Content
Where to start if you want to become a tea connoisseur - or just find, finally, exactly the tea you can enjoy every day? Let's figure it out in this article. And first, let's remember
What kind of tea is there?
When they talk about "teas", what do you think they mean?
Everyone knows that tea is a plant, a tea bush. Plants of different varieties, from the point of view of botany, have different decorative or physiological characteristics. For example, two varieties of peonies or tomatoes may differ in appearance, have different colors and shapes of petals, size and taste of fruits, etc. And many still think that green and black tea is made from different plants. In fact, there is one type of tea plant - Chinese camellia - and many varieties of it. The type of tea (green, black, yellow, etc.) depends on the processing of the tea leaf.
We won't go into botanical details. After all, the taste, aroma and color of the finished drink matter for the buyer. And these indicators are determined commercial grade.
Commercial grade of tea - an indicator of quality
The trade grade of tea is made up of many factors. In addition to the type of tea plant (Chinese, Assamese, Cambodian), the following is taken into account:
- the place of growth of the plant itself (this country of origin, the most famous are Chinese, Indian, Ceylon, Kenyan and other teas from Africa, Georgian, Vietnamese, Japanese and, of course, native Krasnodar, characteristics plantations),
- time and conditions of collection (which leaves are collected, manually or by machine, harvest season, etc.),
- features of sheet processing (drying, twisting, crushing and many other special processes).
And that's not all - many types of tea are obtained by blending and additional aromatization (there is nothing wrong with that if the flavors are natural).
All of these factors affect the final grade of tea. And as a result, we can read on the pack, for example, "Chinese green large leaf tea (... the name of the company)". Every word counts here.
Blending is another reason for the variety of teas
Blending (or simply blending) is done by tea packing factories. Each blend gets its own unique name and sometimes becomes the “face of the company”. The composition of such a mixture may include 1-2 dozen varieties of tea leaves grown in different countries.
Which tea maker is the best?
In Soviet times, we had access to one type of tea, which many still miss ("with an elephant"). Then the country rushed to the other extreme, and only imported tea could be bought in stores. Now the choice is great, there would be money.
It is very difficult to choose the best tea maker. Mainly because one and the same company produces 3-5 different brands of tea in several price categories - expensive, medium, economy. And ardent adherents of Greenfield tea, in fact, choose the same manufacturer as the thrifty lovers of the Princess Nuri brand (both are made by Orimi Trade). Therefore, the definition of "the best tea producer" is rather arbitrary.
Among the Russian tea producers, we note the following companies:
- "Orimi Trade", she owns the brands "Princess Nuri", "Princess Kandy" (as well as Gita, Java), as well as Tess, Greenfield,
- "May" - and this is not only "May tea", but also "Lisma", Curtis,
- Unilever - "Beseda", Brooke Bond, Lipton (the owner of the company is England, but the production is located in Russia).
Among foreign teas, the most famous are "Dilmah" (supplier of Ceylon tea), English "Twinings", «Ahmad ",Ceylon "Riston"(positions itself as "premium English tea"), «Akbar ".
When selecting teas for the rating, we based on customer reviews and research results. We have not considered rare, elite and expensive varieties sold only at auctions or in tea shops with a narrow specialization. The rating contains popular trade varieties of black and green teathat are easy to find in shops near your home.
Which tea is better to buy?
The answer is simple and complex at the same time - to choose "your" tea, you need sample, make mistakes and try again. If two packs have the same marking, one variety and country of origin, it is not yet a fact that you will equally like both infusions. One and the same tea of the same company, but from different batches, may suddenly become of a different taste.
Therefore, if you have found the very taste, try to find out everything about it: what kind it is, where it was produced, when it was harvested, where it was packed, and even where you bought it, because all these factors matter. And also remember →
The best kind of tea can be easily spoiled by improper brewing or unsuitable dishes. Conversely, from the simplest variety, you can get a wonderful drink with a rich taste if brewed with knowledge and love.
In this article, you learned about popular teas that customers have a positive response to. It contains the best varieties of black and green tea according to the majority.
We hope our rating will help you not to get lost among the boxes of tea and make the right choice. Happy shopping!
