Keep in mind that tea is made by leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant, each hand picked to maintain integrity.  The people that spend hours each day plucking the leaves look for the most tender and youngest the plant produces.  With that, they know they can produce the finest quality possible, whether the best green tea, black tea, white tea, or oolong tea.

Tea Processing

Tea is processed with the CTC method, which involves crushing, tearing, and curling.  In this case, tiny pieces left over are used to make green tea bags, black tea bags, and so on, as well as concentrate for ice tea.  The large leaves and pieces are used for making quality loose leaf tea, which is the best you can buy.

Once the tea has been harvested and processed, it can be blended with other types of tea or flavorings, herbs, and flowers that enhance flavor and aroma, as well as color, texture, and body.  Because of this, you can choose any blend you want, finding one or several to enjoy daily.

Incredible Flavors for Tea

You can choose subtle or bold green and black tea blends depending on your preference.  For instance, Chai green tea and Kashmiri Chai are excellent options that have a spicy flavor.  This type of tea comes from the northern part of the India Himalayas, which is typically enjoyed with a little fresh cream and honey.

Amazingly, just four ounces of quality loose leaf tea can produce more than 50 cups.  However, if you were to purchase bulk green tea, bulk black tea, or some other type of bulk tea, from a single pound, you would get 200 cups.  That means you are paying just a few cents for each cup of delicious tea you enjoy.

For a smooth flavor enjoyed in the afternoon, Nepalese Afternoon Tea blend is great.  This grows in the Himalayan country of Nepal just at the base of Mount Everest.  This tea is simply delicious with subtle flavors of honey, sandalwood, and lotus.

Rose Tea is also a beautiful choice, which has a rich flavor and aroma.  In this case, the tea is made from quality loose leaf black tea that has been enhanced with rose petals.  Because of this, you end up with a type of tea that is light and refreshing, while producing a hint of floral.  Rose Tea is versatile in that it is excellent hot or cold.

Classic Tea

If you prefer a more authentic type of tea, one with rich flavor then Shinharaja is a consideration.  This tea comes from loose, dark leaves that are carefully grown in the hill country of Ceylon.  The finish of this loose black tea is carmelized, which gives it a unique consistency of molasses.  Since it is so rich, most people will add a little cream and sugar but on a cold day, this is the perfect choice.

Then, Earl Grey is smooth with a classic flavor that people love.  Named after a 19^th century Prime Minister, this blend is made with lavender and bergamot.  While deep, it is also subtle.  The high quality of Earl Grey can be enjoyed winter or summer, and most people that try it fall in love.

Tea for Emotions

Just as different specialty teas are chosen for flavor, others are chosen based on mood.  Because black tea is so versatile, it works well for anyone and any emotion.  Again, once you try Chinese black tea, you will likely move on to sampling different blended tea, finding several you simply cannot live without drinking daily.

Most people try a large variety of teas before they find three or four that stand out.  This tasting process is important since everyone has different preferences regarding flavor.  In fact, many tea companies will send small samples for a small fee so you do not have to pay full price for something you end up not liking.

With so many remarkable blends of black tea, you can find a flavor that is smooth and light or one that is deep and rich.  Even aromatic qualities vary depending on the exact blend.  For years, you were limited to black tea blends from local companies but now with the internet, an entirely new world has been introduced.

All you need to do is conduct an online search through any of the major search engine and in response you will find a long list of possibilities.  Remember, it may take a few samples to find what you like but with such incredible choices, you will find black tea blends that are perfect for your personal taste.

Along with these two Asian countries, we also see other countries now growing white tea to include India and Sri Lanka.  The challenge is that while many people understand white tea grown in Asia, they are unfamiliar with this kind of tea coming from any other country.  However, as the popularity of white tea continues to expand, it will not be long before white tea from all countries is recognized.

Tea from Ceylon Sri Lanka

The colonial name of Sri Lanka is Ceylon, which is a country ranked as the third largest producer of tea.  While loose black tea is the most common type coming out of Sri Lanka because of the more than one million people living there that love it, we are now seeing new varieties produced.  Known as Ceylon tea, it accounts for almost 20% of tea consumed around the world.

In the highlands of Sri Lanka, tea has been grown for 4,000 years.  One of the things that make black tea from Sri Lanka different from Chinese black tea is that it can be harvested all year.  For white tea, this is grown near Adam’s Peak near the region of Nuwara Eliya, which is about high above sea level.

Flavor of Ceylon Tea

Another unique aspect of Ceylon tea, regardless of type is that the flavor is very distinct from tea grown in Asia and India.  For one thing, Ceylon tea has a mild flavor and aroma.  Then for white tea grown in Ceylon, the color is also unique, being more of a gold or copper color and the flavor has a hint of pine and honey.

