Tea 101

Sencha and Matcha are two popular types of Japanese green tea, each with distinct characteristics. Sencha Sencha is made from whole tea leaves, which are steamed, rolled, and dried. You typically brew Sencha by steeping the leaves in hot water. Appearance: Whole, rolled green leaves Flavor: Grassy, slightly sweet, sometimes astringent Caffeine: Moderate Preparation: Steeped Matcha Matcha is a powdered green tea made from shade-grown leaves. These leaves are deveined and destemmed before being stone-ground into a fine powder. You prepare Matcha by whisking the powder with hot water. Appearance: Fine green powder Flavor: Rich, creamy, umami Caffeine: High Preparation:...

Flavor Notes Tea: Green Tea: Grassy, fresh, sometimes sweet. Black Tea: Bold, malty, sometimes bitter. Coffee: Arabica: Smooth, acidic, more nuanced. Robusta: Strong, bitter, earthy. Aroma Tea often has floral, fruity, or spicy aromas. Coffee can smell of chocolate, nuts, or caramel. Caffeine Content Tea: Generally lower caffeine levels. Coffee: Higher caffeine content. Brew Time Tea: 2-5 minutes. Coffee: 4-5 minutes (drip), 20-30 seconds (espresso). Texture Tea: Light, sometimes creamy. Coffee: Thicker, sometimes oily. Color Tea: Ranges from pale green to dark amber. Coffee: Dark brown to black. Common Additives Tea: Lemon, honey, milk. Coffee: Sugar, milk, cream. Regional Preferences...

Earl Grey and English Breakfast are two popular types of tea. Earl Grey is known for its distinctive bergamot flavor, a type of citrus. It usually combines black tea with bergamot oil, giving it a unique aroma and taste. Earl Grey can be enjoyed plain, with lemon, or with milk. English Breakfast tea is a blend of several black teas, like Assam, Ceylon, and Kenyan. It has a robust, full-bodied flavor. Traditionally, it’s enjoyed with milk and sugar. Here's a quick comparison: Aspect Earl Grey English Breakfast Primary Flavor Bergamot (citrus) Rich, malty Blend Composition Single black tea with bergamot...

Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese tea that falls between green and black tea in terms of oxidation. It undergoes partial oxidation, which gives it a unique flavor profile and distinct characteristics. Oxidation Level Oolong tea's oxidation level ranges from 20% to 80%. This varies based on the production process. Flavor Profile You may notice floral, fruity, or even toasty notes. Each variety offers something different. Appearance The leaves can be rolled, twisted, or balled, affecting the tea's final look and taste. Production Regions Taiwan and China are renowned for oolong tea production. Each region's climate imparts unique flavors to...