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Green Tea
Green tea leaves are harvested from the Camellia sinensis plant and then quickly heated (either by pan firing or steaming) and dried to prevent too much oxidation from occurring that would turn the green leaves brown and alter their fresh-picked flavor.
Green teas are best steeped in water temperatures around 160°F - 180°F. Steeping time depends on just how delicate your green tea is. Some can be steeped from 30-60 seconds for more delicate teas and 2-3 minutes for more robust teas. About 2 grams of loose leaf tea per 8oz of water is a safe bet but be sure to check your specific tea for steeping instructions.
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Yellow Tea
Yellow tea is known as the rarest tea in the world due to the creation process being so labor-intensive and time-consuming; The technique of making yellow tea is complicated compared to other types of tea. Only an experienced tea master can make it as the method calls for a skill that is becoming increasingly rare. Yellow teas go through a unique process called menhuang or "yellowing". In this step the tea master wraps the warm leaves in paper, causing micro-fermentation. Due to this step being hard to properly execute yellow teas must be made by artisans with a high level of craftsmanship.
Steeping time and temperatures can vary widely according to packaging. For a general guide, temperature can range from 160°F - 190°F with times ranging from 1-5 minutes. About 3 grams of loose leaf tea per 12oz of water is a safe bet but be sure to check your specific tea for steeping instructions.
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White Tea
White tea is harvested before the tea plants leaves fully open. At this point the buds are still covered by fine white hairs, hence the name white tea. The buds and unfurled leaves from the newest growth on the tea plant are handpicked and then quickly and meticulously dried, so the leaves are not allowed to oxidize as long as leaves plucked for green or black tea production.
Brewing time and temperatures depend on just how delicate your white tea is. Some can be brewed around 190°F for 3-5 minutes and more delicate ones should be treat as green teas at 160°F - 180°F for 2-3 minutes. About 2 grams of loose leaf tea per 8oz of water is a safe bet but be sure to check your specific tea for steeping instructions.
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Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is neither a green nor a black tea, and yet it may end up with more black tea characteristics or more green tea characteristics depending on the direction the tea master takes in the processing of the tea. What sets oolong apart from green tea and black tea is its' oxidation levels and shape. Oolong is described as a partially oxidized tea, though its oxidation levels can range from 8%-80%. Traditionally, oolong teas are rolled, twisted or curled into tight balls or thin strands. These artisanal shaping techniques depend on the traditions of the tea master making the tea and are an important aspect of oolong processing that alters the appearance, color and aroma of the final tea leaves.
Because style of oolongs vary so much, so do steeping time and temperature. Generally, oolongs are steeped anywhere between 180°F - 200°F degrees for 60 seconds to 3 minutes. About 2 grams of loose leaf tea per 8oz of water is a safe bet but be sure to check your specific tea for steeping instructions.
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Black Tea
Generally, black tea is stronger, bolder and richer than green tea. What makes black tea different from green tea is that during the production process, the tea leaves are allowed to fully oxidize before they are heat-processed and dried. Oxidation alters the flavor profile of a black tea as well, helping add malty, fruity or even smoky notes, depending on the tea. A brewed black tea can range in color from amber to red to dark brown, and its flavor profile can range from savory to sweet, depending on how long it was oxidized and how it was heat processed. Black tea typically has more astringency and bitterness than green tea, but if brewed correctly it should be smooth and flavorful.
Black teas are typically steeped longer and at hotter temperatures than Green teas. This is typically around 200°F - 212°F for about 3-5 minutes. About 2 grams of loose leaf tea per 8oz of water is a safe bet but be sure to check your specific tea for steeping instructions.
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Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh tea is post-fermented, which means that the tea leaves go through a microbial fermentation process after they have been dried and rolled, causing the leaves to darken and change in flavor. This process allows the teas to not only improve with age like a fine wine, but many pu-erh tea leaves are able to retain their freshness for up to fifty years!
The best way to steep pu-erh tea is by first rinsing the tea leaves. Quickly rinse the tea leaves (a ratio of about 1 tablespoon per 8oz of water is best) with hot water just below boiling point (about 206°F). Immediately toss the water used to rinse the leaves and re-steep with new hot water (again about 206°F) for about 1-2 minutes for the first infusion, with an increasing steeping time for all subsequent infusions.
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Herbal Tea
Technically, herbal tea isn't a true tea as it does not derive from the Camellia sinensis plant. Instead, herbal tea is an infusion or blend of various leaves, fruits, bark, roots, or flowers belonging to almost any edible, non-tea plant. In some areas of the world, herbal teas are commonly known as tisanes. Herbal teas have been around for nearly as long as time, Documentation of herbal teas goes back as far as ancient Egypt and China, where texts have been discovered describing the medicinal benefits of drinking these herbal concoctions. Most varieties of herbal tea - such as chamomile, peppermint, rooibos, and hibiscus - are naturally caffeine-free. For that reason, those who are sensitive to caffeine or who choose to limit their intake often prefer herbal teas over coffee.
Steeping herbal tea is perhaps the easiest of all teas. Steeping time and temperatures can vary widely according to packaging. For a general guide, heat water to a rolling boil and set aside 3 grams of loose leaf tea per 8oz of water. Pour the heated water over the leaves and steep for 5-7 minutes.
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Teas
creation and preparation
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of Camellia sinensis, an evergreen shrub native to East Asia. After plain water, tea is the most widely consumed drink in the world. Learn More❤
