Take a Sip: The Ultimate Guide to Types of Teas with Known Benefits

By Sandra Lee, Coffee in the Middle  

Did you know there are over 20,000 different types of teas in the world? Tea was first discovered in ancient China over 5,000 years ago by accident. According to the story, Emperor Shen Nung first discovered it when leaves from a wild tree blew into his pot of boiling water. The tea smelled good, and he decided to give it a taste. And, as they say, the rest is history.  

It would be almost impossible to go through the 20,000 different types of teas out there. Luckily, there are six main categories that are popular here in the US, with varying benefits, flavor profiles and aromas. We’ll go through each one of them, how they are made, their purported health benefits and available varieties. Let’s get brewing!  

True Tea Note: Although there are six main types of teas, only five of them are considered “true teas”. True teas all come from the same Camellia sinensis plant. Those include black, green, oolong, pu-erh and white tea.  

Herbal tea is one of the six main teas but isn’t considered a “true tea”, as it’s made by steeping spices, herbs, roots and/or fruits in hot water. If these ingredients are combined with true teas, the resulting products are known as flavored teas.  

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Benefits of Tea

Research has said that tea may support heart and brain health. Because it’s packed with antioxidant compounds (including theaflavins, EGCG and thearubigins), they help protect the body against free radicals and oxidative stress.  

Tea can also help lower LDL cholesterol, keep the gut “happy” with polyphenols, and improve focus because of its high caffeine level and an amino acid called L-theanine. Thanks to its caffeine content, drinking green tea can support mental alertness, much like a cup of coffee in the morning.  

White tea is said to help support dental health as it contains fluoride to prevent cavities and catechins and tannins, which reduce plaque and unwelcome bacteria.  

6 Types of Teas

 
1. Black Tea

Commonly grown in China and India, black tea is considered one of the “true teas”. Black tea leaves are picked and then crushed, curled, rolled or torn and left to be oxidized. The leaves are actually dark brown or even a reddish color, which is why this popular tea is sometimes called ‘red tea’ in China.  

Black Tea Varieties:  

• Ceylon: Bold flavor with hints of chocolate and spices 
• Darjeeling: Delicate in flavor and aroma, with fruity and floral notes 
• Earl Grey: Flavored with bergamot and citrus 
• English Breakfast: Full-bodied; tastes similar to Ceylon in flavor 
• Masala Chai: Blended with a variety of spices like cardamom, cloves and peppercorns. Chai is also not technically a black tea, but a base of these spices commonly brewed with black tea leaves 

2. Green Tea

Another “true tea”, green tea has a different process altogether. The leaves are withered, heated or steamed and then either rolled or formed into pearls, depending on which variety is being made, eliminating the step of oxidation. Green tea is usually light and fresh, with a grassy flavor and distinct aroma. 

Green Tea Varieties:  

• Sencha: most popular type of Japanese tea with a savory, grassy and slightly bitter taste 
• Kukicha: made from the twigs of the tea plant; naturally low in caffeine, with a vegetal, sweet flavor 
• Houjicha: woodsy flavor that appeals to coffee drinkers, yet is fairly low in caffeine 
• Matcha: Japanese-style tea; one of the most popular around, with a creamy, savory and slightly bittersweet flavor 

3. Oolong Tea 

Stronger than white tea, but milder than black tea, oolong (called ‘wulong’ in China) is the middle child, but with an intriguing nickname like “Black Dragon”, it’s got a story to tell. There are many tales about how Oolong got its name, and why it’s called Black Dragon. One story is that a famous tea garden known as Beiyuan in Fujian, China, produced a tea cake with an imprint of a phoenix and dragon. It is also said that through Chinese whispers, “Wu Long” became “Oolong”, and the name stuck.  

The production process for oolong tea is different, with the leaves being semi-oxidized during the fermentation process by applying heat to the leaves. Grown in China and Taiwan, oolong tea can range in color from dark amber to light green, depending on how oxidized the tea is. The flavor is usually floral with a smooth finish.  

