Teas A to Z: Alphabetical List of 120+ Types of Tea
Tea is the second most consumed beverage globally, after water, and offers a seemingly endless array of flavors, aromas, and experiences. From the verdant hills of Japan to the misty mountains of China, and from the sun-kissed slopes of India to the wild landscapes of Africa, tea has a story to tell.
In this comprehensive guide, we present an alphabetical list of over 120 types of tea, each with its unique character and charm. Whether you are a seasoned tea connoisseur or a curious newcomer, this journey through the teas from A to Z will delight and inspire you.
A
Assam
Assam tea originates from the Indian state of Assam. Known for its bold, malty flavor, it is commonly used as a base for various blends, including English Breakfast and Irish Breakfast.
Anji Bai Cha
Anji Bai Cha, or Anji White Tea, hails from Anji County in China’s Zhejiang province. Its delicate, sweet, and slightly floral taste sets it apart from other green teas, despite its name.
Avocado Leaf Tea
Avocado leaf tea is a unique herbal infusion made from the leaves of the avocado tree. It has a mild, slightly earthy flavor and is praised for its potential health benefits, which may include aiding digestion, reducing inflammation, and assisting in blood glucose regulation.
Alfalfa Tea
Alfalfa tea is a herbal infusion made from the leaves of the alfalfa plant, known for its mild grassy flavor and rich in vitamins and minerals. This tea is often used in natural remedies for digestive issues and arthritis.
Ashwagandha Tea
Ashwagandha tea is a traditional Ayurvedic tea made from the roots of the ashwagandha plant, believed to help reduce stress and anxiety. It has a somewhat bitter taste, and is often mixed with other herbs or sweeteners to improve flavor.
B
Bai Hao Oolong
Bai Hao Oolong, also known as Oriental Beauty, is a Taiwanese oolong tea. The tea is known for its unique honeyed sweetness and fruity notes, which are attributed to the tea leaves being bitten by tiny insects.
Bai Mudan
Bai Mudan, also known as Pai Mu Tan or White Peony, is a type of white tea from China’s Fujian province. It has a delicate, slightly floral flavor with a hint of creaminess, making it a popular choice among white tea enthusiasts.
Baihao Yinzhen
Baihao Yinzhen, or Silver Needle, is a premium white tea from China. Known for its elegant, delicate taste and light sweetness, it is made exclusively from the youngest tea buds.
Bancha
Bancha is a common Japanese green tea, made from the leaves harvested after the first flush. Its taste is mild and slightly grassy, with a hint of astringency.
Bi Luo Chun
Bi Luo Chun is a Chinese green tea known for its distinctively curled leaves. It has a smooth, mellow taste with notes of fruit and a delicate floral aroma.
Black Tea
Black tea is a type of tea that is more oxidized than green, oolong, and white teas, giving it a stronger flavor and a higher caffeine content. It’s known for its potential health benefits, including boosting heart health and reducing cholesterol, and it serves as the basis for many flavored teas and blends like Earl Grey and Chai.
Barley Tea
Barley tea is a popular beverage in East Asian cultures, made by roasting barley and steeping it in hot water. It has a slightly nutty flavor, and can be served both hot and cold.
Bilberry Tea
Bilberry tea is made from the dried berries and leaves of the bilberry bush, a plant closely related to the blueberry. It is enjoyed for its slightly sweet, tart flavor and is often consumed for its potential eye health benefits.
Black Cohosh Tea
Black cohosh tea is made from the roots of the black cohosh plant, a popular herb in traditional Native American medicine. It has a slightly bitter taste and is commonly used to help alleviate symptoms associated with menopause.
Black Currant Tea
Black currant tea is a fruity herbal tea made from the leaves and berries of the black currant plant. It has a rich, sweet-tart flavor and is high in vitamin C and other antioxidants.
Blessed Thistle Tea
Blessed Thistle tea, made from the flowering tops, leaves, and stems of the blessed thistle plant, is known for its bitter taste and medicinal qualities. This tea is often used in herbal medicine for digestive health and liver support.