How many people in the world - so many opinions as to which varieties of tea are the most delicious and healthy. In addition, it is difficult to determine the best varietal tea because there are quite a few types and varieties of this ancient drink. We will try to understand all this diversity and decide on the best varieties.
What is this plant?
Before talking about what tea is, the varieties and types of this drink, let's remember the plant that contributes to its appearance. The tea bush is an evergreen plant, its "native" region is the highlands of Tibet, northern India and China. In the modern world, it is called a camellia and the following types are distinguished:
- Assamese
- Chinese;
- Cambodian.
The main difference between these species is that the Chinese camellia has small leaves and prefers the cool climate of the Asian highlands, while the Assamese, with larger leaves, prefers the humid tropics of the northeastern regions of India, the Yunnan and Sichuan provinces in China.
The Cambodian tea bush, grown in several parts of Indochina, is a hybrid form obtained by crossing the Assamese and Chinese. Assamese camellia in nature can grow up to 15 meters in height, but in industrial cultivation, for the convenience of processing and collection, its growth is limited to 1.5-2 m. Young leaves and shoots, from which different varieties of tea are made, grow every five days, which allows you to collect them all year round. The peculiarities of collecting and processing the leaves of the same plant make it possible to obtain the following types of tea:
- green;
- black;
- White;
- oolong (oolong).
Where does it grow?
Since tea is grown on the territory of only a few states, in addition to other accepted classifications, it is subdivided by country of origin into:
- African;
- Chinese;
- Indian;
- Ceylon;
- Japanese;
- other.
The "youngest" tea plantations are located in Africa, in countries such as Kenya, Cameroon, Uganda, South Africa, Zimbabwe and some other former British colonies. African teas are only black.
About 10% of the world's total tea production is produced on the island of Ceylon, as Sri Lanka used to be called. These are mainly black teas and a very small amount of green.
In Japan, only green tea is produced, and most of it goes to the domestic market and only a small fraction is exported.
India ranks second in the world in terms of the amount of tea produced, second only to China.Most of the manufactured products are granulated and cut black teas, and very little green. In addition, such an elite tea variety as Darjeeling is grown on the highland plantations of this country.
The undoubted leader of the world tea market is China, which supplies popular black and green teas. In addition, it is only in this country that oolongs, pu-erhs, white and yellow teas are made.
How are they processed?
Once harvested, the tea leaf is processed in various ways, such as:
- drying;
- drying;
- twisting;
- roasting;
- smoking;
- fermentation;
- others.
Different types of tea are obtained depending on the processing method.
Fermentation
Fermentation is one of the main treatments for harvested tea leaves. After the leaves are harvested, they are slightly dried and twisted, and then laid out in a layer up to 10 cm. In the process of rolling, the leaves begin to secrete juice, which is oxidized in the open air and begins to ferment at a temperature of +25 ° C to +27 ° C. High humidity and constant oxygen supply promote enzymatic processes. In terms of time, this process can take from several minutes to 3 hours, and to stop it, drying the sheet at high temperatures is used. The longer it takes, the darker the tea will turn out. By the time of fermentation, the resulting teas are:
- Unfermented (green).
- Weakly fermented (white and yellow).
- Semi-fermented (various oolongs).
- Fermented (black).
- Re-fermented (pu-erh).
Let's consider in more detail each of these types.
Green tea
The peculiarity of making such tea is that immediately after harvesting, the leaf is dried, thus stopping the oxidation and fermentation processes. In the final stage of processing, green teas can:
- bake;
- steamed immediately after picking and dried after curling the sheet;
- dry under the sun.
But the most popular and widespread is tea, roasted at the final stage of processing. The best teas of this type:
- Dong Ting Bi Lo Chun ("The Emerald Spirals of Spring from Dongting").
- Xi Hu Long Jing ("Dragon Well from Lake Xi Hu").
- "Pumpkin seeds from Liu An" (Liu An Gua Pian).
Green teas are brewed with soft water heated not higher than 90 ° C, receiving an infusion of a dull yellowish-green color. Its taste is rich, and the aroma is memorable and bright.
