Six Tea Categories

Chinese tea is classified into six categories by fermentation level, each with unique characteristics

Fermentation Level

不发酵茶，清香鲜爽

Green tea is unfermented, retaining the natural green color and fresh aroma. Famous varieties include Longjing and Biluochun.

轻微发酵，毫香清雅

White tea is lightly fermented with simple natural processing. Famous varieties include Silver Needle and White Peony.

闷黄工艺，醇厚甘爽

Yellow tea undergoes a unique "smothering" process, resulting in a golden liquor with mellow and sweet taste.

半发酵茶，花果香浓

Oolong tea is semi-fermented, combining the freshness of green tea and richness of black tea.

全发酵茶，醇厚甜润

Black tea is fully fermented with a reddish-brown color and mellow, sweet taste.

后发酵茶，陈香醇和

Dark tea is post-fermented through a piling process, known for aged aroma. Pu'er is the most famous.