Builder’s Tea
Builder’s tea is a British term for a strong, robust cup of tea, typically a black tea blend, often served with milk and sugar. It gets its name from being a popular drink among builders and other manual workers.
Butterfly Pea Tea
Butterfly Pea Tea is a vibrant, blue-colored tea made from the flowers of the Clitoria ternatea plant, native to Southeast Asia. The tea is renowned not only for its unique color but also for its mild, earthy flavor and potential health benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Bay Leaf Tea
Bay Leaf Tea is made from the leaves of the bay laurel tree, lending it a distinctly herbal and somewhat bitter flavor. The tea is believed to help with digestion and respiratory conditions, and it may also have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.
Blue Lotus Tea
Blue Lotus Tea is prepared from the blue lotus flower, native to Egypt. The tea has a subtle floral flavor and has been historically used for its psychoactive properties, though in small amounts it is often consumed for relaxation and to promote a good night’s sleep.
C
Ceylon
Ceylon tea is grown in Sri Lanka and is known for its brisk, bold flavor. It comes in various grades, from delicate high-grown teas to robust low-grown varieties.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a popular herbal tea made from the dried flowers of the chamomile plant. It has a gentle, calming effect and a sweet, apple-like flavor.
Chai
Chai, also called Masala Chai, is a traditional Indian spiced tea made with black tea, milk, and a blend of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves. It is often sweetened with sugar or honey.
Cranberry Tea
Cranberry tea is a type of herbal infusion made from cranberries, often enjoyed for its tart and fruity flavor. It’s rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, and some people drink it for potential health benefits, such as urinary tract health and immune support.
Chicory Root Tea
Chicory root tea is a beverage made from the dried and roasted roots of the chicory plant. It has a flavor similar to coffee but is caffeine-free, and it’s often consumed as a coffee substitute. The tea is rich in inulin, a type of prebiotic fiber, which can support digestive health.
Cerasee Tea
Cerasee tea is a traditional Caribbean herbal tea, brewed from the leaves and vines of the bitter melon (cerasee) plant. Known for its very bitter flavor, it is often consumed for its potential medicinal properties, such as blood sugar control, detoxification, and skin health improvement.
CCF Tea
CCF tea, standing for Cumin, Coriander, and Fennel, is a traditional Ayurvedic remedy often used for digestive issues. The blend creates a soothing, slightly spicy tea that aids in the detoxification process, supports the immune system, and helps maintain a healthy metabolism.
Carob Tea
Carob tea is a naturally sweet herbal tea made from the roasted pods of the carob tree. Often used as a caffeine-free alternative to chocolate or coffee, it’s rich in calcium and fiber.
Chasteberry Tea
Chasteberry tea is a herbal infusion prepared from the dried berries of the chasteberry plant, also known as Vitex. It has a slightly peppery taste and is often consumed for its potential benefits in regulating female hormones.
Chrysanthemum Tea
Chrysanthemum tea is a floral herbal tea made from the flowers of the chrysanthemum plant. Popular in East Asia, it has a slightly sweet flavor and is traditionally believed to have cooling and calming properties.
Cinnamon Tea
Cinnamon tea is a spicy, aromatic tea made from the bark of the cinnamon tree. It is often consumed for its potential health benefits, such as blood sugar regulation and its antioxidant properties.
Clove Tea
Clove tea is a rich and aromatic infusion made from the dried buds of the clove tree. Known for its warming and soothing properties, it’s often consumed for digestive health and pain relief.
Citron Tea
Citron Tea, also known as yuja-cha in Korean, is a type of tea made from citron fruit. The tea is sweet and tart, with a strong citrus flavor and aroma. It is rich in vitamin C and is commonly consumed in winter for its potential to alleviate cold symptoms. It is traditionally made as a marmalade-like mixture with thinly sliced citron peel and sugar or honey.
D
Da Hong Pao
Da Hong Pao, or Big Red Robe, is a highly sought-after oolong tea from China’s Wuyi Mountains. Known for its rich, complex flavor profile, it has notes of fruit, honey, and minerals.
Darjeeling
Darjeeling is an Indian black tea grown in the Darjeeling region of West Bengal. Often referred to as the “Champagne of Teas,” it is prized for its delicate, muscatel flavor and floral aroma.
