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Tea Facts

This is the least "processed" tea in that after the leaves are plucked they are allowed to whither and then dry, and that's it. White tea tends to be lighter in taste and probably has the least caffeine of all the types of tea. 

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Popular white teas: Silver Needle, Bai Mu Dan, Peony, 

 

Some of the health benefits of white tea:

 

  • Antioxidant: catechins

  • Cancer prevention

  • Lower blood pressure

  • Lower cholesterol

  • Heart protection

  • Stronger bones

  • Antibacterial & antiviral

  • Health teeth and gums

  • Healthy skin

  • Contains caffeine

Pu-erh Tea

After the tea leaves are plucked heat is applied in the form steam or pan-firing. This halts the oxidation and preserves the green color, similar to blanching vegetables. Also during the process the leaves are rolled, by hand or by machine to obtain a particular shape. The rolling also imparts different flavors to the tea leaves. Green tea can be described as being "vegetal", "herbaceous", "grassy", and somewhat bitter. 

 

Popular green teas: Dragonwell, Gunpowder, Sencha, and Jasmine

 

Some of the health benefits of green tea: 

 

  • Antioxidant: catechins

  • Cancer prevention

  • Lower blood pressure

  • Lower cholesterol

  • Heart protection

  • Stronger bones

  • Antibacterial & antiviral

  • Health teeth and gums

  • Healthy skin

  • Contains caffeine

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is considered between a green tea and a black tea. The leaves are plucked and withered. Then they are rolled with causes "bruising" which actually promotes important flavor compounds. Then the leaves are allowed to oxidize (like a black tea), but the oxidation is stopped by applying heat in the form of baking. The longer it oxidizes, the more it is like black tea. The less it is allowed to oxidize, the more it is like a green tea. Oolong tea have very complex flavor profiles. My favorites tend to have floral notes. 

Black Tea

With black tea, after the tea leaves are plucked, they are whithered, then rolled and shaped. Then they are allowed to fully oxidize which creates the dark color and rich flavor compounds. Then they are fired or roasted. Black tea can be described as being rich, malty, toasty, and full-bodied. 

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Popular black teas: Darjeeling, Assam, Keemun, Ceylon

 

Some of the health benefits of black tea: 

 

  • Antioxidants: theaflavins and thearubigins

  • Promotes cardiovascular health

  • Reduces blood pressure

  • Protects against many types of cancer

  • Helps prevent obesity

  • Helps reduce diabetes-related problems

  • Strengthen bones

  • Reduces cholesterol

  • Reduces risk of stroke

  • May prevent Parkinson’s Disease

  • Improves attention

  • Contains caffeine

White Tea

Green Tea

True pu-erh only comes from the Yunnan province in China. After the leaves are plucked, they are whithered and de-enzymed (the oxidation is stopped by pan-firing the leaves. The  leaves are rolled and shaped. Then the leaves go through a fermentation and aging process. They are packed either loose or in cakes. Pu-erh typically has a very earthy and almost "muddy" taste. 

 

Some of the health benefits of Pu-erh tea: 

 

  • Contains caffeine

  • Aids in digestion

  • Lowers LDL cholesterol

  • May reduce heart disease risk

  • Promotes weight loss

  • Anti-cancer properties

  • Antioxidant qualities

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