Yellow teas
For quite a long time they were a privileged drink - only the emperors of the Middle Kingdom and their entourage drank such tea, and the export of these varieties from China was punishable by death until the 20th century. It is produced only in the Chinese provinces of Hunan and Fujian, from high-quality raw materials - small young buds of a tea bush. Because of this, all its types are elite varieties of tea. Due to the use of different raw materials, they are divided into two groups:
- "Big", for which buds with 2-5 leaves are collected (Ying Shan Huang Ya, Ho Shan Huang Ya);
- "Small", for which only individual buds are collected, are allowed with an intact and healthy adjoining tea leaf (Meng Ding Huang, Gui Shan Mao Jian, "Silver Needles from the Mountains of the Immortals" (Jun Shan Yin Zhen)).
They differ significantly from other types of tea in both their taste and aroma. Due to the rather high content of caffeine, yellow teas perfectly invigorate, restore strength and activate the defense mechanisms of the human body. Yellow tea is known mainly to rare amateurs and experts both here and in other European countries.
White tea
It was so named for the color of the thick cannon covering the buds from which it is made. It is made in an effort to preserve all the natural properties of the tea leaf almost in its original form. Therefore, in the process of its production, the raw material is only withered and dried. For the production of expensive elite varieties, such as "Silver Needle" (Bai Hao Yin Zhen) and "White Peony" (Bai Mu Dan), only the buds of special varieties of tea bushes are used, as well as the leaves that have just come out of them.Less expensive and more affordable white teas are also produced, such as Gong Mei (Gift) and Shou Mei (Elder's Eyebrows). For their production, large, as well as damaged and rejected buds and young leaves for elite varieties are used.
White tea is very capricious and requires strict adherence to the rules of storage and transportation. However, in its healing properties, due to the combination of substances contained in its composition, it surpasses all other types of tea. Scientists have found that the Chinese reasonably consider white tea an elixir that gives immortality, since the constant use of it preserves health and prolongs youth.
Oolong (oolong)
This is a semi-fermented tea, it is, as it were, intermediate between black and green tea. Oolongs (in another transcription - oolongs) appeared on the Russian market relatively recently. Oolong tea is also called blue-green or turquoise because of the special shade of dry tea leaves in some varieties and infusion in others. A feature of the production of such teas is the special care with which the tea leaves are rolled, trying not to break, after which they are left for several hours in the shade in the fresh air for slow fermentation. A feature of this variety is the uneven fermentation of the tea leaf, since it is quite strong at the edges, but in the center it is almost absent. Thanks to this, oolongs are distinguished by a special aroma and taste, combining the astringency of black tea and the slight tenderness of green tea. In addition to fermentation, oolong tea is flavored with various plant and fruit extracts, both natural and artificial. Such teas are exported, as the Chinese prefer to consume a pure product without any additives.
Red tea
This species is highly fermented, which means that under the influence of oxygen, from 70 to 90% of the juice of the tea leaves is oxidized. In China, it is traditionally called red tea, describing the color of the drink, but Europeans consider it black, starting from the color of dry tea leaves. Today it is subdivided into the following types of tea: long tea (leaf), granulated, pressed, packaged. In our country, all of the listed types are known and sold, but of the pressed ones, the over-fermented pu-erh is better known, sold in the form of discs, tiles and tablets. Ordinary black tea in this form is found in regions located near China, for example in Buryatia.
The most popular Chinese varieties of black tea are:
- Yunnan, better known in Europe as Dian Hong. This tea belongs to the elite and expensive varieties. It differs not only in its amber-red color, but also, according to experts, in the richness of the combined tastes of dried fruits and wood.
- Qi Men Hong Cha, or Keemun, is the most famous and popular type of red tea among Europeans. It is distinguished by a complex taste, in which the aroma of honey, cinnamon and pine bark warmed up in the sun, a light aftertaste of dried fruits and wine perfectly "coexist". The color of the brewed drink is garnet red, which does not change during repeated brewing.
- Darjeeling is an elite tea. The highest grade, prized by collectors for the variety of flavors and shades of spring, summer and fall harvest. It is grown, as already mentioned, in the highlands of Indochina, where a special soil composition, rather low temperatures and high humidity, and even the location of the plantation form the unique taste of this variety.
- Assam is a large leaf tea grown in the Brahmaputra river valley in northeastern India.
- Ceylon is a high-quality tea from the island of Sri Lanka, familiar to the older generation from childhood from a pack "with an elephant".
