If you are new to tea drinking and are confused on which tea you should buy, this article is for you.
My Tea Background
I (the writer) grew up in a tea farm, but we only used to drink black tea. Like many people, I was unaware about the rest of the teas. Around 8 years ago, I started sampling different types of tea varieties from around the world and understood the tea that my palate prefers.
I have broken this down into question answers so that your queries are answered properly?
What are the types of teas available?
If you are looking for pure teas, only 5 types of teas exist. Black Tea, Green Tea, White Tea, Oolong Tea and Puer Tea. First two are more common than the remaining 3.
Who should buy Black tea?
If you like coffee or caffeinated drinks. Or basically you are drinking to keep yourself awake, do not have issues like caffeine irritation (irritable bowel syndrome), then you can opt for Black Tea. Keep in mind that various black teas have different level of caffeine and different taste, so do go through the product information before you buy the tea. If you prefer milk tea, or chai, buy CTC (Crush tea Curl tea) or if you prefer to drink tea without additives, go with loose leaf which have floral attributes.
Who should buy Green tea?
If you don not hate bitterness in tea, are health conscious and would like to drink tea to gain health benefits of tea drinking, then Green Tea is a good option. Green tea is normally consumed without milk, so it's ideal for those who prefer their teas straight. If you have a sensitive stomach, green tea might be gentler than black tea, because it has lower caffeine.
Who Should buy White Tea?
White tea is the least processed tea among all the teas. It is withered (blowing moisture away after picking) and dried. It has the least amount of caffeine. The only downside is, it is very mild in flavour so for most people they cannot detect the taste. You will have to keep drinking White tea to detect the taste notes. Once you get accustomed, you will enjoy it.
Who should buy Oolong tea?
So, oolong is kind of a hybrid tea between Black and Green Tea. Good thing is you can get the benefits of both black tea and green tea. Now Oolong from Caffeine point of view has higher amount of Caffeine than Green Tea, so you will have to be mindful of that fact. Lightly oxidized, oolong are amazing to drink after meals. To conclude, if you are okay with medium level of caffeine, and your taste buds can detect complex tastes, this is for you.
Who Should buy Puer Tea?
Puer Tea is aged tea. It has some level of stench which not all tea drinkers will like. If you are just starting your tea journey, I would definitely suggest you to stay away from Puer tea. As you gain more experience drinking teas, than jump back to drinking Peur.
What About Herbal Teas?
Herbal Teas are technically not teas but tisanes. They are good if you have issues with Caffeine or would like to try plant-based flavours. Again, taste wise, there are so many choices but if you normally drink real tea, this is not for you.
What about tea selection, how to select tea?
For a good tea experience always look for whole leaf tea (they offer richer flavor and aroma). Teas from high altitude farms are healthy, plus have stronger aroma and richness in taste. Do not forget to check production dates. Except Puer, teas older than 2 years may best not to buy.
Key Factors When Buying Tea
Freshness Matters
The fresher the tea, the better the flavor. Always check production dates and avoid teas older than 2 years (except for Puer which improves with age).
Origin Consideration
Tea growing regions impact flavor profiles significantly. Darjeeling teas from India offer muscatel notes, while Chinese teas often provide earthy or floral characteristics.
Processing Method
How tea is processed determines its category and flavor. Look for details about oxidation levels and processing techniques in product descriptions.
Organic Certification
If you're concerned about pesticides, look for certified organic teas. These ensure sustainable farming practices and fewer chemicals.
Best Teas for Beginners
If you're just starting your tea journey, consider these approachable options:
- For Black Tea Beginners: Nepal Gold Tea or Darjeeling First Flush
- For Green Tea Beginners: High Zing 5500 Green or Chinese Dragonwell
- For Oolong Beginners: Taiwanese Dong Ding or Chinese Tie Guan Yin
Final Thoughts
The perfect tea depends on your personal taste preferences, caffeine tolerance, and what benefits you're seeking. Start with small samples of different varieties to discover what appeals to your palate before investing in larger quantities.
Remember that proper brewing techniques (water temperature, steeping time) significantly impact your tea experience. Each tea type requires specific brewing parameters for optimal flavor extraction.
Written by:
Bhaskar Dahal