The harvesting process of Ceylon white tea involves all of the leaves being hand rolled.  This process includes the leaves being laid out to dry and wither in direct sunlight.  Keep in mind that while this type of exotic tea is grown in Ceylon, only a very small part of the country is involved, which makes it rare and expensive.  Unlike other countries where white tea is produced in mass quantities, it is farmed very little in Ceylon, making it the costliest of all white tea grown.

Tea from Darjeeling India

In the northeast part of Indian is a region called Darjeeling, which is situated in the Himalayas foothills sitting in between Bhutan, Nepal, and Sikkim.  Of all places in the world that produces tea, Darjeeling is one of the best known, producing tea with a wonderful and distinct flavor.  With more than 80 tea gardens spread out, approximately 52,000 people from Nepal work the fields and an additional 15,000 help plucking in the spring part-time.

Teas produced in Darjeeling are often referred to as “Champagne of Teas” because the flavor is so different from other types of exotic tea.  With the cool and moist climate of this region, the rich, fertile soil, heavy rainfall, and gently sloping hills, these gardens produce some of the most distinct, healthy tea in the world.

If you have ever had a cup of black tea from Darjeeling but were unimpressed, chances are the tea was labeled as being from this part of the world but a blend and not solely black tea leaves.  Today, some 10,000 pounds of Darjeeling tea is produced but tea sold with labels of Darjeeling tea account for about 40,000 pounds.  Therefore, when you purchase this type of tea, make sure you pay close attention to the label so you know exactly what you are buying.

When looking at black tea from this region versus white tea, you will find that white tea is rarer.  The flavor is delicate and mild, and with a hint of sweetness.  When brewed, Darjeeling white tea turns a light gold color.  Keep in mind that this type of tea is not as compacted as other loose leaf tea so to make a cup, you would need more leaves but without causing the strength to be greater.

Interestingly, most people that love black tea from this region also love the white tea, finding that when compared to white tea from other parts of the world, it has more body and flavor.

You can sample Darjeeling white tea to see for yourself, which is recommended.  We recommend the first tea you try is Darjeeling White tips, which is slightly sweet and delicious.  Do not be discouraged if you have tried white tea from other parts of the world only to feel the flavor is lacking because with Darjeeling tea, you get something completely different.

Value of Ceylon and India Tea

Unfortunately, herbal tea from Ceylon and India is overlooked because many people still believe they can only purchase white tea from Asia.  The truth is that while all white tea is amazing, tea that comes from Ceylon and India is believed to be among the best.  Therefore, as you begin looking to buy tea online, try samples from several different regions to include Ceylon and Darjeeling so you can experience this type of tea to the fullest.

The bold flavor and aroma are different from green tea, making it a fresh new choice loved by millions of people.

Preparing Black Tea

For loose black tea, leaves are plucked from the Camellia sinensis plant and then allowed to dry.  Once completely dry, the leaves are rolled up and fermented.  Then in about two hours, the leaves are heated to make sure all the moisture has been extracted.  Keep in mind that the quality of Chinese black tea or black tea from any other country depends on various factors.

Some of the factors important to the quality of black tea include origin, growing conditions, and the expertise of the workers and management team overseeing the tea garden.  This means that for a tea garden to be successful, producing fine herbal tea, the soil, temperature, and moisture, along with management all play a vital role.

The best growing conditions for quality black tea is regions with altitudes between 3,000 and 7,000 feet above sea level.  While tea grows slower when at a high altitude, the flavor is much better.  For instance, in Sri Lanka Uva’s region and India’s Darjeeling region of 6,000 feet, tea gardens do quite well.  Additionally, black tea does best in dry conditions although some moisture is needed for the plant to produce healthy leaves.

Varieties of Black Tea

The great thing about black tea is that you have so many wonderful varieties to choose from, all delicious and unique.  One option is called Honey Pear, which has a fruity flavor from the pear tree coupled with honey.  Because of this, Honey Pear is a favorite choice that can be enjoyed hot or cold.

Nepalese Afternoon Tea is another type of loose black tea, which grows in Nepal at the base of Mount Everest.  This variety is a wonderful blend of sandalwood, honey, and lotus, making it simply delicious.

Pu-er is yet another type of black tea grown in Asia.  Its earthy and sweet flavor is heavenly, a variety that people all over the world love.

Outstanding Flavor of Black Tea

Without doubt, the distinct flavor of black tea varieties is what makes this type of tea so popular.  Black tea can be processed to produce both caffeinated and decaffeinated forms, both exceptional in flavor and aroma.  Now, some people state that black tea takes time to acquire a taste but once you find a variety you like, you will be hooked for life.

Medicinal Properties

In addition to flavor, black tea also provides a number of medicinal properties such as improved airflow to the lungs, which means people with bronchitis and asthma would benefit.  In fact, the polyphenols found in black tea are antioxidants, which have been shown to prevent and support treatment for various types of cancer.

New studies are showing that black tea can also prevent things such as heart attack and cavities.  Then, some studies indicate that memory is improved, as well as level of alertness.  Even being able to prevent osteoporosis from drinking black tea is on the table and results of studies done are promising.

