Ah, tea. Whether you like it strong and black or sweet and milky, there's no denying that tea is a staple of British life. But what about plain tea versus flavoured teas? Is there a difference between the two, or are they just variations on a theme? Let's find out!
Types of Tea
When it comes to plain tea, most people think of black tea. Black tea is full-bodied and brisk; its flavour comes from the oxidation process that happens when the leaves are exposed to oxygen. Other types of plain tea include oolong, green, white, yellow and pu-erh teas, all of which come from the Camellia sinensis plant. Each type of plain tea has its own distinct flavour profile due to variations in processing methods.
On the other hand, flavoured teas are typically blends of different types of plain teas with added ingredients such as herbs and spices. Some popular flavoured teas include chai (black tea blended with cardamom, cinnamon and other spices), jasmine (green or white tea blended with jasmine flowers) and Earl Grey (black tea blended with bergamot oil). The addition of these ingredients gives flavoured teas an extra layer of flavour that you don't get from plain teas.
Flavour Profiles
The flavour profiles for both plain and flavoured teas can vary greatly depending on where they were grown and how they were processed. For example, a Darjeeling black tea grown in India will have a much different flavour than black tea grown in Sri Lanka. Similarly, chai made with cardamom grown in India will taste differently than a chai made with cardamom grown in Egypt due to differences in soil quality and climate conditions.
So there you have it—plain versus flavoured teas! As we've seen here today, there are some subtle but important differences between these two types of teas. Plain teas come from the Camellia sinensis plant while flavoured teas are usually blends of different types of plain teas combined with herbs and spices for added flavour complexity. No matter what type you prefer though—plain or flavoured—tea is sure to be a great way to start your day!
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