The Many Flavors of Chinese Tea
December 10, 2009 by ChineseTea
Filed under Popular Chinese Teas
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 8 Classes of Chinese Tea
April 13, 2009 by ChineseTea
Filed under About Chinese Herbal Teas
Tea is one of the most popular beverages in Chinese culture, and is considered one of the most important necessities of the day. The Chinese have thousands of varieties of tea. Each of the teas can be classified by how it is produced, by its quality, and preparation methods, etc. There are eight “classes” into which each tea can be grouped. These eight classes are compressed teas, flower teas, yellow teas, white teas, red teas, black teas, oolong teas, and green teas.
Compressed Tea
Compressed teas are excellent because they can be stored for a very long time, even decades. These use black teas as the base, which is then steamed and compressed. The compressed tea can take the form of bricks, cakes, columns, and more. Each of them has the characteristics of black tea because that is the base.
Flower Tea
Flower tea is one of the unique types of Chinese tea. Flower tea is exactly that, tea made from dried flowers. There are also “scented teas” that have floral aromas added to a green or red tea base. These types of teas have light to medium flavors. The aromas are medium to strong.
Yellow Tea
Some experts agree that the yellow tea class is the least common type. These teas have yellow leaves and are yellow in color. Yellow tea is normally mild. Some say it is quite refreshing.
White Tea
Some consider this to be a subclass of green tea. White tea, like green tea, does not get fermented during its processing—the tea leaves are simply withered and then roasted. It has low caffeine content.
Red Tea
Red tea is aptly named for its distinctive red color. Red tea is a fermented tea, like black tea, yet has a lower aroma and medium flavor. You can find red divided into three categories. These are Kung Fu, Ted, and Small Species.
Black Tea
Black tea is probably the most full-bodied of the Chinese teas. Black tea is withered, fermented for a long time, and then it is roasted. Black tea leaves are totally oxidized once processed.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is in the middle between green tea and black tea. It is half way fermented. Oolong tea is sometimes called Qing Cha by the Chinese. A standard oolong tea is green with red edges.
Oolong tea is simply withered and spread out before it is slightly fermented. After that the tea leaves are fried, rolled up, and roasted.
Green Tea
Green tea is probably the most natural tea. It is simply picked, dried, and gently fried so that it does not smell too much like grass. Green tea does not get fermented during processing. Some experts say that green tea is the most medicinal of all Chinese teas. Roughly fifty percent of all Chinese tea is green tea. The aroma ranges from medium to high. The flavor of green tea runs from light to medium.


