Types of English Tea
English tea is very popular not only in the UK, but all over the world. Some of the blends that are well known in Great Britain originated elsewhere first, but have become known as British tea none the less. Many people do not think about how many types of teas that are English. They assume that only a few select flavors of tea are actually British. The truth is that there are actually five types of teas that are considered English teas.
Four of the five English style teas derive from the same leaves – Camellia sinensis. It is the process that will affect the outcome of the flavor of each type. The other type of tea is derived from berries, roots, seeds, and flowers.
Camellia Sinensis Derived Teas
There are four types of English tea that are derived from the Camellia sinensis plant – oolong, green, white, and black tea. Each one is made in a different process to give it the unique flavor that it is known for. Not only does each of these teas taste different, they are used for different reasons as well.
Green tea is used as an antioxidant and has many health benefits for regular drinkers. The leaves are processed by not allowing them to oxidize. They are also dried very fast as well. This gives the tea a grassy flavor and the health properties it has become famous for.
White tea is the one with the least amount of caffeine. It is made by the very young leaves of the plant. They are steamed and sun dried to give them a much smoother and sweeter taste than other types of tea. White teas have antibacterial and antiviral properties.
The Black English tea has a very robust flavor. It also contains a lot of caffeine compared to other blend types. The leaves are fermented to make them dark in color. This means that they are more oxidized than other English teas. This is most popular tea type due to the fact that it retains its flavor for years, unlike other teas, and so is great for trade and shipping.
The Herbal Tea
Herbal tea is other type of English tea that is made from the berries, flowers, roots, and stems of various plants. The flavor of tea will depend on what plant is used to make it, as well as what part of the plant it is derived from. Herbal teas are not derived from the Camellia sinensis plant at all.
There are many flavors of herbal tea. Some of them are infused with other varieties types as well to make a delicious blend. It is quite common to find a flavored green variety today. This allows for a variety in flavors but grants one the health benefits from the green tea. Herbal properties have also been introduced into some black and white teas too.
No matter which type you decide to go with, you will no doubt enjoy the many English teas that are available.
