There are more than 3,000 varieties of tea out there, generally classified into six basic categories: white tea, green tea, oolong tea, black tea, pu-erh tea and flavoured tea. There are many herbal infusions out there also, but these cannot be classed as tea as they’re not made from Camellia sinensis leaves. Here we take a look at some of the teas available from Lincoln Tea & Coffee.

English Breakfast tea

Ironically developed by a Scot, English Breakfast tea was popular with Queen Victoria which in turn became popular with the rest of the country. A blend of black teas originating from Assam, Ceylon and Kenya, English Breakfast tea is a popular blended tea and the most common form of tea in British tea culture. The taste is known to be robust and blended to go well with milk and sugar; traditionally associated to accompany a hearty English breakfast.

Ceylon orange tea

Ceylon teas are generally lower in tannin and caffeine and have a crisp, refreshing taste. Despite its name, Ceylon orange does not contain an orange flavour. The name comes from “Orange Pekoe” – a term used to grade the size and quality of dried black leaves. Ceylon was the name of the country where it’s grown, now known as Sri Lanka.

Chamomile tea

Said to have many benefits such as reducing blood pressure, aiding sleep, calming nerves and helping digestion, Chamomile tea is actually a member of the sun flower family. Chamomile tea, also known as Camomile, has a distinctive apple fragrance and brewed using the actual flowers.

Earl Grey tea

Named after a British prime minister during William IV’s reign in the 1930s, Earl Grey is considered a classic English afternoon tea. Made up of black tea and flavoured with aromatic oil of bergamot, Earl Grey tea offers a fragrant and citrus taste.

Green tea

Green tea makes up around 10% of the world’s tea. Scientific studies show that green tea has many health benefits and is high in natural anti-oxidants and flavonoids which can protect the body, it’s also linked with weight loss as part of a healthy and balanced diet. The fermentation and oxidisation process of green tea is gentler than other black teas, giving it a light and delicate taste.

Peppermint tea

An infused herbal tea made from peppermint, Mentha piperita, which is also called mint tea. Peppermint tea is caffeine free and made from a blend of peppermint and spearmint leaves. Refreshing with a clean, crisp flavour, Peppermint tea can be served hot or cold.

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