Discover the six main types of tea — Green, Black, White, Oolong, Pu-erh, and Yellow — plus caffeine-free herbal Tisanes.
Tea is one of the world’s oldest and most beloved beverages, offering an incredible range of flavors, aromas, and health benefits. While there are thousands of varieties, all true teas come from the same plant — Camellia sinensis. The differences in taste, color, and aroma come from how the leaves are processed.
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Here’s a breakdown of the six main types of tea — plus tisanes (herbal teas)
1. Green Tea
Flavor Profile: Fresh, grassy, and slightly sweet.
Processing: Leaves are quickly steamed or pan-fired to prevent oxidation, keeping their green color.
Popular Varieties: Kanchanjanga Verde (Nepal), Sencha (Japan), Dragon Well (China), Matcha (Japan).
Benefits: Rich in antioxidants like catechins, may boost metabolism, and supports brain health.
2. Black Tea
Flavor Profile: Bold, malty, and robust.
Processing: Fully oxidized, giving it a dark color and strong flavor.
Popular Varieties: Nepali Breakfast, Darjeeling, Earl Grey.
Benefits: Contains theaflavins and thearubigins for heart health, plus a higher caffeine content for an energizing boost.
3. White Tea
Flavor Profile: Delicate, light, and subtly sweet.
Processing: Minimally processed — simply picked and dried.
Popular Varieties: Silver Needle, White Peony.
Benefits: Packed with antioxidants, supports skin health, and is naturally low in caffeine.
4. Oolong Tea
Flavor Profile: Ranges from floral and fruity to toasty and rich.
Processing: Partially oxidized, placing it between green and black tea in flavor and color.
Popular Varieties: Tie Guan Yin, Da Hong Pao.
Benefits: May aid in digestion, weight management, and improving cholesterol levels.
5. Pu-erh Tea
Flavor Profile: Earthy, smooth, and mellow.
Processing: Fermented and aged, often improving with time.
Popular Varieties: Sheng (raw) and Shou (ripe) Pu-erh.
Benefits: Known for aiding digestion, gut health, and lowering cholesterol.
6. Yellow Tea
Flavor Profile: Smooth, sweet, and less grassy than green tea.
Processing: Similar to green tea but with a slower drying process called “sealed yellowing.”
Popular Varieties: Junshan Yinzhen, Huoshan Huangya.
Benefits: Rare and prized for its mellow taste and high antioxidant content.
Tisane (Herbal Tea)
Flavor Profile: Varies widely — can be floral, fruity, minty, spicy, or earthy depending on the ingredients.
Processing: Unlike true teas, tisanes are not made from the Camellia sinensis plant. They are created by steeping herbs, flowers, fruits, spices, or other botanicals in hot water.
Popular Varieties: Chamomile, Peppermint, Hibiscus, Rooibos, Lemongrass.
Benefits: Naturally caffeine-free, making them ideal for evening relaxation. Depending on the herbs used, tisanes may support digestion, improve sleep quality, reduce inflammation, or boost immunity.
Final Sip
Whether you’re looking for a morning energy boost, a calming afternoon ritual, or a health-supporting daily habit, there’s a tea type for every mood and moment.