Black tea quality
Depending on the quality of the tea leaves, black tea is divided into three main groups - high-grade, medium-grade and low-grade.
Unblown buds and young leaves of the tea bush go to the highest quality and high-grade tea. It is divided into several types:
- pitch - made from young buds and leaves;
- orange - elite large-leaf tea, so named because of its beautiful slightly orange hue;
- orange pitch - pekoe and orange are mixed in it, this is a tea mixture that does not contain buds.
Middle-class varieties are produced from cut or broken leaves obtained in the process of making high-grade varieties. Broken pekoe and Broken orange pekoe are medium-grade tea, the first grade in our understanding. Low-grade teas are made from waste products and crushed leaves. This category includes instant, granulated and packaged teas. Most of them are produced in Ceylon and India. Such teas are strong and brew quite quickly, but their taste and aroma are not very good.
Puer
In China, this is what they call black, in their understanding, tea. It is traditionally made from green and then pressed in the southwestern Chinese province of Yunnan. The peculiarity of pu-erh is that, like good cognac, age only improves its quality and taste. In addition, fermentation processes in it continue throughout the entire shelf life. This tea is of two types: sheng - light, traditionally made, and shu - dark pu-erh, produced using modern technologies.
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For over 5,000 years, tea has been the favorite drink of millions. It invigorates in the morning and tones up perfectly during the day. To keep warm on winter evenings, they drink it hot, and to quench their thirst in the heat, ice is added to the drink. A huge number of companies around the world produce 1000 different varieties and types of tea. It is difficult to find the best drink in such a variety, so we have compiled a rating based on expert opinions and customer reviews.
Best loose black tea
Most of the production volumes are for black tea. To make it, the leaves undergo a special oxidation, which can last from 2 to 4 weeks. Large leaf black tea has a tart taste. Manufacturers are constantly experimenting with a variety of additives to add versatility to the drink. We have selected the top three black leaf tea producers.
3 brooke bond 
The best ratio of price and quality
Country:
Great Britain
Rating (2018):
4.5
The owner of the tea shop, Englishman Arthur Brooke, first added the word "Bond" to his surname in 1869. This is how the well-known brand Brooke Bond appeared. Today, the company not only produces and sells various types of tea, but also fights against pollution and deforestation by using materials from renewable resources to package its products. The concern offers the best teas from India, China, Ceylon, Indonesia and Kenya.
Tea produced under the Brooke Bond brand is always of high quality and has not only great taste, but also a budget price. Large-leaf tea is sold in packages of 100 and 250 grams, the blend of which combines the best varieties from high-mountain plantations. "Intense black" has a beautiful amber color, bright taste and aroma. Great for classic English tea drinking. Recently, a new variety, "Dark Chocolate and Orange", has appeared on the market. The novelty includes strong black tea from Kenyan plantations, orange peel and flavors: chocolate and orange. This tea has an enchanting scent of dark chocolate and citrus.
2 Tess 
Rich taste
Country:
Russia
Rating (2018):
4.7
The Tess trademark is part of the large Orimi-Trade concern, which has been producing coffee and tea drinks since 1994. In the reviews, buyers of Tess tea note the excellent taste of the drink and the variety of choice. All products are made from high mountain varieties of tea bushes.
The line of black teas includes 6 different varieties. The high-mountainous Ceylon large-leaf tea "Tess Ceylon" is especially popular. Tess Pleja has an unusual taste, as it harmoniously combines rosehip, apple, flower petals and tropical fruits. "Tess Orange" is a real source of energy, which is part of the orange pleasantly invigorates and tones.Tess Earl Gray tea has more refreshing properties, the energy of citrus fruits and the freshness of bergamot contribute to an easy awakening. Tess Sunrise will give a classic vigorous morning, according to gourmets, it is the best drink in the brand's lineup.
Everyone knows about the beneficial properties of tea and the absence of contraindications for drinking. However, it should be noted that there are several restrictions:
- you cannot brew tea several times;
- “Yesterday's” tea does not contain useful substances and can even harm;
- if you drink tea on an empty stomach, you can harm the digestive system;
- due to the increased concentration of caffeine, a strong drink should not be consumed by hypertensive patients;
- taste and nutritional qualities deteriorate due to improper brewing;
- tea should not be taken with medications.
