Eliminate infusion confusion. Understanding the differences between the basic types of tea -- Black, Oolong, Green and White -- can change you from tea novice to expert.

The choices are numerous. Even the tea selection at the local supermarket can leave the average consumer in a quandary. Black tea, jasmine tea, herbal tea, green tea, Darjeeling, orange pekoe -- how do you choose?

To help you make your selection, here are the basics.

What is tea?

Tea is an infusion of hot water and the leaves, buds, or twigs of the tea plant, Cameilla sinensis. All “true teas” are made only from this particular species of plant.

There are four major types of tea: Black, Oolong, Green and White. Although derived from the same plant, these varieties of tea are vastly different in flavor, aroma and color. The unique qualities of each variety are mainly due to how tea leaves are processed.

Tea Fermentation

When tea leaves are bruised or crushed, enzymes in the leaf cells are exposed to oxygen and a chemical reaction (oxidation) takes place that causes the leaf to darken, or ferment. When tea leaves are fully fermented, the end product is black tea.

Black Tea (fully-fermented)

This is the variety of tea that most of us are familiar with. It comes in many forms, based on the region where it is grown or the herbs and flavorings added to the tea leaves.

The infusion is a reddish-colored beverage that has a strong flavor and aroma that is flowery and fruity.

Oolong Tea (semi-fermented)

Pronounced woolong, Oolong tea or “Black Dragon”, is considered semi-fermented. The fermentation process is stopped prematurely, once the leaves are slightly yellowed. When steeped, Oolong tea produces golden or light brown tea with a very delicate flavor resembling neither black nor green tea.

Green Tea (unfermented)

By heating tea leaves as soon as they are harvested, fermentation is avoided, and the result is green tea. This type of processing preserves the teas healthful benefits; a high level of antioxidants, Vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals. The infusion is pale greenish yellow in color and tastes light and grassy.

White Tea (unfermented)

White tea is also unfermented, but rather than being made from tea leaves, only the unopened bud of the tea leaf is used. The flavor is light and does not have the grassy notes of green tea, but still packs all the same healthful benefits.

Flavored, Blended and Herbal Teas

Flavored and Blended

Many teas are concoctions of scented, flavored or blended teas, produced using one of the four major types of tea as a base. Add jasmine flowers, and you have jasmine tea. Earl Grey is a combination of bergamot oil and a strong black tea. Chai is a western term for a sweet spiced black tea from India, where it is known as masala chai.

Herbal Teas

Since true tea only comes from the tea plant Camellia sinensis, strictly speaking, herbal teas do not qualify. Products marketed as herbal tea are either tea bags containing only herbs (like chamomile or peppermint) or tea-based with herbs added.

Caffeine in Tea

Pound for pound tea has about the same level of caffeine as does coffee, but since tea leaves are not as dense as ground coffee, less is used, resulting in a lower caffeine content per cup--about half that as a cup of coffee. Teas that undergo more fermentation have the most caffeine; black, followed by Oolong. Green and White tea infusions have lower levels of caffeine. When exposed to hot water, caffeine quickly infuses out of the tea leaves. The amount of caffeine in a cup of tea can be dramatically reduced by discarding the first infusion and drinking the second.

Congratulations! Now, as tea connoisseur, you can easily answer the question of " What is Tea?"

Tea Resources

There are numerous books and websites that can provide you with more detailed information on tea, including: Planet Tea, Learn-About-Tea.com and The Book of Tea (2005) by Alain Stella