Tea A Definition

All tea comes from the same plant known as Camellia Sinensis. There are many different kinds of herbal infusions such as Peppermint, Rooibos,  Lemon Grass,  Chamomile, Ginger and more that we commonly refer  to as ‘tea.’ Technically, however these are known as Herbal Infusions, or Tisanes, because they are not derived from the tea plant Camellia Sinesis.

All tea leaf is harvested from Camellia Sinensis, an evergreen bush that features green serrated leaves and is grown from one of three specific types of bush:  Assam, China, and Java.  So when you think of Green Tea,  Black Tea, Oolong Tea and White Tea although the look, color and taste are incredibly unique and distinct they all come from the same plant!  How is this possible?

The creation of different types of tea is done through the processing of the Camellia Sinesis leaves after being harvested from the plant. The key is in oxidation. Black Tea which is generally stronger in flavor and contains more caffeine is the most oxidized of teas. Green Tea goes through a minimal oxidation process, and White Tea is uncured and unoxidized. Which is why it tends to have a very earthy and vegetable taste, it’s essentially picked from the plant, dried and packaged.  I like to drink all types of tea.  I usually drink Black Tea, in the morning and will alternate between Oolong Tea, Green Tea, and White Tea throughout the day depending on what I’m feeling in the mood for.

Tagged as: herbal, History, origins, tea