Introducing the Six Major Types of Chinese Tea

If you’ve ever wondered how many types of tea there really are in China, you're not alone. Most people can name a few—green tea, black tea, maybe Pu-erh—but did you know that Chinese tea is officially categorized into six major types?

Each of these six tea categories has its own processing method, flavor profile, health benefits, and ideal drinker. So whether you're new to tea or looking to deepen your appreciation, this guide will help you understand what sets them apart — and why one of them, ripe Pu-erh, is especially worth adding to your daily ritual.

1. Green Tea (绿茶)

Unfermented · Cooling · Fresh and grassy

• Famous Types: West Lake Longjing (Dragon Well), Biluochun, Huangshan Maofeng, Xinyang Maojian

• Processing: Picking → Fixation (kill-green) → Rolling → Drying

• Health Benefits:

  • Rich in catechins, especially EGCG, a powerful antioxidant

  • May help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and inflammation

  • Studies show drinking 2–4 cups daily can reduce stroke risk by 24%

• Best For:

  • People who easily get overheated or suffer from “liver fire”

  • Office workers staring at screens all day

• Brewing Tip: Use water around 80°C to avoid bitterness

2. White Tea (白茶)

Slightly Fermented · Cooling · Sweet and mellow

• Famous Types: Silver Needle, White Peony, Gongmei, Shoumei

• Processing: Picking → Natural withering (light fermentation) → Drying

• Health Benefits:

  • Excellent anti-aging and skin-protective properties

  • Can enhance resting energy expenditure (may support weight management)

• Best For:

  • Children, elderly, those with weak or sensitive constitutions

• Tip: Aged white tea develops richer flavor and is considered medicinal —
  “One-year tea, three-year medicine, seven-year treasure.”

3. Yellow Tea (黄茶)

Light Fermentation · Neutral · Smooth and delicate

• Famous Types: Junshan Yinzhen, Mengding Huangya, Huoshan Huangya

• Processing: Fixation → Smothering (sealed oxidation) → Drying

• Health Benefits:

  • Retains high amounts of active compounds

  • Supports gut health, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects

• Best For:

  • People who want the freshness of green tea without the harshness

• Fun Fact: Yellow tea is rare and often overlooked, even in China

4. Oolong / Wulong Tea (青茶 / 乌龙)

Semi-Fermented · Mild Warming · Aromatic and full-bodied

• Famous Types: Tieguanyin, Wuyi Rock Tea (Dahongpao), Phoenix Dancong

• Processing: Sun-wilting → Bruising (oxidation) → Fixation → Rolling → Roasting

• Health Benefits:

  • Helps with fat metabolism, cardiovascular support, and detox

  • Rich in polyphenols with anti-aging and blood sugar-balancing properties

• Best For:

  • Weight watchers, beauty seekers, and tea lovers who enjoy complex aromas

5. Black Tea (红茶)

Fully Fermented · Warming · Sweet and smooth

• Famous Types: Keemun Black, Yunnan Dianhong, Jin Jun Mei, Lapsang Souchong

• Processing: Withering → Rolling → Full oxidation → Drying

• Health Benefits:

  • Supports blood pressure regulation and vascular health

  • Contains theaflavins and thearubigins that reduce cholesterol

• Best For:

  • Those who are cold-natured or new to tea

• Tip: Add milk for a classic English Breakfast experience (yes, it’s Chinese in origin!)

6. Dark Tea / Pu-erh (黑茶 / 普洱茶)

Post-Fermented · Warming & Gut-friendly · Thick and earthy

• Famous Types: Anhua Dark Tea, Liu Bao Tea, Ripe Pu-erh (Shou Cha)

• Processing: Complex aging and microbial fermentation after drying

• Health Benefits:

  • Contains natural statin-like compounds (lovastatin analogs)

  • May lower cholesterol, improve blood sugar, and support gut health

  • Rich in probiotics: polysaccharides, theabrownins, microbial enzymes

• Best For:

  • Those with digestive issues, high-fat diets, or seeking daily wellness

• Tip: The older the ripe Pu-erh, the smoother and richer it becomes

Tea Type Comparison Chart

Tea Type	Fermentation	Nature	Taste Profile	Health Benefits
Green Tea	Unfermented	Cooling	Fresh, grassy	Antioxidant, detox, stroke prevention
White Tea	Slightly Fermented	Cooling	Light, sweet	Skin, metabolism, gentle nourishment
Yellow Tea	Light Fermentation	Neutral	Mellow, smooth	Gut health, antibacterial
Oolong Tea	Semi-Fermented	Mild warming	Rich, aromatic	Fat burning, heart health, digestion
Black Tea	Fully Fermented	Warming	Sweet, thick	Cholesterol, heart, energy boost
Ripe Pu-erh	Post-Fermented	Warming	Smooth, earthy	Gut health, blood sugar, aging support

Why I Drink Ripe Pu-erh Every Day

Among all six types of tea, Ripe Pu-erh (Shou Pu’er) is the one I return to daily.

Here’s why:

• It's gentle on the stomach — no acidity, no harshness

• It offers a warm, grounding energy without caffeine crashes

• It gets smoother and more flavorful with age

• It’s been shown to help lower blood lipids, balance blood sugar, and support digestion when consumed regularly

Ready to Start Your Tea Journey?

Choosing the right tea is more important than choosing the most expensive one.
When in doubt, pick the tea that supports your body and fits your rhythm.
For me — and for many tea lovers around the world — that tea is ripe Pu-erh.

Explore our collection of small-batch, ancient tree ripe Pu-erh teas — aged, smooth, and naturally nourishing.