Tea Types; Tea Storage - Breville the Tea Maker BTM800 Manual

Tips

TEA TYPES

There are four main types of teas from the
tea plant camellia sinensis. The picking
and processing methods determine
the type of tea finally produced.
Black Tea
1. 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 color and flavor.
White Tea
2. 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 flavor.
Green Tea
3. 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
4. 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.
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Herbal infusions or Tisanes
5. 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 jeopardizing the taste.
Blends
6. Tea producers make blends by combining
different types of teas, often in order to
achieve flavor 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
fertilizer 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.