Hosting afternoon tea at home can be as adventurous as it is calming. Of course, tea has naturally calming agents in it (L-theanine, being one agent). And there are so many world-wide sources for different teas – China, India, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Africa, even South Carolina. And does every tea take milk and sugar? (No.) Are lemon slices on the tea table just for looks or do you really add them to tea? (Yes, they really do go very well with some teas.) Does every tea go with every food? (Actually, no.) So, to make these decisions a little less daunting, I came up with a Tea Chart that summarizes at least some of the options. Hope this helps! And as always, please let me know if you have any questions (or suggestions!).
TEA CHART by FêteSuzette
|
Types |
Examples/ Flavors |
Profile |
Appearance |
Brewing time |
Accompany with |
Notes |
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|
China |
White |
White Peony Silver Needle |
delicate |
Milky white |
175-180˚ F 2-3 mins |
Sweet afternoon tea items |
Least processed of all teas |
|
|
Yellow |
Floral |
Pale, creamy gold |
80-175˚ F 3 mins |
Raw seafood (oysters) |
Infused with flowers |
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Green |
Gunpowder
Jasmine
Gyokuro Matcha |
Aromatic Clean to grassy Sweet on the tongue |
Pistachio |
175-180˚ F 1-2 mins
140˚ F 175˚ F |
Lemon
Pair with savoury and sweet afternoon tea items
Scones or fruit-based pastries |
Short shelf life Full of antioxidants
(Japanese) |
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|
Oolong (or wulong) |
Jin Xuan (Milk oolong) |
Floral, fruity, light grassy, sweet but slightly astringent, smokey |
golden |
May be brewed 3-4 times 195˚ F 2-3 mins |
Lemon
Afternoon tea sweets course
Pecan pie, carrot cake, cinnamon desserts |
Most complex to process – partially oxidized “Champagne of tea” Most expensive |
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|
Black |
Keemun Golden Yunnan |
Smoky aroma Malty Tannic Fruity Chocolate Full-body |
brown |
Full, boiling water (212˚ F) 3-5 mins |
Milk (fresh or condensed) Sugar Honey Spices Raspberry jam (Russian style) |
All derive from Lapsang Souchong: Camellia sinensis sinensis Opposite of green tea Fun fact: Boston Tea Party tea |
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|
Puer |
Earthy |
Dark brown |
212˚ F 5 mins |
Oily, high in fat, spicy or garlicky foods |
Gradually fermented Yunnan province |
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|
Indian
|
Darjeeling |
Muscatel |
Slightly greenish and light golden |
212˚ F 3-5 mins |
(Stands alone!) |
Depending on when leaves are picked, can also be white, green, and oolong Same varietal as Chinese |
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|
Assam |
Malty |
Dark brown |
212˚ F 3-5 mins |
Milk, sugar optional |
Different varietal from Chinese: Camellia sinensis var. assamica |
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|
Ceylon |
Full-bodied, “brisk” Fruit and citrus notes |
Gold |
90-95˚ F 2 mins |
Milk, sugar optional |
Must have Lion Logo of Ceylon Tea board Started by a Scotsman (James Taylor) White, green, and black varieties |
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|
English Breakfast (China black + some Assam + ?) |
Bright, brisk astringency (lightest of Breakfast teas) |
Dark, coppery |
212˚ F 3-5 mins |
Milk sugar |
(May have been created in Scotland?) |
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|
Scottish Breakfast |
Malty and oaky Strongest of breakfast teas |
Dark, coppery |
212˚ F 4-5 mins |
Milk sugar |
Originally blended for soft water
|
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|
Irish Breakfast (more Assam) |
Bold, rich malty |
Dark, coppery |
212˚ F 4-5 mins |
Blended to pair with milk sugar |
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|
Earl Grey |
Oil of bergamot (from Italian bergamot orange) |
212˚ F 3-5 mins |
Lemon Citrusy sweets |
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|
Herbal/ Tisanes |
Rooibos |
Red |
212˚ F 4-5 mins or longer |
Milk, sugar Sugar, honey, lemon Honey Lemon, ginger, honey
Honey, lemon Honey |
Naturally sweet Anti-inflammatory; sleep Immunity booster
Anti-inflammatory
(All non-caffeinated) |
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Chamomile |
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Rose Hips |
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Peppermint |
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Hibiscus |
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Ginger |
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Echinacea |
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fêtesuzette 
2 responses to “So many teas! So little time!”
Good afternoon Goddess!
What an impressive ‘post’ (If that in fact is where this is headed). So informative, that I feel like I could ‘retire’ for the day, with a clear conscious, because I’ve learned more than a few things today!
You are a beautiful source of constant information. And knowledge.
Now, if only you could organize the ‘ Periodic Table’ in my head – as to improve my ‘immediate’ understanding of same – I could sleep for a month!
😎
Sent from my iPhone 12 Pro Max
>
I can always count on you! “A true friend is someone who thinks you’re a good egg, even though they know you are slightly cracked.” Thank you for your incredible friendship always!