Black Tea – Safe and Delicious

Remember that herbs and supplements are not monitored by the Food and Drug Administration.  For this reason, before you start drinking any type of tea on a daily basis, especially a heavier tea such as black tea, you should first talk to your doctor.

If you have any type of reaction or allergy to tannin or caffeine, then you might skip black tea to avoid the development of hives or rash.  This type of tea can also produce more urine, lower potassium, and sodium levels in the body, and make existing problems of incontinence worse.

Of course, in some people, caffeine of black tea can increase stomach acid, which could result in increased sugar levels in the blood and ulcers.  For that reason, people with diabetes should avoid black tea unless given permission from the doctor.  Even people with liver disease should avoid black tea, choosing green tea or white tea, which are lighter and have little caffeine.

To buy black tea of any variety, you will find that most tea companies carry everything you want.  Remember, once you acquire a taste for this type of tea, you will likely make it your favorite drink.  As you drink black tea daily, all the benefits will be enjoyed even more.

Even fussy tea drinkers that have tried quality black tea are amazed at the rich flavor.  Many people refer to black tea as the “beverage of champions” and for good reason.  Not only is the deep flavor wonderful but you also enjoy all the health benefits.

Processing of Green Tea

Interestingly, the same plant called Camellia sinensis that produces loose black tea, white tea, and oolong tea produces green tea.  The only difference is the processing method used.  For instance, all tea is fermented except green tea.  Instead, after the leaves are hand plucked, they are laid out to dry, which can take up to 24 hours.  Once the drying is done, the leaves are pan fried or steamed so the leaves do not ferment.  At that point, the leaves are tightly rolled, followed by a second drying process.

Due to the way in which loose green tea is processed, it has a unique flavor and aroma from other types of tea.  When brewed, the color is light green and if green tea is enjoyed without cream or sugar, it has a slightly grassy flavor.  Because green tea is not fermented, it has a unique flavor over Chinese black tea, oolong, or white tea.

Benefits of Antioxidants

The process used for oolong and black tea involves fermentation, which means the antioxidants, known as epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG are oxidized.  In this case, antioxidants are converted into different compounds.  However, without green tea being fermented, EGCG is not touched.  For this reason, green tea has the highest level of antioxidants, giving it incredible healing properties.

For one thing, EGCG can fight off free radicals, which carry molecules carrying oxygen through the body, wrecking havoc, specifically to the digestive tract.  If free radicals are not controlled, they cause significant damage to DNA and the body’s cellular system.  When cells become damaged, serious disease is common, which includes heart disease, high cholesterol levels, and even cancer.

Today, doctors suggest that people eat foods high in antioxidants, specifically EGCG.  With this, the person would live a long, healthy life.  If you look at people that live in Asia, you would notice that they have much lower incidences of disease because they consume so much green tea.

Varieties of Green Tea

As you begin looking at one or more tea companies, you will quickly realize that green tea comes in wonderful varieties.  In fact, this particular type of tea can be found not only in China but also throughout Japan and even in India, Kenya, Korea, Sri Lanka, Australia, and Vietnam.  Therefore, opportunities for green tea are tremendous.

Of course, you should try a variety of blends, as well as the best green tea that has not been blended so you can determine the one you like best.  Then when you purchase bulk green tea, you need to make sure you are buying the current year’s crop grown only in the finest tea gardens.

Buying Quality Green Tea

Quality tea gardens are found around the globe but the quality of tea produced varies.  The process associated with growing and harvesting tea requires a lot of time, much of the work being done by hand.  For this reason, if a worker were to take any type of shortcut, it would be noticed in the tea purchased.  The leaves should only be plucked by hand and the tealeaves processed on the same day plucked.

The highest quality green tea comes from tea gardens that are run by skilled artisans.  These workers are highly skilled in plucking tea and know what to pluck, as well as how long the leaves should be steamed, which is anywhere from 30 to 60 seconds.  This simple step is essential, which determines the flavor, as well as softness or thickness of the tealeaves.

Along with tea coming from the finest tea gardens, you should always purchase tea that is from the best pluckings in the current year.  Workers pluck leaves during the spring, which is the first harvest, until the first frost.  Because of this, some tea, such as green tea is harvested four, sometimes five times in a single year.

One particular time of year for growing green tea is in the summer but again, the first pluckings during the first growing season in the spring ensures the highest quality possible.

The better tea gardens work hard to grade later plucking with a lower grade than tealeaves plucked early and some will actually use words such as “first plucking” on the label.  While you would pay more money for tea from the first plucking, you will also enjoy the most amazing flavor and aroma.

Buying Green Tea Online

If you want to buy tea online, you will find a better selection although you could also shop locally.  Many of today’s teashops are trying to put first plucking tea in their list of teas offered and choose the highest grade they can find.

Some local teashops also let customers know when a shipment of first plucking green tea or other type of tea has arrived.