1 Twinings 
Best in popularity
Country:
Great Britain
Rating (2018):
4.9
For over 300 years, Twinings drinks have been popular with consumers. The manufacturer has found an approach to everyone, as it sells a wide range of varieties. For bergamot lovers, the company produces Earl Gray tea. The rich taste of the "English Breakfast" is given by a blend of large-leaved varieties. In the fruit collection, Lady Gray Tea is the best seller, combining citrus notes of bergamot, lemon and orange.
Prince of Wales tea is the pride of Twinings. It was created in 1921 personally for His Highness the Prince of Wales. Of course, only experienced specialists were involved in its production, who used the best varieties of large-leaf tea.
Best black tea bags
American merchant Thomas Sullivan sent tea samples to his clients in small silk bags. The buyers decided that the tea should be brewed in these bags. This is how tea bags were accidentally invented. It is convenient to brew black tea in them, because you do not need a kettle for this. Tea crumbs or small long tea are packaged in small triangles made of fine polymer mesh or in filter paper bags. The packaged drink has a wide range of flavors, therefore it is highly popular with customers.
3 "May tea" 
Quality proven over the years
Country:
Russia
Rating (2018):
4.5
The trade mark was registered in 1991 by the May concern, and is still the most recognizable on the market. Large-leaved varieties are specially processed to preserve all the benefits and richness of taste. For the convenience of brewing, "May Tea" is sold in bags and pyramids, which retain all the advantages of a leafy drink. The following varieties can be found in the brand's collection:
- "Crown of the Russian Empire" - selected large-leaf tea harvested on the plantations of Sri Lanka;
- Golden Petals is a traditional Ceylon drink;
- Black Diamond is a Kenyan tea with a slight nutty aftertaste.
Also, black tea bags have a wide cushioned range. Lemon, wild berries, raspberries, strawberries and currants are used for a variety of flavors.
2 Curtis 
Variety of flavors
Country:
Russia
Rating (2018):
4.7
The trade mark was established in London by the concern "Curtis & Patridfe London", but in 2006 the group of companies "May" bought all the rights to use the brand. Today, more than a quarter of the products are exported from Russia to the countries of the world. The Curtis brand offers a huge selection, where everyone will find tea to their liking. All brands of the brand have only positive reviews from tea connoisseurs.
Assortment of black tea bags:
- Original Ceylon Tea is a classic Ceylon drink;
- Royal Yannan - Chinese large leaf tea with hints of prunes;
- Earl Gray - the famous English drink with a citrus bergamot aroma;
- Earl Gray Passon - vanilla flavor, adds sophistication to classic English tea;
- Rich Kenya - tart, slightly bitter;
- Isabella Grape - the taste of ripe grapes and the aroma of a blooming summer garden;
- Sunny Lemon - black tea with lemon;
- Strawberry Cake - Strawberry Pie Flavored;
- Mirabell Plum - an interesting combination of ripe plum with the scent of blossoming cornflower and sunflower;
- Sammer Berries is a berry drink with a juicy raspberry aroma.
1 Althaus 
Best for tea shops and restaurants
Country:
Germany
Rating (2018):
4.8
Althaus is a German tea from the best plantations around the world. The collection was designed by Lead Teester Ralph Janeki in Bremen. Due to its high quality, it is purchased for restaurants, cafes, and tea boutiques. The classification of black tea "Althaus" is conditional, since pu-erh, oolong and red varieties were also included in this category. The drink undergoes strict quality control, therefore it fully complies with EU and Russian standards.
The brand's collection includes the following packaged varieties:
- "English Breakfast St. Andrews" - a mixture of tea leaves from India and Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon). The recipe was developed over a century ago. Valued for strength and aroma;
- Assam Meleng is an Indian drink with excellent taste and a slight hint of malt. It goes well with honey, cream and milk;
- "Darjeeling Castelton" - strong mountain tea from India, with a subtle smell of walnut;
- Royal Earl Gray is a blend of Indian and Ceylon species with a citrus flavor of bergamot.
Best loose leaf green tea
The leaves collected for green tea are steamed. Therefore, the color of the drink remains green and preserves the natural supply of nutrients and vitamins. After steaming, the leaves are dried, rolled and packaged. Some varieties undergo oxidation, but not for a long time - a maximum of 48 hours. The taste of green tea is slightly sweet or tart with a herbal aroma.
