Understanding Tea
Black, white, and green teas are all derived from Camellia sinensis, which is an evergreen plant. The differences in the teas are the methods of production and level of oxidation.
Black Tea- The darkest and strongest variety closest in comparison to coffee as far as it’s caffeine content and visual appearance. It is most popular, fully oxidized, and described as full bodied, assertive, robust and strong. It is lower in its antioxidant properties. Red in color.
White Tea- The medium bodied tea, which is the lowest form of caffeinated teas. It is high in antioxidants. Described as subtle, delicate, clean flowery flavor. Also mellow, smooth and light. Straw colored.
Green Tea- Is a distinct tea due to its health producing properties. It is un-oxidized and described as sweet, with characteristics ranging between a grassy to a floral taste depending on the origin it is made. It is light, aromatic, delicious, and distinct in flavor. Pale green in color.
Oolong Tea- This is a scale between the Black Tea and the Green Tea. It is semi oxidized and described as a complex tea. Described as gentle, floral green to a sweet earthy black with several layers in between. Golden amber in color.
Rooibos- pronounced “Roy bus” is caffeine free. It is found in South Africa. It has a mild flavor, has higher antioxidant content than Green Tea. It contains little tannins. It is naturally sweet so the need for additional sweetener is lessened. There are two varieties Red and Green. Rooibos became developed by the Dutch settlers as a less expensive tea compared to its Black Tea counterpart.
--------------------------------------------
The Origin of the Tea Bag (Some tea trivia)
In 1908, a New York tea importer was credited with the incidental discovery of the teabag. This importer would send tea samples to his clients in small silk bags to cut down on cost by supplying small samples instead of whole tins.
Unknowingly, his clients steeped the whole bag. When he changed his packaging to send a full order, his clients complained and wanted the tea in the bags as originally supplied. Silk was too expensive so he invented bags out of gauze.
Thus the teabag was born. So there is your tea lesson for the day. Now go enjoy some tea!
Black Tea- The darkest and strongest variety closest in comparison to coffee as far as it’s caffeine content and visual appearance. It is most popular, fully oxidized, and described as full bodied, assertive, robust and strong. It is lower in its antioxidant properties. Red in color.
White Tea- The medium bodied tea, which is the lowest form of caffeinated teas. It is high in antioxidants. Described as subtle, delicate, clean flowery flavor. Also mellow, smooth and light. Straw colored.
Green Tea- Is a distinct tea due to its health producing properties. It is un-oxidized and described as sweet, with characteristics ranging between a grassy to a floral taste depending on the origin it is made. It is light, aromatic, delicious, and distinct in flavor. Pale green in color.
Oolong Tea- This is a scale between the Black Tea and the Green Tea. It is semi oxidized and described as a complex tea. Described as gentle, floral green to a sweet earthy black with several layers in between. Golden amber in color.
Rooibos- pronounced “Roy bus” is caffeine free. It is found in South Africa. It has a mild flavor, has higher antioxidant content than Green Tea. It contains little tannins. It is naturally sweet so the need for additional sweetener is lessened. There are two varieties Red and Green. Rooibos became developed by the Dutch settlers as a less expensive tea compared to its Black Tea counterpart.
--------------------------------------------
The Origin of the Tea Bag (Some tea trivia)
In 1908, a New York tea importer was credited with the incidental discovery of the teabag. This importer would send tea samples to his clients in small silk bags to cut down on cost by supplying small samples instead of whole tins.
Unknowingly, his clients steeped the whole bag. When he changed his packaging to send a full order, his clients complained and wanted the tea in the bags as originally supplied. Silk was too expensive so he invented bags out of gauze.
Thus the teabag was born. So there is your tea lesson for the day. Now go enjoy some tea!
