Guide to Loose-Leaf Tea
Tea is a wide and varied drink, consumed all over the world in lots of different ways. But how much do you really know about tea?
We will explore the different types of tea, where they are from and how they can be beneficial when included in your diet.
Black tea
Black tea has long been the UK’s favourite tea - served, usually, with a splash of milk and the occasional teaspoon of sugar, although many drink it without or with a slice of lemon. It is mostly grown in Sri Lanka, India, China and Africa and is the strongest tea type due to greater oxidation.
Black tea has a high caffeine content, making it the perfect tea for the mornings. Black tea has also been linked to a reduction in the risk of Parkinson’s disease as well reducing the risk of cancer due to its high number of powerful antioxidants.
Darjeeling
Darjeeling is often referred to as the champagne of teas, and Darjeeling First Flush is known to be one of the finest. It signifies a new season of spring tea, and the new buds are known for their floral aroma and fruity smell.
Like all black teas the tea is rolled then oxidised or fermented before it is ready to use – this process means the tea leaves are still rich in bioactive compounds.
The high numbers of theoflavins and thearubigins help to neutralise potentially harmful chemicals and free radicals – which are known after time to raise your risk of chronic illness.
Assam
Named after the Assam region in India, where it is grown. Assam is the ‘strongest’ of the black teas, being robust and full-bodied and able to accommodate the addition of milk without losing its flavour. Our Assam Breakfast has a malty and rich flavour makes it a wonderful option for first thing in the morning when you need a wake-up call, perfect for enjoying alongside your breakfast.
The discovery of the tea plant in Assam enabled the East India Company to establish tea trade. Hitherto, trading in tea had been monopolised by China.
Ceylon
Named after the old colonial name of Sri Lanka, Ceylon is one of the most common black teas around and is frequently used in English Breakfast teas. It has a brisk, sharp flavour with a subtle bitterness, that can be drunk by itself, with milk or with a slice of lemon.
Earl Grey
One of the most iconic teas. Earl Grey is black tea (any type can be used, although Ceylon is most common) which is flavoured with bergamot and citrus to give it a distinct aromatic flavour. This tea originated in the 19th century, as a way to mask tea of inferior quality, but now we celebrate its unique flavour profile in our Supreme Earl Grey by combining it with some of our finest Ceylon tea leaves.
Green Tea & Matcha
A tea that has seen a recent rise in popularity in Europe, green tea is the less oxidised brother of black tea, as it is made from the same plant, camellia sinensis. However, it has a much longer history in Asia, particularly Japan, where it has been consumed for its vegetal, umami flavour, invigorating impact and health benefits.
The antioxidants present in green tea are beneficial for lowering blood pressure and linked to preventing heart disease. Sencha has more vitamin C than just about any other tea and is known for keeping its drinkers bright and energised. It's also popular with people who wish to lose weight. You can enjoy it in its purest form or combined with delicious and antioxidant rich goji berries in our Sencha Goji Berry Tea for a refreshing sweet drink.
You can also enjoy our Ceremonial Grade Matcha, a finely ground powder made of green tea leaves which has exploded in popularity. It is a good source of gentle releasing caffeine keeping you alert throughout the day and has been used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies for centuries.
Jasmine Green Tea
Jasmine tea is grown in China and produced from the fresh jasmine blossoms. It is the most popular flavoured tea in China and has been cultivated throughout the country for over 700 years. The jasmine petals are often mixed with green, or occasionally oolong, tea to create the delicate flavour and sweet taste.
Jasmine tea is extremely high in catechins, a powerful group of antioxidants, and is thought to offer a wide range of health benefits to those who consume it. Jasmine tea has been linked with a potential reduced risk of cancer, lower heart rate, blood pressure, stroke and reduced cholesterol levels, to enjoy this calming tea, explore our Natural Jasmine Green tea.
Fruit and Herbal Teas – Hibiscus Bora Bora, Mango Mocktail, Chai of Madagascar
When is tea not tea? When it’s made from a different plant altogether!
Herbal teas, or tisanes, are referred to as tea because they are brewed and consumed in a similar manner, but they can be made from a range of different plants and ingredients.
For example, our Chai of Madagascar is made from African Honeybush, a plant unique to a limited geographical range in South Africa. It has a natural subtle sweetness which pairs perfectly with the spices added.
Many herbal teas use fruit to provide natural sweetness and flavour, such as our Mango Mocktail, a tangy exotic infusion, and our Hibiscus Bora Bora, which combines the tart sweetness of the titular blossom with berries for delicious drink.
We hope this guide to explaining the wonderful world of teas has been helpful. Give some of these delectable teas a go and see what you think!
Explore all the teas available on our EU site!
