The world's most popular drink after water. But oh, there is more than just one kind. There are many different types of tea from all over the world that offer different flavors, benefits, and experiences. Continue reading to learn more about seven of the world's most popular teas.
1. DARJEELING
Known as the champagne of teas, Darjeeling is a black tea grown and processed in the Darjeeling or Kalimpong Districts in West Bengal, India. It’s a very unique tea, because the leaves can be processed as black, green, white, or oolong tea. Rich in antioxidants, the taste is sweet notes with delicate vegetal, mossy, fruity and citrus flavors.
2. LONGJING (DRAGON WELL)
Longjing tea, which translates to Dragon Well tea, is famously known for its luxurious high quality. This tea is a variety of pan-roasted green tea grown in the Longjing Village in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. Dragon Well has a smooth, toasty flavor with light nutty notes, and if it is brewed correctly it will not have any bitter or astringent taste.
3. EARL GREY
Earl Grey is a black tea that is flavored with bergamot oil. It has become such a popular tea drink due to its renowned flavor, as well as its caffeine kick and health benefits. Legend has it that a Chinese mandarin tea master created Earl Grey tea as a gift for Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl of Grey and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 1830-1834. His wife loved the tea so much she had tea merchants in London recreate it. To really bring out the flavors of Earl Grey tea, serve it traditionally with sugar and a slice of lemon.
4. WUYI ROCK TEA
This famous and enticing (also arguably the most delicious) Oolong tea comes from the Wuyi Mountain in Fujian Province of China. The Wuyi Mountain region is famous for producing some of the world’s best Oolong teas including the most popular, Da Hong Pao. The mineral content of the soil in the mountain gives this tea a unique flavor that cannot be reproduced anywhere else. The mouth feel is sweet and enlivening.
5. MATCHA
Matcha has become increasingly popular over the years, both for its flavor and health benefits. Not only do tea connoisseurs love to drink it, but matcha is known to be used for other things such as baking and cosmetics, too. Matcha is a fine powder made from specially curated green tea leaves, using tea plants that are shade grown for up to a month before harvest. While origins of match can be traced all the way back to the Tang Dynasty in China, it is arguable that the Japanese perfected the Matcha cultivation process.
6. CEYLON TEA
Ceylon tea is another black tea derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, however this tea comes from the mountains of Sri Lanka (the world’s 4th largest tea producer). The geographical conditions of these mountains give Ceylon its unique, bold flavor. It is a crisp and refreshing citrus flavored tea with notes of chocolate or spice. It's available in oolong, green, white, and black tea varieties.
7. PU-ERH
Lastly, pu-erh (also known as pu’er) is a semi-rare tea that originates from the Yunnan province of China. It is post-fermented, meaning the tea leaves go through a microbial fermentation process after they have been dried and rolled. This allows the tea to improve with age as a fine wine would. Some can even maintain their freshness for up to 50 years. The tea itself is made from a larger leaf strain of camellia sinensis, Dayeh, ancient trees with mature leaves that are said to be up to 1000 years old.
