The 8 Classes of Chinese Tea

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.