Tea Processing

All tea comes from one plant, Camellia sinensis. The difference between all teas -- whites, greens, oolongs, blacks, and pu-erhs -- is in the specific varietal that was used, the local environment the tea was grown in, and the way it was processed.

  • White Tea Processing (6)

    White tea is minimally processed; it is generally only picked and air dried.
     

  • Green Tea Processing (7)

    Green tea is picked and quickly heated by steaming or pan firing.
     

  • Oolong Tea Processing (8)

    Oolong tea is oxidized and often rolled after picking, allowing the essential oils to react with the air.
     

  • Black Tea Processing (6)

    Black tea, or red tea as it is known in China, is a result of the complete oxidation of the leaf.
     

  • Pu-erh Tea Processing (5)

    Pu-erh tea is aged, post-fermented, and often compressed into bricks.