Tea isn’t just for our grandmothers or royalty anymore. In fact, in Asian culture, tea is a staple must-have in every home and celebration.

From herbal to caffeinated varieties, nothing is getting left out of the conversation. We are taking a deep dive into the top 15 Asian teas and why you need to get a box ASAP. We hope you’ve got your kettle ready, it’s about to be full. 

In case you need more clarification on why you need a new tea regimen, it is insanely healthy for you. Studies have shown that tea can help reduce redness and swelling, boost your immune system, and help keep your risk of some health conditions at bay! There are other tea variety-specific benefits, and we promise to break those down along the way. So let’s get brewing!  

Darjeeling

Darjeeling is a type of black tea that is produced in India. It is slightly sweet with citrus notes and a floral backbone. It can often be referred to as “the champagne of teas,” as the citrus and floral notes produce a flavor profile similar to a glass of muscat wine. 

While Darjeeling is considered a strong tea, as it has caffeine amounts to rival strong coffee, it is a delicate blend. Compared to other more robust black tea blends, the flavors are layered and soft. The aromatics pull you in, and the subtle flavor profile (thanks to a Chinese tea grown in regions of India) will keep you satisfied. 

White Tea – Bai Mudan

White tea, or bai mudan, is a tea made from a ratio of one leaf shoot and two leaves. The tea produces a very light or pale liquid, and the flavors are floral, slightly nutty, and very light in flavor with a clean finish. 

On top of the satisfying flavor, bai mudan has plenty of health benefits. It helps your body fight bacteria and promotes a healthy immune system. 

White tea has a particular way to brew and enjoy. First, it is ideal to use a ceramic or glass teapot. Next, you’ll want to put the tea in and pour boiling water over the top, allowing the tea to steep for three to five minutes. Before serving, use a strainer to remove the tea leaves. Then you’re ready to enjoy. 

Oolong

Oolong is a very special variety of tea. Why is it so special? It doesn’t fall under a broad category. Instead, it created a new category in and of itself. 

It can, however, end up with qualities similar to black or green tea, depending on the preferences of the tea master. How is this possible? Oolong tea is created using leaves of both green tea and black tea varieties. So expect flavor profiles to be similar to both types of tea. 

What else is great about oolong? Oolong tea helps promote fat burn, increases alertness, and reduces signs of stress. If you’re looking for a special variety, try Us Two Tea Homesick: Oolong Tea. The tea leaves are grown on a mountaintop 5,000 feet high.

Suutei Tsai

Suutei tsai is a Mongolian drink that is wildly popular, and it’s common to serve to guests as they enter your house. It’s a great tradition that helps to welcome friends and family into your home. But it doesn’t stop there. 

In Mongolia, suutei tsai is commonly served throughout the day. You can expect it on the table for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. 

Suutei tsai has a very distinct flavor profile. It is made from milk, cream, salt, and green tea. The saltiness is at the forefront as opposed to the balance of the sweeter cream flavors in other milk and cream teas. 

Green Tea Matcha

Green tea is cultivated in both China and Japan, but matcha is strictly a Japanese tea. Alone, green tea will have a light flavor with a mildly sweet herbaceous quality. Matcha will enhance the herbal notes, and deliver a nutty, slightly bitter and slightly savory backbone that finishes sweet. 

We recommend trying ITO EN Green Tea and Yamamotoyama Organic Matcha if you’re in the market for a new go-to tea. 

The health benefits from both green tea and matcha are amazing. They’re known to promote metabolism and fat-burning cell production. This earthy drink is also known to improve memory, raise attention span, and improve functions of most major organs. 

Because it is one of the only loose leaf teas consumed rather than strained out, benefits from matcha are amplified by ten. One cup of tea with matcha can equal ten cups of green tea. 

Rougui 

Rougui is a variety of oolong tea that is produced in the Wuyi mountains of China. It translates to “cinnamon tree,” and the flavor matches the name. Enjoy a cup, and you’ll taste the warming flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, deep cocoa, and bites of fruity citrus notes. 

Rougui is brewed in a very particular way. You’ll want to pour boiling water over the leaves until they’re covered. Allow to steep, and then pour. Repeat the process a few times, and your tea is ready. 

