TeaTeaTeaTea

The PlantThe Plant

The tea plant (Thea sinensis) is an evergreen plant of the Camellia genus and is also known as Camellia sinensis. That is sub-divided into two main subspecies known as Camellia sinensis sinensis, the variety that was originally found growing in China and Camellia sinensis assamica, the plant that grows as a native of India’s north-eastern province of Assam.

The tea plant (Thea sinensis) is an evergreen plant of the Camellia genus and is also known as Camellia sinensis. That is sub-divided into two main subspecies known as Camellia sinensis sinensis, the variety that was originally found growing in China and Camellia sinensis assamica, the plant that grows as a native of India’s north-eastern province of Assam.

The Chinese bush generally grows to a maximum height of 15 ft. and has several closely clumped stems, but ancient tea trees exist in China that reach height of over 100 ft. The leaves grow to roughly 2 in. in length and the bushes can produce for up to 100 years.

The Camellia sinensis sinensis does not mind cold climates and grows well in China, Tibet, Japan and other high tea-growing regions of the world such as Taiwan and the upper slopes of the Darjeeling plantations in India.

The Chinese bush generally grows to a maximum height of 15 ft. and has several closely clumped stems, but ancient tea trees exist in China that reach height of over 100 ft. The leaves grow to roughly 2 in. in length and the bushes can produce for up to 100 years.

The Camellia sinensis sinensis does not mind cold climates and grows well in China, Tibet, Japan and other high tea-growing regions of the world such as Taiwan and the upper slopes of the Darjeeling plantations in India.

The Camellia sinensis assamica is a tree rather than a bush, growing to 45-60 ft. The leaves can grow to 14 in. in length if left to grow freely.

The Assam variety loves hot and humid conditions and goes on producing for approximately 40 years.

There are 5 main types of Camellia sinensis assamica: Burma, Manipuri, Lushai, a tender-leafed variety, and a dark-leafed variety. All give a darker, fuller-flavored tea than the Chinese bushes.

The Camellia sinensis assamica is a tree rather than a bush, growing to 45-60 ft. The leaves can grow to 14 in. in length if left to grow freely.

The Assam variety loves hot and humid conditions and goes on producing for approximately 40 years.

There are 5 main types of Camellia sinensis assamica: Burma, Manipuri, Lushai, a tender-leafed variety, and a dark-leafed variety. All give a darker, fuller-flavored tea than the Chinese bushes.

Tea Types and ManufactureTea Types and Manufacture

Across the globe their are more than 10,000 different teas made from the varietals of Camellia sinensis.

Like wine, the character, color, and flavor of tea is determined by its terroir.

Teas are classified by the process used to make them and, although the names of the different categories (white, yellow, green, oolong, black, puerh and compressed) often tell us about the color and appearance of the dry leaf, it is the manufacturing method that decides the category.

Across the globe their are more than 10,000 different teas made from the varietals of Camellia sinensis.

Like wine, the character, color, and flavor of tea is determined by its terroir.

Teas are classified by the process used to make them and, although the names of the different categories (white, yellow, green, oolong, black, puerh and compressed) often tell us about the color and appearance of the dry leaf, it is the manufacturing method that decides the category.

White TeaWhite Tea

White teas are made from new leaf buds (gathered before it starts to unfurl) and young open leaves.

Once the buds and baby leaves are gathered they are dried in the sun or in a warm drying room.

When brewed they give a very pale, champagne colored liquor that has a very light, soft, sweet, velvety flavor.

The antioxidant levels are said to be higher than in other types of tea.

White teas are made from new leaf buds (gathered before it starts to unfurl) and young open leaves.

Once the buds and baby leaves are gathered they are dried in the sun or in a warm drying room.

When brewed they give a very pale, champagne colored liquor that has a very light, soft, sweet, velvety flavor.

The antioxidant levels are said to be higher than in other types of tea.

Yellow TeaYellow Tea

Yellow teas are among China’s rarest.

The leaves are gently heated and allowed to mellow by a process of non-enzymatic fermentation. Traditionally this is achieved by wrapping warm leaf in “cow skin paper”, an old type of paper that has a yellow appearance and allowed to dry naturally inside the paper for a few hours. This is repeated until the desired look, feel, and aroma occurs.

Slightly more yellow-green than green teas with a delicate, honey-like sweetness and a fresh aftertaste.

Yellow teas are among China’s rarest.

The leaves are gently heated and allowed to mellow by a process of non-enzymatic fermentation. Traditionally this is achieved by wrapping warm leaf in “cow skin paper”, an old type of paper that has a yellow appearance and allowed to dry naturally inside the paper for a few hours. This is repeated until the desired look, feel, and aroma occurs.

Slightly more yellow-green than green teas with a delicate, honey-like sweetness and a fresh aftertaste.

