In the UK most people’s first experience of tea is a bold English Breakfast, or ‘Builders’ tea with milk and sugar depending on taste, and that’s a great place to start. But there are literally thousands of different types of teas, and many ways of blending ingredients, so here is our tea guide for beginners.
From a legal point of view Tea only applies to black and green tea, the Camelia Sinensis plant, but it’s generally accepted that fruit and herbal teas are also called tea,
There are lots of types of black tea which differ depending on the regions weather and soil. The major producers are India, Africa, Sri Lanka and China. Indian teas, the most popular being Assam tend to be strong and malty, but Darjeeling is grown higher up and is sweet, light and delicate. Kenya is another big black tea producer of bold blends. Sri Lanka or Ceylon can be a little lighter and sweeter also.
Once you have become accustomed to black tea, you could try Green Tea or Rooibos. Green tea differs from black tea because it has not undergone the oxidation process of black tea. It has a delicate fresh earthy flavour and is drunk without milk. The major regions are in China, and Japan.
Rooibos or ‘Red Bush’ is a refreshing tea from South Africa and does not contain caffeine. It is fresh and clean tasting, and is strong enough to be drunk with milk.
Sometimes black tea is smoked in the case of Lapsang Souchong, which can be a pure blend or a key component in blends, including Earl Grey tea.
The next area to try is fruit and herbal tea, and here there is a multitude of types and flavours to explore.
Some are functional in nature, helping you sleep or relax, whilst others just taste great. We recommend looking for flavours you like with a few interesting added ingredients.