3 Ahmad 
Strict quality control
Country:
UK (produced in India, China, England, Iran, UAE, Russia and Ukraine)
Rating (2018):
4.5
Ahmad Tea Ltd was founded in 1946 by Ahmad Afshar in Hampshire. The company values its reputation, so it uses tea leaves from the best plantations in China, India and Kenya. The natural oils for the scented collections are produced under strict control in the UK. Compliance with traditions and strict quality control helped the tea house to receive several international awards, and even to visit the International Space Station in 2005. Since 2011, the company has been producing the "Royal Collection" for Buckingham Palace.
Collection of green leafy tea "Ahmad":
- Green Tea Pure - classic green tea with a pleasant floral aroma;
- Gunpowder Green Tea is a drink with a low caffeine content, since during production the leaves of the plant are first steamed and then slightly toasted;
- Jasmine Romance Green Tea - with the addition of blooming jasmine;
- Mint Mystique Green Tea is a refreshing tea of the best varieties with mint leaves, lemon balm and lemongrass.
2 Greenfield 
The best tea according to Russians' reviews
Country:
Russia
Rating (2018):
4.7
In 2003, the Orimi Trade group of companies signed an agreement with the British company Greenfield Tea Ltd. According to numerous polls and studies, Greenfield ranks first in the ranking of Russians' favorite teas. The assortment of the brand includes more than 30 items. The line of green leafy tea is presented in three varieties.
Flying Dragon leaf Chinese tea, grown in the Hunan province, will delight tea lovers with a rich color, floral aroma, invigorate, refresh and quench their thirst. Jasmine Dream from the Chinese plantations of Yun'an province is special. In its preparation, jasmine flowers are dried along with tea leaves and then manually picked. Japanese Sencha is grown in the Japanese province of Fukoka.
1 "Russian Tea Company" 
The best choice
Country:
Russia (produced in Germany and Russia)
Rating (2018):
4.9
Russian Tea Company was established in 1998 and is constantly improving the quality and range of its products.The brand sells green, white, black teas and herbal teas with a unique combination of berries and fruits. Tea production is carried out not only in Russia, but also at the German plant Wollenhaupt GmbH. For the manufacture of unique blends, the company is purchased at auctions in China and Sri Lanka.
There are more than 200 items in the collection of the brand, so everyone can choose tea to their liking. The company also boasts packaging. In addition to branded bags for buying tea by weight, the manufacturer offers gift tin and glass jars, as well as exclusive wooden boxes.
Best green tea bags
Bags, sachets and pyramids are always strictly dosed and are designed to receive 200 ml of a delicious drink. When brewing packaged green tea, the infusion does not turn out to be strong, therefore the amount of caffeine consumed is reduced. This form of release is also popular due to its ease of use. Particles of tea leaves, various herbs and pieces of fruit do not get into the mug. Below are the top three brands for green tea bags.
3 Princess Java 
Variety of flavors
Country:
Russia
Rating (2018):
4.5
Another trade mark representing the large concern "Orimi-Trade". "Princess Java" will appeal to lovers of green tea, as young tea leaves are collected from the best plantations of Indonesia, Vietnam and China for its production.
Green tea bags "Princess Java":
- "Best" - large leaf tea from China with a rich taste;
- "Premium" - an Indonesian drink made from young leaves;
- "Medium" - young leaves are collected in the north of Vietnam, after which they are dried in bamboo baskets;
- "Traditional" is a classic drink made from tightly rolled tea leaves.
In addition to green tea, the collection includes hibiscus, mate and flavored herbal drinks.
2 Heath & Heather 
100% natural composition
Country:
Great Britain
Rating (2018):
4.7
Heath & Heather produces green teas made from all natural ingredients, grown without the use of pesticides or fertilizers. The brand was founded in 1920 by brothers James and Samuel Reeder. Today, the best specialists of the company carefully select each ingredient, creating amazingly tasty and healthy drinks. All Heath & Heather green teas are powerful natural antioxidants that help normalize metabolism.
The product line includes several types of green tea:
- "Organic". Contains only tea leaves grown in ecologically clean areas. No artificial additives or colors.