Dragonwell
Dragonwell, or Longjing, is a renowned Chinese green tea from Hangzhou. It has a sweet, mellow flavor with chestnut undertones and a lasting, pleasant aftertaste.
Dandelion Tea
Dandelion tea is made from the leaves and roots of the dandelion plant. This slightly bitter tea is rich in vitamins and minerals, and is often consumed for its potential detoxifying effects on the liver.
Danshen Tea
Danshen tea, made from the root of the Salvia miltiorrhiza plant, is a staple in traditional Chinese medicine. It has a bitter, earthy taste and is often consumed for its potential heart health benefits.
Dong Quai Tea
Dong Quai tea is a herbal tea made from the root of the Dong Quai plant, often used in traditional Chinese medicine for women’s health issues. It has a mildly sweet, earthy flavor and is often consumed for its potential hormone-balancing effects.
Devil’s Club Tea
Devil’s Club Tea is brewed from the bark of the Devil’s Club plant, a medicinal plant native to the Pacific Northwest. It has a strong, unique flavor, and is traditionally used in Native American medicine to address various health concerns, particularly related to blood sugar and respiratory conditions.
E
Earl Grey
Earl Grey is a classic black tea blend flavored with the oil of bergamot, a citrus fruit. Its distinctive, refreshing flavor makes it a popular choice for afternoon tea.
English Breakfast
English Breakfast is a robust black tea blend, typically including Assam, Ceylon, and Kenyan teas. It is known for its strong, full-bodied flavor, making it an ideal morning tea.
Echinacea Tea
Echinacea tea is a floral herbal tea made from the leaves, stems, and flowers of the echinacea plant. Often consumed for its potential immune-boosting properties, it has a somewhat sweet, tangy flavor.
Elderberry Tea
Elderberry tea is made from the dried berries of the elder tree. Its slightly tart, fruity flavor is enjoyed both for pleasure and its potential immune-supporting benefits.
Eucalyptus Tea
Eucalyptus tea is a bold, aromatic tea made from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree. It has a refreshing flavor and is often used for its potential respiratory and throat-soothing benefits.
Evening Primrose Tea
Evening Primrose tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Evening Primrose plant. It has a mild, grassy flavor and is often consumed for its potential benefits in women’s health, particularly for hormonal balance.
Eyebright Tea
Eyebright tea, made from the herb Eyebright, is commonly used for eye health due to its name, but also has a long history in traditional medicine. It has a slightly bitter, astringent taste, and is believed to support respiratory health.
F
Fig Leaf Tea
Fig leaf tea is an herbal infusion made from the leaves of the fig tree. It has a somewhat sweet flavor and is consumed for its potential health benefits, which may include managing blood sugar levels, supporting liver and skin health, and providing a source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Formosa Oolong
Formosa Oolong is a Taiwanese oolong tea known for its diverse range of flavors, from light and floral to rich and creamy. The name “Formosa” refers to Taiwan’s former name, meaning “beautiful island.”
Fukamushi Sencha
Fukamushi Sencha is a Japanese green tea that has been steamed for a longer period, resulting in a deeper, more intense flavor. Its taste is rich and savory, with a distinct umami note.
Fennel Tea
Fennel tea is a sweet, aromatic tea made from the seeds of the fennel plant. Known for its anise-like flavor, it’s often used in traditional medicine for its potential digestive benefits.
Fenugreek Tea
Fenugreek tea is a spicy, maple-scented tea made from the seeds of the fenugreek plant. It’s often consumed for its potential blood sugar regulating effects and for supporting lactation in nursing mothers.
Feverfew Tea
Feverfew tea, made from the leaves of the feverfew plant, is known for its strong, bitter taste. Traditionally, this tea has been consumed for its potential benefits in relieving headaches and migraines.
G
Genmaicha
Genmaicha is a Japanese green tea blended with roasted brown rice. The combination creates a unique, nutty flavor with a hint of sweetness, making it a popular choice for all-day enjoyment.
Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is a spicy and aromatic beverage made from fresh or dried ginger root. It is commonly consumed for its potential health benefits, such as soothing an upset stomach, reducing inflammation, and alleviating symptoms of colds and flu due to its warming properties.
Green Tea
Green tea is a type of tea made from Camellia sinensis leaves that have not undergone the same withering and oxidation process as black tea. It’s renowned for its numerous health benefits, including high levels of antioxidants, and may aid in weight loss, improve brain function, and lower the risk of some cancers.
Gyokuro
Gyokuro is a high-quality Japanese green tea shaded from sunlight for about three weeks before harvesting. This process increases chlorophyll content, resulting in a rich, savory taste with a sweet finish.
Ginkgo Biloba Tea
Ginkgo biloba tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree. It has a slightly sweet, grassy flavor and is often consumed for its potential cognitive benefits, such as memory and concentration enhancement.
Ginseng Tea
Ginseng tea is a herbal tea made from the roots of the ginseng plant. It has a slightly sweet, earthy taste and is often consumed for its potential energy-boosting and immune-supporting benefits.
Goat’s Rue Tea
Goat’s Rue tea is made from the herb goat’s rue and has a mildly bitter taste. It’s often used in traditional medicine to support lactation in nursing mothers and to manage blood sugar levels.
Goji Berry Tea
Goji Berry tea is a fruity herbal tea made from the dried goji berries. Known for its sweet-tart flavor, this tea is high in antioxidants and often consumed for its potential immune-boosting benefits.
Gotu Kola Tea
Gotu Kola tea is a herbal infusion made from the leaves of the Gotu Kola plant. It has a slightly bitter, grassy flavor and is often consumed for its potential cognitive and mental health benefits.
Guayusa
Guayusa tea is a caffeinated herbal tea made from the leaves of the Guayusa tree, native to the Amazon Rainforest. It has a smooth, slightly sweet flavor and is revered for its balanced energy effects without the jitters of coffee.
H
Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is a herbal tea made by infusing the dried petals of the hibiscus flower in hot water. It’s known for its tart, cranberry-like flavor and deep red color, and it has potential health benefits, including reducing blood pressure and supporting liver health.
Hojicha
Hojicha is a Japanese green tea that has been roasted, giving it a distinct reddish-brown color and a toasted, slightly caramel-like flavor. It is low in caffeine, making it a popular choice for evening consumption.
Huangshan Maofeng
Huangshan Maofeng is a green tea from China’s Yellow Mountain region. Known for its delicate, floral taste and refreshing aroma, it is often considered one of China’s best green teas.
Hawthorn Tea
Hawthorn tea is a fruity herbal tea made from the dried berries, flowers, and leaves of the hawthorn plant. It has a slightly sweet, tangy flavor and is often consumed for its potential heart health benefits.
Horsetail Tea
Horsetail tea is made from the plant horsetail and has a mild, slightly bitter taste. It is often used in traditional medicine for its potential benefits in promoting healthy hair, skin, and nails.
I
Irish Breakfast
Irish Breakfast is a strong black tea blend, often featuring a higher proportion of Assam teas. It is known for its bold, malty flavor, making it a great choice for those who enjoy a robust morning tea.
Iced Tea
Iced tea is any type of tea served cold, often with ice. It can be made with various types of tea, including black, green, and herbal, and is typically sweetened and sometimes flavored with fruit or herbs.
J
Jasmine
Jasmine tea is a popular scented tea made by infusing green, white, or black tea leaves with fresh jasmine flowers. The resulting tea has a delicate, sweet, and floral taste that is both refreshing and soothing.
K
Keemun
Keemun is a black tea from China’s Anhui province. Known for its smooth, slightly smoky flavor and gentle floral aroma, it is a popular choice for those who enjoy a more refined black tea.
Kukicha
Kukicha, or twig tea, is a Japanese green tea made from the stems and stalks of the tea plant. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a hint of creaminess.
Kabusecha
Kabusecha is a Japanese green tea that is shaded for approximately one week before being harvested. This shading process gives it a rich, savory flavor that is somewhere between Sencha (unshaded) and Gyokuro (shaded for longer).
