In this post us at Buy Tea Online intent to clear up a few concepts of tea.
The three primary components of brewed tea (also called the “liquor”) are:
1. Essential Oils – these provide tea’s delicious aromas and flavors.
2. Polyphenols – these provide the “briskness” or astringency in the mouth and are the components that also carry most of the health benefits of tea.
3. Caffeine – found naturally in coffee, chocolate, tea and Yerba Mate, caffeine provides tea’s natural energy boost.
How the leaves are processed will determine their final classification as black, white, green, and oolong teas.
| Type | Water Temp. | Steep Time | Infusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Tea | 65 to 70 °C (149 to 158 °F) | 1–2 minutes | 3 |
| Yellow Tea | 70 to 75 °C (158 to 167 °F) | 1–2 minutes | 3 |
| Green Tea | 75 to 80 °C (167 to 176 °F) | 1–2 minutes | 4-6 |
| Oolong Tea | 80 to 85 °C (176 to 185 °F) | 2–3 minutes | 4-6 |
| Black Tea | 99 °C (210 °F) | 2–3 minutes | 2-3 |
| Pu-erh Tea | 95 to 100 °C (203 to 212 °F) | Limitless | Several |
| Herbal Tea | 99 °C (210 °F) | 3–6 minutes | Varied |