A New Year. A New Leaf.

Teaology Tidbits

Tea is not just for Brits or your Bubby. Nor is it only good when it’s iced. There’s a whole world of tea out there just waiting to be discovered. With such a huge variety of flavours, ranging from sweet to spicy to fruity, there’s a tea for everyone to enjoy at any time of the day.

The three main types of tea are black, green and white. They are all produced from leaves of the same plant (Camellia sinensis) but the difference in colour and taste is due to the processing methods. Generally, varieties which are minimally processed have a subtler flavour, are lighter in colour and contain less caffeine, so you might want to try a calming white tea to help you wind down before bed.

Yellow, oolong and pu-erh teas are unique teas also made from this plant. Other unique teas include rooibos (pronounced ‘roy-boss’) and maté, which are types of herbal tea.

Herbal teas can be made from almost any plant. They are usually caffeine-free so you can enjoy them late in the day, and are often infused with fruity flavours. But don’t think that herbal teas are the only ones which give off those heavenly aromas. Black, green and white teas may also be infused with scents and essences such as jasmine, rose or lemon, giving them an unexpectedly delicious flavour.

So start the New Year with a new tea blend. Or for a taste of tradition, do it the British way and add milk.