Brewing tea first requires selecting and identifying the tea. Only by correctly identifying the tea can one decide on the brewing method.

There are many types of tea. They can be classified by harvest time into spring tea, summer tea, and autumn tea; by geographical location into high mountain tea and flatland tea; or most commonly by tea color (different processing methods) into six major categories: Green Tea, Black Tea, Blue Tea (Oolong Tea), White Tea, Yellow Tea, and Dark Tea.

Green Tea

Green tea is the category with the largest production volume in China. Its defining quality characteristics are green leaves and clear liquor. New tea with good tenderness has a glossy green color, visible buds, and a bright liquor. Representative varieties include "Longjing", "Biluochun", and "Gunpowder Tea".

Black Tea

Black tea is characterized by red leaves and red liquor, a quality formed through fermentation. The dry tea has a dark, glossy color, a mellow, sweet, and rich taste, and a bright red liquor. Black tea includes "Congou Black Tea", "Broken Black Tea", and "Souchong Black Tea". The most representative brands are "Keemun Black Tea", "Ninghong Black Tea", and "Dianhong Black Tea".

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is a semi-fermented tea. Its leaves are bluish-brown like iron, hence it is also called Blue Tea. Typical Oolong tea leaves are green in the center and red on the edges, famously described as "green leaves with a red镶边". Its liquor is clear and golden, with a natural floral aroma and a rich, refreshing taste. "Tieguanyin", "Dahongpao", and "Dongding Oolong" are the most representative.

White Tea

White tea is made from tea leaves with abundant white down on the buds and leaves. White tea is covered in white hairs, has a natural appearance, a bright yellow and clear liquor, and a fresh, mellow taste. Representative varieties include "Silver Needle", "Shou Mei", and "White Peony".

Yellow Tea

Yellow tea has yellow leaves and yellow liquor, a delicate aroma, and a mellow taste. Its buds and leaves are covered with down, appearing bright golden-yellow, and the liquor is apricot-yellow and clear. Representative varieties include "Junshan Silver Needle", "Mengding Yellow Bud", and "Huoshan Large Yellow Tea".

Dark Tea

Dark tea has dark, oily leaves, an orange-yellow liquor, yellowish-brown brewed leaves, and a mellow, rich aroma. After being compressed, dark tea is mainly supplied to ethnic minority regions.

Re-processed Tea

Besides the six major categories above, there is also re-processed tea. This refers to tea varieties made by further processing the six basic types, such as scented tea, compressed tea, and instant tea. Scented tea uses roasted green tea or black tea as the main base. Tea leaves and flowers are blended and scent-absorbed (scenting process), allowing the tea to absorb the floral fragrance, hence the name. Examples include "Jasmine Tea", "Daidai Flower Tea", "Chulan (Pearl Orchid) Tea", and "Rose Black Tea". Compressed tea uses dark tea or black tea as raw material, which is steamed and pressed into specific shapes, such as "Qingzhuan Brick", "Kangzhuan Brick", "Liupu Tea", "Tuo Tea", and "Mi Brick".