- With jasmine. Contains natural jasmine flowers and green tea. Has a pleasant jasmine scent.
- "Imperial Mast". Contains several times more nutrients than ordinary tea leaves. The tea leaves are not thrown away, but crushed and drunk, it is this technique that allows you to reveal all the advantages of the variety.
- Orange flavored. The exquisite aroma of orange blossom flowers and orange peel will delight you with a delicate taste with citrus notes.
- With a cucumber. Cucumber gives a fresh touch to classic green tea.
- With Moroccan mint. A drink with a bright menthol flavor and refreshing effect.
- With manuka honey. Manuka honey is an excellent remedy for fighting germs and viruses, especially in winter. The tea has a calming effect and a pleasant honey taste.
- With coconut. The familiar taste of coconut gives green tea an unusual creamy sweet flavor and aroma. Invigorates, tones up and gives strength.
- With basil. Tulsi basil is used for depression and migraine attacks. Helps strengthen the immune system. It is recommended to drink with milk and sugar.
1 Lipton 
Best price
Country:
Great Britain
Rating (2018):
4.9
Brand founder Thomas Lipton bought his first tea plantation in Ceylon back in 1890. Thanks to his ability to competently organize promotions, Lipton products have become known all over the world over time. Thomas believed that tea should be available to all segments of the population, so he organized delivery and packaging at a low cost in 1893. The owner of the company also relied on tea bags. It was Lipton who pioneered the labeling of tea bags with brewing instructions.
Collection of green tea "Lipton" in bags:
- Classic Green Tea - classic green tea;
- Moroccan Mint - fresh flavor of fragrant Moroccan mint;
- Oriental Sencha - harmonious combination of fruity notes of lychee with a floral shade of rose;
- Oriental Temple - intense warming taste and aroma;
- Oriental Milky Oolong - green tea with a delicate creamy note;
- Mandarin Orange - the perfect combination of juicy orange peel and tangerine creates a light refreshing taste;
- Citrus Garden - citrus drink with orange, grapefruit and tangerine aromas;
- Jasmine Flower Green Tea - tea from young leaves from plantations of Indonesia and India, has a light jasmine aroma;
- Vienna Apple Strudel - a drink with the taste of Viennese apple strudel;
- Strawberry Cake - Strawberry cake flavor;
- Sultan Delight - long tea with apple, fig and honey pieces;
- Green Gunpowder is a drink with a fragrant osmanthus aroma.
Attention! The above information is not a buying guide. For any advice, you should contact the specialists!
Black or green tea?
Green and black tea can be obtained from the leaves of one bush. The difference in color, taste, useful properties is achieved by the time of fermentation of the leaves.
Green tea undergoes minimal oxidation, due to which it retains a unique set of vitamins and elements.
For black tea, the leaves are subjected to maximum fermentation, which allows you to obtain a rich color, tart and bright taste of the drink.
Numerous controversies in favor of choosing black or green tea do not have a clear answer. Both drinks can be beneficial or harmful to the body.
Black tea is useful in that it:
- has a long-term invigorating effect, due to which the work of the brain is enhanced;
- improves blood circulation, helps to cleanse toxins;
- normalizes the digestive process;
- optimizes the general condition of the body.
However, all the beneficial properties of black tea can turn into harm if consumed excessively or improperly prepared.
Both black and green tea can be beneficial in moderation.
It is interesting that green tea appeared in our country almost on a par with black, but did not gain much popularity. Over time, its deliveries from China stopped altogether. The second wave of green tea coming to the Russian market happened 20 years ago, and now green tea has firmly established itself on the Russian market and has found its fans.
Green tea is beneficial, it:
- strengthens and supports blood vessels;
- characterized by antibacterial properties;
- has a positive effect on the liver;
- contributes to the rejuvenation of the body.
A large amount of green tea, brewing it too strong, drinking at inappropriate periods can neutralize all the beneficial characteristics of this drink.
Advice. There is no definitive answer to the question: which tea is better to drink - black or green? It is recommended that you consume both of these beverages in moderation to reap the benefits.