Because green tea plucked early limits available quantity, it can be challenging to find.  Typically, this tea would hit the market for customers to buy sometime in May to June.

While you can still purchase excellent green tea that is not from the first plucking, the key is to purchase from a reputable source.

Since white tea is only harvested once a year, it is rare.  Traditionally, loose white tea was for special occasions, such as the tea ceremony but today, it is enjoyed by people around the world as a daily beverage.

White tea has a delicate flavor but it is also known for its many health benefits.  In addition to plain white tea, it can also be created as blends, one of the favorites being White Persian Melon Tea, which has the flavor of white tea coupled with melon.

All tea comes from the same plant known as Camellia sinensis but the way loose black tea, loose white tea, loose green tea, and loose oolong tea is processed produces a unique flavor.  For white tea, harvesting is early in the year, just prior to the leaves opening completely.

In fact, the buds on the Camellia sinensis plant are still covered with a fine, white hair, which is where this white tea gets its name.

Unlike Chinese black tea, white tea is not fermented, which means all the antioxidants are untouched.  This also creates the delicate flavor that makes this such a great tea.  The antioxidants in white tea have been studied and shown to slow down the aging process, as well as prevent and fight a number of major illnesses.

Precise Harvesting and Processing

For White Persian Melon Tea to be made it requires very precise harvesting and processing.  Then, white tealeaves are fried or steamed, followed by being infused with melon nectar

Even so, to ensure production of the finest White Persian Melon Tea is excellent, a number of things need to happen.

For starters, the leaves must be plucked at a very specific time, just prior to them opening and a time when buds are undamaged and still covered with white hair.  For the best white tea, only the two top leaves would be plucked.  If any of the buds are damaged, it could cause fermentation, thus compromising flavor.

Next, the buds are only produced during the months of March and April, when the climate is perfect.  It is essential that no rain occurs on the day of harvest and that no frost existed the night prior.  Even the morning dew on the day of harvest must be dry.  All of these factors are essential to growing white tea so White Persian Melon Tea can be made.

Another step involves the leaves being dried and steamed or fried perfectly and in some cases, this process occurs in the field.

Only a highly skilled tea artisan would produce white tea, knowing the precise time when the leaves should be steamed, which ensures the finest quality.

Once the white tea is ready, it would be infused with melon nectar, which is what makes White Persian Melon Tea.  Of course, just as the white tea should be of the highest quality, the melon nectar used should also be quality.  Then, the artisan would need to be skilled regarding infusions, knowing the right balance and appropriate time.  That way, the final product is the perfect balance of white tea and melon nectar.

By using only high quality nectar, the flavor of the white tea is protected.  However, this ensures the tea also provides the same level of health benefits.  Although white tea is loaded with antioxidants that support a healthy body, melon is also antioxidant rich.  This is why of all tea blends on the market White Persian Melon Tea is the best.

The specific antioxidant found in melon is called GliSODin, which works by neutralizing free radicals.  This antioxidant is very special in that studies show it has the ability to encourage production of antioxidants within the body.  In fact, GliSODin can also protect against oxidative and cellular damage.

Considering that this antioxidant is so powerful and that antioxidants found in white tea are beneficial, you get a double advantage by drinking White Persian Melon Tea.  Of course, if the melon nectar were low quality, the entire beverage would be compromised.

Highly Skilled Artisans

Without doubt, the difference between average White Persian Melon Tea and high quality tea is the artisan that handles the infusing process.  This involves the following processes being done at the right time and in the right manner.

Only the most tender leaves are plucked to make white tea during early spring

Skilled artisans do all plucking by hand and pulling only the leaves that are ready while ensuring no buds are damaged in the process

These workers would also know the exact amount of time needed for steaming leaves

Along with quality white tea, only the finest melon nectar would be used for infusion

The time of melon infusion must be exact

Artisans take great care of the Camellia sinensis plants, weeding in summer, fertilizing and pruning in the fall, and making sure the plants are not damaged by cold

If you want tea that has a delicate flavor but also provides tremendous health benefits, you should try White Persian Melon Tea.  While you might need to look at several tea companies, the goal is to choose only the finest.

Starting your Day

One of the best ways you start your day is with a hot cup of herbal tea.  This helps clear the mind and prepare the body for the busy day ahead.  In fact, many people feel they cannot accomplish much without having their cup of tea with breakfast.

As with anything, the higher the quality of tea the more wonderful the experience will be.

Enhancing the Experience

Okay, so what is the best way to experience tea at its finest?

Most importantly, find a type of tea that you enjoy.  This might be something like Chinese green tea, Jasmine tea, loose black tea, genmaicha tea, or some other type of exotic tea.  Keep in mind that while thousands of varieties exist, they are all extensions of four primary types that come from the same plant called Camellia sinensis.  The four basic types of tea include green tea, black tea, white tea, and oolong tea.

