Chinese Tea
Chinese Tea: Discover Authentic Teas from China
Chinese tea sits at the heart of tea culture. With thousands of years of history and a wide range of styles, teas from China offer depth, variety, and craftsmanship that few regions can match. From delicate green teas to complex oolongs and aged pu-erh, Chinese tea gives you more than just a drink. It gives you tradition in a cup.
Our collection of Chinese teas brings together carefully sourced loose leaf teas from renowned tea-growing regions. Whether you’re looking for fresh green tea, smooth black tea, fragrant oolong or traditional white tea, you’ll find authentic options selected for quality and flavour.
Why Choose Chinese Tea?
China is the birthplace of tea. Over centuries, growers refined cultivation and processing techniques that still define premium tea production today. Different provinces produce distinct flavour profiles shaped by climate, altitude, and local expertise.
When you explore Chinese tea, you’ll discover:
- Fresh and grassy green teas
- Smooth, malty black teas
- Floral and complex oolong teas
- Light, delicate white teas
- Earthy, aged pu-erh teas
Each style reflects a specific tradition and approach to craftsmanship.
Types of Chinese Tea
Chinese tea is typically grouped by processing method. This affects colour, flavour, and aroma.
Chinese Green Tea
Chinese green teas are often pan-fired to prevent oxidation. This method creates a smooth, mellow character with subtle nutty or lightly toasted notes. They’re ideal for everyday drinking and offer a clean, refreshing finish.
Popular examples include Dragon Well (Longjing) and Gunpowder tea.
Chinese Black Tea (Hong Cha)
Known as “red tea” in China, black tea is fully oxidised, producing deeper colour and fuller body. Chinese black teas are often smoother and naturally sweeter than many Western breakfast blends.
Expect notes of honey, malt, cocoa, or dried fruit.
Chinese Oolong Tea
Oolong tea sits between green and black tea in oxidation. It can range from light and floral to rich and roasted. Chinese oolongs are prized for their layered flavour and ability to be re-steeped multiple times.
They’re a good choice if you enjoy complexity and evolving taste with each infusion.
Chinese White Tea
White tea is minimally processed, made from young buds and leaves that are simply withered and dried. The result is a soft, subtle tea with delicate sweetness and a smooth texture.
Pu-erh Tea
Pu-erh is a traditional fermented tea from Yunnan province. It develops deeper, earthy flavours over time and is often aged. It’s bold, grounding, and unlike any other tea style.
The Importance of Origin
Chinese tea is deeply connected to place. Regions such as Yunnan, Fujian, Zhejiang, and Anhui are known for specific tea styles and production methods passed down through generations.
Altitude, soil, rainfall, and seasonal harvests all shape the character of the final cup. Choosing single-origin Chinese tea allows you to experience these regional differences more clearly.
How to Brew Chinese Tea
Brewing depends on the type of tea, but here are general guidelines:
- Green tea: 75–85°C, 1–3 minutes
- Black tea: 90–100°C, 3–5 minutes
- Oolong tea: 85–95°C, 2–4 minutes
- White tea: 80–90°C, 2–4 minutes
- Pu-erh tea: 95–100°C, 3–5 minutes
Using water that is too hot, especially for green or white tea, can lead to bitterness. Adjust leaf quantity instead of increasing temperature if you want a stronger brew.
Loose Leaf Chinese Tea
Loose leaf Chinese tea allows the leaves to expand fully, releasing more aroma and flavour than most tea bags. Many traditional Chinese teas are designed for multiple infusions, meaning you can enjoy several cups from the same leaves.
If you value authenticity and depth of flavour, loose leaf is the best way to experience Chinese tea.
Shop Premium Chinese Tea
Our Chinese tea collection is selected for quality, freshness, and true regional character. Whether you’re exploring tea for the first time or building a refined selection, you’ll find carefully sourced loose leaf teas that honour tradition and deliver consistent flavour.
Browse our Chinese teas today and discover why tea culture began here.
