Tea preferences vary from person to person; there is no absolute 'good' or 'bad,' only what is suitable or unsuitable. Chinese tea knowledge is vast and profound, with each type of tea having distinct characteristics. Here, we briefly introduce the basic knowledge of nine major tea categories, hoping that while you gain knowledge, you can find your perfect cup of tea.
1. Green Tea (Fermentation Degree: 0%)
【Characteristics】Dry tea leaves are emerald green, jade green, or yellowish-green; the tea soup is greenish-yellow; it has a fresh mung bean aroma; the taste is light and slightly bitter.
【Tea Nature】Relatively cool
【Representative Teas】Longjing, Biluochun, Huangshan Maofeng, etc.
【Most Notable Benefits】High in Vitamin C, known as the 'crown of teas.' It can relieve summer heat, generate body fluids, and quench thirst. It helps prevent cancer and lower blood lipids, protects against computer radiation, and reduces nicotine damage for smokers. Friends troubled by smog are most suited to drink Green Tea daily!
【Most Suitable For】Young people with busy work schedules and frequent computer use; also suitable for those with a hot constitution, strong stomach fire, and abundant energy.
Note: Green tea is rich in nutrients but can be irritating to the stomach, so it is not suitable for those with allergies or a weak spleen and stomach; it is also not recommended at night for those with neurasthenia or prone to insomnia.
2. Black Tea (Fermentation Degree: 100%)
【Characteristics】Dry tea leaves are deep red; the tea soup is vermilion red; it has a malt sugar or caramel aroma; the taste is rich with a slight astringency.
【Tea Nature】Warm
【Representative Teas】Keemun Black Tea, Dianhong, Ninghong, Yihong, etc.
【Most Notable Benefits】Aids gastrointestinal digestion, promotes appetite, diuretic, reduces edema; strong antibacterial properties, gargling with Black Tea can prevent colds caused by filterable viruses and prevent tooth decay and food poisoning; high in tea pigments, promotes blood circulation, reduces myocardial infarction incidence, strengthens the heart; lowers blood lipids and blood pressure.
【Most Suitable For】Best for those with weaker bodies, poor spleen and stomach function, cold hands and feet, and older individuals; also the best choice for those who enjoy blended drinks.
Note: Suitable for a wide range of people, especially those with a cold constitution, weak stomach, women, and the elderly; adding milk in the evening has a sleep-inducing effect; particularly suitable for drinking in winter, with good warming and nourishing effects.
3. Oolong Tea (Fermentation Degree: 10%~70%)
【Characteristics】Dry tea leaves are dark green or bluish-brown; the tea soup is honey-green or honey-yellow; it has a floral and fruity fragrance; the taste is mellow, slightly bitter with a sweet aftertaste.
【Tea Nature】Those with lower fermentation like Dongding Oolong and light-scented Tieguanyin are slightly cool; those with heavier fermentation like strong-scented Tieguanyin, rock tea, and Oriental Beauty are relatively mild.
【Representative Teas】Tieguanyin, Dongding Oolong, Wuyi Rock Tea (Da Hong Pao), Minbei Shuixian, etc.
【Most Notable Benefits】The pharmacological effects of Oolong Tea are particularly evident in fat decomposition, weight loss, and body shaping, known in Japan as the 'Beauty Tea' and 'Fitness Tea.'
【Most Suitable For】Suitable for the widest range of people, especially those needing weight loss or who are irritable.
Note: Lightly fermented Oolong teas (light-scented Tieguanyin, Dongding Oolong, Alishan High Mountain Tea) are slightly cool and should not be consumed excessively by those with a weak spleen and stomach; heavily fermented Oolong teas (strong-scented Tieguanyin, rock tea, Oriental Beauty) are neutral in nature, suitable for those with a cold constitution and the elderly; strong in removing greasiness, not suitable for drinking on an empty stomach.
4. White Tea (Fermentation Degree: 10%)
【Characteristics】Dry tea leaves are white with hidden green, covered with white hairs; the tea soup is ivory white; the aroma is pure with a pekoe fragrance; the taste is fresh, refreshing, and sweet.
【Tea Nature】Cool
【Representative Teas】Baihao Yinzhen, Baimudan, Shou Mei, etc.
【Most Notable Benefits】Can prevent heatstroke, detoxify, treat toothache, and soothe nerves; aged white tea has better fever-reducing effects than antibiotics.
【Most Suitable For】Suitable for those with mental stress and high pressure; drinking White Tea is beneficial for protecting children's eyes.
Note: White tea is a lightly fermented tea,原始, natural, and healthy, but can be irritating to the stomach, so it is not suitable for those with allergies or a weak spleen and stomach; it is also not recommended at night for those with neurasthenia or prone to insomnia.
5. Yellow Tea (Fermentation Degree: 10%)
【Characteristics】Dry tea leaves are golden yellow and bright; the tea soup is apricot yellow and bright; it has a tender, sharp fragrance; the taste is sweet, mellow, fresh, and refreshing, with a sweet aftertaste.
【Tea Nature】Relatively cool
【Representative Teas】Huoshan Huangya, Junshan Yinzhen, etc.
【Most Notable Benefits】Contains a large amount of digestive enzymes, effective for indigestion and poor appetite. Yellow Tea retains over 85% of natural substances from fresh leaves, with special effects against cancer, bacteria, and inflammation.
【Most Suitable For】Suitable for those with indigestion, poor appetite, laziness, and obesity.
Note: The nature and process of yellow tea are close to green tea, relatively milder. It can still irritate the stomach, so it is not suitable for those with allergies or a weak spleen and stomach; it is also not recommended at night for those with neurasthenia or prone to insomnia.
6. Dark Tea (Fermentation Degree: Changes over time)
【Characteristics】Dry tea leaves are bluish-brown; the tea soup is orange-yellow or brown; it has an aged aroma; the taste is mellow and sweet with a lingering aftertaste.
【Tea Nature】Warm
【Representative Teas】Pu'er Tea, Qingzhuan Brick Tea, Liupu Tea, etc.
【Most Notable Benefits】Mild and mellow in nature, warms the stomach, lowers blood pressure and blood lipids; long-term consumption is effective in reducing atherosclerosis and preventing cardiovascular diseases.
【Most Suitable For】Suitable for obese individuals, those with high blood sugar, smokers, drinkers, and those with constipation.
Note: Do not drink Pu'er ripe tea that has been steeped for too long; strong in removing greasiness, drink in small amounts on an empty stomach or when malnourished; most suitable for the elderly and those with a cold constitution.
7. Herbal Tea (Fermentation Degree: 0%)
【Characteristics】Made from plant roots, stems, leaves, flowers, or peels (mostly flowers). Herbal teas come in a wide variety, with fragrant scents, rich flavors, and beautiful forms. They are low in calories, fat, and sugar, and contain no caffeine.
【Tea Nature】Honeysuckle, chrysanthemum, hawthorn are relatively cool; jasmine, lavender, dried tangerine peel are neutral; rose, peach blossom, osmanthus are warm.
【Representative Teas】Honeysuckle, Hangzhou White Chrysanthemum, French Rose, Lavender, Jasmine, etc.
【Most Notable Benefits】Whitens and lightens spots, detoxifies and beautifies the skin, removes acne scars, soothes the liver and relieves depression, etc.
【Most Suitable For】Suitable for those needing skincare, body shaping, weight loss, and anti-aging.
Note: Most herbal teas like rose, lavender, and Hangzhou White Chrysanthemum have beauty and health benefits, but should be consumed according to one's constitution.
8. Health Tea (Fermentation Degree: 0%)
【Characteristics】Similar to herbal tea, made from plant roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, or peels. Often takes the form of tea to exert medicinal effects, contains no caffeine or sugar, rich in health components.
【Tea Nature】Semen Sterculiae Lychnophorae (Pangdahai), Cassia Seed, Lotus Seed Heart, Tartary Buckwheat are relatively cool; Genmaicha (Brown Rice Tea), Barley Tea are neutral; Goji Berry Tea, Eucommia Bark Tea are warm.
【Representative Teas】Semen Sterculiae Lychnophorae, Cassia Seed, Genmaicha, Goji Berry Tea, Eucommia Bark Tea, etc.
【Most Notable Benefits】Soothes the throat, lowers blood lipids and blood pressure, promotes metabolism, enhances immunity, etc.
【Most Suitable For】Suitable for most people, especially those engaged in long-term mental work and those with lower immunity.
Note: Most health teas have health benefits, but choose based on your constitution and the tea's effects.
9. Fruit Tea (Fermentation Degree: 0%)
【Characteristics】Made from various concentrated and dried flowers and fruits. Contains various vitamins, fruit acids, and minerals, but no caffeine or tannins. Retains the original flavor and strong fruit aroma of the flowers and fruits after brewing.
【Tea Nature】Warm.
【Representative Teas】Fruit Rum, Raspberry Cherry, Strawberry Cream, Turkish Orchard, etc.
【Most Notable Benefits】Regulates endocrine, soothes emotions, detoxifies and beautifies the skin, etc.
【Most Suitable For】Suitable for most people, especially women seeking beauty, blood nourishment, qi replenishment, and improved complexion.