Choosing the right tea

When people are new to loose-leaf tea, one of the first questions I usually hear is, “What kind of tea should I get?”

Honestly, there isn't one right answer.

I think choosing tea is a lot like choosing coffee, wine or even chocolate. It comes down to what you already like. Some people want something strong and bold first thing in the morning. Others want something light, floral and easy to drink. Some people don't mind an earthy flavour, while others want their tea sweet and fruity.

Once you know what you like, choosing between black, green, oolong, blooming and pu-erh tea becomes a lot easier.

Black Tea

If you like a strong, traditional cup of tea, I'd start with black tea.

Black tea is fully oxidized, which gives it a darker colour and a fuller flavour. Depending on the tea, you can get notes of malt, caramel, fruit, spice or even something slightly chocolatey.

It's also the type of tea I would reach for if I wanted something that could stand up to milk or oat milk.

Black tea generally has more caffeine than green tea, although the actual amount depends on the leaf, how much you use and how long you steep it.

You might like black tea if you prefer: strong, rich, malty or slightly sweet flavours.

Green Tea

Green tea is much lighter and fresher.

Because it isn't fully oxidized, it keeps more of those fresh, vegetal characteristics. Some green teas taste grassy, some are nutty, some have a subtle sweetness and others can have a slightly savoury flavour.

I find green tea is a good option for someone who doesn't necessarily want a heavy cup of tea.

It generally has less caffeine than black tea, although that isn't a hard rule. Different green teas can vary quite a bit.

You might like green tea if you prefer: fresh, clean, grassy, vegetal or lighter flavours.

Oolong Tea

Oolong is probably the category I'd recommend exploring if you're not sure where your taste falls.

It's partially oxidized, so oolong can have a huge range of flavours. A lighter oolong might be floral, creamy or fruity, while a darker roasted oolong can taste nutty, toasted or almost caramel-like.

That's what makes oolong so interesting to me. You can't really describe all oolong tea with one flavour.

The caffeine level is generally moderate, but again, it depends on the particular tea and how you brew it.

You might like oolong if you prefer: floral, fruity, creamy, roasted or more complex flavours.

Blooming Tea

Blooming tea is a little different because part of the experience is watching it brew.

The tea leaves and flowers are bundled together so that, when you place the bundle in hot water, it slowly opens up.

The flavour tends to be delicate and floral, depending on the particular bloom. The caffeine level also depends on which tea leaves were used to make it.

This is the kind of tea I like when I want to slow down a little. There's something nice about putting it in a glass teapot and actually watching the tea open.

You might like blooming tea if you prefer: floral, delicate flavours and a tea that's also beautiful to look at.

Pu-erh Tea

Pu-erh is probably the biggest departure from what people expect tea to taste like.

It is fermented and can be aged, which gives it a very different flavour from fresh green tea or a bright black tea. Depending on the type, you might notice earthy, woody, dried-fruit or slightly spicy flavours.

Some people love that earthy character right away. Others need a little time to get used to it.

Its caffeine content is generally moderate, but it varies depending on the tea and how it's prepared.

You might like pu-erh if you prefer: earthy, woody, mellow and deeper flavours.

So, Which One Should You Try?

For me, I think the easiest way to choose tea is to forget about the names for a minute and think about what you already enjoy.

If you like strong and rich flavours, start with black tea.

If you prefer fresh and lighter flavours, try green tea.

If you like floral, fruity or roasted flavours, give oolong a try.

If you want something delicate and floral, blooming tea is a beautiful option.

And if you already know you enjoy earthy, deeper flavours, try pu-erh.

There are also no strict rules. You might think you don't like green tea until you find the right one. You might try an oolong and realize you love it. Or you might end up with a completely different favourite than you expected.

That's one of the reasons I enjoy working with tea. There are so many differences between leaves, growing regions, processing methods and blends that there is always something else to try.

At Teafluencer, I don't choose tea based on a label alone. I care about the actual leaf, where it comes from and how it tastes in the cup. For me, finding a tea you genuinely enjoy starts there.

So if you're not sure where to begin, think about the flavours you already love.

Your perfect tea might be easier to find than you think.