What is usually referred to in the West as Black Tea, due to the color of the dried leaves, is known in China as “red tea” due to the reddish color it creates when it is added to hot water. It has been drunk around the world for many centuries, and its popularity is still growing, especially as the health benefits attributed to it by Chinese tradition have been recognized by the rest of the world.

Black tea creates a drink that varies in color from red through brown to black. The flavor of the tea grows older with age, and vintage teas are often sought after for their special flavors. Among tea specialists the best vintages are as highly prized as their equivalents in wine and whiskey. It is easy to store black tea as it will keep well. It should be stored in a place with good ventilation, but there is no need to worry about maintaining a certain temperature. Most people are more used to loose tea, or tea bags, but black tea can also be bought in compressed cakes or tubes in various shapes and sizes that are much more convenient to store.

There are three basic types of black tea that are produced in China by different methods. They are called Souchong, Congou and Broken Tea.

Souchong originates in the region of China called Fuijan. It has a unique fragrance that experts claim is unlike any other type of tea. The Souchong teas that are produced by different parts of the region are known by different names, and have their own individual characters. Three of these are local specialities named after the place in which they are made: Tongmuguan, XingChun, and Lapsang Souchong. Lapsang is generally considered to be the best variety, with the most delicious flavor. The fourth variety is Smoking Souchong, which is a cheaper tea that is not actually from this region. It is made from low quality congou tea using methods that have been copied from the “true” Souchong teas.

Congou is a type of tea in its own right. It was originally developed from Souchong teas. The most popular varieties come from various parts of China: Qihong (also known as Keemun), Dianhong, Suhong, Chuanhong and Huhong.

Broken tea is also known as graded tea since it is assessed by internationally agreed standards. There are four varieties which are divided up by the shape of the processed leaves. Whole leaf consists of short strips of leaves. Broken leaf is made of little grains of tea. Fannings are little slices of tea leaves. Dust is, as its name suggests, a powdered leaf variety.

These different types of tea have evolved through a long history of tea drinking in China, each being developed to suit different tastes. Black tea was first produced by the province of Fuijan, in the area now known as Wuyi Mountain. This is where Souchang teas are now made, although these have only been produced commercially since the eighteenth century. Congou tea was developed later still, spreading out until it was being made across the country.

What do we know about Chinese tea other than it is brewed and delivered to us in a teapot and a tea cup or both. Even when served to us steaming hot at a Chinese restaurant, our education of the tea that we are drinking doesn’t go much beyond that of our cup. We only know that we get this flavor only at this restaurant and we like it with our meal while we are here.

The making of Chinese Tea goes back over 4,000 years and was made for medical purposes back then. The Chinese has a long history of taking herb combinations to find cures for their many illnesses. As time went on, the Chinese used their tea for enjoyment and hospitality rather than for their medical needs.

The Chinese once used their teas as the beverage in their culture’s social rituals. The rich flavor is now enjoyed all over the world, not just socially but for the pleasure of that unique flavor.

Their are eight different types of tea thought about when you refer to Chinese Tea. You have flowered teas such as oolong and jasmine. Other teas within the mix of thousands of combinations are compressed tea, black tea, yellow tea, green tea, white tea and red tea. The Chinese were the first to come upon these types of teas and their variations.

Chinese tea is not just pleasurable for social advents or with a meal it may also aid in increasing your immunity and lowering your blood pressure.

If you like a variety of Chinese tea you may find it at your local grocery. Chinese tea is usually sold in loose tea or you can find it already packaged in a tea bag. If your local grocery is limited on the different flavors of Chinese Tea, visit an Asian market. The Asian market carries large varieties of Chinese tea whether you like loose tea or a flavored tea in a tea bag. They will be sure to have the flavor your looking for in a Chinese Tea.

For a rather busy or a very hectic day; brew yourself a cup of your favorite flavored Chinese tea and relax. There is nothing like ending a hectic day with your favorite cup of Chinese Tea.

The array of bulk green teas available on the market today can be somewhat bewildering. It can be an overwhelming task, trying to work out which type will suit you best. It is always a good idea to shop around and get an idea of what is a good price, and where you can find the packet sizes that you prefer. Finding a reputable company that will provide good service and a high quality product will be worth the effort.