Tea is grown throughout the world, although a large volume comes from China.  However, the geographical location, as well as the way the tea is grown, plucked, dried, and processed determines the final product.  Therefore, you may need to try several types of tea before narrowing your choices down to a few that you love.

Once you have found quality tea that leaves you feeling warm inside, you will find each cup brings satisfaction.  Of course, expect to pay a little more for the higher quality tea but it is well worth the price.  However, even high quality tea is not considered expensive.

Quality Tea Benefits

What type of benefits would you get from drinking high quality tea?

The first thing you would notice is flavor.  When looking at high quality, fresh tea from store bought tea bags, there is simply no comparison.

Additionally, the tea you choose should provide some type of tea benefit.  Quality tea from fresh leaves helps by fighting off free radicals that do damage to the cellular level of the body, reduces stress, and promotes overall good health.

You will also find that high quality tea would quickly become a natural part of your daily regimen.  As you taste the wonderful flavor, smell the aroma, and enjoy the medicinal benefits, you will want to consume two to four cups daily.

Without doubt, tea is versatile.  This one beverage is delicious served hot or cold and in fact, tea can be used for cooking.  In fact, if you were to look online, you would be shocked at the hundreds of recipes available that include tea as an ingredient.

To enjoy the greatest benefits and flavor, you want to choose only loose leaf tea.  The flavor is much better and often, if the leaves are kept moist, they can be used four or five times to produce a perfect cup of tea.

Ensuring Quality

To ensure you have the most amazing experience while sipping on tea, remember, always purchase high quality loose leaf, and make sure the tea is properly prepared.  You will find the best tea from tea companies, locally or online.  These specialty companies sell nothing but tea and tea products so they can assist you in choosing.  The important thing is to purchase your tea only from guarantees that each shipment of tea received from its country of origin is carefully inspected and tasted.  This type of quality control is imperative.

When looking to buy tea online or locally, the following should be considered:

Tea Garden – Geographic Location and Reputation

Environment – Factors such as Humidity and Temperature

Plucking – Time of Year Tea is Plucked

Processing – Quality and Method of Processing Tea

Flavoring – Recipe and Method of Blending and Flavoring Tea

As long as the tea company you buy from tests each shipment received, you would have greater confidence that the quality would be consistent.

Quality Preparation

Just as you need to purchase only the finest tea, the method of making the tea is just as important.  Some people think of this as a type of science but in fact, it is more of an art, something you can learn.  For starters, always use bottled watered, which could be purified or mineral.  Then, you never want to brew the tea longer than four minutes, especially green tea.  The reason is that tea that brews longer becomes bitter because tannic acid is released in greater quantity.  Finally, always enjoy your tea in a gorgeous cup or use your finest tea set when entertaining friends.

The Making of Jasmine Tea

To make Jasmine tea, high quality loose leaf tea is used along with petals from the Jasmine plant.  Because of the two, the tea ends up with a delicate, floral fragrance and flavor, making it different from other types of tea on the market.

Tea Production in China

It is estimated that Jasmine tea was first produced in China some 700 years ago, which involved blossoms from the Jasmine plant being plucked just prior to blooms appearing.  From there, tea leaves were added at nighttime, which created the most amazing infusion of both flavor and aroma.  Typically, the tea is scented with the blossoms twice, using fresh blossoms each time to create the finest quality.

Although Jasmine flower tea can be made from any base tea, it is usually blended with Chinese green tea, making it both delicious and healthy.  Studies have been conducted for years showing that loose green tea is much healthier than Chinese black tea due to processing.  For instance, loose green tea is not fermented whereas black tea is.  This process converts antioxidants in the leaves to other compounds and while loose black tea is healthy, the fermentation process lowers the level of antioxidants.

Healthy Antioxidants

Antioxidants are vital to good health in that they neutralize free radicals, which are molecules that carry oxygen and cause all types of damage to the body.  When free radicals are not controlled, they move through the body, wrecking havoc on DNA and the cellular system.  Because of this, the aging process is sped up and serious disease can develop.

This is why keeping free radicals in check is vital to good health.  Therefore, using green tea as the base for making Jasmine tea is the best choice since this type of tea has a very high level of antioxidants.  Then, eating fresh fruits and vegetables would add even more antioxidants to the body, promoting ultimate health.

Many studies have been done in recent years and the findings specific to green tea are amazing.  This one type of tea can not only prevent colon, breast, pancreatic, lung, and other types of cancer but also help fight it.  Other benefits of this healthy tea include promoting weight loss and lowering body fat.

The primary benefits associated with green tea include the prevention of high cholesterol, blood clots, high blood pressure, heart disease, and again, cancer.  Studies also show that drinking green tea daily can help insulin in the body become regulated, great for individuals with Diabetes.

Types of Jasmine Tea

One of the best ways to enjoy delicious green tea is by drinking Jasmine tea that uses green tea as the base.  In addition to an amazing flavor, the aroma of Jasmine tea is also soothing.  Then when you consider all the health benefits, you can see that Jasmine tea is a perfect choice.