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Oolong Tea Varieties: 

• Da Hong Pao: also known as Red Robe, is highly oxidized, resulting in a deep, red color with a rich, earthy flavor 
• Dan Chong: also known as Phoenix tea, has a full-bodied flavor with floral and fruity notes  
• Ti Kuan Yin: with a name like Iron Goddess of Mercy, this oolong tea is arguably the most famous Chinese tea; light and airy with hints of flowers and honey 
• Gaoshan: this Tawainese tea also known as High Mountain consists of a variety of different oolongs grown at the highest elevations in Taiwan; harvested twice a year with a crisp and sweet notes and a buttery finish 

4. Pu-erh Tea

Pu-erh tea is also known as ‘puer,’ ‘pu’er,’ ‘po lei’ or ‘bolay’ and is sometimes referred to as ‘dark’ or ‘black’ tea. Often more expensive than other teas, pu-erh tea is a fermented tea originating from the Yunnan province of China. Once harvested, the leaves are hand-tossed in giant wok to stop the oxidation. It then goes through an additional step as it’s aged in a very humid environment, giving pu-erh a distinct flavor 

Pu-erh Tea Varieties: 

• Seng Cha: a raw tea that’s been aged for less than 3 years; tastes similar to green tea 
• Shu Cha: fermented; also known as ‘red’ or ‘ripe’ pu-erh; features a creamy, earthy flavor and is darker in color 

5. White Tea

White tea is the least processed of the “true teas” and undergoes a simple method of harvesting and then drying outdoors in natural sunlight. White tea gets its name from the white hairs on the tea leaves. It’s very light in comparison to green and black tea; a good choice for those just starting to explore the world of tea.  

White Tea Varieties: 

• Bai Hao Yin Zhen: also called Silver Needle, this rare tea is made only from the tea plant bulbs and has a floral and sweet flavor 
• Bai Mu Dan: also called White Peony; with a stronger flavor, as it includes both the young leaves as well as the bulbs; robust with a sweet note 

Herbal Tea

Although not considered “true teas”, herbal teas are incredibly popular because of the combinations and benefits that they bring to the table (or tea pot). They’re not made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis tea plant, but rather from a variety of dried flowers, spices, herbs and fruits. Some herbal teas are referred to as “tisanes”.  

Traditional Chinese medicine is famous for using herbal tea to heal ailments and has a medicinal history in other countries like Sri Lanka, Egypt and Greece. Different cultures make herbal tea for spiritual purposes as it is believed to open up the heart and mind.  

Herbal Tea Varieties: 

• Mint: derived from the mint plant, mint tea (especially peppermint) tastes and smells great and can be used to settle an upset stomach. It is also caffeine-free 
• Ginger: made from the spicy root of the ginger plant, it has a similar profile as turmeric and cardamom 
• Rooibos: caffeine-free; this “red bush” grows natively in South Africa and produces a rich, red colored tea with a sweet, earthy and slightly floral flavor 
• Chamomile: pretty, elegant and fragrant, this floral tea is said to help the body relax and unwind from the day’s events 
• Hibiscus: sweet and tart; think of hibiscus as the tea equivalent of cranberry juice; great as an iced tea 

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Benefits of Herbal Tea

The benefits of herbal teas are much different than those of the true teas, as they include different compounds.  

Chamomile tea is known to calm the system and even support better sleeping habits, as well as to aid digestion. Ginger tea is said to help with inflammation and reduces nausea, motion sickness and morning sickness for pregnant mamas.  

Hibiscus tea could be considered a “superfood”, as it’s high in antioxidants and can help lower cholesterol and assist liver function. Mint tea is said to support digestion and other problems with the gut. Finally, rooibos tea is high in antioxidants and can help support heart health and promotes strong teeth and bones. 

No matter where you are on your tea-drinking journey, the benefits and different flavor profiles are compelling. From sweet to bitter, robust to creamy, the options are endless. We hope this beginner’s guide inspires you to brew a cup or two and take a moment to sit back relax and enjoy your day.