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Tea culture is quite prevalent in Asian countries, and in some places, it has even become an art form. Consequently, this beverage has continuously evolved from traditional green tea into various types of teas available today. Let’s explore the popular tea varieties in Vietnam in the following article by Kamereo!
What is tea?
Tea, or “chè,” is a popular beverage made from the leaves of the tea plant (scientific name: Camellia sinensis). After harvesting, the tea leaves are processed for commercial use. Consumers can steep dried or fresh tea leaves in hot water to create a fragrant and nutritious drink.
How to distinguish different types of tea
There are many different types of tea, but all are made from the tea plant. Teas are classified based on the level of oxidation of the leaves during processing. Here are some ways to distinguish the main types of tea:
- Observe the color of the tea leaves.
- Smell the aroma of the tea.
- Taste the tea after brewing.
The flavor of tea can vary depending on many factors. If unsure about a type of tea, you can ask the tea seller or look up information online.
Names of Popular and Delicious Teas in Vietnam
Currently, many types of tea are commonly used worldwide. Each product has its unique flavor, suitable for specific purposes and customer groups. Here are some popular delicious teas:
Green Tea
Most teas in Vietnam belong to the green tea group with notable brands such as Thai Nguyen green tea, Ha Giang shan tuyet tea, and ancient tree tea, etc.
The processing of green tea includes four steps: picking the buds, withering, rolling, and drying. To prevent oxidation immediately after picking, the withering process is done right away, followed by stir-frying or steaming to stop the natural oxidation of the leaves. Thus, high temperatures during these steps inhibit the enzymes in the tea leaves.
Green tea strands are shaped differently by rubbing in hands, pressing on a pan, rolling, or kneading. When brewed, green tea usually has a green or yellow color, with a burnt aroma (stir-fried tea) or the scent of young rice (steamed tea) and a characteristic astringent taste.
Black Tea
Although black tea is also made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant like green tea, it undergoes full oxidation. The processing of this product follows the basic steps, then the tea leaves are exposed to moist air to allow oxidation. During this process, the antioxidant content in the tea leaves decreases while new compounds form, giving it a unique flavor and color. Black tea typically ranges from light brown to deep red with a strong and astringent flavor.
Oolong Tea
When it comes to delicious teas, Oolong tea cannot be missed. This type of tea requires much time and effort to produce, especially during the rolling and oxidation stages. Oolong tea often has a light fruity aroma, a fresh fruity taste, and can also have woody, nutty, or floral notes. Oolong tea is an ideal choice for beginners. With its rich but not too strong flavor, it offers a perfect and pleasant balance for users.
Shan Tuyet Tea
Shan Tuyet tea is made from the young leaves of ancient tea trees. This tea variety only grows in high mountain regions above 1,000 meters above sea level with cold climates and long winters. These conditions affect the development of the tea plants, producing leaves with a unique flavor compared to regular teas. Shan Tuyet tea leaves have a fine white fuzz resembling snow. The flavor of this tea is usually delicate and subtle, combining light floral notes with a fresh astringency.
Jasmine Tea
Jasmine tea is typically scented with natural jasmine flowers at the beginning of summer using traditional methods for optimal flavor. Therefore, this tea is a wonderful combination of pure green tea and the captivating aroma of jasmine flowers. Besides its delicious flavor, jasmine tea also has many positive health benefits. Its characteristic aroma creates a sense of comfort, alleviates stress, relaxes the mind, and reduces fatigue. Thus, jasmine tea is often enjoyed on weekends to recharge after a tiring work week.
Lotus Tea
Lotus tea is one of the traditional Vietnamese teas with a distinctive flavor that should not be missed. As the name suggests, this tea is made from fresh lotus stamens, imparting a special lotus fragrance to each cup of tea. The production of lotus tea requires meticulous care to gather the most refined lotus stamens. Moreover, the mild astringency of premium green tea blends with the elegant fragrance of lotus flowers, creating a unique experience. The lotus scent not only helps to relax and refresh but also brings a sense of peace and soothes the soul.
Earl Grey Tea
Earl Grey tea is one of the famous teas from England. This tea is made from exquisite black tea leaves combined with bergamot oil, resulting in a distinct and delicious flavor. Additionally, Earl Grey tea has a rich flavor with a slight bitterness, making it often enjoyed in the morning or during formal occasions. This tea is also believed to help reduce stress and relax the mind.
Matcha Green Tea Powder
When mentioning Japanese teas, matcha green tea powder often comes to mind first. This tea is made from the leaves of specially grown tea plants, undergoing a closed process to ensure the best quality. After harvesting, the young tea leaves are steamed to retain their natural color, then dried and ground into green tea powder.
Despite being in powder form, matcha still offers a delicate flavor. The slight bitterness is balanced by a natural sweetness, interspersed with a hint of herbal aroma, making matcha unique. Matcha is not only an essential part of traditional Japanese tea ceremonies but also a key ingredient in many beverages and desserts like matcha latte, matcha ice cream, matcha cakes, etc. The popularity of matcha has spread worldwide, becoming a symbol of Japanese tea.
Genmaicha Roasted Rice Tea
Continuing the list of teas from Japan is Genmaicha, similar to matcha. This tea is made from Bancha or Sencha green tea combined with roasted rice (Genmai). Accordingly, Genmaicha has the characteristic aroma of roasted rice combined with the slight bitterness and refreshing taste of green tea. This tea is rich in antioxidants, helping protect cells from free radicals and slowing down the aging process. Moreover, Genmaicha is beneficial for digestion, reducing stress, and suitable for enjoyment in winter. This tea is also popular in tea parties and as gifts.