L
Lapsang Souchong
Lapsang Souchong is a Chinese black tea that has been smoked over pine wood, giving it a unique, smoky flavor. It is often enjoyed as an afternoon or evening tea and can be an acquired taste for some.
Lemon Verbena
Lemon Verbena is an herbal tea made from the leaves of the lemon verbena plant. It has a bright, citrusy flavor and is often enjoyed as a refreshing, caffeine-free alternative to traditional teas.
Lavender Tea
Lavender tea is a floral herbal tea made from the dried buds of the lavender plant. Known for its soothing aroma, it has a slightly sweet, floral taste and is often consumed for its calming and sleep-inducing properties.
Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon balm tea is a citrusy herbal tea made from the leaves of the lemon balm plant. It has a mild, refreshing flavor and is often consumed for its potential stress-relieving and sleep-promoting benefits.
Licorice Root Tea
Licorice root tea is a sweet, slightly spicy tea made from the root of the licorice plant. It is often consumed for its potential throat-soothing benefits and digestive health support.
M
Matcha
Matcha is a Japanese powdered green tea used in traditional tea ceremonies. It has a vibrant green color and a rich, creamy taste, making it popular in both beverages and culinary applications.
Marigold Tea
Marigold tea, also known as calendula tea, is an herbal beverage made from the petals of the marigold flower. It’s recognized for its vibrant color, distinct floral flavor, and potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties and wound healing support.
Milk Thistle Tea
Milk thistle tea is an herbal infusion made from the seeds and leaves of the milk thistle plant. It has a slightly bitter, earthy taste and is often consumed for its potential health benefits, including liver protection and detoxification, thanks to its active ingredient, silymarin.
Mugwort Tea
Mugwort tea is an herbal infusion made from the leaves of the mugwort plant. It has a bitter, herbal flavor and is often consumed for its potential health benefits, which can include promoting digestion, improving sleep quality, and potentially enhancing lucid dreaming due to its active compounds like thujone.
Maca Root Tea
Maca root tea is made from the powdered root of the maca plant. It has a slightly sweet, malty taste and is often consumed for its potential energy and stamina-boosting benefits.
Marshmallow Root Tea
Marshmallow root tea is a herbal tea made from the marshmallow plant root. It has a subtle, earthy flavor and is often consumed for its potential soothing effects on the throat and digestive system.
Moringa Tea
Moringa Tea is made from the leaves of the Moringa oleifera tree, often referred to as the “miracle tree” due to its high nutritional value. This tea has a slightly grassy flavor and is praised for its potential health benefits, including its high vitamin C content and potential to improve heart health and blood sugar levels.
Mullein Tea
Mullein Tea is brewed from the leaves of the mullein plant, a European wildflower. It has a somewhat bitter flavor, and has been used traditionally for respiratory health, with some evidence suggesting it might have anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties.
N
Navajo tea, also known as greenthread tea, is an herbal infusion made from the plant Thelesperma megapotamicum, native to the southwestern United States. It has a mild, sweet flavor and is traditionally consumed by the Navajo people for its potential health benefits, including aiding digestion and promoting overall well-being.
Nilgiri
Nilgiri tea is a black tea from the Nilgiri region of southern India. Known for its brisk, aromatic flavor and dark liquor, it is often used in blends and as a base for flavored teas.
Nettle
Nettle tea is an herbal infusion made from the leaves of the stinging nettle plant. It has a slightly earthy, grassy taste and is often consumed for its potential health benefits, including its anti-inflammatory properties.
O
Oat Straw Tea
Oat straw tea is a mild, sweet-tasting herbal infusion made from the green, unripe parts of the oat plant. It is often consumed for its potential health benefits, which include supporting nervous system health, promoting relaxation, and providing a rich source of minerals like calcium and magnesium.
Oolong
Oolong tea is a partially fermented tea that falls between black and green tea in terms of oxidation. It offers a diverse range of flavors, from light and floral to dark and roasted, making it a versatile choice for tea enthusiasts.
Osha Root Tea
Osha root tea is an herbal beverage made from the roots of the Osha plant, native to the Rocky Mountain area. Known for its strong, slightly bitter flavor, it is often consumed for its potential health benefits such as supporting respiratory health, alleviating sore throats and coughs, and aiding digestion.
