Tea Talk: The Wide Variety of Teas

A quick internet search reveals that there are over 3,000 types of teas in the world. These thousands of varieties fall into one of five basic categories: White, Green, Oolong, Black, PU-ERH. These are a spectrum of teas that range from un-oxidized (light and refreshing) white to oxidized (dark and intense) PU-ERH.

Most people do not think of these categories, though. They likely think of tea as falling into one of these categories:

• Hot
• Iced
• Herbal
• Black
• Infusions

Origin of Tea

Narrowing down the history of tea is complicated. Many regions claim to be the originators of tea. Asia has a strong claim to early tea consumption, but England has a strong claim to tea production and helping expand the use of tea into India. No matter the origins and credit for the discovery, it is safe to say that tea has been consumed for thousands of years. In modern times, any type of tea can be enjoyed in any region.

Production of Tea

Tea is similar to beverages, like coffee and wine. The tea leaves are impacted by their region and the climate the year they were grown. In essence, no two seasons are alike. The nuances from year-to-year and from grower to grower are like that of great winemakers. 

Modern Types of Tea

Tea has always been popular, but in recent times, infusions of teas are becoming more popular. Tea used to be served in restaurants and home settings, but more than ever is widely available in coffee houses and retail markets. No matter your education level or pallet, there is likely a perfect tea for your needs or preference.

Here are some types of tea or tea drinks that you can find in today’s market:

• Boba Teas
• Fruit-infused tea
• Tea lattes
• Sweetened and unsweetened varieties
• TeaJava
• And more!

Don’t Be Afraid to Try New Flavors

The key to a great tea experience and exploring the wide variety of teas is curiosity. Being curious about what is available where you are—whether you are traveling, eating in a new restaurant, exploring a tea house, or the tea aisle of your grocer. Ask people what their favorite tea drinks are and be willing to try new types. Use a social media resource like YouTube or Pinterest to discover new teas and preparations. Soon, you will be an expert in tea varieties and concepts.

Experiencing and enjoying tea is a fun pastime and a beautiful way to express yourself. Whether tea is a staple preference over coffee or one of the many beverages you enjoy, experiment with its many varieties and open up a world of possibility.

You can even choose tea depending on the health benefits you want to get. Take UVA Tea from Orgaanics for that tasteful cup of tea that is also packed with disease-preventing and immunity-boosting ingredients!