Tea Talk with Charlene!

Welcome back to Coffee Talk with Charlene!  Today we are going to broaden our discussion to include Camellia sinensis, more commonly known as tea.  Let me tell you about the different types of teas and some tips for brewing a good cup of tea.

Tea comes from the leaves and leaf buds of the Camellia sinensis plant.  Next to water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world.  There are several different types of tea the most common varieties are white, black, green, yellow, oolong and pu-erh.  All teas are made from the same species of plant, probably different varieties, but the leaves are processed differently.  Herbal tea is actually an infusion of leaves, flowers, fruit, herbs or other plant materials that contains no Camellia sinensis. 

Oxidation is called fermentation in the tea industry.  Oxidation occurs when chlorophyll breaks down and tannins are released.  The amount of oxidation that occurs changes the flavor of the tea when it is processed.  Tea is traditionally classified based on the techniques with which it is produced and processed. 

·         White tea: wilted and unoxidized

·         Yellow tea: Unwilted and unoxidized, but allowed to yellow

·         Green tea: Unwilted and unoxidized

·         Oolong: Wilted, bruised, and partially oxidized

·         Black tea: Wilted, sometimes crushed, and fully oxidized

·         Post-fermented tea: Green tea that has been allowed to ferment/compost

Tips for making a perfect cup of tea
Mineral deposits and residues can taint the flavor of tea.  Properly cleaning utensils and teapots before brewing will ensure a pure brew.  Kettles, teapots, cups, strainers and other tea accessories need be washed with soap or baking soda. (I like a stainless kettle best, seems to be easy to clean).

Since tea is comprised of 99% water, the type of water you use will affect the clarity and taste of your beverage. So if your water tastes good then your tea will taste good.

The best type of water to use when brewing tea is filtered or bottled water (not distilled water) that is free of chemicals and chlorine. If that isn’t available and you are using tap water, run your faucet for around ten seconds and until the tap water is cold before filling your tea kettle.

For each cup of tea you prepare, you will want to heat 6 ounces of water. So if you are making a pot of tea, be sure you have pre-measured the amount of water the pot holds. The water temperature and length of steeping time varies by the blend of tea you are brewing.

One general tea brewing guideline for water temperature and steeping times is to adjust the heat and time based on your individual preferences.

If you are trying tea for the first time, you might want to try some of the teas made by The Republic of Tea.  They have some delicious flavors and are gluten-free.