Types of tea: a short guide

Black, green and white tea, oolong and pu-erh are all made from the leaves of the same plant, the tea bush (Camellia sinensis). The differences come mostly from how the leaves are processed.

The main types

• Green tea: the leaves are protected from oxidation, giving a light, grassy taste.
• White tea: among the least processed teas, with a delicate taste.
• Oolong: partly oxidised, sitting between green and black tea.
• Black tea: fully oxidised, with a fuller, deeper taste.
• Pu-erh: a fermented tea, often pressed into cakes, with a deep, smooth taste.

Herbal infusions

Herbal and fruit infusions are made from other plants rather than the tea bush, so they form a separate group.