Now, if you are not fond of green tea, remember that Jasmine tea is made with other tea varieties, especially oolong.  For instance, oolong tea is also processed different from the way black tea is processed in that it is only partially fermented whereas black tea is fully fermented.  For oolong, the fermentation is carefully done to the point where 30% of the leaves are red and 70% green.

Being able to stop the process of fermentation at the exact time is what gives oolong tea its unique but wonderful flavor.  Interestingly, most oolong teas use charcoal during the drying phase, which creates a slightly smoky flavor. Therefore, if you choose Jasmine tea made with oolong tea, you have a unique blend of smoky with sweet.

Of course, white tea can also be used to make Jasmine tea and while white tea is growing in popularity, it is still difficult to find.  This type of tea has a delicate flavor with a hint of sweetness.  Because of this, white tea is loved by everyone who tries it.  If you choose oolong Jasmine tea, you will find this to be very light while still providing excellent health benefits.

Even high quality black tea can be used to make Jasmine tea but with black tea being full-bodied, the flavor would be bolder.  Keep in mind that with the blend of the Jasmine petals and black tea, while bolder, the tea still has a soothing, floral fragrance, and flavor.

With so many possibilities, Jasmine tea has quickly become a favorite.  This blend is very easy to make and easy to find.  Since Jasmine tea is quite common, it is important to purchase only from reputable tea companies, those that sell only the finest quality tea available.

Tips for Buying Jasmine Tea

When looking for the best quality when you buy tea online, make sure the petals from the Jasmine plant are real and that whatever base tea is used is high quality, as well.  Another tip for buying Jasmine tea is purchase only teas that use tightly rolled green tea pearls blended with the petals, sometimes referred to as Jasmine pearl tea.

Keep in mind that as you shop for Jasmine tea, you will also find many tea companies use other flavors to create something new.  However, the focus in choosing Jasmine tea is for the petals to make up the fragrance and the tealeaves to make up the flavor.  Therefore, if other flavors are added, it is important that the blend be done properly not to overshadow the fragrance and flavor.

It is common to find many tea companies selling Jasmine tea that has been blended with flavorings such as orange, vanilla, and rose.  All of these are light and soothing but again, the additional flavor should be subtle so it does not overpower the petal fragrance and tea flavor.

Regardless of the type of Jasmine tea you decide to try, chances are you will love everything about it.  In fact, you might look for samples made with oolong, black, white, and green tea so you can taste each and find the one you like best.

Interestingly, Chinese white tea is grown from the Camellia sinensis plant, which is the same plant that loose black tea, loose green tea, and loose oolong tea come from but white tea is only harvested once a year, early in spring.  In addition, white tea leaves are harvested prior to the leaves opening all the way and it uses the buds, which are covered with “white hair”, thus the name.  Because of this, white tea is very mild and since it goes through minimal processes, this kind of tea is unfermented.

Flavor of White Tea

To process white tea, the leaves are steamed and the dried.  Depending on the grower, sometimes the leaves are steamed in the fields and then left out to dry in sunlight.  With this, the delicate flavor is even better.

While people love black tea and green tea, white tea is very delicate and it offers a smooth aroma.  When brewed, the color is very pale and the taste is slightly sweet.  Because of the flavor, which is not grassy like green tea or bold like black tea is it considered the perfect in between choice.

The delicate, sweet flavor and soothing aroma has made this a very popular choice, appealing to a large number of tea drinkers.

Health Benefits of White Tea

Along with the delicate flavor that white tea offers, it is also one of the healthiest.  Numerous studies have been done on this type of healthy tea and the results prove that it is actually much healthier than green tea is.  With the medicinal properties, white tea can slow down the aging process and even prevent and fight a number of serious health problems to include heart disease and cancer.

Studies show is that because of the way white tea is processed, it contains a high level of antioxidants, even more than green tea so it has more healing power.  Therefore, the antioxidants found in the loose leaves and without white tea being fermented, it is highly effective and contains low levels of caffeine.

Not being fermented like green, black, and oolong tea, the level of antioxidants are much higher.  This helps white tea to prevent and fight disease.  When you consider all the research about green tea and its health benefits, you can see that white tea is even more effective.

Another benefit of white tea is that it boosts the body’s immune system.  This means that different types of bacteria and viruses are prevented.  Then, it has also been found that white tea contains a high level of fluoride.  Because of this, it can fight plaque and tooth decay.

Buying White Tea

If you have never taken the opportunity to taste white tea, this is the time.  Remember, you can purchase quality tea in many varieties and blends from top tea companies online.  With white tea being grown in fewer tea gardens than green or black tea and with it only producing one crop a year, opposed to three or four crops for other types of tea, it remains one of the rarer types of exotic tea.

