There are many kinds of tea, each of them with different organoleptic characteristics. However, many people don’t
know that they all come from the same plant, the Camelia
Sinensis (chinese origin) or the Camelia Assamica
(from the Assam Region, India).
The working process performed after collecting the
leaves is what differentiates white, green, red, black,
yellow, oolong, or pu'er tea.
White tea
is made from the best sprouts or from the
youngest leaves collected in the spring; because
of this they are still covered in light whitish
hairs. This characteristic is noticeable on the
most important of the white varieties of Chinese
tea, the Yin Zhen, which is made of thin
needle-shaped buds of a clear grey colour.
White tea undergoes little working: selection
and cleaning of the leaves, steam cooking,
drying under the sun or at a low temperature.
The infusion is characterized by an exceptional
grassy freshness, and maintains all the tea's
healthy properties.
Green tea is non-fermented. It is the
most common type in the East, with countless
nuances of flavour and many healthy virtues. The working process of green tea is similar to
that of white tea: selection and cleaning of the
leaves, withering, cooking with steam, flame, or
in a pan (this last method helps to preserve the
green colour, avoiding oxidation), possible
rolling, and in the end, drying.
These types of tea produce a clear infusion,
from a yellow to green colour, because the
leaves haven’t undergone the fermentation
process.
The infusion from green tea displays a hint of
grass flavour, stronger or weaker depending on
the origin.
Semi-fermented tea, or oolong
(translated as “black dragon”), combines the
characteristics of green tea with the fragrance
and sweetness owed to partial fermentation;
These types of tea are also famous for their
healthy and dietetic qualities.
To obtain oolong tea the leaves undergo a phase
of partial fermentation, thanks to heat and
humidity which start the natural oxidation
process. The infusion displays different
chromatic shades depending on the fermentation
level of the oolong tea: if slightly fermented
(about 15%) it shows a dark green colour
(typical of oolong produced in China); if more
than 50% of the fermentation process is reached,
the colour tends to be brownish (typical of
oolong produced in Taiwan).
Oolong tea is characterized by a recognizable
hint of humid wood and undergrowth in the flavour.
Black tea is more widespread in the
West. It undergoes a total fermentation of the
leaves and is characterized by a pronounced dark
red colour and round flavour.
Classic Ceylon is the most well-known variety of
black tea.
Flower tea – The custom of adding
petals from certain flowers to tea leaves is
popular in northern China and is especially
enjoyed in the spring and autumn.
Pu’er tea is famous everywhere in the
East for its healthy and digestive virtues; it
produces a dark infusion with a slightly smoked odour. This type of tea is obtained after a
double fermentation.
Pu'er tea has a stronger or weaker accentuated
hint of humid earth in the flavour.
Some suggestions to make a good cup of tea:
• remember what type of tea you are using;
• pay attention to the water temperature and the
infusion time, which change depending on the type of tea
(see table below);
• use a kettle to boil the water;
• put the leaves in the teapot first, then pour the
water at the right temperature; In this way the leaves
will have time to oxygenate and release their fragrance;
• the hint of bitterness which many can taste in the
flavour of the infusion is usually caused by the water
temperature being too high, or the infusion time being
too long. As a result, the infusion is too rich in
tannin.
The right
infusion for each kind of tea
type of tea
water
temperature
infusion time
white and green tea
70-75° C;
short, maximum 2-3 minutes
white and green tea
90° C
up to 5-7 minutes
black tea
90° C
3-4 minutes
Note: There are countless varieties of tea,
according to origin and collection period (for example
the white tea Yin Zhen’s infusion time is 15 minutes)
and for this reason we recommend you always ask how to
prepare a particular tea when you buy it.
Thanks to: Il Signore del tè Tea shop with a selection of more than 200 tea types
Reported as one of the most interesting Italian tea
shops from important national magazines.
Address: Via Aureliana, 3 Montegrotto Terme, Padova
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