Green TeaGreen Tea

Green teas are generally described as “unoxidized” teas and no chemical change occurs during their manufacture.

Methods differ by region but the basic method involves a short period of withering to allow some of the water content to evaporate, then steaming or pan-firing, to de-enzyme the leaf. Next comes a series of rolling and firings to shape and dry the leaf.

Artisanal shapes include: Gunpowder (tiny pellets), Chun Mee (curved eyebrow), Biluochun (tightly wound spirals)

Green teas are generally described as “unoxidized” teas and no chemical change occurs during their manufacture.

Methods differ by region but the basic method involves a short period of withering to allow some of the water content to evaporate, then steaming or pan-firing, to de-enzyme the leaf. Next comes a series of rolling and firings to shape and dry the leaf.

Artisanal shapes include: Gunpowder (tiny pellets), Chun Mee (curved eyebrow), Biluochun (tightly wound spirals)

Oolong TeaOolong Tea

Oolong teas are known as partially or semi-oxidized and sometimes referred to as “blue” or “blue-green” teas.

Two very different methods of production are used to manufacture two different styles of oolong - dark, open-leafed oolongs and greener, balled oolongs.

Dark oolongs are oxidized to about 70% before pan-fired to stop oxidation while greener “balled” oolongs reach 30% oxidation before pan fired to stop the oxidation.

Oolong teas are known as partially or semi-oxidized and sometimes referred to as “blue” or “blue-green” teas.

Two very different methods of production are used to manufacture two different styles of oolong - dark, open-leafed oolongs and greener, balled oolongs.

Dark oolongs are oxidized to about 70% before pan-fired to stop oxidation while greener “balled” oolongs reach 30% oxidation before pan fired to stop the oxidation.

Black TeaBlack Tea

In China, these are defined as “red teas” because of the coppery-red color of the liquor that they yield. When the Chinese talk about “black tea”, they mean “puerh tea”.

Manufacture varies widely from region to region but the process always involves four basic stages: withering, rolling, oxidation, and firing.

The two major processing methods are “orthodox” and “CTC”(cut, tear, curl). The orthodox method tends to treat the leaf with more respect than the modern CTC method.

In China, these are defined as “red teas” because of the coppery-red color of the liquor that they yield. When the Chinese talk about “black tea”, they mean “puerh tea”.

Manufacture varies widely from region to region but the process always involves four basic stages: withering, rolling, oxidation, and firing.

The two major processing methods are “orthodox” and “CTC”(cut, tear, curl). The orthodox method tends to treat the leaf with more respect than the modern CTC method.

Puerh TeaPuerh Tea

Puerh tea was exclusive to China for centuries. Said to be excellent for digestion, to ease stomach pains, and help reduce cholesterol in the blood. Puerh tea has an earthy, mature character.

Puerh teas are classified into two types - raw puerh, and cooked puerh.

Raw puerh is the traditional method and are aged from 1 yr. to 50 yrs. Cooked puerh was developed in the 1970’s and uses bacteria to replicate raw puerh.

Puerh tea was exclusive to China for centuries. Said to be excellent for digestion, to ease stomach pains, and help reduce cholesterol in the blood. Puerh tea has an earthy, mature character.

Puerh teas are classified into two types - raw puerh, and cooked puerh.

Raw puerh is the traditional method and are aged from 1 yr. to 50 yrs. Cooked puerh was developed in the 1970’s and uses bacteria to replicate raw puerh.

Caffeine in TeaCaffeine in Tea

The levels of caffeine vary in different teas.

This is thought to depend on the varietal of the bush, the age of the leaf when it is picked, its location on the stem, the length of oxidation time, the size of the leaves brewed, and the length of the brewing time.

Three methods are used to remove the caffeine for decaffeinated tea: carbon dioxide, methylene chloride, and ethyl acetate.

The levels of caffeine vary in different teas.

This is thought to depend on the varietal of the bush, the age of the leaf when it is picked, its location on the stem, the length of oxidation time, the size of the leaves brewed, and the length of the brewing time.

Three methods are used to remove the caffeine for decaffeinated tea: carbon dioxide, methylene chloride, and ethyl acetate.

Storing TeaStoring Tea

The enemies of tea are humidity, air, and light.

Store in an airtight container away from light.

The enemies of tea are humidity, air, and light.

Store in an airtight container away from light.

Brewing TeaBrewing Tea

The method of brewing tea differs according to the individual tea and to the traditional tea culture of the country in question.

Not all teas should be brewed with boiling water.

Black tea and Puerh teas like boiling water while white, green, and oolongs like 122-190 degree water depending on the individual teas.

The method of brewing tea differs according to the individual tea and to the traditional tea culture of the country in question.

Not all teas should be brewed with boiling water.

Black tea and Puerh teas like boiling water while white, green, and oolongs like 122-190 degree water depending on the individual teas.