A wide variety of tea exists all around the world, but they all come from the same plant: Camellia sinensis. They can be categorized into 4 main groups.
Black tea
Green tea
White tea
Oolong Tea
Black Tea
Black tea is the most common type of tea in the West.
Taste: It can have a variety of tastes: sweet, bitter, spicy, nutty
Color: black, brown, dark reddish-brown
Oxidation: Heavily oxidized
Benefits: reduces the risk of stroke, reduces blood pressure, reduces the risk of cancer, lower blood sugar levels, may improve focus
White Tea
Compared to the other types of tea, white tea is more expensive, rarer, and has a more delicate taste.
Taste: lighter flavor than green tea or black tea
Color: dim yellowish color
Oxidation: Lightly oxidized
Benefits: reducing skin inflammation, helps in preventing skin aging, helps in losing weight, reduces risks of osteoporosis, reduces risks of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease
Green Tea
Back in the days, green tea was well-known in Japan, China, and Korea for its health benefits.
Taste: sweet, nutty, a little bitter
Color: green, yellowish-green
Oxidation: lightly oxidized
Benefits: burns fat, reduces bad breath, helps in losing weight, improves brain function, lower the risks of cancer, lower the risks of type 2 diabetes
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea has a lighter taste than black tea but has a heavier taste than green tea.
Taste: soft flavors of sweet, fruity, earthy
Color: greenish-yellow or brownish
Oxidation: semi-oxidized
Benefits: helps in losing weight, improves brain function, improves teeth and bone strength, reduce risks of heart health
Sources: