Hullo again, tea-loving commoners. Time to put down your tea bags, take a big sip of your loose leaf teas, and pay attention. For ‘tis I, the Earl of Grey. I am sure you’ve missed me at least ten times as I’ve missed you. Nevertheless, here I am to tell you a bit about Puerh Tea.

As the health benefits of tea become more and more clear, and an increasing number of delicious types of tea reach stores worldwide, tea is becoming incredibly popular. And as tea drinkers get to try all new kinds of tea to which they’d previously never been exposed, they discover new favorites. Puerh tea is a new favorite with many experienced tea drinkers.

So what is Puerh tea?

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Fret not tea lovers, Teato is here to rescue you from the sweltering summer heat.  With the mercury rising, Teato understands that a hot cup of tea is not the first thing on your mind right now. Teato likes a steaming, hot cup of tea too, but not always in the summer.

Faithful readers will remember the proper way to make iced tea. You must make it the traditional way, just like you would regular hot tea, then add more water and put it in the fridge to cool. (If you don’t know the best way to make tea, click here.) But what kind of tea should you use, you ask? Let Teato show you the light.
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Greetings Tea Students. I, Master Amanzi, have opened my giant Book of Tea Knowledge today so that I could impart unto you some valuable information about the leaf teas that come from Japan. So go get put your tea bags in some hot water, and spend the next three minutes steeping in enlightenment.

In Japan, 97% of the tea they drink is locally grown and processed. This is unsurprising, since tea has been popular there for centuries—long before the Western world was exposed to it. Almost half of Japan’s entire tea production is picked in the Shizhuoka region at the foothills of Mt. Fuji. Green tea is the least processed kind of tea, and may easily be found in all over the country. But if you would like to expand your tea consciousness and learn a little bit more, please continue.

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Part 7: Herbal Tea

You are no doubt anxious to complete your lessons on the different types of tea. You have studied hard, I have no doubt, and know all that I have shown you and more about the previous types I have explained to you: white tea, green tea, oolong tea,  black tea, rooibos tea, and yerba tea. Now it is time to finish your journey.

The final type of tea is herbal tea.

Herbal tea, like yerba mate and rooibos, are not actually types of tea since they are not made from the leaves of the tea bush. But while these other two are made from specific plants, herbal tea is basically any kind of tea not made from tea leaves. Herbal teas are actual infusions made from other plants, such as leaves, flowers, roots, or seeds.

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Part 6: Yerba Tea

As you all continue your journey down the Path of the Perfect Pot of Tea, I, Master Amanzi hope to guide you with my vast knowledge of the Way of Tea.

We have already dealt with the four kinds of actual tea:  white tea, green tea, oolong tea, and black tea. We have also discussed rooibos tea. This brings us to another cousin of the tea family: Yerba Tea.

Yerba tea, also called mate, is a Central American drink that is made from a type of holly plant that grows in that region. Because yerba isn’t made from tea leaves it’s not considered tea, but is prepared in the same way and is often served as an option in tea circles.

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Part 5: Rooibos Tea

As you may know, on your path to Tea Enlightenment, I, Master Amanzi have offered you many tea tips. Most recently, I have been explaining about the different kinds of tea. I have told you about the four types of tea: white tea, green tea, oolong tea, and black tea. Since these are actually made from tea leaves, technically, these are the only kinds of tea. But there are other tea-like beverages that are called tea. Since the Way of Tea is open to all, I will explain a bit about them as well. Today we shall talk about rooibos tea.

As I have said, rooibos tea, also called “red tea” or “redbush tea,” isn’t actually tea at all. Rooibos,  (pronounced “roy-boss”), is Afrikaans for “red bush;” it’s made from the leaves of a legume bush that grows in South Africa. It is prepared just like tea and is thus considered a member of the tea family, but since it is not from Camellia Sinensis leaves, it could at best be considered a distant cousin.

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Part 4: Black Tea

You have learned, along with my other students, about white tea, green tea, and oolong tea. Now I, the Master Amanzi, will further enlighten you to the many types of tea.

Black Tea, like the other teas mentioned above, is derived from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant. It is the most common type of tea, and whether by coincidence or not, it has the strongest flavor and the most caffeine as well. This is because after the tea leaves are picked, they are then put through more processing than any of the other types of tea, and experience the most oxidation.

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Greetings Commoners. The Earl of Grey has bothered to notice your existence today. On previous occasions, I have explained to you how to make good iced tea, what makes tea so healthy, and other juicy tidbits of my tea wisdom. Well, hold your tea bags, because I’ve got something for you today.

Many people think a cup of tea is just something to have in the morning. Which isn’t wrong. But tea is a delicious afternoon drink as well. And tastes great in the evening. What I’m saying is that tea is a delicious beverage for any time of day. As long as you do it right.

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Part 3: Oolong Tea

Greetings Tea Lovers and Students of the Way of Tea.

I, Master Amanzi, prompted by one of my newest apprentices, have elected to briefly describe  the differences between the different kinds of tea. While most have an understanding of the difference between iced tea and hot tea, or why to use loose tea rather than a tea bag, few understand the difference between a white tea and a black tea, for example.

I have already told you a bit about white tea and green tea. Today, let me explain to you a little bit about  oolong tea.
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Part 2: Green Tea

As you may recall, I, Master Amanzi, have decided to help clear up some confusion about the different types of tea. As my once-exiled student pointed out to me, it is not clear the difference between green tea and oolong, or what exactly makes an herbal tea herbal (and not actually a tea at all—but we shall address that later.)

I have already explained to you about white tea, which is one of the more rare and expensive teas. Today, I shall impart a bit of knowledge unto you about green tea.
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