Hundreds of years ago, before innovative processing methods were developed leaves were simply set outside where they dried in the sun.  After drying, leaves would then be stored.  Thanks to the creation of Chinese green tea, it is now the favorite of all tea varieties in the world.

While black tea soon followed and was a welcomed choice, green tea is still the most valued.

Production of Green Tea

Green tea is a great choice and for people from Asia, they depend on this type of tea, as well as other varieties such as Chinese black tea as a part of life.  Even people in westernized worlds love green tea with the most of it coming from China or Japan.

While tea from Asian countries is excellent, green tea is also grown in India and Sri Lanka.  Interesting, the flavor of green tea has a distinct flavor depending on where it was grown and processed.  For instance, green tea that is grown in India and Sri Lanka is less common but delicious.  In fact, most people have no clue that tea is even grown in these countries.  Even so, after you sip a cup of green tea from either country, you would be impressed.

Green Tea from Sri Lanka

Green tea grown in Sri Lanka is known as Ceylon, which grows in the highlands of the country covering only about four square miles of land.  Tea from this part of the world has full flavor with a malty or nutty undertone.  Unlike other varieties of green tea, Ceylon tea is bright colored and bold.

You would even find that the leaves of Ceylon tea are much darker prior to being brewed and once brewed, the tea is darker and richer.  This type of exotic tea is made in the same way as green tea from China and the leaves have the same size and shape as many Chinese green tea varieties to include gunpowder green tea.

While tea from Sri Lanka is delicious, it accounts for only a very small amount of tea exported.  However, with such great response to this herbal tea, it is expected that production levels will rise.  Now, if you have had Chinese and Japanese green tea, once you taste the flavor of Ceylon tea, you will likely be surprised at the difference.

Green Tea from India

Green tea produced in India comes in two types, which includes Darjeeling and Assam.  Both are considered healthy tea that provides wonderful flavors, making them very popular.

With Assam tea, it is grown in the northeast part of the country right on the Burma border.  In this region, loose black tea is also grown, producing more than 1.5 million pounds annually.  However, for Assam green tea, this is a newer option but many people find it favorable.  This tea is medium bodied with great flavor with a hint of malt and a slight touch of honey.

When brewing Assam green tea, you would not taste any bitterness.  For this reason, it makes an excellent all-around choice.  Now, for black tea, most often it is blended with other teas rather than served alone whereas Assam green teas are standalone and not blended.

The other type of Indian green tea is Darjeeling, which has to grow at 4,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level.  At this height, temperatures are cool with a slight mist.  These qualities coupled with soil that drains well results in an amazing and distinct flavor of green tea, which people find relaxing.

In fact, people from Great Britain prefer Darjeeling black tea, often used for afternoon teatime.  The first tea colonies in India were actually started by the British as a means of supporting production of tea from Asia.

The Darjeeling region of India has long been great for growing tea and to experience the fields, tourists can enjoy a tram ride up the Himalayan, looking at the gorgeous crops that grow in tea gardens.

Throughout the entire world, Darjeeling is one of the largest of all regions that produce tea yet when it comes to green tea; it holds only a small portion of the market.  One thing for sure is that this type of green is that it is unique, different from green tea grown anywhere else.  This type of green tea has a hint of flower and it has a milder body than black tea produced in Darjeeling.

With a grassy flavor as well that you would expect from green tea, Darjeeling tea is often characterized as being musky.  After being brewed, the tea is lighter in color than black tea from this region, actually having a soft aroma and amber color.

Although Sri Lanka and India do not grow as much green tea as China, finding high quality Indian or Ceylon teas is a little more challenging.  The good news is that these types of teas are becoming increasingly popular so they are not as hard to find as they were five years ago.  If you shop around for various tea companies in the US, some do carry both options.

If you want a different, richer flavor with green tea than what you get from China or Japan, then perhaps you should reach further and try Ceylon or Indian green tea.

Not only is green tea light and refreshing, it has also been rated as one of the healthiest of all teas.  Again, while it might take more work to find Ceylon or Indian green tea, the time spent is worth it.

