Last Updated on July 1, 2022 by Cheryl Moreo
Let’s Talk About Teas & the Huge Variety Available
Tea time, anyone? Find out why tea is a worldwide pastime.
A quick internet search reveals that there are over 3,000 types of teas in the world. That is a little overwhelming and exciting. These thousands of varieties fall into one of five basic categories: White, Green, Oolong, Black, PU-ERH. These are a spectrum that ranges from un-oxidized (light and refreshing) white to oxidized (dark and intense) PU-ERH.
Most people don’t think of these categories, though. They likely think of tea as falling into one of these categories:
- Hot
- Iced
- Herbal
- Black
- Infusions
Narrowing down the history of tea is complicated. Many regions claim to be the originators. Asia has a strong claim to early tea consumption, but England has a strong claim to its production and helping expand the use in India. Regardless of its origins, we have consumed it for thousands of years. Now, in modern times, any tea can be enjoyed in any region.
Tea is similar to beverages, like coffee and wine. The tea leaves are impacted by their region and the climate the year they were grown. In essence, no two seasons are alike. The nuances from year-to-year and from grower to grower are like that of great winemakers.
Tea has always been popular, but in recent times, infusions are becoming more popular. Tea, formerly only served in restaurants and home settings, is now more than ever is widely available in coffee houses and retail markets. No matter your education level or pallette, there is likely a tea that is perfect for your needs or preference.
Here are some types of teas and drinks that you can find in today’s market:
- Boba
- Fruit-infused
- Lattes
- Sweetened and unsweetened varieties
- TeaJava
- And more!
For an in-depth study of tea, you might like TeaClass.
The key to an outstanding experience and exploring the wide variety of teas is curiosity. Being curious about what is available where you are – whether you are traveling, eating in a new restaurant, exploring a tea house, or the tea aisle of your grocer. Ask people what their favorite tea drinks are and be willing to try new types. Use a social media resource like YouTube or Pinterest to discover new ones and preparations. Soon you will be an expert in varieties and concepts.
Experiencing and enjoying tea is a fun pastime and a beautiful way to express yourself. Whether tea is a staple preference over coffee or one of the many beverages you want, experiment with its many varieties, and open up a world of possibility. One could drink a new variety of tea without repeating for years.
Tea Time Anyone?
Comment below and tell us whether you like your tea iced or hot, infused or plain. Do you have a favorite variety?
Prefer Coffee?
Read my post on coffee.
Don’t know if you received my post or not. This article was very interesting. Have several flavores in my cabinet. Peach, raspberry, green, PDB, hibiscus, lavender and more. Have not tried oolong yet.
Yes, your comment came through just fine. I have been drinking more green tea, but I still like my black tea. I am going to start trying different teas now. I hope more people give us ideas by commenting, too. My next post will be on the benefits of green tea.