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All tea comes from the same botanical source — camellia sinensis. Two factors distinguish
one tea from another: where it was grown and how it was processed. Although originally found in China,
Tibet and northern India, tea is now grown commercially throughout Asia and Africa. The soil quality,
growing elevation and climate create the unique varieties within each tea classification.
There are four different classifications of "true" teas determined by how the tea is processed
after harvesting: black, oolong, green and white. Herbal teas are created
from a variety of herbs, flowers and plants unrelated to cameillia sinensis.
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| black teas |
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Black tea was originally produced when European traders realized that the lengthy
voyage from Asia to Europe caused the green tea leaves to loose much of their freshness and taste.
By fermenting the dried tea leaves merchants were able to preserve the tea leaves. This created a new
tea variety with a very different flavor. Today black tea is the the most common tea consumed in America
and Great Britain. Popular varieties of black tea include darjeeling, assam and ceylon.
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| oolong teas |
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Oolong tea is best known to most Americans as the tea served in Chinese
restaurants. Oolong tea is semi-fermented and is mostly processed from teas grown in China
and Taiwan. In flavor oolong tea falls between green and black teas. Lighter oolongs
more closely resemble green teas while dark oolongs are closer to black teas. Popular varieties
of oolong tea include wuyi and jasmine oolong which is fermented in the presence of night blooming
jasmine absorbing its sweet aroma.
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| green teas |
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Green tea has been consumed for thousands of years. After being harvested
and dried, green tea is usually steamed or panfried to bring it to its fullest flavor. Well known
green teas include dragonwell, gunpowder green and genmai.
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| white teas |
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Only a limited amount of white tea is produced in China and India.
White tea is the least processed tea variety. Only the best leaf from each tea harvest is used
to create white tea. White tea has a gentle, subtle taste but tea connoisseurs consider it the
pinnacle of tea perfection. Popular varieties of white tea include silver needle and white peony.
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| herbal teas |
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Herbal teas or tisanes are made from herbs, flowers and plants unrelated to cameillia sinensis.
Tisanes can be made from the flowers, fruit, leaves, roots and stems of a plant.
Unlike cameillia sinensis which undergoes some level of processing and fermentation,
herbal teas are usually simply cut and dried.
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faerie's finest proudly offers a wide selection of
premium loose teas for your drinking pleasure.
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