Loose black tea comes from different parts of the world, each offering a distinct flavor and aroma. However, all types of black tea, whether alone or blended also provide natural healing properties. Because of the benefits, this particular type of tea is enjoyed by people of all ages and lifestyles.

Of all types of tea, black tea is without doubt one of the most interesting. This kind of tea can be purchased in a variety of flavors and forms, and the precise flavor and intensity of the tea varies depending on the country and even region from where it is grown. Today, medical researchers and homeopathic doctors strongly believe that organic black tea is one of the most beneficial of all tea types.

As mentioned, because the flavor and intensity of black tea is so unique depending on the country or region from where it is grown that you want to sample flavors first. Two of the more popular choices include India and Ceylon, which offer incredible therapeutic properties and flavor while still being very different.

Tea from Assam

Interesting, when buying black tea from any number of tea companies locally or even if youbuy tea online, if you look at the origin, it would likely state Assam Province, which is where more than 50% of all tea grown in India comes from. Within this province, the majority of black tea is grown in the Brahmaputra Valley, a region of India known for rain and rolling hills. Located in the northeast region of India, the Assam Province is neighbor to China, Bangladesh, and Burma.

The people living in the Assam Province of India are actually immigrants that came from either Bangladesh or Nepal. Growing black tea is a primary occupation and source of income for these people and because of the region, the flavor has a hint of malt, which is why most people drink it mixed with milk or cream.

Darjeeling is another area of India where black tea is grown, which is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas. Interestingly, the tea business for India began in this area during the mid-19th century. Black tea that comes from this region is known as Darjeeling Puttabong, which is a flowering tea with a lighter taste than team from the Assam Province.

Ceylon Tea

Another part of the world where black, healthy tea is grown is Ceylon. In fact, tea grown there is considered one of the most popular in the world. One version in particular, black pekoe goes through a fermentation process prior to the leaves being dried. With this unique process, the essential oils of the leaves are preserved, which is what gives the loose black tea its unrivaled flavor and aroma. While black pekoe originated in Ceylon, today, it is also grown in different parts of China and India.

Typically, black tea regardless of origin has a citrusy aroma while the flavor varies dramatically. While Ceylon tea was always a favorite for people in the region, it was not until James Taylor that its popularity increased from nearly 23,000 tons by 1890, up from only 23 pounds during the years 1873 to 1880.

Keep in mind that within the area of Sri Lanka, numerous tea companies produce black tea. Some of the additional regions include Galle in the southern area, Dimbulla to the west of the central mountains, Nuwara Eliya known for its high altitude, Kandy by the ancient royal capital, Uva to the east of Dimbulla, and Ratnapurea, just to the east of the capital in Colombo.

Ceylon Varieties

When looking at options of black tea on the market, you would be amazed to find the huge selection of varieties specific to Ceylon. As an example, tea from Dimbulla and Dickoya is grown at 3,500 feet elevation or more while Kandy is grown at an elevation of 2,500 or more. Then, there is black tea from Nuwara Eliya, which grows at a minimum of 6,000 feet. The Morawak Korale variety is quite distinct but it must be grown exactly at 2,500 feet and the Uva variety is grown at 2,800 feet or above.

Another interesting fact about loose black tea is that it comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, a type of perennial evergreen shrub that originated in China some 5,000 years ago, also producing loose green tea, loose oolong tea, and loose white tea. In addition, black tea has the highest caffeine content of the four primary types of teas, which stimulates both the heart and central nervous system. A single cup has 50 milligrams of caffeine, as well as other components to include tannin, vitamins, polyphenols, and trace elements. Along with being a stimulant, black tea also provides a diuretic effect that produces greater urine output.

The Camellia sinensis plant can grow as tall as 40 feet although when used for tea, it is typically kept to around three. Remember, the exact type of black tea would depend on the country, region, and even district where grown, as well as the form of team and even the method used for processing. During the 6th century, black tea was first introduced to the western world but it was not until 12 centuries later that it became a favorite variety in England. Even today, afternoon tea for the British people usually consists of delicious, black tea.

The bottom line is that no matter where black tea is grown, India or Ceylon, the medicinal properties are tremendous. This along with the rich, deep flavor that is distinct based on grow location, black tea makes a great, all-around choice.