Even if you have a great, tea store near your home, you would find better quality and more options of white tea when you buy tea online.  Two of the more popular choices include White Peony and Silver Needles.  Both are delicious and are excellent for hot or cold beverages.

Popular Blends

In addition to purchasing plain white tea, you can also look at options for blends.  In this case, quality white tea would be the base but flavors would be added.  The way the tea is flavored is with flowers, herbs, essential oils, and even other teas.  For instance, the following are some of the better options:

Ginger White Tea – Using white tea as the base, ginger is added, which gives it a spicy flavor.  The health benefits are also incredible.  Remember, white tea increases the body’s immune system but then ginger also offers medicinal properties such as calming stomachaches, reducing or eliminating nausea associated with morning or motion sickness, and even sickness that come along with chemotherapy.  These healing properties combined make a great drink for you or as a gift to someone you know having a baby or going through cancer treatment.

White Licorice Tea – Another popular option is again, white tea as the base with star anise added.  The added health benefit of star anise is that it too helps calm down stomachaches, reduces and eliminates coughs, and works as a natural expectorant.  For the best quality, you want to buy white tea that contains whole pieces of star anise, which gives you the boldest flavor and aroma.

White Persian Melon Tea – This type of white tea blend is refreshing and delicious.  Along with the health benefits of white tea, melon adds a nice fruity flavor that is refreshing.  In addition, the melon makes the tea slightly sweeter.  While White Persian Melon Tea can be enjoyed hot, it makes an excellent blend for cold tea.

When looking for white tea online, remember that you will find many additional blends from the three we mentioned.  Just be sure you buy the highest quality you can find and if possible, a company that would send out small samples for a nominal fee so you can determine the exact blend you love most.

Experts suggest that green tea was the first discovered some 3,000 years ago in China.  At that time, fresh leaves were plucked from the Camellia sinensis plant, which were then allowed to dry in the sun before being stored.  Then by the 8^th century, an evaporation process was used but in the 12^th century, the leaves were sautéed or pan-fried.  Over the years, the same processing steps used for Chinese green tea was used for Chinese black tea.

Interestingly, of all tea produced today, green tea is just one of a few left natural.  For instance, loose black tea is fermented but green tea is not.  This allows chlorophyll in the leaves to remain natural, giving green tea the unique color.  This also leaves healthy antioxidants alone, making green tea a healthier choice than any other type of tea.

Antioxidants are powerful, protecting the body from disease and fighting existing disease.  Antioxidants work by neutralizing free radicals, which are molecules that carry oxygen to DNA and cells.  While the body creates free radicals as a part of the digestive tract, if not controlled, they can do serious damage.

In addition to drinking green tea, you should also eat a diet rich of antioxidants such as fresh fruits and vegetables.  With this, you would have a means of protecting the body.

In the past few years, a tremendous amount of research has gone into identifying the long-term benefits associated with drinking green tea.  These studies show that the body is protected from heart disease, high cholesterol, and various types of cancer.  However, studies also show that drinking loose green tea or taking a green tea supplement can help with weight lose while regulating insulin within the body.  Although additional research is needed, it is likely that even more health benefits will be revealed.

Green Tea Classifications

The way in which green tea is dried determines its classification with there being five in all.

Stir Frying – The first classification involves the leaves being sautéed.  Usually, this is left for special teas or those exported.  The result of this process is a stronger flavor and aroma.  The types of tea usually stir fried include gunpowder green tea and dragonwell green tea.

Roasting – Another classification is roasting, which involves leaves being placed in a special chest or basket and then roasted.  In this case, the leaves are left intact and used to make flowering tea such as monkey king.

Semi-Roasting – Next, tealeaves are both fried and roasted, which retains the beautiful appearance and gives the tea a full-bodied flavor and aroma.

Solar Drying – This method is very old, which involves allowing the leaves to dry in direct sunlight.  Typically, solar dried leaves are used for compressed products such as green tea cakes commonly sold today.

Steaming – The last classification involves the leaves being steamed at high temperatures so they dry.  Sencha is steamed, which is a delicious variety of green tea.

For each of the five classifications of green tea are different grades for quality.  However, making a firm determination can be tough since every region where green tea is grown has a different system for grading.  In China, which grows the most green tea than any other country has specific grading.

Tea that will be exported is graded based on the leaf’s age, as well as the shape of the leaf when finished processing.  This would include green tea varieties such as gunpowder, young hyson, hyson, imperial, hyson skin, dust, and twankay.  These categories have a number of grades and in fact, a single shaped leaf might have more than a single grade.

As you can see, grading green tea is challenging since you would have a hard time knowing the tea dried.  If you understand the various methods of drying, as well as the way in which flavor and aroma are affected, this would help you choose only varieties that have been dried so you end up with the best quality.  A few other ways to distinguish quality grades includes:

Form – Bagged tea is a much lower grade than loose leaves, regardless of the tea being oolong, white, black, or green.  Therefore, only purchase loose tea.

