Is Black Tea Herbal?
Black tea is one of the most common and popular varieties of tea. But is it considered herb? The answer is not as simple as it appears.
What is Tea?
Tea is a brewed beverage made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. This plant is classified as an evergreen shrub. Camellia sinensis is native to Southeast Asia, but is now cultivated in 25 different countries around the world.
Types of Tea
There are hundreds of different types of tea, and they are divided into several categories based on how they are processed and fermented.
These categories include:
- White Tea – picked at a young age when the leaves are still fuzzy and unopened. These leaves are not oxidized.
- Green Tea – picked when the leaves are still green, these leaves are not oxidized.
- Oolong Tea – picked when the leaves are mostly green with some dark spots. These leaves are partially oxidized.
- Black Tea – picked when the leaves are mostly dark with some green spots. These leaves are fully oxidized.
- Pu-erh Tea – picked when the leaves are completely dark. These leaves are aged and then fermented.
Is Black Tea Herbal?
Black tea is not considered an herbal tea because it is made from the Camellia sinensis plant. Herbal teas, on the other hand, are made from infusions of flowers, herbs, fruits, and other plants that do not come from the Camellia sinensis plant.
In conclusion, black tea is not an herbal tea, but it is still a great and popular beverage option. Its robust flavor and caffeine content make it an ideal choice for many tea lovers. With so many varieties and flavors to choose from, black tea is a tea for all occasions.