The major benefit to buying green tea in bulk, rather than in separate tea bags, is that the tea you receive has been through one less process. It has not had to be separated and packaged into bags. You will also find that you can measure the exact strength of tea you require, whether you are making a pot or a single cup, rather than being restricted to measuring by the bag.

Green tea is now available which can be brewed using an automatic coffeemaker, without losing any of its flavor. You can also use it, when bought in bulk, to make ice tea. High quality green tea will produce a tea that will keep fresh for at least a week in your refrigerator, and taste good at room temperature too.

There are some delightfully packaged green teas available online, which would be ideal if you are looking for a gift for a fellow tea-lover. Particularly interesting are those which are printed in Japanese, giving a hint that these are authentic, somewhat exotic, green teas. You may also be able to find one of the teas with bilingual English and Japanese text, just in case you need a little help reading the directions.

The Japanese may have mastered the aesthetic art of tea boxes, but whether you are buying green tea from Japan or elsewhere, there is one thing you need to make especially certain of- that the packaging is secure enough for the mail. Most good online tea retailers will use boxes that cannot be cut or torn apart during delivery. This is the token of a good online service.

The prices you will find for bulk green tea online are not always indicative of the quality. Do not try too hard to find a bargain, or go for the highest price without reading the description and whatever product reviews are available. But remember that when you do find that great tea which comes without the huge price tag, you can be happy that quality is not a number. Don’t worry that you are paying less than what you believe you should for a good green tea. You will have found the perfect online brand of bulk green tea.

The ancient practice of tea-drinking has united many cultures throughout history, and is still bringing people around the world together today. Whether it is a vital burst of caffeine at breakfast, a traditional afternoon treat, or an essential and ceremonial part of the culture, tea drinking has remained a constant over centuries of social change. Although the favored flavors may differ and evolve, tea drinking is something that people from a multitude of different times and places have in common.

Chai tea has become a staple drink for many people around the world. The word “Chai” comes from the Hindi word for tea, and in India, Chai tea has now surpassed coffee as the nation’s favorite drink. Its increasing frequency on restaurant menus around the world reflects Chai tea’s increasing popularity with tea drinkers. Chai has now become a common choice for tea-lovers everywhere.

The drink that is commonly recognized as Chai tea is a mixture of tea combined with a unique blend of infused spices. In India, recipes for Chai tea are carefully handed down within a family from one generation to the next, each with its own unique blend of spices in particular combinations and strengths. The result has been that in India, the name Chai tea denotes a vast array of different recipes.

The basis of all Chai teas is a strong black tea. Heavy milk or cream is combined with it, and then a specific blend of spices is added into the mix. The particular combination will depend on the region in which the Chai tea is being made. Cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and ginger are all commonly used. The final stage in production is the sweetening of the Chai tea with a selection of one or more of the chosen sweeteners: honey, sugar and molasses.

Chai tea is now readily available in shops and restaurants worldwide. With a willingness to experiment however, it is possible to create your own Chai tea recipe and produce the exact blend of ingredients that suits your own tastes.

Whether you make it, share it or buy it, Chai tea will be a delicious, soothing drink with which to relax and enjoy the day.

Oolong tea is an ancient Chinese tea that according to some experts is similar to green tea and black tea in that it is half way fermented. Oolong tea is clear and fragrant like green tea. It is also refreshing and strong, like black tea. It has been said that the aroma of oolong tea will linger in your mouth and relieve a sore throat.

The origins of the name itself are somewhat of an enigma in Chinese tea history. It is not known whether the tea is actually named after a place or a variety of plant. A similar Chinese word is “wu long” meaning dragon, which has connotations of luck, but it is not known if oolong is itself a derivative of that term.

How Chinese Oolong Tea is processed

One can process oolong tea in one of six widely-accepted methods. You can wither the tea in direct sunlight; you can process it by tedding fresh leaves, by rocking green, stir-frying green, rolling or drying. It can be considered one of the most complicated of Chinese teas, and even the most complicated whole food beverage.

