What are the main families of Chinese tea?
The main families are green, white, yellow, oolong, black and pu-erh tea. Each family is defined by a level of oxidation and a specific processing method.
Chinese tea
Chinese tea covers a wide range of families, each tied to a terroir and a craft. Below are the most useful questions to find your way.
What distinguishes a Chinese green tea from a Japanese green tea?
Chinese green tea is generally pan-fired in a wok or vat, producing a clear liquor with vegetal and toasted notes. Japanese green tea is usually steamed, giving a denser, more marine liquor.
What is an oolong?
Oolong is a semi-oxidised tea, between green and black tea. Its highly variable oxidation level makes it a particularly rich family, ranging from floral to woody.
What is a Chinese scented tea?
In Chinese tradition, the flower - often jasmine - is set upon the leaf for several nights to leave its fragrance, then removed. The leaf remains primary; the fragrance is only a breath.
How do I choose a first Chinese tea?
A clear green tea or a jasmine tea is often the most natural way in. For a more structured presence, a Chinese black tea offers depth without excessive complexity.