A Deeper Look Into the Six Types of Tea

All true tea — from delicate white teas to bold black teas — comes from a single remarkable plant: Camellia sinensis.

What makes each type different is not the plant, but the journey of the leaf.

How it is picked, withered, rolled, oxidized, fired, and aged transforms one leaf into six distinct families of tea.

Let’s take a beautiful, deeper look.

The Six Types of Tea

Although there are countless styles and regional variations, all tea falls under six fundamental categories:

White • Green • Yellow • Oolong • Black • Pu-erh

Each one expresses its own character — from bright and grassy to rich and earthy.

● White Tea

The purest and least-processed form of tea

~ White tea is harvested at the earliest moment — tender buds and young leaves still covered with soft silver down. They are gently withered and dried with minimal handling, allowing the tea to remain light, subtle, and naturally sweet.

Flavor Profile:

~ Soft, silky, delicate. Notes of spring flowers, melon, and fresh hay.

Origins:

~ Fujian, China — home of Silver Needle and White Peony.

How It’s Made:

~ Withering → drying (minimal oxidation)

Ideal For:

~ Gentle mornings, meditation, quiet moments.

● Green Tea

Fresh, bright, and full of life

~ Green tea is heated quickly after harvest to prevent oxidation, preserving its natural color and high antioxidant content. The result is a crisp, bright cup with layers of nuance depending on region and style.

Flavor Profile:

~ Grassy, nutty, or oceanic with sweet, clean finishes.

Origins:

~ China & Japan — Longjing, Sencha, Matcha, Genmaicha

How It’s Made:

~ Withering → pan-firing or steaming → shaping → drying

Ideal For:

~ Clarity, focus, daytime energy.

● Yellow Tea

Rare, refined, and gently mellow

~ Yellow tea is processed similarly to green tea but includes an additional “menhuang” step — a slow, gentle steaming in cloth that softens the grassy edges and adds depth.

Flavor Profile:

~ Smooth, sweet, lightly floral with a fuller, smoother finish.

Origins:

~ China — Junshan Yinzhen, Huoshan Huangya

How It’s Made:

~ Fixing → gentle smothering → shaping → drying

Ideal For:

~ Those who want the freshness of green tea without sharpness.

● Oolong Tea

The most artful and diverse category

~ Oolongs are partially oxidized, anywhere from 10–80%, creating an extraordinary spectrum — from bright, floral, and creamy to deep, roasted, and fruity.

Flavor Profile:

~ Orchid, peach, honey, butter, roasted nuts — depending on style.

Origins:

~ China & Taiwan — Tieguanyin, Da Hong Pao, Dong Ding, High Mountain Oolong

How It’s Made:

~ Withering → bruising → partial oxidation → rolling → roasting

Ideal For:

~ Tea drinkers who love complexity, aroma, and a long, elegant finish.

● Black Tea

Fully oxidized and richly comforting

~ Black tea undergoes complete oxidation, turning the leaves dark and bringing forward bold, malty, or brisk flavors. It’s the backbone of many beloved blends.

Flavor Profile:

~ Malty, fruity, caramel, brisk, smoky, or sweet.

Origins:

~ India, Sri Lanka, China, Kenya — Assam, Darjeeling, Ceylon, Keemun

How It’s Made:

~ Withering → rolling → full oxidation → firing

Ideal For:

~ Morning rituals, lattes, hearty meals, cozy afternoons.

● Pu-erh Tea (and Fermented Teas)

Earthy, ancient, and deeply grounding

~ Pu-erh is a fermented tea traditionally produced in Yunnan, China. It can be raw (sheng) or ripe (shou), evolving over years like wine — gaining depth, smoothness, and character with time.

Flavor Profile:

~ Earthy, woody, mineral-rich, smooth, sometimes sweet.

Origins:

~ Yunnan, China — the birthplace of tea itself.

How It’s Made:

~ Withering → firing → rolling → fermentation/aging (months to decades)

Ideal For:

~ Digestion, grounding rituals, reflection, and those who love complexity.

How to Choose a Tea That Fits Your Mood

For calm: white, green, or light oolong

For focus: green or high mountain oolong

For comfort: black tea or roasted oolong

For grounding: pu-erh

For sweetness & delicacy: white tea

For something rare & gentle: yellow tea

There is a tea for every moment — all from one miraculous plant.

Why This Matters at Tea & Tisanes

Understanding the six families of tea helps you discover the blends you love most.

At Tea & Tisanes, we curate teas from each category — from malty black teas in your morning cup to delicate whites and fragrant oolongs that bring beauty to your day.

Our passion is helping you explore the art, science, and soul of tea — one cup at a time.