Tea is a popular beverage that has traditionally been enjoyed in many different countries and cultures. While some people drink tea daily, others have it as a way to unwind at the end of the day. As a result, there are many different kinds of tea, from green to black. It is challenging to find the best-rated teas in the world. However, this blog will share some of the best-ranked teas in the world.
Black Tea
Black tea is a large and diverse category, and what sets it apart from other black teas is its high level of oxidation. This is how the tea leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant acquire their characteristic dark color and give off their earthy aroma.
When brewed, black tea typically develops a more intense flavor and aroma, with typical amber or brownish hues and typical earthy, malty, nutty, and fruity nuances ranging from savory to sweet. However, due to the large number of variations and blends available, the final flavor profile can vary.
Interestingly, in China, black tea is known as black tea (tea) because of its distinctive red color. This tradition stems from the fact that Pu-erh tea was already known as black tea. There are several legends about how black tea came about, but it was produced first in China.
Most historians believe it originated in Fujian. British and Dutch merchants then exported the tea to the western market, and while the tea was not very successful in its home country, it became the most popular type of tea in the West.
Eventually, the British explored other markets - the Assam region of India, where different subspecies of tea were harvested. Black tea is now mainly produced in China, India, and Sri Lanka. This full-bodied tea is a classic pairing with afternoon tea but generally pairs well with a variety of rich and savory dishes, desserts, and chocolates.
Ceylon Black Tea
Ceylon tea is the name of a tea made in Sri Lanka. Ceylon is the former name of Sri Lanka, still used in the tea trade. The tea plantations are spread all over the island, and the favorable climate makes it possible to harvest all year round.
Most production focuses on black tea, and the best examples of Ceylon tea come from the Higher Tea Estates in the middle of the island. Altitude has the highest impact on the final character of Ceylon tea. Low-grown teas are primarily used for blending, offering a firm body and good strength.
Medium-sized teas, typically grown at 2,000 to 3,500 feet, are full-bodied and have rich, complex flavors. Grown at elevations above 3,500 or 4,000 feet, these tall teas are high-quality Ceylon teas prized for their smooth, delicate flavors.
Although there is considerable variation in character and quality, most Sri Lankan teas pair well with meat dishes and pork. It's also a popular breakfast choice because it can enjoy with eggs, pastries, fresh fruit, and cream cheese. Tea cultivation in Sri Lanka was introduced by the British in the middle of the 19th century. Before that, the country relied primarily on coffee production, but after disease wiped out the entire coffee industry in 1869, tea became the primary choice. Most of Sri Lanka's tea is still hand-picked and the country is the fourth-largest tea producer in the world. Genuine Ceylon tea must have the lion logo on the package.
English Breakfast Tea
English breakfast tea is one of the most popular teas in the UK and around the world. A blend of teas from Ceylon, China, and Kenya. His place of birth and the origin of his name is very obscure and often disputed.
One theory is that the blend was invented by Scottish tea master Drysdale in 1892. This version was said to have been favored by Queen Victoria, who promoted the blend, after which the tea got its present name.It is believed that Another theory credits Richard Davis with inventing the name and mixture.
He was a New York-based English tea merchant who reportedly began selling his blends in 1834. Regardless of its exact origin, black tea became a breakfast staple in England at some point in the 18th century, and a slightly weaker blend was replaced by a stronger English breakfast tea in the 19th century.
Due to its full-bodied, powerful, and bold flavor, the tea is usually sweetened and served with milk.
Darjeeling
This premium tea was named after the Indian city of Darjeeling, a center of Bengal tea cultivation and once the starting point for caravan routes to Tibet. Today, this ancient city is still best known for its namesake top-quality tea. The cultivation of tea in the West Bengal area of u200bu200bDarjeeling dates back to the Englishman Arthur Campbell (1805-1874). He has tried different types of tea in his private garden in the wider Darjeeling area.
This led to the formation of the Darjeeling Company in 1864, which was renamed Darjeeling Consolidated Tea His Company in 1896. Today Darjeeling is the brand name for all types of tea from the region including green, white, yellow, and oolong. Darjeeling tea in particular is commonly referred to as a fermented tea that combines the properties of oolong and black tea but is most commonly associated with black tea.
There are several varieties, such as First Flush, Second Flush, Monsoon, and Autumn Flush, depending on when they are harvested. Darjeeling has always been one of the more expensive teas, with rare blends selling for up to US$200 per kilogram, so there are serious problems with counterfeiting and inferior blends.
About 40,000 tons of Darjeeling tea are sold worldwide each year, but only 8,000-11,000 tons of Darjeeling tea are produced. To prevent this so-called Darjeeling piracy, the Tea Board of India was set up in 1953 with the aim of only stamping, authenticating, and licensing 100% pure Darjeeling tea blends.
Green Tea
Green tea is a non-oxidized tea with a bright green color and fresh herbal aroma. Made with tea leaves from the evergreen tea tree (Camellia sinensis). This tea leaf is involved in a process called kill greening. In this process, the leaves are heated (steamed or roasted) to stop oxidation.
There are many different types of green tea on the market today. They may differ in cultivation, harvesting, origin, and manufacturing techniques. Green tea is also commonly flavored or used in blends. Due to a large number of varieties available, the final flavor profile of green tea varies but usually has fresh, herbal, grassy, and floral nuances.
Green tea is believed to have originated in China about 3,000 years ago. The leaves were probably first chewed and used as medicine before the introduction of major tea-making techniques. In the 12th century, green tea was brought to Japan by Japanese monks studying Buddhism in China. Primarily used in traditional rituals, tea has become an integral part of Japanese culture and daily life. Depending on the exact variety, green tea usually pairs well with light fish or poultry dishes, vegetables, rice, or desserts.
White Tea
White tea is a category of Chinese tea with a somewhat ambiguous classification. Nonetheless, this variety is widely believed to have a lighter color and a more delicate flavor than green and black teas. It is harvested from the tea tree (Camellia sinensis), which is covered with fine white hairs. This is the origin of the name tea.
White tea is typically unoxidized, or only slightly oxidized, which helps it retain its delicate character. , flowers, fruits, honey, vanilla, herbs, and citrus.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is a semi-oxidized tea and varies according to leaf style, degree of oxidation, color, and degree of roasting. Halfway between green tea and black tea, this tea is one of the most complex varieties in terms of production and can come in many different flavors and aromas.
Colors range from pale greens and yellows to dark oranges, while aromas often include notes of melon, apricot, wood, orchids, and spices. The degree of oxidation varies between 10-80%. Less oxidized styles are similar to green teas, but varieties with more oxidation, usually 50% or more, share more characteristics with black teas. Oolong tea is native to China, probably from Mount Wuyi. Although China remains one of the largest producers, Taiwan also grows significant amounts of oolong. Traditionally, Taiwanese varieties are less oxidative. The category of oolong tea is broadly divided into long strips of curly oolong and small coils of oolong.
Slightly oxidized oolong tea can be paired with lighter dishes and seafood, while darker styles generally pair well with smoked or cured meats and desserts.
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