Chinese Tea Categories: An Introduction to Common Types of Tea and Their Varieties
China is known for its rich variety of tea, boasting over 6,000 types. For tea enthusiasts, learning about all these varieties might seem overwhelming. Don’t worry! This article will give you a comprehensive overview of the common types of Chinese tea by classifying them into six main categories based on the degree of oxidation and fermentation: green tea(unfermented), white tea (lightly fermented), yellow tea (mildly fermented), oolong tea (semi-fermented), black tea(post-fermented), and Dark tea (fully fermented).
Green tea is the most popular type of Chinese tea, known for its vibrant green color and fresh taste. It retains the natural substances of fresh leaves, including tea polyphenols, catechins, chlorophyll, caffeine, amino acids, and vitamins. These components contribute to its health benefits, such as anti-aging, cancer prevention, and anti-inflammatory properties. Some popular types of Chinese green tea include Longjing, Biluochun, and Huangshan Maofeng.
- Features: Clear green soup, green leaves
- Aroma of green tea: Fresh, with a hint of mung beans
- Green tea taste like: Light and slightly bitter
- Common Types of Green Tea: Longjing, Taiping Houkui, Biluochun
- Shelf Life: 6-12 months
2. White Tea (Lightly Fermented)
White tea is a unique and delicate tea that undergoes minimal processing. It’s primarily sun-dried and has a slightly fermented characteristic. Known for its silvery appearance, this tea is full of fine white hairs. It features a mild aroma and a sweet, mellow taste, making it one of the most cherished types of Chinese tea.
- Features: White hairs on the surface, light yellow brew
- Aroma of white tea: Subtle and fresh
- White tea taste like: Delicate, refreshing, and sweet
- Common Types of White Tea: Baihao Yinzhen, Bai Mudan（white peony tea）
- Shelf Life: 1-2 years, aged white tea can be stored for over 10 years
Yellow tea is similar to green tea but includes a unique step called “sealed yellowing” during processing. This step gives the tea its distinctive yellow color and mild flavor, setting it apart from other Chinese tea types.
- Features: Yellow leaves, yellow soup
- Aroma of yellow tea: Pure and subtle
- Yellow tea taste like: Sweet and smooth
- Common Types of Yellow Tea: Junshan Yinzhen, Mengding Huangya
- Shelf Life: Around 1 year
Oolong tea, also known as Wulong tea, combines the qualities of both green and black tea. With a rich history in China, this tea is renowned for its distinct flavor, which varies from floral to fruity depending on the type of processing. Oolong tea is popular for its health benefits, particularly for aiding digestion and weight loss. Oolong tea taste like a complex blend of green and black tea, offering a rich, smooth, and slightly sweet flavor that lingers on the palate.
- Features: Dark green or dark brown leaves
- Oolong tea taste like: Rich, with a floral and fruity flavor that may have notes of honey, peach, or a roasted aftertaste
- Common Types of Oolong Tea: Tieguanyin, Da Hong Pao, Dong Ding
- Shelf Life: 1-2 years
Dark tea, known as “hei cha” in Chinese, undergoes a process called post-fermentation, which gives it a unique dark color and a complex flavor profile. Common types of black tea include Pu-erh tea and Liu An tea, famous for their rich, earthy taste and potential health benefits, such as promoting gut health and lowering cholesterol.
- Features: Dark brown or black leaves
- Aroma of black tea: Rich and earthy
- Dark tea taste like: Full-bodied, with a sweet aftertaste
- Common Types of Dark Tea: Ripe Pu-erh Tea Cake, Liu Bao, Anhua Dark Tea
- Shelf Life: Several years; aged Puerh tea (like Pu-erh) improves with time
Black tea, known as “hong cha” in Chinese, is fully fermented, resulting in a bright red tea soup and reddish-brown leaves. This tea is especially popular for its smooth, mellow taste and sweet aroma. Types like Qimen Red Tea (Keemun) are globally recognized and cherished.
- Features: Red soup, red leaves
- Aroma of red tea: Malt, caramel, and fruity notes
- Black tea taste like: Smooth, with a slight astringency
- Common Types of Red Tea: Keemun, Yunnan Red Tea,lapsang souchong
- Shelf Life: 2-3 years
China’s six major types of tea each offer distinct characteristics and brewing methods. If you are new to tea lover, start by exploring these different varieties to find the one that best suits your taste. For more information on Chinese tea culture or to inquire about our products, feel free to contact us at service@naturepuretea.com.
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If you have questions about selecting tea:
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If you have questions about the benefits of tea:
Health-benefits-of-chinese-tea
If you have questions about brewing tea:
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