First tea experiences might be exciting but people always do not know where to start. The variety of teas available is so astonishing that it overwhelms people and makes the search for the perfect first cup a near impossible task. Today we will delve into some beginner friendly teas that you might end up happily incorporating into your daily routine.
Out of all teas available, white tea has to be the easiest one to start with. It has a soft, floral sweetness that is not overpowering at all, along with a gentle caffeine content ranging from mere 10 to 20 mg of caffeine per cup. It is amazing for people who are overly sensitive to stimulants of any kind. White tea remains uniquely special due to its lack of true processing and lightness. Many newcomers appreciate these traits which makes the tea so inviting.
Picture: White Tea in a Tea sampler
Green tea steps up the flavor intensity just a notch. Its fresh and crisp profile has a grassy dimension, with nutty or toasted undertones based on processing and geographical origins. It also provides a feasible energy boost at 30-50 mg of caffeine per cup, unlike stronger types of tea. While Japanese green teas like Sencha have a strong vegetal taste, Chinese varieties tend to have a more toasted, chestnut flavor. For people who want tea with a distinctive character without the strong boldness, the cleanser and refreshing nature of green tea makes it perfect.
Picture: A Cup of brew using Himalayan Pearl Green Tea
Oolong has captured that middle ground on the tea range. Oolongs have a remarkable complexity and a 10-80% partial oxidation results in them being floral and fruity or creamy and deeply roasted. Their partially oxidized nature allows for variation in caffeine content, which is usually between 30-60 mg per cup. Oolong has stunning layered flavor development throughout multiple infusions. It is easy to recommend oolong to tea lovers looking for beverages with nuance and progression in character because of how it changes with each steep.
Picture: A Sampler Cup of Oolong Tea from Nepal
For many tea enthusiasts in the West, black tea exemplifies the boldest variety available. Its robust maltiness boasts a satisfying depth and blends beautifully with both milk and sweeteners, although many premium brands sparkle magnificently on their own. With higher caffeine content, ranging between 40 to 90 mg a cup, black tea is best during the morning for sluggish individuals. Nonetheless, not all varieties of black tea are equal with their intensity. Some Himalayan varieties possess a blacker and more floral aroma and are much easier to sip on - ideal for people coming from much milder blends of tea.
Picture: A cup of brew of Classic Ruby Black Tea
These floral black teas deserve special attention for newcomers. Different from bold flavored teas, these possess the ability to create impressive aromatic teas with natural sweetness and barely any astringency. Though complexity does exist, it is wrapped in suffocating accessibility which makes them the best starting point for many people embarking on their tea journey. They provide that perfect balance of character without intimidation.
High Zing 5500 - A Floral Black Tea
For tea enthusiasts, pu-erh tea opens a more intriguing gateway of exploration. It is unique in that its post-fermentation processes make sweet, woody, earthy profiles. Moreover, pu-erh, like china black tea, provides substantial energy with its flavor due to its caffeine content of 40-100mg per cup. There separate pu-erh from other varieties is its post fermentation aging processes. This makes pu-erh tea alluring for those fascinated by history due to its complexity over decades of aging.
For those venturing in the world of tea, it can get overwhelming on which types to start with. For those looking for a soothing balanced teas that is multi dimensional without being aggressive, black tea with floral notes can be a good taste to start. On the other hand, green and white teas can serve as great starting options for those preferring lighter flavors. For those in search of rich and multi layered flavors, oolongs are the go to option and will provide joy to the new tea enthusiasts.
Today, people’s preferences vary in multitude and tea caters to everyone’s needs. Those with more minimalistic taste will revel in joy, as they will find an ultimate first cup. The journey starts by finding the ideal taste and exploring more options which works best for one’s individual palette.
