Find yourself feeling lost in the world of tea? You’re not alone. Millions of new tea drinkers find it difficult to navigate the basics. From choosing between different flavors to executing conflicting brewing techniques, it can be overwhelming for people who are new to tea drinking.
That’s why we’ve created a beginner’s guide to tea. Here, we’ll cover everything from the different tea types and flavor profiles to proper brewing methods using the right teaware. With this guide to tea for beginners, you’ll have no problem selecting and brewing the perfect cup of tea for your tastes.
Looking for an easy way to start drinking tea? Check out our Starter Bundle right here. It comes with a tea of your choice (green, black, herbal, or no tea), a tea tin, a strainer, and a measuring spoon so you can brew the perfect cup every time.
Different Types of Tea
The world of tea can be divided into three categories: true teas, herbal tisanes, and flavored teas. Read on to find out more about each of the different tea types, their characteristics and what makes each one unique.
True Teas
True teas are made from the leaves of the tea plant known by its scientific name Camellia sinensis. There are only five true teas in the world; all other tea types are considered flavored teas or herbal tisanes since they are not derived from the Camellia sinensis plant. The five true teas are white tea, green tea, oolong tea, black tea, and pu-erh tea. These teas are all made using the same leaves of the tea plant. Their differences arise during the production process which affects their color, flavor, and aroma.
White Tea
Production Process
White tea is the most minimally processed true tea. This type of tea is made using only the youngest buds and leaves of the tea plant. The plant parts are harvested by hand and then dried in direct sunlight. Once all of the moisture is removed from the leaves, the tea is sorted, graded, and packaged for sale.
Flavor Profile
White teas feature a light body, subtly sweet flavor, and long finish. While the tea is light and airy, it is also complex and nuanced as the tea lingers on your taste buds. White teas can have floral, nutty, or mildly fruity notes depending on where and how it is produced. This tea is typically pale yellow or lightly golden when brewed and emits a soft aroma.
Best White Teas
The best white teas come mainly from the Fujian Province of China. The tea is also produced in Africa — including Kenyan Safari White Tea —though those tend to have stronger nutty tones than classic Chinese white teas. The highest quality white teas are called Silver Needle, which is made using only the youngest and healthiest tea buds. The second best white tea is known as White Peony, which features a blend of tea buds and leaves.
How To Brew
White tea is a delicate tea that should be brewed using water just under 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not use boiling water, as the high temperatures can ruin the nuanced taste of the tea. To brew white tea, it's best to use a temperature-controlled tea kettle or thermometer to ensure the right brewing temperature. Use 1 to 2 teaspoons for every 8 ounces of water and steep for 1 to 5 minutes. The longer the tea steeps, the stronger the flavor will become.
Green Tea
Production Process
Green teas also undergo a minimal production process though it includes an additional step compared to white tea. Tea leaves are harvested by hand and then dried using one of two methods. The first method is known as pan-firing and is most common in the production of Chinese green teas. The leaves are placed in a large wok and heated over large fires. Once the leaves are dried, they are shaped, sorted, and packaged.
The second heating method is steaming, which is characteristic of Japanese green teas. The leaves are plucked, washed, steamed, and then dried. The duration of the steaming process varies by the tea master, but both longer and shorter steaming times have a direct effect on the flavor and quality of the green tea.
Flavor Profile
The flavor of green tea can range from earthy and grassy to umami and floral. Steamed green teas tend to have more of a vegetable or herbaceous flavor while roasted or pan-fired green teas tend to be nuttier and more earthy. Green teas are also described as oceanic, buttery, and floral.
Best Green Teas
The best green teas include Japanese and Chinese varietals. On the Japanese side, sencha, gyokuro, genmaicha, and matcha are among the most popular.
Japanese Green Teas
Sencha tea is the type of green tea found in most Japanese restaurants. It offers savory notes, a mild body, and notes of melon and pine.
Gyokuro is unique as the leaves are shade-grown for a few weeks before harvest. This increases nutrient production, thus boosting the health benefits of green tea and offering a richer flavor and creamier body.
Genmaicha is a Japanese green tea brewed with popped brown rice kernels. The rice lends the green tea a toasted flavor and a fuller body. The rice also helps to even out the bitter notes that can develop in green teas.
Matcha tea is one of the most famous Japanese green teas. The tea is a fine green powder made by crushing the green tea leaves. It offers a rich grassy flavor and a full body that is creamy and frothy. The tea is commonly consumed as a latte with the addition of dairy or nut milk.
Chinese Green Teas
Longjing green tea is also known as Dragon Well tea and features nutty notes that contrast nicely with the sweet and vegetal flavors. This type of green tea has been described as having notes of chestnut and sweet peas.
Gunpowder green tea is named after the shaping of the green tea leaves. Once dried, the tea leaves are rolled into tiny pellets that resemble small pellets. This type of tea enjoys a rich cultural history in China and was enjoyed by the rulers of the Tang Dynasty. Gunpowder green tea offers a roasted flavor.
How To Brew
To brew green tea it's important to use the proper water temperature. Boiling water will cause the tea to develop bitter flavors. Instead, use water between 175 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit. Steep one hand painted teapot of green tea leaves for every 8 ounces of water for 3 to 5 minutes.