After oolong tea leaves are plucked, they are withered, then bruised, then dried. Then they are twisted or rolled by hand, depending on what type of oolong it is. It may seem fairly straightforward, but the varying techniques and the need for exact timing of the process impart very complex and wide-ranging flavors, fragrances and colors on different types of oolong teas.

Many Types and Flavors

Chinese oolong tea is generally available in many varieties. These range from light and sweet, such as from the large beautiful leaves of the Formosa oolong. Another good example of a light and sweet oolong is Tieguanyin. This variety has thick, shiny, dark green leaves that impart an amber colored tea reminiscent of flowers. Tieguanyin is a great all-purpose tea with lots of balance.

Another type is the Wuyi Cliff oolong. This is grown in a Fujian province where temperatures are mild most of the year, and the mountains are misty and cool. Wuyi Cliff has rich, lasting flavors. The leaves must be highly fermented prior to twisting and drying. This tea is said to be one of the best Chinese oolong teas in aiding digestion. It is a great complement to Pu-erh tea when striving for a well balanced weight loss program.

More benefits of Chinese Oolong Tea

Chinese oolong has many medicinal properties, just like other Chinese teas. It is said to have great anti-aging properties such as lowering blood pressure, improving immune system functionality, and preventing heart disease. Studies show that this tea can help one’s digestion, as well as be a refreshing way to fight off the effects of drinking alcohol.

Some say it can even prolong your life. Chinese oolong has also been shown to improve one’s results when trying to loose weight. To perform at ones peak as far as energy and vitality it is best to increase your daily consumption to between four and ten cups daily.

If you haven’t tasted green tea lately, you should. It is a great tea for cooling down on hot summer days. Green tea is probably one of the most popular of the Chinese teas. Green tea fights off inflammation and leaves you feeling cool. Some even say it fight off a fever.

People all over the world know about the benefits of wonderful green tea. It has been known since ancient Chinese culture to have medicinal properties. The Chinese use green tea to fight off a wide range of illnesses, including headaches and depression. The Chinese have used green tea as a medicine for four thousand years, according to Nadine Taylor. You can read more about it in her book, “Green Tea: The Natural Secret for a Healthier Life”.

Many scientific researchers are uncovering the health benefits of drinking green tea, both in Asia and across the West. The results of an epidemiological study from 1994 indicate that drinking Chinese green tea lowers the risk of esophageal cancer by nearly sixty percent, according to the Journal of National Cancer Institute. In fact, researchers at Purdue University in Indiana report that compounds in green tea prevent the growth of cancer cells.

Not only has green tea been implicated in the fight against cancer, it has been shown to have positive effects on cardiovascular disease, and high cholesterol. Green tea has also been noted to have positive effects on reducing rheumatoid arthritis, and improving immune function.

What is so special about Green Tea?

One of green teas best attributes is that it is rich in catechin polyphenols. It is particularly high in epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is an anti-oxidant that has been shown to fight and kill off cancer cells. It can do this without harming the healthy tissue. EGCG has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol, and prevents the abnormal formation of blood clots, otherwise known as thrombosis. Thrombosis is a main trigger in stroke and heart attacks.

It has even been found that the French Paradox, which is essentially that the French have a diet high in fat intake and yet have lower rates of heart disease than other cultures, has been associated with green tea. It has been widely accepted that the French paradox was due to their high intake of red wine, which contains the health beneficial substance, resveratrol. This potent polyphenol has been shown to combat the effects of smoking cigarettes, and also fights off the bad effects of a high fat diet. What’s more, is that green tea, in a 1997 study, was found to contain twice the amount of resveratrol than does red wine. To add more evidence to the powerful affects of green tea, despite the fact that approximately 70 percent of Chinese men are smokers, they have a lower rate of heart disease than Americans.

More Benefits

More benefits are beginning to be uncovered about the wonderful green tea. One claim is that green tea helps one lose weight. One study showed that men given a combo pack of green tea and caffeine had higher metabolic rate and burned more fat than men given a placebo and caffeine.

It has even been said to fight tooth decay and food poisoning. This is due to some natural antibiotic properties found in Chinese green tea. Its antibacterial effects extend outside of the body to the skin as well. One can even find skin creams, deodorants and blemish fighting creams that contain green tea.