Different Types of Tea Flavoring
If your tea is a bit too earthy or grassy you can add a dash of honey to mask these notes. Some people find this is a great way to enjoy green tea.
Tea flavoring is a great way to experiment with new flavor profiles and find tea flavoring the perfect tea to match your favorite foods or moods. Most flavored teas are infused with natural flavors.
Green Tea
Green tea is known for a grassy or vegetal flavor. This flavor is positioned on the right side of the sweet-savory spectrum of flavors (the so-called umami flavor, which you might have experienced in a hearty miso soup). Green tea can also be slightly sour and tart in some cases. This can occur when the tea leaves are grown in cooler conditions or if the soil is rich with limestone, pine trees or other crops that can give the tea a unique flavor.
Adding other flavors and ingredients to green tea can add complexity, balance and enhance the flavor of the leaves. A common way to do this is by adding ginger for a fresh or spicy note. Other herbs and warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and star anise can also add depth to the flavor of green tea.
Flowers like rose or lavender add a floral sweetness that contrasts the earthy notes of green tea, and chamomile brings a soothing quality to the cup. This calming effect of chamomile also works well with the L-theanine found in most green teas. Other blooms such as peonies, jasmine and hibiscus can also pair well with the grassy notes of green tea. To enhance the citrusy flavor of green tea, try zesting a strip or two of lemon or lime into your infusion.
Black Tea
Black teas are bold and versatile, able to pair well with many foods. They are also the most popular type of tea in Europe and North America. Unlike green teas, black tea leaves are allowed to fully oxidize before being heat processed and dried. This oxidation gives them the characteristic dark color and flavor profiles. They can range from savory to sweet, depending on the region, climate, how long they are brewed and what else they are paired with.
Many black teas are flavored with citrus, especially orange and lemon. These flavors help brighten up a tea without the bitterness of caffeine, and they are often enjoyed with breakfast or afternoon teas. Earl Grey is a famous example of this, as it pairs the zesty flavours of an oil extracted from bergamot flowers with a strong English black tea.
Some black teas are earthy, with hints of moss and mushrooms or even barbecue, while others are more fruity with aromas that resemble stone fruits like peaches or apricots. Some have subtle notes of chocolate or caramel, or even winelike characteristics, which are common in black tea from Sri Lanka and China.
Black tea is a great partner for milk and sugar, which makes it the classic breakfast tea. It is also a staple for chai, which pairs spices with black tea to create a rich and comforting beverage that can be drunk at any time of the day.
White Tea
White teas are delicately crafted from leaves that have been picked and processed before they become mature enough to develop the strong tannins found in black or green tea. These minimally processed leaves result in a delicate taste that can be enjoyed hot or cold. White tea is known to have a wide range of complex flavors with expert tasters being able to detect hints of apricot, vanilla, chocolate, citrus, grassy and herbal notes.
Because of its light flavor, many enjoy blending this tea with other ingredients to create a fun and fruity brew. The floral and fruity characteristics of the tea lend themselves nicely to adding infusions such as berries, rose petals, lemongrass, lavender flowers, citrus fruits, and hibiscus flowers. Our Candlelight Blend, for example, features a gentle orange and grape essence that allows the subtle honeydew and tangerine flavors of the tea to stand out.
The low caffeine content of this type of tea is one of the main reasons it has become a popular choice for people who are concerned about the amount of caffeine in their diets. Some research has also suggested that white tea may be able to help lower insulin resistance, although more research is needed on this. Other studies have shown that white tea is full of antioxidants, such as polyphenols, which can potentially reduce the risk of heart disease.
Fruit Tea
Fruit teas are a great choice for those looking for something sweet, refreshing and healthy. These tea blends combine natural, organic fruits with herbal or black tea for a unique and luscious flavor. They can be naturally sweet or made even more delicious with a touch of honey or agave syrup. Fruit teas are also a great option for those who prefer to drink their tea iced.
Many popular fruit teas use dried fruits to add sweetness and complexity. Dried pears, strawberries, apricots, mangoes and passion fruit make for delightful additions to any tea blend. Dried apple, goji berry and rosehip pair well with green tea to create fruity infusions full of healing antioxidants. Black and oolong teas, especially, are an excellent complement to tart fruits such as blueberries and cranberries, as well as the more delicate flavors of white peony and Pai Mu Tan.
Many of the best fruity tea blends are caffeine-free. Orange peels, hibiscus, rosehip and lavender are common ingredients used to create fruit-flavored herbal teas that are a healthy alternative to caffeinated drinks. The tangy, vitamin C-rich brews are perfect for those looking to avoid stimulants. Lychee Purple is one example of a high-quality, caffeine-free fruit tea that is packed with beneficial nutrients. Its ripe, tropical flavor is complemented by turmeric, ginger and black currant for an invigorating, yet relaxing cup.