Black, green, or china, we drink tea almost as much as we drink water. And there are plenty to choose from – with over a thousand different varieties from over thirty countries, theres a different flavor and character to suit every palate. You could spend a lifetime exploring the tastes, colors and smells of the worlds teas.
Though both green and black teas come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, the difference between them lies in how the leaves are treated after they are picked. Green tea has a simpler drying process, whereas black tea leaves are oxidised as well as dried out. This gives a stronger taste, with a higher caffeine level, and also means the tea can be stored for years without losing flavor. By far the most popular way to drink it in the West is black tea your everyday cup is made from this kind.
Teas are usually named after the province or area where they are grown. The soil, climate and landscape all affect the flavor, which means different regions produce teas with distinct characteristics. Famed as the birthplace of tea, China has been cultivating and drinking tea for around five thousand years. A large proportion of the worlds tea...