P
Palo Azul Tea
Palo Azul tea is an herbal infusion made from the bark of the Eysenhardtia polystachya tree, native to Mexico and the Southwestern United States. It has a light, slightly sweet flavor, and it’s often consumed for its potential health benefits, including kidney support, inflammation reduction, and blood sugar regulation.
Puerh
Puerh is a fermented Chinese tea known for its unique earthy taste and dark liquor. It comes in two main types: raw (sheng) and cooked (shou), each offering different flavor profiles and aging potential.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is a refreshing herbal infusion made from the leaves of the peppermint plant. It is celebrated for its cool, invigorating flavor and potential health benefits, which include soothing digestion, alleviating headaches, and reducing menstrual pain.
Purslane Tea
Purslane tea is an herbal infusion prepared from the leaves of the purslane plant, known for its slightly sour and salty flavor. This plant is a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, and the tea is often consumed for potential health benefits like boosting kidney function and supporting heart health.
Peach Tea
Peach tea is a fruity infusion that can be made either from the fruit itself or from black tea leaves flavored with peach. It is known for its refreshing, sweet, and tangy flavor, making it a popular choice for iced tea, and can provide a good source of antioxidants and vitamins when made from real peaches.
Pouchong Tea
Pouchong tea, also known as Baozhong tea, is a lightly oxidized type of oolong tea originating from Taiwan. It’s known for its delicate floral flavor and aroma, with a smooth, mild taste that lies somewhere between green tea and traditional oolong tea, offering potential antioxidant benefits.
Parsley Tea
Parsley tea is a mild, slightly bitter herbal tea made from the leaves of the parsley plant. It is often consumed for its potential diuretic properties and to support digestive health.
Passionflower Tea
Passionflower tea is a floral herbal tea made from the leaves and flowers of the passionflower plant. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor and is often consumed for its potential calming and sleep-promoting effects.
R
Rooibos
Rooibos, or red bush tea, is a caffeine-free herbal tea from South Africa. Known for its naturally sweet, slightly nutty taste, it is rich in antioxidants and enjoyed both hot and cold.
Russian Caravan
Russian Caravan is a smoky black tea blend, traditionally made with Chinese teas like Lapsang Souchong and Keemun. Its bold, robust flavor is reminiscent of the teas transported by camel caravan from China to Russia in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Raspberry Leaf Tea
Raspberry Leaf tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the raspberry plant. It has a flavor similar to black tea and is often consumed by women for its potential benefits in menstrual and reproductive health.
Rhodiola Rosea Tea
Rhodiola Rosea tea is made from the root of the Rhodiola Rosea plant. It has a slightly bitter taste and is often consumed for its potential benefits in improving energy, stamina, and mental performance.
Rosemary Tea
Rosemary tea is a fragrant herbal tea made from the leaves of the rosemary plant. It has a strong, pine-like flavor and is often consumed for its potential cognitive benefits and digestive support.
Rosehip Tea
Rosehip Tea is made from the fruits of the rose plant and is known for its vibrant red color and slightly tangy, sweet flavor. Rich in Vitamin C, the tea has been traditionally used to boost the immune system and may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
S
Sea Moss Tea
Sea Moss tea is a beverage made from sea moss, a type of red seaweed, that is either steeped directly or made into a gel and added to other teas. It’s tasteless on its own but absorbs the flavor of what it’s mixed with, and it’s highly valued for its dense nutritional content, including iodine, iron, and various vitamins, potentially supporting thyroid health, immune function, and skin health.
Sencha
Sencha is the most common type of Japanese green tea. It has a refreshing, grassy taste with a touch of astringency, making it a popular choice for daily consumption.
Shou Mei
Shou Mei is a Chinese white tea made from larger leaves and buds. It has a fuller, more robust flavor than Bai Mudan, with notes of fruit and a gentle sweetness.
