Culture insider: 7 types of Chinese tea you must know
( chinadaily.com.cn )
Updated: 2014-05-28
Originated in China as a medicinal drink,tea has become a national drink in China and serves as an important part of Chinese culture.
As the world's second-most popular beverage, after water, tea has around 1,500 varieties in China. They are divided into seven main categories:
Green tea
Green tea has historically been Asia's most famous tea and is popular in the West as well. The secret of green tea lies in the fact that it is rich in antioxidant sucatechin polyphenols, specifically epigallocatechin gallate, that fight cancer without any negative side effects. There are indications that drinking green tea also reduces cholesterol levels and may help to control blood clots.
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Tea grower show plucked tea leaves in Xiushui county, Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, March 25, 2014. [Photo/IC] |
There are dozens of variations, each with its own characteristic, from very sweet and light to dark and dry. It's possible to find the perfect match for every taste preference. Famous black teas are Qimen Black, Yunnan Black, Lapsang Souchong and Minnan Black (also known as Tan Yang Kongfu).
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Some cups of black tea made at an international tea trade center in Yichang, Hubei province, May 15, 2014.[Photo/IC] |
Oolong tea
The spelling "oolong" (also "wulong") is a phonetic transcription of the Chinese characters, approximating to the sound of spoken Chinese, or more specifically, Mandarin. The correct transcription is "wulong cha" in pinyin. It includes the most famous Wuyi Rock teas and different types of tieguanyin.
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| Rose oolong tea, February 18, 2014.[Photo/IC] |
