A Bit About Our Teas...
At Great Tea InternationalTM, you'll find a careful selection of only the finest varieties. Our Jasmine is light and delicate, and our High Mountain Oolong Tea is a vigorous, aromatic brew. But what makes great tea great?
Tea is made from the young leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. The differences in aroma, taste, and other properties one finds in the actual beverage all come from the particular methods used to process the tea leaves, and the quality of the original leaves themselves.
Teas are classified into different grades, and Great Tea InternationalTM deals only in high end, quality leaves. There are three different basic categories of tea: green tea, oolong tea, and black tea. Within each category many, many different types. There are also some special categories, such as "white tea" and herbal tea (which, strictly speaking, is not a tea, but rather an "infusion"). The basic categories of tea differ in the degree of fermentation or oxidation that the tea leaves undergo during processing.
Generally speaking, we can classify the tea categories as follows:
Green Tea
Green tea is completely unfermented. The leaves are picked and then immediately steamed. This stops any action by the enzymes, and thus no fermentation takes place. As a result, the tea leaves retain their green hue, and the tea itself is mild in taste and light in color.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is semi-fermented. The leaves from the tea plant are only partially fermented or oxidized. The tea leaves are picked and allowed to ferment for several hours. But then the leaves are steamed or "fired" to halt this process before it is complete. The result is that the leaves are a bit darker than the green tea leaves, but not as dark as those of black tea. The flavor of oolong tea varies by the exact type, but generally speaking, they are very aromatic, with a strong but not bitter flavor.
Black Tea
In this kind of tea, the leaves have been fully fermented. This results in a dark, strong brew. The Chinese refer to western black tea as "red tea", due to the actual color of the beverage when it is prepared. Black teas, including the particularly flavorful Pu-Erh tea have more caffeine than green or oolong teas.
Great Tea InternationalTM specializes in the following types of teas:
Jasmine Tea
In Jasmine tea, the tea leaves are scented with jasmine flowers. These flowers are set in layers between the leaves during the preparation process before drying and packing. Our Jasmine tea comes directly from the semi-tropical climes of south-central Taiwan. This kind of tea is best with or after an Asian meal, or as an accompaniment to dessert. It is a light and delicate beverage, and comparable to Earl Grey.
Bi Lou Chun Green Tea
Bi Lou Chun has a fresh, "green" taste. The leaves are not fermented at all, and so this is considered a "classic" green tea. Our Green tea comes from Wenshan (northern Taiwan). It has calm and quiet flavor, and is comparable to Camomile.
Pouchong Tea
Also known as "Bao Zhong", this tea has similarities to both green and oolong teas, since it is only slightly fermented. The leaves are grown and hand-picked from tea plantations in Wenshan (northern Taiwan). The leaves produce a pale yellow beverage. The tea is light and aromatic but dignified, with a strong, but never bitter, flavor. It is comparable to Irish Breakfast tea.
Oolong Teas
Oolong tea comes in a range of types, each with slightly different flavors. It often has a light, goldern-yellow color, and an almost floral fragrance. The leaves for this delightful tea grow in southern Taiwan, Alishan and Lishan (the most significant high mountain region in south-central Taiwan). Oolong makes a fine morning tea, and is also good for sipping after dinner. We carry a variety of oolong teas, from our Formosa Oolong, a delightful tea for mealtimes, to the award-winning Golden Prize Oolong, meant to be savored all by itself. Brewed properly, oolong teas are not at all bitter, and in fact, leave a very pleasant aftertaste. They are excellent as "palate cleansers". Our oolong teas include:
o Four Seasons Oolong Tea - This delicate oolong tea has a semi-strong floral flavor. It is a delicate and smooth tea, and is comparable to Ceylon.
o Formosa Oolong Tea - Also known as "Nantou Tong Ting Oolong", this is the basic oolong tea, light and aromatic. It is comparable to English Breakfast.
o Golden Daylily Oolong Tea
This delicate oolong tea has a light floral bouquet. It is aromatic and smooth, with a taste that is between Earl Gray and Darjeeling.
o Jade Oolong Tea
This light oolong is aromatic, with a quiet and calm taste. It is comparable to mint tea.
o High Mountain Oolong and Golden Prize Oolong Tea
These are very rich, high-quality oolongs. They are very aromatic, with a strong but not bitter flavor. They are considered to be the tea version of capuccino or more exactly expresso (since, like all Chinese teas, they are served without milk or sugar).
Pu-Erh Teas
Pu-Erh tea is well-known for its bold taste and its acclaimed health benefits. It has a distinctive smoky flavor. When brewed, Pu-Erh tea has a very dark, almost rust color, and a strong, earthy taste. This is our only tea which does not come from Taiwan, as Pu-Erh grows only in the Yunnan province of China. It is an excellent tea for after a heavy meal. It is comparable in flavor to Lapsang Souchong.
For more information, check out our "FAQs" ("Frequently Asked Questions") page...