious drink - the "Black Dragon Tea". 

The aroma of oolong tea lies between that of unfermented green tea and fully fermented black tea. Oolong tea tastes great hot or as a cold brew. In summer, iced oolong is a great alternative to mineral water, fruit tea, or lemonade. Refine it according to your taste with milk or honey.

4. Black tea

Although green tea is predominantly drunk in China, some regions specialize in processing black tea, which is called "hóngchá" (red tea) in China. 

Yunnan province is famous for its black tea, which is characterized by its red-golden color and full aroma. Keemun is considered the best Chinese black tea.

Its fruity bouquet, partly reminiscent of wine, delights connoisseurs all over the world. Keemun tea is the main ingredient in the famous English Breakfast blend.

Traditionally, Keemun is drunk without sugar and milk, as this is the best way to bring out its fine aroma.

5. Pu-Erh

Pu-Erh tea occupies a special position. This tea specialty is produced in the Chinese province of Yunnan from the leaves of an Assam variety. After processing, the leaves destined for the production of Pu-Erh are pressed into molds and dried. These molds have eloquent names such as "mushroom tea," "brick tea," or "ashlar tea." 

A properly stored Pu-Erh can thus easily last for decades, during which time it even gains in value: at auctions, particularly valuable teas are traded at prices like those of precious wine from famous wineries in our culture. In Chinese tea culture, Pu-Erh plays an important and identity-forming role, and so its consumption is not only about taste, but also about well-being, harmony, and mindfulness towards others.

6. Yellow tea

The yellow tea lies in the fermentation degree between the Oolong and the white tea. It used to be reserved only for the imperial court and the quantities produced are still very limited today. The preparation of yellow tea is like that of green tea. To show off the color of this royal treasure to its best advantage, it is traditionally served in a white porcelain bowl or cup.

Health benefits when drinking these types of Chinese teas

Chinese tea has made great contributions to the health of the people of the earth. The ancestor of Chinese tea is Shennong, and Shennong is also the ancestor of tea in the world. Chinese tea has spread all over the world to promote health, happiness, and harmony between mind and body, adding infinite charm to the concept of health and Zen tea culture.

Reasonable and appropriate drinking of tea has great health benefits, such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality, the role of lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, helping prevent premature dementia, weight loss, and slimming effect, tea can also eliminate fatigue, refresh, bright eyes, eliminating food, diuretic detoxification, prevent tooth decay, eliminate bad breath, tea or alkaline beverage is conducive to the correction of the acidic body ...... These efficacy effects are not my blind bullshit randomly said, are derived from domestic and foreign research data conclusions, there are many other benefits, but do not drink tea on an empty stomach, do not drink overnight tea, etc., this point I hope I have the opportunity to elaborate later.

Chinese tea's Classified by season:

⦁Spring tea

refers to the tea leaves harvested before late March to mid-May of the year. With moderate temperature and abundant rainfall, coupled with the fact that tea trees have been recuperating for half a winter, spring tea buds are fat, green in color, soft and high-quality leaves, and rich in vitamins, especially amino acids. Not only make the spring tea taste fresh and have a pleasant aroma rich in health effects. 

⦁summer tea

refers to the tea leaves harvested from early May to early July summer heat, the tea tree's new tips buds and leaves grow rapidly, making the water leachate content of dissolved tea soup relatively reduced, especially the reduction of amino acids, etc. makes the tea soup taste, the aroma is not as strong as spring tea, due to the bitter taste of anthocyanins, high and high density of coffee, tea polyphenol content than spring tea, not only make the purple buds and leaves increased and high color, and more bitter and astringent taste. And the taste is more bitter and astringent. (such as Pu-erh tea)

⦁Autumn tea 

Are the tea leaves harvested after mid-August? The climatic conditions in autumn are between spring and summer, the tea tree grows in spring and summer, the new buds contain relative substances, reducing the size of the tea leaves, the bottom of the leaves are brittle, the leaves are yellow, and the taste and aroma appear to be more peaceful. (such as Tieguanyin)

⦁Winter tea 

begins to be harvested around late October. Winter tea is grown after the autumn tea is picked and the climate gradually turns cold. Because of the slow growth of new buds of winter tea, the inner substance gradually increases high and high, so the taste is mellow and the aroma is strong. ( frozen top oolong)

Chinese tea culture has a long and illustrious history. Tea is a necessary beverage in people's daily lives, and its long history has resulted in a tea culture with distinct characteristics. There are many different types of Chinese tea, and people's perceptions of what constitutes a famous tea are not yet uniform. However, the key to famous tea lies in its distinct style, which is primarily expressed in four aspects: tea color, fragrance, taste, and shape.