Tea Education
The Six Types of Tea Explained
White, green, yellow, oolong, black and dark tea all come from one plant. Oxidation explains the rest.
Key takeaways
- All true tea is Camellia sinensis; herbal infusions are not tea.
- Oxidation level is the main axis of difference.
- Try one tea from each family before deciding what you like.
The six families
Ordered roughly by oxidation.
- White — barely processed, delicate and sweet
- Green — heat-fixed, fresh and vegetal
- Yellow — rare, gently yellowed, mellow
- Oolong — partially oxidised, floral to roasted
- Black — fully oxidised, malty and brisk
- Dark / pu-erh — microbially aged, earthy and deep
Recommended products
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Fruit Infusion Pitcher
Pitcher with a fruit chamber for citrus, berry and herb tea blends.
Why we recommend it: Perfect for fruit-forward herbal iced teas without cloudy pulp.
Where herbal fits
Chamomile, rooibos, peppermint and fruit blends are tisanes. They are lovely and mostly caffeine-free, but they behave differently and generally want boiling water and long steeps.
Recommended products to get started
The Tea Book: Beginner Guide
An illustrated guide to tea origins, processing and brewing method.
Why we recommend it: A good reference to keep next to the kettle while your palate develops.
Stainless electric kettle, 1.7 L
Fast-boiling cordless kettle with a concealed element and auto shut-off.
Why we recommend it: The cheapest reliable way to get hot water; rest it a few minutes for delicate leaf.
Frequently asked questions
- Which type should I start with?
- A sampler of three: a Ceylon black, a Chinese green, and a lightly roasted oolong. That covers most of the flavor map.
- Is Earl Grey a type of tea?
- No, it is a flavored blend — usually black tea scented with bergamot oil.
Related reading
Tea Origins: How Region Shapes Flavor
China, Japan, India, Taiwan and Sri Lanka each produce a recognizable style. Knowing which helps you shop with confidence.
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Tea Flavor Profiles: Building Your Vocabulary
Words like brisk, malty, umami and astringent are useful, not pretentious. Here is what each actually describes.
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How to Store Loose-Leaf Tea Properly
The five things that degrade tea, and a simple storage routine that keeps leaf tasting close to new for months.
5 min readMore in Tea Education, browse all tea guides, or use the tea converter to scale this recipe to your teapot.