Russian tea market
The Russian tea market is represented mainly by multi-brand manufacturing companies:
- the company "Orimi-trade" produces teas "Princess (Java, Kandy, Nuri, Gita)", Greenfield, Tess;
- Unilever produces tea under the brands Lipton, Brooke Bond, Beseda;
- the May company owns the May Tea, Lisma, Curtis trademarks;
- the Sapsan company produces tea under the brands Akbar, Gordon, Bernley.
Also widely known are the following trademarks: Ahmad Tea, Hilltop, Riston, Dilmah, Maitre, “The Same”.
How to choose the best tea: selection criteria
When choosing the best tea, you need to distract from the design of its packaging and look at the labeling.
In accordance with Russian GOST, the quality of tea is determined by its grade: bouquet (highest quality), premium grade, first, second and third grade.
International labeling is a matrix and has 10 quality indicators for the texture of a tea leaf and 7 indicators characterizing its properties.
Large leaf black tea
So, the best large leaf tea will be marked with letters:
- F (Flowery) - tea from slightly opened buds, the best tea.
- P (Pekoe) is a tea made from tea buds and the first two leaves.
- O (Orange) - tea made from young leaves.
- T (tippy) - exclusive tea from tea buds, the most expensive.
- G (golden) - tea with yellow tips (buds).
- S (special) - tea, exclusive for any characteristic.
In addition to the labeling, you should pay attention to the tea material itself:
- The infusion for black tea should be almost black without gray and brown shades, for green - there should be no leaves of white or bright green;
- tea leaves should be the same without twigs, dust and tea fines;
- "Wire" (strongly twisted) leaves characterize the degree of fermentation and the quality of the tea. For green tea, weak leaf curl is not an indicator of poor quality;
- the smell should be pleasant, without foreign aromas;
- high-quality tea should be fresh, the best - from 1-2 monthly leaves. Tea material quickly loses its beneficial properties and aroma;
- the packaging must be airtight with an indication of the composition, expiration date, manufacturer in Russian.
All tea sold in the Russian mass market is collected by special machines, therefore, at best, the counters display tea labeled Orange or Orange Pekoe. Tea made from tea buds will be exclusive and expensive; it is not available on the market.
Attention! Tea bags are of the lowest quality. It is produced from tea waste, tea dust. Such a drink will not be useful.
Test purchase: tea rating 2016
Based on the results of the test purchase, a rating of loose tea was compiled. The scores were given taking into account the appearance of tea leaves, on the basis of aroma, taste, color of the brewed tea, in addition, a check was made of the compliance of the samples with the compositions and varieties declared on the package.
Rating of black leaf tea:
- 1 place. Ahmad tea Ceylon Tea high mountain, grade FBOPF
- 2nd place. Greenfield Golden Ceylon, variety bouquet
- 3rd place. Riston Premium English Tea, premium
- 4th place. Akbar Violet Alexandrite, grade OP
- 5th place. Dilmah Ceylon, premium
- 6th place. Maisky, the top grade is declared on the package. According to experts, tea corresponds to the 2nd grade. Teapots of lamellar structure, not twisted enough
Chai Ahmad - Leader of Test Purchase
The first place, according to consumers' estimates, belongs to black leaf tea of the Ahmad tea brand. This tea has the ability to form a transparent infusion of bright color, has a pleasant taste and clean aroma. The organoleptic characteristics of all samples were at their best, the content of harmful impurities was not revealed.
According to the estimates of green leaf tea lovers, the rating was compiled taking into account the smell, taste, color of the brewed infusion, as well as the appearance of tea leaves, the presence of impurities.
Green tea leaf rating:
- 1 place. Greenfield flying dragon
- 2nd place. Tess style
- 3rd place. Ahmad tea Green Tea
- 4th place. Princess Java Traditional
- 5th place. Lisma Toning
- 6th place. Maitre Vert Mountain
Green leaf tea consumers preferred Greenfield Flying Dragon tea as it has a refreshing, pleasant, mild taste, transparent greenish color and delicate floral aroma.
Fragrant, tart, dark transparent amber color, black tea is able to gather the whole family at a round table. Fresh, soft, light jade green tea will perfectly quench your thirst on a summer day. Tea drinking traditions in Russia are strong, so choosing the best tea, be it black or green, is always relevant.With a focus on quality features, labeling, packaging, this choice will be made correctly.
The best tea according to the "Test Purchase" - video
