Silver needle tea > Info > The tea drinkers guide to fine blends

The tea drinkers guide to fine blends

Most people seem to believe that the wide varieties of teas available are all grown from different types of tea plants. On the contrary, every tea in the world comes from the same leaves and from the same type of plant. The distinguishing aspects of each come in the processing of each blend, not from different plants. This plant is called the Camellia Sinensis. The tea itself is made from the leaves of the plant.

There are four overall categories of tea plants, but thousands of sub-categories and different blends. Mainly, the level of fermentation defines all the basic types. For example, your basic black tea is completely fermented while Oolong tea is only barely fermented. Mixing the different overall categories and harvesting the leaves at different stages of growth create the sub-categories, such as Pekoe and Darjeeling. The region in which the tea is grown plays an important part also, as does the general weather conditions of that region.

In the Black Tea category, the most consumed type is Pekoe, as this is what is found in most of your basic supermarkets and grocery stores. This is the American choice of tea, but not so much by choice as availability. In the United States, it is harder to find the more high profile teas, but for the determined individual, not impossible. In Black tea format, the infamous Darjeeling is the choice drink of the tea entrepreneur. This tea has a strong lofty flavor and often softened down by the drinker with milk and/or sugar.

In the case of the Oolong Teas, the connoisseur of fine teas will almost always choose the Formosa blend. For those who have not tried Oolong be prepared for the drastically different coloration as opposed to Black teas. This tea is not nearly as strong and hearty as that of the Black teas, but does have a bit of a punch to it. Most fine tee drinkers consider Oolong to be an acquired taste. Many use the Oolong as a blend for other teas to give them an original flavor.

Next, there is the growing favorite of fitness gurus, the green Tea. This tea has long been a favorite in Asian regions, but is just now gaining notoriety in the United States and other parts of the world. Green Tea has many health benefits, with more being found on a daily basis through ongoing research. As the taste goes, be prepared for a stingy tartness. The color is generally light, almost green in nature with a cloudy grayness to it. In the many blends of Green tea available, the more notorious are the Imperial, the Chun Mees and they Hyson.

Lastly, we have the very rare and highly sought after White teas. These are the popular favorites, particularly for those individuals who like to create their own blends and fine tune other teas to their liking. This is a pale tea that is used to create wide variety of flavorful drinks, as the right portions of additives, such as herbs and spices (i.e. cinnamon) can be used to create some very interesting and delightful drinks. A note of warning though, this tea can be very expensive and it is not suggested that those who do not know how to blend to do so. It is a shame to waste a perfectly good white tea on a mistake in the making. The popular pre-blended versions of White tea are White Peony and Silver Needles.
All teas have one major aspect in common, and that is the health potential. Nevertheless, before you choose your overall favorite, we suggest that you shop around and try the different blends. There is one tea out there that is perfect for you.

Resources for Pekoe black tea and Silver needle tea

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The four main types of tea
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