When it comes to choosing tea, there are many different factors to consider. From type to popularity to terroir, each factor will affect the flavor and aroma of your tea.
Fortunately, there are ways to identify premium teas from the masses. Whether you want to find the best tea for your establishment or you just love drinking delicious, high-quality teas, there are a few guidelines you can follow to make sure you get only the finest quality.
Choosing a tea by type
All tea is a product of the same plant, Camellia sinensis, native to the tropics of Southeast Asia. The different varieties of tea come from the variety of this plant, growing conditions, processing method and sometimes a region of origin.
If you’re new to the world of tea, navigating its vast variety can feel like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little bit of knowledge, you can make an educated choice and enjoy all the flavor and health benefits of this mighty beverage.
A great way to start is to pick a tea type you’re comfortable with. Whether you’re a true green tea fanatic or looking to get into the more complex black, oolong and white teas, a basic selection is a good place to begin.
Choosing a tea by popularity
The world of tea is a big place and there are many worthy competitors, but aficionados of the brew have their pick of the litter. One such choice is the illustrious premium tea bag. The question on most consumers’ minds is which one is best? Thankfully, our staff of experts has the answer to your query. After a thorough vetting process, we have narrowed the field to the winners. In fact, we have a new award to crown the most coveted tea of the lot. Our winners are all a cut above the rest and you won’t find them anywhere else!
Choosing a tea by terroir
Just like with wine, tea takes on distinctive flavors and characteristics based on the specific region in which it is grown. Even if two tea bushes are planted in different areas with the same cultivar, they will still have distinct flavors.
While it is easy to reduce terroir to weather or elevation, there are many other factors that can influence the flavor of a tea. For example, the terrain of a mountain will influence how much of each leaf can be picked, and how that leaf is processed before it leaves the field.
The skill of the person who picks and processes the leaves also has a huge impact on the final flavor of a tea. The same cultivar planted in 2 different regions can have very different results if made by 2 different masters!
The best teas come from places where the terroir is well-established, and prices are high enough to encourage farmers to spend time hand-picking every leaf. This level of care can have a big impact on the flavor of a tea, as it can make the resulting cup taste unique and incredibly complex.
Choosing a tea by price
In general, 高級茶包 tend to be a bit cheaper than loose-leaf teas. This is because they are made from a large quantity of materials, which can be cheaper than using premium quality leaves and flowers for a single cup of tea.
But that does not mean that you should only drink tea bags.
A good loose leaf tea can be far less expensive than the high end blends in tins. Take for example a top quality Silver Needle white.
That is typically priced at $120 a pound.
Compare that to the supermarket package of 15 branded English Breakfast tea bags at $4.29.
This is a very small difference in price. But, when you consider that the average American drinks around four cups of tea a day, it adds up to about $100 more over the course of a year if you choose good loose leaf.
