There are many different types of Chinese tea, with one common classification being the division into six major categories. Additionally, there is the special category of flower tea.
Understanding the characteristics of different categories of Chinese tea, along with considering the selection criteria below, can help you better choose a loose leaf tea sampler for your loved one.
Choose Based on Taste
The taste of different types of tea varies significantly. It can be said that the taste of a particular tea, such as Pu'er tea, is loved by enthusiasts who may miss it if they go a day without drinking it, while those who dislike it wouldn't touch it. In general, the best loose leaf tea for each person varies.
Therefore, understanding the taste characteristics of different categories of tea and selecting a corresponding loose tea sampler based on your loved one's taste preferences generally ensures a good choice!
- Loose Leaf Green Tea: Green leaves with a clear soup. It has a clean, fragrant, mellow, and refreshing taste.
- Loose Leaf White Tea: White with hints of green, with a yellowish-white soup color. It is fresh, mellow, and sweet.
- Loose Leaf Yellow Tea: Yellow leaves with a yellow soup, bright golden color. It has a sweet, fragrant, and mellow taste.
- Loose Leaf Oolong Tea: Green with golden yellow. It has a clear, fragrant, and mellow taste.
- Loose Leaf Black Tea: High aroma, vibrant color, and rich flavor, with red leaves and red soup. It is thick, rich, and mellow.
- Loose Leaf Dark Tea: Coarse black-brown color. It has a rich, aged, and mellow taste.
- Loose Leaf Flower Tea: Various types, each with its own characteristics. The common feature is the strong fragrance.
For example, if your loved one enjoys fragrant tea, a box of Chinese Jasmine Tea would make him/her very happy. If he/she prefers a rich taste, then a Black Tea Sampler would be an excellent choice.
Choose Based Oxidation Level
The division of the six major categories of tea is based on the different levels of oxidation during processing. The degree of oxidation affects both the taste and the efficacy of the tea. That's why understanding the oxidation levels of different loose leaf tea can help you better choose the right tea for your loved one.
Teas with higher levels of oxidation have milder properties. For example, loose leaf black tea and loose leaf dark tea are suitable for people with weaker stomachs. Conversely, teas that are Unoxidized or lightly oxidized have cooler properties, suitable for clearing heat and dryness, but should be consumed in moderation by those with weaker digestive systems.
The oxidation levels of the six major categories of tea, from low to high, are as follows:
Loose Leaf Green Tea → Loose Leaf White Tea → Loose Leaf Yellow Tea → Loose Leaf Oolong Tea → Loose Leaf Black Tea → Loose Leaf Dark Tea
The oxidation level of loose leaf flower tea is determined by the dry tea used to make the flower tea. For example, if the dry tea used to make a loose leaf jasmine tea is green tea, then the caffeine content of this jasmine flower tea is the same as that of loose leaf green tea, which is relatively low.
Choose Based on Efficacy
Due to the unique production processes of the six major categories of tea, each has different efficacy. For example, if your loved one values antioxidant effects, then loose leaf green tea samplers would make fantastic tea gift sets.
- Efficacy of Loose Leaf Green Tea:
Loose leaf green tea is an unfermented tea with the highest content of catechins. It has a slightly cool nature, a mild bitterness, and a sweet aftertaste. Loose leaf green tea has excellent antioxidant effects, clears heat, and refreshes the mind. It is not suitable for those with weak digestive systems.
- Efficacy of Loose Leaf White Tea:
Loose leaf white tea is a lightly fermented tea with a cool nature. It has a light flavor and a sweet aftertaste. Rich in tea polysaccharides, it is suitable for those with a need to reduce sugar intake.
- Efficacy of Loose Leaf Yellow Tea:
Loose leaf yellow tea is lightly fermented, with a refreshing and mellow taste. It is rich in catechins, refreshing the mind and aiding digestion.
- Efficacy of Loose Leaf Oolong Tea:
Loose leaf oolong tea is a semi-fermented tea with properties between green tea and black tea. It has the efficacy of refreshing the mind but should not be consumed on an empty stomach.
- Efficacy of Loose Leaf Black Tea:
Loose leaf black tea has a warm and gentle nature without irritation. It has a sweet and mellow taste, regulating digestive function and suitable for those with digestive issues.
- Efficacy of Loose Leaf Dark Tea:
Loose leaf dark tea is characterized by its red, strong, aged, and mellow qualities. It belongs to the post-fermented tea category, mainly relying on microbial fermentation. It improves intestinal environment and regulates fat metabolism.
- Efficacy of Loose Leaf Flower Tea:
Loose leaf flower tea comes in various types, each with varying efficacy. In general, flower tea has a fragrant aroma and offers aromatic healing effects.
Find more Chinese loose leaf tea with our Chinese Tea Sampler.>>>
Other Things You Need to Know: How to Store
Different types of tea have different characteristics, so there are certain differences in storage methods. Generally, the principles of storing loose leaf tea are: dryness, avoiding light, and sealing.
Loose leaf green tea and loose leaf yellow tea should be sealed and stored in the refrigerator.
Loose leaf white tea and loose leaf oolong tea are suitable for sealed storage at room temperature. If certain types are not consumed for a long time, refrigeration is suitable.
Loose leaf black tea should be stored sealed at room temperature, ensuring moisture is avoided.
Loose leaf dark tea should be stored at room temperature, in a cool, ventilated place, avoiding direct sunlight.
Loose leaf flower tea should be stored at room temperature, avoiding moisture, in a cool, dry place, free from odors.
