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Tea Dictionary
Alishan
A Taiwanese tea, Alishan comes from large, rolled leaves that are purple-green in appearance. It produces a sweet brew wit (full definition)
Bi Luo Chun
With the literal translation of “Green Snail Spring,” Bi Luo Chun is so called because when harvested in the spring its leaves are rolled into a compact spiral, resembling snail meat. This unforgetable green (full definition)
Bloom
The sheen of the tea leaf.
Chun Mee
Less sweet and more acidic than other green teas, Chun Mee is dusty in appearance. Its name, when literally translated (full definition)
Congou
Derived from the Chinese gong fu, this generic term describes black tea of Chinese origin irrespective of the region f (full definition)
CTC
Shorthand for: Crush, Tear, and Curl, a machine-based process which digests the leaves by pressing through counter-rotating rollers to create a stronger, m (full definition)
Dust
Typically associated with lower quality, but is noted for its quick abstraction and is commonly used in teabags. Dust is t (full definition)
Earthy
Indicative of the fresh smell of damp earth. Such teas could however become unpleasant if stored f (full definition)
English Breakfast
Usually includes some combination of Ceylon, Assam, Keemun or Kenyan teas. English breakfast is a robust, full-bodied blend created to go well with milk and sugar, in (full definition)
English Breakfast Tea
Originally indicating Chinese Congou Tea in the USA, in the UK it was associated with teas from India and Sri Lanka. In modern times, it indicates black tea from anywhere, as long (full definition)
Estate
Originally known as tea plantation, an estate today indicates any tea growing operation with one or more gardens under a s (full definition)
Fair Trade Teas
Teas certified to be grown on estates that conform to standards on wages, living working conditions of workers etc, established by an international agency. To get such certification, the estate has to be part of a Fair Trade Practice Co-operative. Fair Trade Coffee (full definition)
Fermentation
The process of letting the natural enzymes in the black and oolong tea leaves to brown the fresh green leaves by oxidization. This enables the tea to acquire the dark br (full definition)
Flavenoids
This is a subgroup of polyphenols. The flavonoids are a large group of substances with vitamin-like properties that are primari (full definition)
Flavored Tea
Tea to which perfume, flavoring agents such as spices, flowers etc have been added. Cinnaomon, orange rind, bergamont oil etc are som (full definition)
Flush
Descriptive of the timing of the harvest such as first, second and autumnal to indicate the early spring, late spring and autumn respectively; as well as the freshly picked leaves comprising of the bud and firs (full definition)
Genmaicha
This is a green tea combined with brown rice. Genmaicha is commonly known as “popcorn tea” becasue a few rice grains pop dring the brewing process, thus resembling popcorn. Genmaicha brews to a light yellow hue and combines the flavor of roasted rice and the fres (full definition)
Gong Fu
A Chinese expression that indicates that the tea has been prepared with great care, with many repeated infusions of te (full definition)
Green Tea
These leaves are light green and are not fermented. The supposed benefits of Green Tea include a longer life and recent studies have associated this tea with anti-carcinogens. There are two types of green tea, Steamed and Kiln-roasted. Steaming the te (full definition)
Gunpowder
A green tea, gunpowder tea dates back to the Tang Dynasty. It's name comes from the way in which the leaves are rolled into little balls that (full definition)
Gyokuro
Gyokuro is the highest grade Japanese green tea. It is unique in its cultivation (grown in teh shade). The brewed tea is sweet. Gyokura is general (full definition)
Hojicha
Roasted over charcoal, Hojicha is a Japanese green tea. This gives it a reddish-brown color and a toasty flavor reminiscent of caramel. It is well-kn (full definition)
Hyson
A word in Chinese describing the flourishing spring associated with green teas. This is also a brand of (full definition)
Java
From Indonesia, Java is a medicinal tea mostly used as a diuretic and as a remedy for urinary track infec (full definition)
Keemun
lack Tea harvested in the Anwhei Province of China, appreciated because, unlike other teas, it actually gets better with age. (Hao Ya is the finest g (full definition)
Kukicha
Often called “twig tea,” Kukicha is a Japanese tea made from stems and twigs. It has a slightly creamy, nutty flavor and is uncharacte (full definition)
Longjing
Brewing to a pale, yellow-green, the tea has a soft, sweet taste and contains a high amount of Vitamic C. If wanted, the leaves (full definition)
Nose
A synonym for aroma.
Oolong
Partially fermented tea. A cross between black and green tea. They are mainly produced in Taiwan and the Fuchien and Chianghsi provinces of China. Formosa Oolong (Oolong from Taiwa (full definition)
Pekoe
A grade of small, whole leaf tea, from the Chinese term baihao, which is in reference to the white hairs of the (full definition)
Pouchang
Descriptive of Taiwanese and Chinese tea prepared from partially fermented leaves. These are usually u (full definition)
Pu erh
A seasoned black tea from the Yunnan province of China, which has been produced, by a process of microbiological fermentation. The process give (full definition)
Raw
Descriptive of bitter tea.
Rize
Rize is immensly popular in Turkey, and has a rich, oak color and is usually accom (full definition)
Scented Tea
Oolong, green or black tea that has been subject to the addition of perfuming agents such as flower petals, fruits, spices, natural oils etc. Some examples (full definition)
Semi Fermented Tea
Oolong tea that has been partially oxidized, fired and dried. In quality somewhat between green and black teas, it often yields a fruity or citrus flavor dep (full definition)
Sencha
The most common green tea grown in Japan, Sencha is grown in the sun, and is brewed without grinding the leaves.The flavor is generally more bold than t (full definition)
Smoky
Descriptive of Chinese and Formosan black teas that have been fired over smoky fires that give them a smoky flavor. Some examples are: Laps (full definition)
Souchong
Large sized black Chinese tea leafs plucked from the third and fourth leaf. Indicative of only size and (full definition)
Stale
Badly stored tea or tea that has had a long shelf life, which takes on a papery, flat si (full definition)
Thai
Thai tea is a drink made from strongly-brewed powdered black tea. It is sweetened with sugar, and condensed milk is then added, giving it spicy-sweet taste and a creamy appearance. It i (full definition)
White Tea
A rare tea found in China. These amber leaves are not fermented, and are comprised only of the tips of the tea plant. They stand up on end in the cup when served. Considered a delicacy. Pai M (full definition)
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