Gyokuro Tea
Gyokuro tea is one of Japan’s premium green teas. To produce this tea, the tea plants are grown in the shade, increasing the nutrient content in the leaves, especially tannins. Therefore, Gyokuro tea has a mild sweetness, strong aroma, and a deeper green color compared to regular green teas. Growing and producing Gyokuro tea requires dedication and meticulous care from the tea growers, resulting in a high price. However, tea enthusiasts are willing to spend for a cup of high-quality Gyokuro tea.
Herbal Tea
Herbal tea refers to teas made from natural flowers, herbs, and medicinal plants. Common ingredients include chamomile, lavender, orange peel, cinnamon, dandelion, ginger, and lemongrass. These ingredients combine to create a gentle, sweet taste without bitterness. This is because natural herbs do not contain caffeine like green or black tea. Instead, herbal teas offer a lighter and more easily enjoyable experience.
Artichoke Tea
Artichoke tea, or hibiscus tea, is made from the leaves or buds of the artichoke plant. This tea offers a sweet and easy-to-drink flavor without bitterness. Artichoke tea is not only a refreshing beverage but also has many health benefits, such as aiding digestion, improving liver and intestinal functions. You can use dried leaves or fresh artichoke buds to brew tea.
Rose Tea
Rose tea is made by adding dried or fresh rose petals to green tea. This tea not only has a fragrant aroma but also has positive effects on health, such as reducing stress, enhancing memory, supporting digestion, and beautifying the skin. Rose tea can be enjoyed hot or cold, depending on personal preference and the weather. This tea is popular in both cuisine and culture in many countries worldwide, especially in afternoon tea parties or weddings.
Chrysanthemum Tea
Chrysanthemum tea is a traditional tea from China made from fresh chrysanthemum flowers or dried flowers. This tea has a gentle and sweet taste, with a characteristic floral aroma. Chrysanthemum tea is believed to have health benefits, such as reducing stress, relieving headaches, and cooling the body. This tea is suitable for enjoyment on summer days or when you need to relax.
Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is recommended by many nutritionists due to its health benefits such as relieving colds, detoxifying the body, and aiding sleep. This tea can be brewed with green tea, black tea, or just dried chamomile flowers. If you use only dried chamomile flowers, you will experience a gentle sweetness and natural floral aroma. This creates a relaxing feeling, helping to dispel stress after a tiring day at work.
Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is a popular herbal tea in traditional medicine, made from the hibiscus plant (scientific name: Lithocarpus polystachyus Rehd.). This tea has a bitter, robust flavor and provides many health benefits, such as detoxifying the body, supporting digestion, protecting the liver, lowering blood pressure, and helping treat urinary tract diseases. Additionally, hibiscus tea has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Peppermint Tea
This tea is made from dried peppermint leaves, bringing a cool, refreshing flavor that helps reduce stress, fatigue, and anxiety. Additionally, peppermint tea can support digestion, strengthen the immune system, cool the body, and relieve headaches. This tea can be enjoyed hot or cold, depending on personal preference and needs.
Fruit Tea
Fruit tea is created from the combination of various dried fruits during the tea steeping process or by blending green tea or Oolong tea with fresh fruit juices. Nowadays, there are many popular fruit teas on the market such as peach tea, lemon tea, strawberry tea, apple tea, etc. Fruit tea not only offers a refreshing flavor but also provides a rich source of vitamins and antioxidants from the fruits.
Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh tea is a unique type of tea originating from Yunnan province, China. This tea is dried and then aged over many years to develop its distinctive flavor and rich color. To enjoy the special taste of Pu-erh tea, you can drink it the traditional Chinese way by brewing the tea in a pot and drinking it in small cups. Pu-erh tea is known for many health benefits, including weight loss, lowering cholesterol, aiding digestion, and improving heart health. Additionally, this tea is considered an effective way to reduce stress and enhance memory.
Ginger Tea
Finally, a tea that is very familiar to most of us is ginger tea. This tea is a combination of green tea with ginger or ginger powder. Therefore, ginger tea has a characteristic spicy taste, often with added sugar to create a mild sweetness and make it easier to drink. Ginger tea provides a warm feeling for the body during cold days. Additionally, this tea is known for its ability to relieve colds, reduce cold symptoms, detoxify, support digestion, and alleviate nausea.
Notes on Using and Storing Tea
To ensure the delicious taste and maximize the benefits of tea, you should note the following when using tea:
Brewing Water
Use purified water to brew tea because impurities can affect the flavor and quality of the tea. Additionally, the water for brewing tea should be boiled and then cooled slightly before brewing. Water that is too hot can burn the tea leaves, making the tea taste bitter. The appropriate water-to-tea ratio will help you brew delicious tea. Generally, the ratio is 1:100, corresponding to 2g of tea for 200ml of water.
Tea Brewing Tools
You should use ceramic or glass teapots and cups for brewing tea. These materials retain heat well and do not affect the flavor of the tea. Before brewing tea, rinse the teapot and cups with hot water to warm them and remove any dust. You can also use a tea strainer to filter out tea residues, enhancing the overall tea experience.
Tea Storage
To ensure the best flavor of the tea, you can store it as follows:
- Keep tea in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight and high temperatures.
- Store tea in an airtight container to prevent exposure to air and oxidation.
- Use the tea within 6 months of purchase to ensure the best quality.
Conclusion
The above article has provided an overview of delicious and popular teas in Vietnam. Each product has a distinct flavor due to the processing method. Therefore, you can easily choose the type of tea that suits your needs and preferences. Follow the Product Review section to learn more about delicious teas!
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