Price – Typically, green tea is very affordable but if the price is low, chances are the quality is too.  Therefore, look at different prices so you can determine what price would justify high quality.

Tea Companies – Additionally, the better tea companies usually sell higher quality tea.  For this reason, it would be worth finding and shopping only at the best tea companies available.

You can purchase green tea varieties from around the world, making this an exciting venture.  With so many different flavors and infusions, you are sure to find several that you love.

Just as with loose black tea, loose white tea, loose oolong tea, or loose black tea, even White Persian Melon Tea is sold in different quality levels. 

Quality Components of Tea

For one thing, the best kind of tea needs to be made with quality leaves but also the best melon flavoring available.

Another factor that would determine the quality of White Persian Melon Tea is the time of year and the way in which leaves are plucked from the Camellia sinensis plant.  While this helps, there are other ways to identify quality tea from inferior tea.

Harvesting White Tea

Since Chinese white tea is only harvested once a year for two weeks in the month of March going into April, it is rare.  At that time, skilled workers will pull the top two leaves from the plant and the first buds, taking care not to cause damage.  The leaves and buds must be harvested under the strictest conditions.

The weather for harvesting white tea must be completely dry, meaning no frost from the previous night and no dew on the ground in the morning.  Additionally, unlike other types of healthy tea, white tea must be made with the first pluckings.  However, Chinese black tea, oolong and green tea are plucked several times throughout the year whereas white tea just once.

This information is important when buying White Persian Melon Tea in that you need to learn about different white tea varieties, as well as the way in which this tea is harvested and processed so you can identify quality.  White tea comes in many different varieties, each slightly different depending on the company and region where grown.

White Tea Varieties

Bai Hao Yinzhen Tea is a type of Chinese tea and one rated as being the very best type of white tea.  Usually, this tea is sold as Silver Needle, again using only the two top leaves for two weeks in March and April.  To make this type of white tea, the leaves are not yet fully opened and the buds must be in perfect condition.

Another variety is called Bai Mu Dan Tea, which is also grown in China.  This white tea is given the second best rating, also plucked during a two-week period.  The difference is that making this type of white tea uses more leaves than buds.  Even so, the first two leaves are used along with perfect buds.

Although China is the largest producer of tea, other countries also grow white tea such as India.  This country’s version of white tea is called Darjeeling white tea, which is delicate but with a slight muscatel flavor.  The unique flavor is delicious and this white tea has several grades so when buying white tea from India, it is imperative to purchase only 100% Darjeeling.

Sri Lanka also produces tea, which is called Ceylon, which is a full-bodied black tea.  Although Ceylon white tea exists, it is extremely rare, which makes the price extremely expensive.  For this type of exotic tea, the color is light and the flavor has a slight hint of honey.

Remember that if you decide to purchase White Persian Melon Tea not only does the loose tea base, regardless of type need to be the finest grown but the melon nectar also needs to be exceptional.  That way, the tea overall is amazing.

Blended Melon Nectar

For the best flavor and aroma, you should look for White Persian Melon Tea that is made with a blend of melon nectar to include cantaloupe and honeydew.

Choosing the highest quality melon nectar ensures the subtle sweet flavor of the melon is enjoyed and antioxidants untouched but without the melon overtaking the flavor of the tea.

Tips for Buying Tea

The goal in choosing high quality White Persian Melon Tea is to purchase tea that tastes like tea with a hint of melon.  However, when you purchase quality tea, you also get all the health benefits that come from the powerful antioxidants.  In fact, of all tea, regardless of type, White Persian Melon Tea is the healthiest made.

White tea does not go through fermentation like other types of teas do so the level of antioxidants is left alone in a natural state.  These antioxidants are vital to health, fighting free radicals that move through the body and cause serious damage.  These molecules carry oxygen as a byproduct of the digestive system.

Fighting Free Radicals

Even though the body produces free radicals, if they are not controlled, they do damage to DNA and the cellular level of the body.  As a result, people experience faster aging and can develop major diseases.  This is why eating fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as other foods high in antioxidants is essential.  Then, drinking tea that has a high level of antioxidants is a bonus.

The antioxidant that white tea contains is called epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, which is known to be one of the strongest of all known antioxidants.  A tremendous amount of research has been done on tea and antioxidants, showing that both white and green teas can actually slow down the aging process and prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and even cancer.

Then, melon nectar used to create White Persian Melon Tea contains another type of antioxidant called GliSODin.

The GliSODin antioxidant works by neutralizing free radicals but it also stimulates the body to produce its own antioxidants so you get double the benefit.

When the body starts producing more antioxidants, it becomes more effective in eliminating the free radicals that cause so many problems in the body.

Remember, it does not matter if you have enjoyed tea for years of if you are just now experimenting with different types and blends, you should definitely search various tea companies to find White Persian Melon Tea.  With this tea and melon nectar blend, you would enjoy one of the most flavorful of all teas made while knowing you are doing something good for the body.