Types Of Chinese Tea

Probably you are familiar with the Chinese saying, "Firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea are the seven necessities to begin a day." Though tea is last on the list, we can still see how important the tea is for the Chinese.
These include green tea, oolong, black, red, white, yellow, flower, and compressed tea. However, if we will consider tea in terms of quality, there are actually eight classes of Chinese tea. These are usually classified by procedure, quality, and preparation methods and so on.

There are actually thousand of Chinese tea varieties.
Now, let's take a look at these classes one by one.
Green Tea
Green tea is said to be the most natural type of Chinese tea. It is usually picked, naturally dried and fried briefly to get rid of its grassy smell. Unlike the other types, green tea skipped fermentation process.
Today, about 50% of China's tea is green tea. The aroma of this type of Chinese type range from medium to high, while the flavor is usually light to medium. According to some experts, green tea has the most medicinal value and the least caffeine content of all Chinese tea classes.
Oolong Tea
Chinese also call it "Qing Cha" and its typical leaves are green in the middle and red on the edges as a result of the process to soften tea leaves. This type of Chinese tea is halfway between green tea and black tea in a sense that it is half fermented.
Then, it is fried, rolled and roasted. Oolong tea leaves are basically withered and spread before undergoing a brief fermentation process.
Black Tea
The leaves of this variety become completely oxidized after processing. Also, this type of Chinese tea undergoes withering, then left to ferment for a long while, and then roasted. The Chinese black tea produces full-bodied amber when brewed.
Red Tea
It is also considered that red tea has low aroma and medium flavor and it is now divided into three subclasses: Kung Fu Red Tea, Ted Tea Bits, and Small Species Red Tea. This color is strongly highlighted during the fermentation process. As the name implies, this type of Chinese tea has red leaves and red tea color.
White Tea
This type of Chinese tea is sometimes considered as subclass of green tea. Perhaps it is for the fact that it is only withered and then roasted. Just like green tea, white tea escaped fermentation process. And, it has low caffeine content.
Yellow Tea
Apparently, yellow tea has yellow leaves and yellow tea color. According to some experts, this type of Chinese tea is an uncommon class of Chinese tea. The flavor of yellow tea is usually mild and refreshing.
Flower Tea
Generally, this class has light to medium flavor and medium to strong aroma. The Scented Tea, on the other hand, uses green tea and red tea as base and mix with scent of flowers. Well, the Flower Tea is just based on a simple concept that dried flowers are used, without much processing, to make tea. It actually subdivides into Flower Tea and Scented Tea.

Here is a unique type of Chinese tea - the Flower tea.
Compressed Tea
The final type of Chinese tea is the compressed tea. This class uses black tea as base tea. It is steamed and compressed into bricks, cakes, columns, and other shapes. Also, compressed tea has all the characteristics of black tea. It can be stored for years and decades.
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Using Essential Oils on Acne: Tea Tree Oil and Emu Oil

Essential oils is the name given to more than 90 pure extracts from various plants. Despite the nomer ‘oil,' essential oils are not, in fact petroleum products. They can be rubbed on the skin or used in aromatherapy. High quality essential oils are completely derived naturally and won't clog pores. Because of their cleanliness, many essential oils can be used to help diminish acne.
Today, however, emu oil is used for a variety of purposes, one of those is to lessen the problem of acne. The indigenous people of Australia, the Aborigines, use emu oil for its healing and restorative effects, particularly with regard to joint pain. The emu is a mainly flightless bird originating mainly in Australia. Emu oil, however, is not technically an essential oil, as it is derived from an animal.

Two of these oils are tea tree oil and emu oil.
Emu oil does the same job, but without the gunk that can cause acne. Lotion, no matter how ‘clean' it is can still clog pores. Because emu oil is non-greasy and won't clog pores, it makes a good skin moisturizer and softener.
The New Zealand variety has a warmer, earthier aroma. The sent is balsamic and woody. Common tea tree oil are the two common forms.

Like other essential oils, tea tree oil and New Zealand tea tree oil can also be used for aromatherapy, soothing, even as it reduces acne. This essential oil helps heal scars and won't clog pores. Tea tree oil is another good choice for use on acne.
A combination of emu and tea tree oils can give softer, moisturized skin with a pleasant smell—all while reducing acne. Essential oils can be combined, and emu oil is an excellent carrier of essential oils, including tea tree oil.

Storage Tips for Tea

An opened package of tea should be stored in light-proof container with tight fitting lid in a cool and dry place. Tea is sensitive to moisture, aromas, heat, and light.
Naturally, having the container dry in the first place helps tremendously. The easiest way is simply avoid any direct contact with open air by folding the tea storing bag and make sure it stays folded, or close the lid of your container tightly. Fortunately, you do not need to vacuum seal you tea; it is not practical and not necessary. It not only contaminates the taste and aroma of your tea, but it also produces and feeds bacteria, all in a short amount of time.

Moisture is the number one disaster for your tea.
If only glass jar is available, then put the jar in area away from light, such as in a cabinet. The most convenient way is to put them in a non-transparent bag or container and away from any heat source such as ovens or heaters. If your tea is constantly exposed to light or heat, it tends to make a weaker brew, or decreases the number of flavourable infusions.

Light and heat rob away flavours of tealeaves.
For more informations, visit is the founder of O-Square Tea Company who specialized in supplying premium/organic loose leaf teas around the world. Tom H.
http://www.osquaretea.com