If you didn’t get to celebrate International Tea Day, that’s okay.
One of the best things about tea, especially caffeine-free varieties, is you can enjoy them anytime you want. It also doesn’t matter if you’re only getting into tea now.
You’ll find that the more you learn about tea, the more exciting this beverage is, more so when you start knowing the different types of teas. That said, let’s help you explore the wonderful world of tea, including the top trends in the tea industry.
Distinguishing Between True Teas and Herbal Tisanes
Some say there are thousands of different teas, but if you want to simplify it, there are only two types of tea to remember: true teas and tisanes.
True teas come from the tea plant or Camellia sinensis, while tisanes are herbal blends. The latter can be derived from fruits, spices, flowers, and leaves (except for Camellia sinensis).
All types of green tea, white tea, black tea, oolong tea, pu-erh tea, and purple tea are true teas. While they all come from the same tea plant, different harvesting and processing methods give each type unique characteristics. For example, black tea is fully oxidized, while green tea is steamed after harvest to prevent oxidation.
What About Other Types of Teas Like Matcha and Boba?
There’s no need to confuse matcha with green tea. Matcha tea is simply high-grade green tea in powder form. Both require hot water, but the manner of preparation is different. You need to whisk matcha powder in hot water, while green tea bags only need a few minutes of steeping.
As for the types of matcha tea, there are ceremonial grade and culinary grade matcha. The former is more expensive since every detail from planting to processing is done carefully to produce the freshest and smoothest matcha. Culinary-grade matcha, on the other hand, is ideal for preparing lattes, cocktails, desserts, etc.
With bubble tea or boba, the thing to remember is it’s a cold, frothy drink with a tea base. You can enjoy boba with sweeteners, tapioca pearls, and other add-ons. Dunkin boba, for instance, has popping bubbles.
Some Popular Tea Drinking Trends to Try
What’s the number one trending tea right now? It’s hard to name just one, considering there are many trendy tea beverages worth trying.
For example, tea cocktails are becoming a staple in bars worldwide. That’s because they’re a great alternative to virgin drinks. Another popular offering would be sparkling teas, which are a mix of tea and sparkling water, making them ideal for soda drinkers who want to switch to healthier drinks.
Last, you may want to try tea beverages mixed with plant-based milk. If you love milk tea but want more flavor, opt for milk teas made with oat, soy, almond, or coconut milk.
Enjoy Plenty of Tearrific Choices
Now that you know more about the different types of teas don’t hesitate to experiment. Trying all kinds of teas and tisanes will help you define what you want in a beverage.
For more tips and advice on coffee and tea, be sure to check out our other posts.
Gourmets Food 