Sage Tea Maker BTM800UK - Manual (Page 12)

11
TeA InSIGHTS
TeA TyPeS
There are four main types of tea from the
tea plant camellia sinensis. The picking and
processing methods determine the type of
tea finally produced.
Black Tea
Black tea is the most common type of tea
worldwide. It is made by fermenting the
harvested leaves for a couple of hours
before heating or drying. This oxidation
darkens the leaves and increases the
amount of caffeine. Of all the teas, black
tea has the strongest colour and flavour.
White Tea
White tea is the rarest and the most
exclusive tea. White tea consists of the
whitish buds of the tea plant which are
steamed then left to dry naturally. This
tea is low in caffeine and has a slightly
sweet flavour.
Green Tea
Green tea makes up approximately
ten percent of the world’s tea. The
leaves are picked, rolled and dried
before they can go brown. Green tea
has a distinctive aroma and has a slight
astringent taste.
oolong Tea
Oolong Tea is semi fermented, which
means leaves are processed immediately
after picking. They only have a short
period of oxidation which turns the
leaves from green to red/brown. Its
leaves have a floral, fruity quality and
hence have a delicate fruity taste. It is
recommended not to drink Oolong tea
with milk, sugar or lemon.
Herbal Infusions or Tisanes
Herbal infused teas are not produced
from the tea plant, but from flowers,
leaves, roots or seeds. Common herbal
beverages are chamomile, peppermint,
fennel, rose hip, and lemon verbena.
Herbal infusions that do not contain
tea will generally not become bitter
with extended brews. These can often
be brewed with boiling water 3 times
without jeopardising the taste.
Blends
Tea producers make blends by
combining different types of teas, often
in order to achieve flavour consistency
from one season to the next. Common
black tea blends include English
Breakfast, Earl Grey, Irish Breakfast, and
Russian Caravan.
TIP
Brewed tea leaves make an ideal
garden fertiliser and help condition
the soil.
TeA STorAGe
• Teas stored inside a vacuum sealed
bag can be stored for up to two years,
depending on the quality and grade of
tea. Once opened, tea should be stored
in an airtight container and kept in a dry
and dark place.
• Once opened, black teas will last longer
than green and oolong teas but all tea
needs to be stored in ideal conditions.
• You can tell when tea is past its best if it
has lost its aroma and will create either
a bitter or dull tasting cup.