Tea is no longer just a drink; rather, it’s an emotion shared across the globe. No matter whether you’re a hardcore tea lover or someone who enjoys a cup of tea occasionally, there’s no denying the fact that tea has its charm.

Green tea and black tea are now household names due to their range of health benefits. The rise in their popularity can be seen, especially among the ones switching to an organic lifestyle. However, the question is whether these are the only two types of tea? Yes, there are other varieties of tea. In this article, we’ll throw light on all major types of tea.

What are the Types of Tea?

Having originated in China, almost all types of tea come from the plant, Camellia Sinensis. Some of the most well-known types of tea are as follows -  

1. Green tea
2. Black tea
3. White tea
4. Oolong tea
5. Pu-erh tea

Though all types of tea come from the same plant, they are classified based on their processing and level of oxidation.

What type of Tea is the Most Popular?

Amongst all types of tea, Black tea is the most popular variant. It is also the most-consumed type of tea. The Assam, Darjeeling and Ceylon are some of the most well-known black tea types available in the market. These teas are heavily oxidized and brew up strong, bold, and often malty. Black tea variety is further separated into a grading system. For instance, Orange Pekoe (OP) means full-leaf tea, and BOP indicates a broken leaf black tea. In general, the more crushed and broken the leaves are, the stronger will be the brew. Black teas serve as the base of popular scented teas such as Breakfast tea and Earl Grey tea. In China, black tea is referred to as red tea because of the colour of the liquor. (Reference: These Are the World's Five Most Popular Types of Tea, Eater, Retrieved on 15 June 2020)

Is Tea with Milk Good for Health?

Though both tea and milk are healthy, there has been no substantial evidence to show that adding milk to tea enhances its benefits. Many of us like sipping on Doodh-wali-chai because of the flavour. Initially, people started adding dairy so as to reduce the bitterness of the tea, however, the addition turned into a habit and ended up becoming an addiction for most. Some experts believe that adding milk to the tea lowers the benefits of the antioxidants. They also believe that casein protein found in milk prevents flavonoids in green, black, and all other types of tea. (Reference: What Are the Benefits of Drinking Tea with Milk?, Healthline, Retrieved on 15 June 2020)

Everyone around the world loves sipping tea. Be it a cup of Earl Grey or Darjeeling tea; both are consumed with equal love. But it's is not just another beverage loved for its rich and warm taste but it has numerous health benefits. Benefits of tea include reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, assisting in burning fat, keeping cancer cells at bay, helping fight free radicals, keeping the body hydrated, fighting diabetes, maintaining neurological balance and strengthening of the bones. These benefits of tea are based on scientific data.

According to research, 2 million people prefer sipping tea every morning all over the world. And, around 1.23 million people consume tea in a single day in America. (Source: 19 Shocking Tea Consumption Statistics, Brandon Gaille, Retrieved 18th May 2020)