Tea from China

My grandma had a saying which is seldom heard nowadays "I wouldn't do that for all the tea in China!" she would say when pushed to do something that she did not want to do. I guess it arose at a time when tea from China was rare and the preserve of the rich and was something that the masses did not have access to. The many different types of Chinese tea have become increasingly common in everyday life, with many people choosing them because of their potential benefits to health. There are many different varieties of Chinese tea. Some of the most common types are briefly described below. In future articles, I will describe some of the health giving properties that each type is reputed to confer.

Green Teas
The main regions of China that produce the different types of Green Tea are Henan, Anhui, Yunnan and Fujian. Green tea is a great source of pleasure and, if the research is to be believed, health to humans. With just two or three cups a day you can feel a difference in your body and mind. It is said to clean the toxins from the body while assisting many organs to achieve a better overall condition. Its benefits have been recognized for thousands of years while combining a great taste and aroma. It has many different types and tastes. Green tea is a wonderful introduction into the joys of Tea Culture.

Oolong teas
The Main Oolong tea producing regions are Northern Fujian and Taiwan. Oolong is increasingly popular. It has fresh taste and is a believed also to be an excellent source of medical nutrients. Oolong is usually served as small broken leaves like small green trees. Once they come in contact with water expand quite substantially and give a great aroma of freshness and a sweet and taste. Oolong not only tastes great but with just 2 or 3 cups a day you could benefit from its many health properties.

White Teas
The main regions of China for white tea are Northern and Southern Fujian and Hunan Province. White tea is perhaps the most natural form of tea. It is only made from the buds, when they are in their most tender form. Like green tea, white teas have neither processing nor the fermentation stage of most teas. A rare drink and a wonderful subtle taste developed by the Kings and Queens of ancient China.

Pu-erh Teas
Yunnan is the main region producing this fine tea. You will see it spelt in a whole variety of different ways, Puerrh, Pu-erh and so on but whichever way it is spelt, it is nevertheless the great "connoisseur Tea". Pu-erh has a unique taste and also famous as a medicinal Tea - research has found many beneficial compounds within this tea variety. It is a treat and like a good wine it should be drunk slowly, while the leaves settle down in the cup. The similarities to wine do not end there - the rule with Pu-erh tea is the older the better. Some of the best teas are more than fifty years old. It has a strong brown color and distinctive liquorish taste. A must for any tea enthusiast to try!

Flower teas
Flower teas are produced in many regions of China - Fujian, Fuzhou, Suzhou, Nanjing in Jiangsu province, Hangzhou and Jinhua in Zhejiang province, and in Sinchuan, Jiangsi, Anhui, and Hebei provinces. Flower teas are teas to drink at any time of day and they also go well with meals. For an extra touch of sweetness you can even add some sugar, although make sure it is always in crystal form as opposed to granulated. Also known as Jasmine tea, Flower teas have many different types and tastes. Most are sweet and are alleged to clean out toxins while offering a great taste. As the name implies flower tea blossoms in the cup while offering that wonderful exquisite aroma.