Tea is probably the most popular drink on the planet. The UK Tea and Infusions association says over 100,000,000 cups are consumed in the United Kingdom every single day. It’s not hard to see why this drink is so well-loved. There’s truly little more satisfying than a good brew.

Black tea is the most widely consumed and recognisable type of tea but there are, in fact, hundreds of different tea varieties. Each type features a unique flavour, colour, and health characteristics. Check out these fascinating tea varieties and their well-being benefits and expand your tea palate with this handy guide.

1. Black Tea

Black tea is one of the “true” teas, which also include green, white, oolong, and pu-erh teas. The true teas come from one plant, Camellia sinensis. Black tea leaves are completely oxidised which makes them strong and dark in flavour and appearance. Most black teas are blended, and these blends account for different flavours and aromas. Black tea is the most common way to drink this beverage. While the oxidation process removes some of the health benefits of the tea, it still has many excellent properties including reducing oxidative stress and supporting heart health.

2. Oolong Tea

Find this distinctive tea at a quality tea shop online , where you will be able to pick from different types like White Tip, Pouchong, and Red Robe. Oolong tea is also known as black dragon tea. It is semi-oxidised. This is always a whole-leaf tea and comes in a variety of colours and flavours. Oolong tea helps to support the heart and experts claim it boosts heart health. It may also increase brain power – excellent for those who need a morning boost! Oolong tea, along with the other true teas, promotes the body’s own antioxidant support.

3. Green Tea

Green tea is distinct from oolong and black. It is prepared from fresh tea plant leaves which have been lightly heated. This tea is delicately oxidated, and this provides the distinctive colour and flavour. The beverage is grassy and earthy, with a fresh aftertaste. Green tea comes in many varieties including matcha tea and sencha, which is a slightly bitter Japanese tea with a hint of pine. Green tea boasts numerous health benefits. It supports mental agility and alertness, helps protect the heart, supports the body against oxidative stress, and helps weight loss.

4. Pu-erh Tea

Pu-erh tea is a specialist fermented tea with a loyal following. It mostly derives from Yunnan in China and features a distinctive strong flavour and defined colour. Pu-erh tea is aged in humidity, providing a rich and dark finished product. This tea may support healthy skin and is high in antioxidants.

I hope you’ve been inspired by this trip through four of the main different types of tea. There are hundreds more to discover. Start your own tea journey and encounter your personal favourites among the high quality varieties now available for everyone to enjoy.