If you visit a tea store, you may be surprised and overwhelmed by the number of different teas available! Traditional teas from the Camellia sinensis plant include black tea, white tea, green tea, yellow tea, and oolong tea, all of which contain caffeine. Black tea is obtained by crushing and drying fresh tea leaves and allowing them to ferment, which oxidizes the leaves and alters their color and flavor. Oolong tea is partially fermented, while green tea undergoes no fermentation at all. Matcha is a special form of green tea in which the dried leaves are ground to a fine powder.
Decaffeinated teas have been processed to remove most of the caffeine naturally present in the leaves. They may still contain traces of caffeine. This is achieved using carbon dioxide, ethyl acetate, methylene chloride, or water.
Sachets of a variety of tea blends are also available, as well as herbal teas that are naturally caffeine-free. These include chamomile, peppermint, vanilla, turmeric, ginger, and fruit essence teas. They can have floral, fruity, mentholated, spicy, herbal, sweet, or bitter notes. The varieties are vast, and the choice depends entirely on your personal preferences.
Teas are packaged in bags, pouches, or leaves. Loose teas sold in tins or tin bags allow you to control the amount of tea you use, using more for a stronger flavor or less for a milder one. Tea bags contain a standard quantity of leaves for optimum flavor and are easy to transport.
There are five elements to avoid to keep tea as fresh as possible: light, heat, humidity, odors, and air. Tea bags should be stored in their original packaging or placed in an airtight plastic container. Loose teas should be stored in an airtight tin. Store all teas in a dark cupboard at a constant room temperature. Tea has a tendency to absorb odors from food and even from other very fragrant teas. Freezing and refrigeration are not recommended, as the moisture introduced can degrade the tea.
Unopened, tea will keep for about a year after the best-before date. After opening, packaged and loose teas last about a year. However, some black and oolong teas can last up to two years, and more delicate teas may only last six months. Flavor is your best guide to determining how long a tea will last in your cabinet.
Avoid buying expensive bottled teas or teas from stores that contain sweeteners. To make the most of tea’s benefits, consider brewing it at home. You can serve it hot or make a pitcher of homemade iced tea in the warmer months. Black and oolong teas are generally steeped in hot or boiling water (around 210º F) for 4 to 5 minutes. Green tea is brewed at a slightly lower temperature (180º F) for 4 to 15 minutes. The longer the tea is infused, the stronger its flavor, with bitter notes.
Adding sugar, cream, or milk can reduce the polyphenol content of tea. To maximize the health benefits of tea, try to serve it plain or without too many additives. A hint of vanilla or cinnamon can mimic a sweet taste. Some fruit-flavored herbal teas taste naturally sweet without the addition of sweeteners.
Try making this refreshing iced tea at home; it’s the perfect sugar-free alternative to sugary tea drinks or store-bought sodas. Try Sparkling Iced Tea with Lemon, Cucumber, and Mint for a light and refreshing drink.
What Western cafés commonly call “chai” is more accurately called “masala chai” or “spiced tea” (“chai” is simply the Hindi word for “tea”). The recipe for this beverage has varied greatly with time and place, but today it often consists of black tea blended with spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, and peppercorns, and served with milk and sweetener.
Japan has a rich tea culture, best known for the ceremonial preparation and consumption of green tea.
