Loose leaf tea is a versatile beverage that can be blended to make a variety of flavoured teas.
It is one of the main reasons that loose leaf tea is so popular.
With many different variations and varieties to choose from there is no end to the many tea combinations you can have.
In this blog, we will discuss some of the best tea blends as well as the benefits of blending tea.
Popular Tea Blends
Earl Grey
Earl Grey is a distinguished black tea infused with the essence of bergamot oranges.
The base is typically a high-quality black tea, often from regions like China, India, or Sri Lanka.
The fragrant oil from bergamot oranges gives a citrusy, floral, and slightly spicy aroma to the tea.
Earl Grey variations can include additional elements like blue cornflowers, which add visual appeal, or complementary flavours such as lavender, vanilla or jasmine.
English Breakfast
English Breakfast is a refreshing black tea blend, combining teas from different regions like Assam, Ceylon, and Kenya.
The blend is crafted to deliver a strong and malty flavour.
This tea is known for its dark infusion, high caffeine content, and versatility. It’s often enjoyed with milk and sugar, making it a popular choice for a hearty morning cup.
Chai
Chai is a spiced tea blend rooted in Indian tradition. It typically features a strong black tea base, such as Assam, and is enriched with a medley of aromatic spices.
Common spices include cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and black pepper.
There are numerous regional variations of chai, and it’s often enjoyed with milk and sweeteners. Masala chai, for example, is a spicier variant with a warming and aromatic profile.
Green Tea
Green tea is made from unoxidised tea leaves, preserving their natural colour and antioxidants.
The leaves are often pan-fried or steamed to halt oxidation, resulting in a more delicate flavour profile compared to black tea.
Varieties include Sencha (Japan), Dragonwell (China), and Matcha (finely ground green tea powder). Green tea is celebrated for its fresh, grassy, and vegetal scent.
Jasmine Tea
Jasmine tea is typically green tea scented with jasmine blossoms, creating a delicious and aromatic infusion.
Jasmine flowers are often layered with tea leaves during processing to impart their fragrance.
This tea offers a sweet and floral taste with a soothing aroma. Jasmine pearls, where the leaves are rolled into small pearls, are a popular variant of jasmine tea.
Herbal Infusions
Herbal infusions are not technically teas, as they do not come from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Instead, they are made from a variety of herbs, fruits, flowers, and spices. Popular choices include peppermint, chamomile and hibiscus.
Herbal infusions are caffeine-free and often chosen for their calming, soothing, or refreshing properties.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is a partially oxidised tea, falling between green and black tea in terms of oxidation levels.
The leaves can range from lightly oxidised (closer to green tea) to heavily oxidised (closer to black tea), resulting in a broad spectrum of flavours.
Oolong teas offer a variety of tastes, from floral and fruity to toasty and creamy, depending on the oxidation level and processing methods.
White Tea
White tea is the least processed among traditional teas, made from young tea leaves and buds.
The leaves are minimally oxidised and often undergo minimal processing, preserving their delicate flavours.
Silver Needle (made from unopened buds) and White Peony (made from buds and young leaves) are common white tea varieties. The taste is subtle, sweet, and sometimes floral.
Rooibos
Rooibos, also known as red bush tea, is an herbal infusion from South Africa. It is made from the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant and is naturally caffeine-free.
Rooibos has a naturally sweet and nutty flavour, often likened to honey or vanilla. It can be enjoyed on its own or blended with herbs and fruits.
Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh tea is a fermented tea from Yunnan, China.
It undergoes a unique ageing process that develops rich and earthy flavours over time. Pu-erh is available in two main types:
- Sheng (raw) – tends to be more astringent and has a brighter flavour.
- Shou (ripe) – smooth taste with earthy undertones.
Matcha Tea
Matcha tea is a type of green tea that has been finely ground into a powder.
It is a traditional Japanese tea with a long history and is known for its vibrant green colour and unique flavour profile.
The tea leaves used to make matcha are shade-grown before harvest, which increases the chlorophyll content and gives the tea its distinctive green colour.
Matcha is prized for its rich umami flavour, vibrant green colour, and potential health benefits.
It contains antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, including a type of catechin called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is believed to have various health-promoting properties.
Popular Loose Leaf Tea Blends – Leaf Tea
Blended tea has many benefits for those who would call themselves avid tea drinkers and also those who enjoy tea on rare occasions.
Thanks to the creativity of tea enthusiasts we have an abundance of choices available to us when it comes to tea.
If you enjoyed this article on popular tea blends then please take a look at our wide selection of loose-leaf tea available on our website.
We have some of the best selling tea blends available on the market.