Black Tea

Black tea is one of the caffeinated varieties of tea. It’s also full of antioxidants that help our bodies keep certain types of cancer, liver disease, heart disease, asthma, and dementia from ailing us. It is also quite common to find black tea infused with other flavors or herbs, such as lavender or chai.  

Classic black teas are malty, with a bittersweet flavor. Black tea is often described as being similar in flavor to beer, without the alcohol. So many varieties of black tea are on the market, but we think you should give Us Two Tea Manhattan Black Tea a try. It’s smooth and sultry, with sweet aromas akin to honey.  

Daechu-cha

Daechu-cha is a Korean tea that is made from jujubes, which is a small fruit that grows all over the country. The tea has a subtle sweetness with a hint of ginger spice. It has a rich mahogany color and is full of fruity aromatics. Daechu-cha is naturally caffeine-free but rich in antioxidants.  

Yuzu Tea

Yuzu tea is a Korean iced tea variety made from Yujan tea. It is thick, and the yuzu citrus flavors are popular to enjoy in the winter. It’s a brewed tea, but it is made with a marmalade versus leaves, giving it a thick consistency.

If you’re looking for a new cup of tea that is both bright, citrusy, and completely satisfying, try Tosa Reihoku Wanpaku Yuzu Tea. 

Huo Shan Huang Ya

Huo Shan Huang Ya is a high-quality drink that was used as a tribute or ceremonial tea. It is a soft or pale yellow color with a subtle sweet complexity in flavor. It is a very classic Chinese tea, dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Huo Shan Huang Ya is grown in the Da Hua Ping Tea Garden in the Anhui Province in China. 

Jia Duo Bao Herbal Tea

This is an herbal tea that dates back to the Qing Dynasty. It is a botanical tea with many herbal flavors but with a sweetened edge. It can be served warm or hot. 

Jia Duo Bao is a healthy drink with a full flavor and a soft finish. Plus, the convenient cans it comes in make it easy to pick up and head out the door!

Assam

Assam is a strong black tea that is named after the area in which it is cultivated: Assam, India. When we say strong, we mean it. You can expect malty, darker sweet notes imparted from the cultivation process like other black tea varieties. 

Golden Lily Tea 

Golden lily tea is an oolong varietal with citrus and fruity notes reminiscent of stone fruits. It is an ideal morning tea and would make for a fun and delicious offering at your next tea party. It will complement the tea snacks and sandwiches well! The Golden Lily Milk Tea variety from Taiwan also offers the same flavor profile with a creamy finish. 

We know how good this sounds, and we’ve got Te Company Golden Lily Tea Sachets ready for you! 

Vietnamese Lotus Tea

Vietnamese lotus tea is a specialty drink used in situations like celebrations or even during a tea ceremony. It is a green tea that is produced in Vietnam. Why is it so special? It traditionally takes months to produce the tea. It is allowed to steep for months with stems and leaves to produce as much floral fragrance and flavor as possible. 

Chrysanthemum Tea

Chrysanthemum tea is brewed using real chrysanthemum flowers. It is a popular drink in Southeast Asia and is a good source of potassium. 

We suggest you try 46 Mott Bakery Freshly Brewed Sugar-Free Chrysanthemum Tea. It is sweetened with monk fruit to give it a naturally sweet flavor profile and keeps that soft floral fragrance and flavor. It is satisfying for all of your tea drinking desires.  

Takeaway

Tea might not be a cure-all, but tea will make you feel warm and relaxed. In fact, some studies are seeking to prove that three or more cups of tea a week can help you live a longer life. So, we aren’t saying you have to drink the tea, but we also don’t think you should spill it! 

Looking to get your hands on these healthy teas and are having trouble finding them in your local stores? Check out Umamicart! Order now and get your favorite Asian groceries sent right to your door!

Sources:

The Hidden Health Benefits of Tea | Penn Medicine

Caffeine content for coffee, tea, soda and more | Mayo Clinic

Drink three or More Cups of Tea a Week and You Might Live Longer, Study Suggests | Technology Networks