Soursop Tea
Soursop tea, also known as graviola tea, is an herbal infusion made from the leaves of the soursop fruit tree. It has a unique flavor that combines sweet and tart, and it’s often consumed for its potential health benefits, which may include boosting the immune system, promoting digestion, and potentially inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
Senna Tea
Senna tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the senna plant. It has a mildly sweet, slightly bitter flavor and is well known for its potential laxative effects.
T
Taheebo Tea
Taheebo tea, also known as Pau d’Arco tea, is an herbal tea brewed from the inner bark of the Tabebuia tree native to Central and South America. It has a somewhat earthy, woody flavor, and is often consumed for its potential health benefits, which may include antimicrobial effects, inflammation reduction, and cancer prevention.
Tieguanyin
Tieguanyin, or Iron Goddess of Mercy, is a Chinese oolong tea known for its floral aroma and smooth, creamy taste. It is often enjoyed in multiple infusions, with the flavor becoming more pronounced with each steeping.
Turmeric Tea
Turmeric tea is an herbal infusion made from the dried, ground root of the turmeric plant. It has a warm, earthy flavor and is often consumed for its potential health benefits, including its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Tulsi Tea
Tulsi tea, also known as Holy Basil tea, is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Tulsi plant. It has a spicy, peppery flavor and is often consumed for its potential stress-relieving and immune-supporting properties.
Thyme Tea
Thyme tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the thyme plant. It has a strong, slightly minty flavor and is often consumed for its potential respiratory and immune system benefits.
U
Uva
Uva tea is a black tea from the Uva region of Sri Lanka. Known for its distinct flavor with hints of wood and fruit, it is often used in blends and enjoyed as a standalone tea.
Uva Ursi Tea
Uva Ursi tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the Uva Ursi plant, also known as bearberry. It has a strong, bitter flavor and is often consumed for its potential benefits in urinary tract health.
V
Vietnamese Lotus Tea
Vietnamese Lotus Tea is a green tea infused with the scent of lotus flowers. It has a delicate, sweet, and floral taste that is prized in Vietnamese tea culture.
Valerian Root Tea
Valerian Root Tea is made from the roots of the valerian plant and has a somewhat earthy, slightly bitter flavor. It’s most widely known for its potential calming and sedative effects, often being used to promote sleep and reduce anxiety.
W
White Tea
White tea is the least processed of all tea types, made from the young leaves and buds of the tea plant. It is known for its delicate, subtle flavor and high antioxidant content.
Willow Bark Tea
Willow bark tea is a herbal tea made from the bark of various species of willow tree. It has a bitter flavor and is often consumed for its potential pain-relieving effects due to its natural salicin content.
Y
Yarrow Tea
Yarrow tea is an herbal tea made from the leaves and flowers of the yarrow plant, known for its slightly bitter and aromatic flavor. It’s often consumed for its potential health benefits, which may include reducing inflammation, aiding digestion, and promoting wound healing due to its astringent properties.
Yerba Mate
Yerba Mate is a caffeinated herbal tea made from the leaves of the South American mate plant. It has a strong, earthy taste and is traditionally consumed in a gourd with a metal straw called a bombilla.
Yellow Tea
Yellow tea is a rare Chinese tea, similar to green tea but with a slightly longer oxidation process. This results in a mellower, richer flavor with a characteristic yellow color.
Z
Zealong
Zealong is a black, green, or oolong tea grown in New Zealand. Known for its clean, fresh taste, it has gained popularity as a high-quality, locally-produced tea option.
Zhen Mei
Zhen Mei, or Precious Eyebrow, is a green tea from China’s Sichuan province. It has a delicate, slightly sweet flavor with a refreshing, clean finish, making it a popular choice for green tea enthusiasts.
Final Thoughts
Tea is more than just a beverage; it is a celebration of culture, history, and the art of living well. As we conclude our exploration of teas from A to Z, it’s essential to remember that each tea variety has its own unique properties and flavors, shaped by the terroir, processing methods, and the hands that crafted it.
We hope that this guide has opened your eyes to the vast and beautiful world of tea, and that it has inspired you to try new varieties, experiment with brewing techniques, and share your love for this ancient and enchanting drink with others.
May your cup always be full, and your tea discoveries never-ending.
