Grade's of Tea, Tea's Flavors, Tea's Descriptions

The Essence Of Tea!

What is the “Essence Of Tea”?

We learn Tea’s Essence by the Grades of Tea, Tea's Flavors, Tea's Definition, and Tea's Descriptions and of course its Taste!

It is the inherent, unchanging nature of tea. The intrinsic and indispensable properties that characterize and identify it.

Tea’s Definition

Tea Grades

Tea Flavors

Tea Discriptions

The Definition Of Tea

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1. a: A shrub (Camellia sinensis of the family Theaceae, the tea family cultivated especially in China, Japan, and the East Indies. b: The leaves, leaf buds, and internodes of the tea plant prepared and cured for the market, classed according to method of manufacture into one set of types (as green tea, black tea or oolong) and graded according to leaf size into another (as congou, orange pekoe, pekoe, or souchong).

2. An aromatic beverage prepared from tea leaves by infusion with boiling water.

3. Any of various plants somewhat resembling tea in properties; Also: An infusion of their leaves used medically or as a beverage.

4. a: Refreshments including tea with sandwiches, crackers, or cookies served in late afternoon. b. A reception at which te is served.

As you can see from the definition taken from Webster’s Dictionary, Tea has several meanings. Real tea from the sinensis plant, herbal tea made from plants resembling tea properties, and the celebration in which tea is served.

There are many types of “Tea”. And all are graded by quality and leaf size. Looking at the “grade” of tea is helpful to know as it effects the taste in the end result.

Tea Grade

Orange Pekoe (OP): A good quality tea, consisting of large leaf pieces. Used for tea from Sri Lanka or South India.

Flowering Orange Pekoe(FOP): Similar to orange pekoe, but is used for tea from the rest of India or other regions.

Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe(GFOP): A high quality tea, that includes the golden tips of the young buds and leaves.

Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe(TGFOP): Similar to that above but with and even higher proportion of golden tips.

Fancy (or Fine) Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe(FTGFOP): Extremely high quality tea

Fannings/Dust: The tiny bits and pieces, usually leftovers from processing Commonly found in tea bags.

NOTE: There is no orange flavoring in any of these teas. These are grade descriptions, not flavors.

You may also see these terms:

Estate: names the plantation where the leaves were grown.

Vintage: Means the leaves are produced of one harvest and are not blended with any others.

First Flush: The leaves were picked in the first growth of the season. It produces a very light delicate drink.

Second Flush: The leaves were picked the second growth of the season. More robust than the first harvest.

Autumnal Flush: Leaves are harvested after the rainy season.

Tea Flavors

Green Tea: A light tea; having a gentler flavor. Most produce a greenish-gold liquor. If you usually drink black tea, it’s usually an acquired taste. Second to black tea, this is a very common commodity in many households. Green Tea has many health benifits.

To learn more about Green Tea check out this great site: Best-Tea-4U.com

Oolong Tea: Are known for their aromatic fruity taste. Has an intense floral aroma and a remarkable peachy flavor. Colors range from a pale jade green, to pink, to deep gold. It’s caffeine content is between black and green tea.

White Tea: The most delicate of all teas. Known for its natural sweetness and subtlety. Produces low amounts of caffeine. I like a tea with a more robust taste, but it has a very delightful flavor!

Tisanes or Herbal Teas: Come in many different flavors due to the fact that they are not true teas and do not contain the Camellia Sinsensis plant. They are an infusion of dried herbs and fruits. They are naturally caffeine free. These are fun to try and there are so many to choose from!!

Puerh Tea: A very strong, deep and rich flavor with no bitterness. It also has health benifits. Learn more at Best-Tea-4U.com!

Popular Flavors!

I will list a few examples of some popular flavors. Some of which I am very fond of. A few of these (I admit) I have not yet tried myself, but I did some research to find their flavor descriptions for you.

Earl Gray: (My favorite!) It’s a black tea, a well known British Blend, It’s scented with the incredibly rich oil of Bergomot. (Bergomot is an unpalatable citrus fruit shaped like a pear. The oil is pressed out of it’s rind and sprayed on a blend of black teas.) This does not make the tea taste bitter. It has a wonderful aroma that is hard to resist! I find it very refreshing.

Darjeeling: From the Darjeeling region of India, it is the most sought after black tea. It has a subtle sweet and fruity taste. Highly aromatic with hints of almonds and wild flowers. Full bodied. A true delicacy!

Lemongrass: A organic herbal infusion. With a bright lemony liquor. Its aromatic and refreshing. This is wonderful as iced tea on a hot summers day. So refreshing!

Chamomile: A honey sweet infusion. It is light in color. Relaxes, sooths the tummy and strengthens the immune system. (I swear by this tea! It really does relax you! My Grandmother grew the Chamomile plant and would give it to her children as a tea when they were sick. When I was sick, My Aunt would give it to me. So when my daughter fell and broke her ankle and they could not do surgery for several days due to the swelling, I gave it to her. It helped her relax so she could rest and sleep!

English Breakfast: Some English Breakfast blends are blends of India and Ceylon teas; others mostly Keemun. I have an Aunt that drinks Breakfast teas and just loves them.

Irish Breakfast: Mostly Assan tea and very strong.

Tropical Tea: A green tea with a tropical fruit blend. Sweet and smooth. A wonderful retreat for a summer time tea!

Jasmine Tea: A green tea scented with jasmine flowers. I’ve never tried this one, but my friend loves it.

Spearmint Tea: Blend of green tea and spearmint leaves. Light and refreshing. Very aromatic. They say mint helps with concentration! My husband and I were introduced to this one when we stayed at a B&B in Amish Country one summer. Our hostess picked fresh mint from her herb garden that morning and server this refreshing mint tea to all the guests. So delightful! It made you fell as though you could conquer the day!

Tea Descriptions

Green Tea: Is allowed to wither slightly. The oxidation process is stopped suddenly by quickly heating the leaves. Known for its many health benefits. They have less caffeine than black teas.

Oolong Tea: Undergoes only partial oxidation. They have a caffeine content between black and green teas.

White Tea: They are hand processed using the youngest of the tea plant, with no oxidation allowed. They have a very low amount of caffeine.

Puerh Tea: The production process is guarded by China and not revealed. It’s an aged black tea, known for its medicinal properties.

To find out more about the health benefits of Green Tea check out Best-Tea-4U.com.

But don’t let this make you feel like it’s So complicated. Just go to the market, internet, or tea store and browse through the teas offered and choose the ones that appeal to you. Their descriptions are usually printed on the box or tin. Having tea is meant to be a refreshing and relaxing part of your day. So, explore all that tea has to offer and enjoy your findings!

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