Tea Types

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All tea comes from the exact same plant, but once the tea is plucked, it goes through different processes. Learn about the different types of tea and how they're made in this free video about brewing loose leaf tea.

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Video Transcript

In this clip we're going to talk about the different types of tea. The interesting thing about teas is that there are, they all come from the exact same plant known as the Camellia Sinensis. The Camellia Sinensis is an evergreen plant that grows in various parts of the world. What's done with the tea after it is plucked is what determines what type of tea it is. Let's look at the four types of tea. The first type of tea is known as white tea. This tea is the least processed of all teas. It's basically just picked and dried. It produces a very mellow, light cup almost on the order of champagne. The next type of tea is green tea. Green tea is slightly more processed than the white tea. It also produces a light colored cup but it is much more flavorful than the white teas. It also depends on the country on the style of processing for the green teas. The next kind of tea is oolong tea. This is the most complex of teas. These teas require special care and a very skilled tea master in order to produce them. They are partially oxidized. That means the tea is partially exposed to air for a limited amount of time. The last type of tea is black tea. This is a very common, this is what most people consume when they have iced tea in a restaurant. It is a fully oxidized tea. This tea is produced by exposing the tea to air for an extended period of time. It produces a very dark reddish coppery colored liquor in the cup and has probably the most bold flavor. But enough talking about tea. I've prepared a nice oolong tea that Bret and I will enjoy.