What’s the
Tea?
A Steeping Adventure
“There is something in the
nature of tea that leads
us into a world of quiet
contemplation of life.”
― Lin Yutang,
The Importance of Living
Tasting Tea
Visual Aroma Tasting Aftertaste
Observe the dry leaves: Smell the dry leaves Slurp a bit to aerate Note if the flavor
color, shape, uniformity Smell the wet leaves Note initial flavors, body, and lingers, and how long
Look at the brewed tea: after brewing aftertaste Identify any changes in
color, clarity, brightness Inhale the aroma of the Identify basic categories: taste over time
brewed tea sweet, sour, bitter, umami
Look for specific flavor notes
Legend
of Tea
China, 2737 BC India, 5th Century Japan, 5th
Century
Shennong, first Emperor of Bodhidharma, Buddhist
Ancient China and the priest and missionary Bodhidharma....
Divine Farmer but more violent
What is tea?
Coming after water, tea is the second most
consumed drink in the world. What comes as a
surprise to many is that all types come from the same
plant – camellia sinensis.
The main growing countries are :
Where tea In Asia : China, India, Japan, Taiwan, Nepal, Sri Lanka,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Bangladesh.
is grown In Africa : Cameroon, Mauritius, Kenya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe.
In South America : Argentina, Brazil.
Around the Caspian and Black Seas : Georgia, Iran and
Turkey.
A Global Tea cultivation and consumption spread from
China to neighboring countries.
Silk Road trade routes played a crucial role in
Beverage introducing tea to Europe and beyond.
Tea became a symbol of social status and cultural
exchange.
“There is no trouble so
great or grave that
cannot be diminished by a
nice cup of tea.”
-Bernard Paul Heroux,
Basque philosopher
From Leaf
to Cup:
The Art
of Tea
Processing
Types of Tea
White tea Green tea
Fresh spring tea, minimally processed using Spring harvest tea that is fired to prevent
withering, curing and drying natural oxidation and preserve freshness
Temp: 167-185F. Time 2-4 minutes Temp: 160-175F. Time: 1-3 minutes
Notes: flowery, fruity, subtle, sweet Notes: grassy, vegetal, umami, floral, sweet
Types of Tea
Oolong Tea Black tea
Semi-oxidized tea made from larger, more Oxidized tea with lots of tannins that is
mature leaves in only certain regions withered and fired. Most caffeinated.
Temp: 185-200F. Time 3-5 minutes. Temp: 195-212F. Time 3-5 minutes.
Notes: floral, sweet, leafy, creamy, buttery Notes: malty, floral, fruity, sweet, smooth
Process Step White Tea Green Tea Oolong Tea Black Tea
Picking Young buds and leaves Young leaves Mature leaves Mature leaves
Withering Natural, 12-72 hours Brief Outdoor/indoor, varies 12-18 hours
Oxidation Minimal (5-10%) Prevented Partial (10-80%) Full (100%)
Rolling/Shaping Minimal or none Light rolling or shaping Rolling, shaking (bruising) Rolling, crushing
Multiple rounds of
Heat Application Gentle air drying Pan-firing or steaming None during oxidation
heating and cooling
Final Drying Low temp air drying Final firing Final firing Final firing
Heat to deactivate Controlled by time and Encouraged, then
Oxidation Control Minimal handling
enzymes agitation stopped by drying
Processing Time Shortest Short Medium Longest
Flavor Profile Delicate, subtle Fresh, vegetal Complex, varying Bold, robust
The Trouble
with Tea Bags
“Mmmm... tea dust!”
- this woman, probably
“Tea tempers the spirit
and harmonizes the mind;
dispels lassitude and
relieves fatigue, awakens
thought and prevents
drowsiness.” – Lu Yu, Chinese tea master
Water Quality
Brewing
Use your favorite filtered or spring water. Never let it
over-boil.
Temperature
variables Brewing tea with water that is too hot will damage the
tea. Too cold, and the leaves won't reveal their fullest
potential.
Green tea prefers cooler water, while black tea needs
hotter water.
Time
Don't leave your tea in the water for too long. Over-
steeping can lead to bitterness. Decant the water
promptly, and your tea will have a nice round and
smooth mouthfeel.
Gong Fu
Chinese brewing process that brews in small, short
steeps (and lets you have a tea pet!)
Western
Brew
More familiar method - steep all at once and pour
once fully steeped - but don’t leave it in forever!
Either the teapot has a strainer or you can get one to
use
“Grandpa”
Style”
No strainers or teabags are used either. Instead, the
tea leaf is dropped directly into the cup, then
covered in hot water. Without much attention being
given to the perfect leaf ratio or water temperature.
Usually only done with white and green teas.
“Wherever you are
drinking your tea, whether
at work, in a cafe, or at
home, it is wonderful to
allow enough time to
appreciate it.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
A Cup of Weight management aid
Wellness
Boosts metabolism
Can help burn fat
Low in calories (when unsweetened)
Brain function enhancement Heart health support
Contains caffeine and L-theanine May lower risk of cardiovascular disease
Improves focus and alertness Potential to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL)
May reduce risk of cognitive decline Can help improve blood flow
Antioxidant powerhouse Immune system booster
Rich in polyphenols Rich in vitamins and minerals
Fights free radicals Anti-inflammatory properties
May reduce risk of certain cancers May help fight off infections
Moderation Dental health concerns
is Key
Can stain teeth over time
Acidity may erode tooth enamel
Sweetened teas increase risk of dental cavities
Caffeine Sensitivity Potential medication interaction
May cause sleep disturbances May interfere with certain antibiotics
Can increase anxiety in some individuals Can affect absorption of some medications
Potential for caffeine dependence Possible interactions with blood thinners
Iron Deficiency Risks during pregnancy
Tannins in tea can inhibit iron uptake High caffeine intake linked to pregnancy complications
Particularly concerning for those with anemia Some herbal teas may be unsafe for expectant mothers
May affect vegetarians and vegans more severely Potential impact on fetal development
Explore a variety of tea types to discover
Embark your favorites.
Consider starting with these classic unflavored
on Your options:
Black tea: English Breakfast, Earl Grey
(lightly bergamot scented)
Tea Green tea: Sencha, Dragonwell
Oolong tea: Tieguanyin, Da Hong Pao
Journey
White tea: White Peony, Silver Needle
Look for reputable tea vendors who offer high-
quality loose-leaf teas.
