American cafe culture is usually pretty focused on coffee. Whether it is fast and affordable drip coffee, single origin espresso that is perfectly dialed, or decadent seasonal drinks with unique syrup infusions. I mean, it makes sense, it’s a coffee shop, right? Other offerings are typically seen as an afterthought or an attempt to avoid any lost revenue from a customer who either outright doesn’t drink coffee or has already met their caffeine quota for the day.
Oftentimes, a cafe’s tea menu lives off in the corner, collecting dust, while patrons stick to their tried and true black coffee or flavored lattes. And that is a shame, because tea can be beautifully complex and incredibly varied in its flavor. Similarly to how most coffee drinkers thought of coffee as being one dimensional and utilitarian 20 or 30 years ago, many people think of tea in the same way. They think of either plain Lipton black tea, herbal tea, or tea infused with dried fruit. All of which is not dissimilar to the historic perception of coffee. There was black coffee, decaf coffee, or “boutique” coffee that was flavored with chemicals to taste like hazelnut or candy canes.
True tea comes from the Camellia Sinensis plant. I am talking about white tea, green tea, black tea, and oolong tea. There are also herbal teas that are made of blends of dried herbs and botanicals. Herbal teas can be great, and have their rightful place in the beverage world. But for today, I’d like to talk specifically about Camellia Sinensis and the expansive world of flavors that all come from one single plant. Tea is very much like coffee in that way. One plant is grown all over the world using different methods of agriculture and processing that yield distinct and nuanced flavors.
What makes drinking true tea such a pleasant experience, beyond exposing your tastebuds to exciting flavors, is the inclusion of L-Theanine. L-Theanine is a chemical found in tea leaves that is extracted from the leaves as the tea is steeped. Unlike caffeine, which is purely a mental stimulant, L-theanine has a wide range of benefits like calming your mind and enhancing your focus.
One of the primary effects of L-Theanine is that it can increase alpha brain wave activity, which is associated with relaxation, alertness, and focus. This can help to promote feelings of calmness and reduce stress and anxiety. L-Theanine has been shown to increase the production of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate mood and reduce feelings of anxiety. There are other physical benefits as well such as immune support, improved cognitive function, and reduced blood pressure.
Camellia Sinensis is a species of evergreen shrub that is native to East and South Asia. It is the plant from which all true teas are made, including white, green, oolong, black, and pu-erh teas. The plant can grow up to 10-15 feet tall and has glossy, dark green leaves and fragrant white flowers. Camellia Sinensis is cultivated in many countries around the world, including China, India, Sri Lanka, Japan, and Kenya.
The main differences between these types of teas are the way in which they were processed and the degree of oxidation they have undergone. Freshly harvested tea leaves are spread out to wilt and lose some of their moisture, usually by laying them out on large trays in the sun or in a temperature-controlled indoor facility. This process helps to soften the leaves and make them more pliable for rolling. After the leaves have been withered, they are rolled or twisted to break down their cell walls and release the natural enzymes that are present in the leaves.
This step is crucial for developing the unique flavors and aromas of each type of tea. During the oxidation process, the leaves turn darker in color and develop complex flavors and aromas. The amount of oxidation that the tea leaves undergo is what differentiates one type of tea from another. The final step in the tea-making process is firing or drying the leaves to stop the oxidation process and reduce the moisture content. This step is important for preserving the flavor and aroma of the tea and ensuring that it has a long shelf life.
White tea is the least processed of all the teas and is made from the youngest leaves and buds of the Camellia Sinensis plant. The leaves are picked, withered, and dried, without any rolling or shaping. White tea has a delicate, light, and slightly sweet taste with a floral aroma. A popular white tea is Silver Needle, which is a high-quality, pure white tea made from only the unopened buds of the tea plant. It has a delicate, sweet flavor with floral notes.
Green tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant that have been picked and withered, then immediately heated, either by pan-firing or steaming, to prevent oxidation. This gives green tea its characteristic fresh, grassy flavor with a hint of sweetness and a slightly astringent finish. A green tea we like to serve at our cafes is called Sencha. Sencha is a Japanese green tea with a grassy, vegetal flavor with a round, silky body.
Oolong tea is a partially oxidized tea that falls somewhere between green and black tea. The leaves are picked, withered, rolled, and then partially oxidized before they are fired. Oolong teas can range from light and floral to rich and toasty, depending on the level of oxidation. A tea that can really introduce you to the eye opening flavors of Oolong tea is Wuyi Yan Cha, which is a heavily roasted Chinese oolong tea with a smoky, earthy flavor and a strong, distinctive aroma.
Black tea is made from fully oxidized leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. The leaves are picked, withered, rolled, and then fully oxidized before they are fired. This gives black tea its robust, full-bodied flavor. Darjeeling black teas from India are light and floral with a delicate, fruity flavor. If you want something more traditional, Sunstone is a Chinese black tea that is akin to a breakfast tea but with more balance and character.
What is the best way to prepare tea at home?
Tea is best prepared when the leaves are steeped loose, with plenty of room to move around. But there are some great companies that offer great tea with the convenience of a tea bag. If you want a real high quality tea experience, source tea from a reputable company that focuses on terroir and traceability. We’ve worked with Spirit Tea for forever and completely stand by their products. We also have products from the Art of Tea available here on the site!
Tea is also incredibly sensitive to water temperature and steep time. Generally speaking, the less processed a tea is, the lower the water temperature should be during steeping. Each tea will be different, but you should be able to find specific guidelines on the packaging. But here are some general guidelines.
- 5g of tea
- 12 oz water
- 175 degrees
- 3 minute steep
- 5g of tea
- 12 oz water
- 175 degrees
- 2 minute steep
- 5g of tea
- 12 oz water
- 195 degrees
- 3 minutes
- 5g of tea
- 12 oz water
- 195 degrees
- 4 minutes
I hope this helped shine some light onto the vastness of tea. Ironically, this blog covered probably less than 1% of information. Considering it is the second most consumed beverage worldwide, behind water, the expansiveness of tea reaches far and wide. But maybe next time you’ve had your coffee fix for the day, opt for a cup of some stellar green tea in lieu of a decaf latte and see what all the hype is about!