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 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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Part 1: White Tea

Greetings Tea Lovers and Students of the Way of Tea.

The other day one of my young apprentices asked me the difference between white tea and black tea. It stunned me, the Tea Master Amanzi, for it seemed so elementary, and yet my student did not know! As he was escorted from the grounds for his ignorance, it occurred to me that perhaps there are others like him out there.

There are many types of tea. Like my young tea student, you might be confused. Words like “oolong” and “rooibos” mean little to you while words like “herbal” and “white” seem too vague. So I shall nudge you down your path to enlightenment by telling you more about the Basic Types of Tea.
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