Main varieties of Chinese tea: detailed guide

There are many varieties of Chinese tea, but some are especially popular. We talk about them in detail in the article.



Varieties of green tea
The most famous green tea is called Longjing and is grown in Zhejiang province. The tea leaves are flat and bright green. The drink prepared from them has a clean, fresh taste with floral and nutty notes. Longjing contains many vitamins and antioxidants, making it very healthy. In second place is Bi Luo Chun, which is grown in Jiangsu province. The tea leaves of this variety are small and tightly rolled. After brewing, the tea acquires a sweetish, fresh taste and a delicate aroma with fruity tones. In China they drink it to improve blood circulation.

Pu-erh or dark tea

There are two varieties of pu-erh - shen, or raw (green), and shu, also mature (or dark). The first is made from fresh tea leaves, which are minimally processed and then pressed. Interestingly, with age, real Pu-erh tea continues to ferment, acquiring a more interesting taste and complex aroma, but to do this, the product should be stored in a dry, dark place, avoiding temperature changes. Shu is subjected to artificial fermentation, which speeds up the aging process and thereby gives the finished drink a stronger, deeper taste and richer aroma.

Hong Cha or red tea

There are many varieties of this tea, but some of the most popular include Qimen Hong Cha (Keemun) and Yunnan Hong Cha. The first is grown in Anhui province, it has a complex, multi-faceted taste, in which floral notes are felt. Yunnan Hong Cha, which is grown in the province of the same name, is very reminiscent of black tea and has a rich, deep taste with hints of spice and chocolate.

Popular types of white tea

Bai Hao Yin Zhen is made from young tender shoots and has a sweetish, light taste with floral notes. Since tea leaves are minimally processed, they retain a large amount of antioxidants and other beneficial substances. Also popular among white teas is Bai Mudan. It is also made from young shoots, but it also contains leaves, which provides the finished drink with a richer and at the same time slightly tart taste. You can catch notes of fresh fruits and flowers in the aroma.

Famous types of oolong

Among turquoise teas, Da Hong Pao, which is grown in the Wuyi Mountains located in Fujian Province, is especially valued. Tea leaves are large and dark in color. The taste is deep and rich, with caramel and chocolate notes. This tea, which is on sale in the Maudau market, can be brewed many times, each time revealing new shades of taste. Also popular is Tieguanyin, which is grown in the same province. It can also be brewed many times, delighting and surprising with its complex, rich taste with fruity notes.