There are several different types of tea, even though many of them come from the same plant. We’ll explore the main different types of teas and their health benefits.
Main types of tea
There are seven main types or categories of tea:
- White tea
- Green tea
- Oolong tea
- Black tea
- Pu-erh tea
- Rooibos tea
- Herbal tisanes and botanicals
1. White tea
White tea is the least processed of all the types of tea that come from the camellia sinensis plant. The leaves are only dried. This tea is made from leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, just like green, oolong, black and pu-erh teas.
What are some famous white teas?
- White Peony
- Tribute Eyebrow
- White Darjeeling
Does white tea have caffeine?
White tea is caffeinated and has about 15-30 mg of caffeine per one 8-ounce cup.
What are the health benefits of white tea?
- Boosts immune system
- Reduces fine lines and wrinkles
- Prevents strep and staph
- Prevents cavities
Explore our organic white teas.
2. Green tea
Green tea is prepared in China by hand picking and pan-firing. In Japan, green tea is largely processed by steaming the tea leaves. This tea is made from leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, just like white, oolong, black and pu-erh teas.
What are some famous green teas?
- Jasmine Dragon Pearl – Try our Organic Jasmine Dragon Pearl Tea
- Dragon Well – Try our Organic Dragon Well Tea
- Matcha – Try our Organic Matcha
- Sencha – Try our Organic Asamushi Sencha
Does green tea have caffeine?
Green tea is caffeinated and has about 28 mg of caffeine per one 8-ounce cup.
What are the health benefits of green tea?
- Reduce stress hormones
- Helps balance blood sugar
- Helps prevent cancer
- Great for cognitive skills
- Jumpstarts metabolism
- Cardiovascular protection
Explore our organic green teas.
3. Oolong tea
Oolong tea can be oxidized 10%-90%. Some describe oolong tea as a cross between green and black tea. This tea is made from leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, just like white, green, black and pu-erh teas.
What are some famous oolong teas?
- Big Red Robe – Try our Organic Big Red Robe Tea
- Ti Quan Yin
- Taiwan Jade – Try our Organic Taiwan Jade Tea
- Silky Oolong – Try our Organic Silky Oolong Tea
Does oolong tea have caffeine?
Oolong tea is caffeinated and has about 37-55 mg of caffeine per one 8-ounce cup.
What are the health benefits of oolong tea?
- Great for weight loss
- Produces T-cells
- Mood elevator
- Takes away the bloated feeling after eating fatty foods
Explore our organic oolong teas.
4. Black tea
Black tea is the most processed tea and the tea that is most popular in America and Britain. Lipton tea is black tea. This tea is made from leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, just like white, green, oolong and pu-erh teas.
What are some famous black teas?
- Earl Grey – Try our Organic Earl Grey Tea
- Lapsang Souchong – Try our Organic Lapsang Souchong Tea
- Tippy Assam – Try our Organic Coconut Assam Tea
- Keemun
Does black tea have caffeine?
Black tea is caffeinated and has about 47 mg of caffeine per one 8-ounce cup.
What are the health benefits of black tea?
- Can lower blood pressure and cholesterol
- Anti-bacterial and anti-viral
- May help prevent heart attacks and strokes
- Cuts stress hormones
- Great for osteoporosis
- May help asthmatics
- May help balance blood sugar
Explore our organic black teas.
5. Pu-erh tea
Pu-erh tea gets better as it ages or ferments. Pu-erh is the only tea that gets better with age. This tea is made from leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, just like white, green, oolong and black teas.
Does pu-erh tea have caffeine?
Pu-erh tea is caffeinated and has about 30-100 mg of caffeine per one 8-ounce cup.
What are the health benefits of pu-erh tea?
- Helps balance acid/alkaline
- Helps digestion
- Great for weight loss as it takes away cravings for sweets
Explore our organic pu-erh teas.
6. Rooibos tea
Also called red tea or red bush tea. Naturally non-caffeinated unless mixed with a caffeinated tea. This tea is not made from the camellia sinensis plant. It comes from a red bush from South Africa.
What are the health benefits of rooibos or red tea?
- Naturally caffeine-free
- Double the antioxidants of green tea
- Anti-inflammatory
- Great for digestion
- Arthritis relief
Explore our organic rooibos teas.
7. Herbal tisanes and botanicals
Naturally non-caffeinated unless blended with a caffeinated tea. Not from the camellia sinensis plant. Tea made from various flowers, roots, plants and herbs. Explore our organic herbal teas and organic healing teas.
What are some famous herbal teas?
- Peppermint – try our Organic Peppermint Tea
- Chamomile – try our Organic Golden Chamomile Tea
What are the health benefits of herbal tea?
There is a wide range of herbal teas, made from many different plants, roots, flowers and herbs. Each tea has it’s own health benefits, so it is not possible to list them all here.
We hope this information about the different types of tea gives you the knowledge and inspiration to try new teas!
This content has been adapted from the book Your Path of Tea for Health of Body, Mind and Spirit by the late Thia McKann, Tea Master and Owner of The Path of Tea.