TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Tea Types in the World
Hōjicha is a Japanese roasted green tea. It is made with bancha or sencha green tea that is roasted over high heat. During roasting, the tea attains a distinctive reddish-brown color. Brewed hōjicha will result in a light brown tea with a slightly warmer character than traditional green tea.
Instead of typical green and vegetal aroma, hōjicha usually has roast-like notes reminiscent of coffee, cocoa, and caramel. The flavor is earthy and subtly sweet, with roasted notes that are typically not overpowering. Hōjicha has less caffeine and tannins than other green teas.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Chai masala is an aromatic beverage originating from India. It is made with a combination of sweetened black tea and milk that is spiced with a masala mix—which typically includes cardamom, ground ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and black peppercorns.
However, the choice and the exact proportion of spices often vary. Although there are several theories that claim otherwise, the origin of chai masala is mostly associated with the British tea trade. In the 19th century, the Chinese had a monopoly on the tea trade, and the British looked for other markets that would fulfill the high demand for black tea—which was a firm European favorite.
THE BEST Chai masala Teas
Pu erh, also known as aged or vintage tea is a renowned tea produced exclusively in the Yunnan province of China. There are two main varieties: raw, non-fermented pu erh, called pu erh sheng, and ripe, fermented pu erh, known as pu erh shu.
The raw version has a very fresh, vegetal flavor with hints of bitterness and a sweet aftertaste, while the ripe one has a mild, yet distinctive and earthy flavor achieved by the fermentation process. For both varieties, the leaves can be left loose or compressed into brick tea (Juan Cha), cake tea (Beeng Cha), bell-shaped tea (Toa Cha), or mushroom-shaped tea (Maw Gu Toaw).
VARIATIONS OF Pu Erh
Ceylon tea is a name given to tea produced in Sri Lanka. Ceylon is the former name for Sri Lanka that is still used in the tea trade. The tea gardens are spread throughout the island, and the favorable climate allows an all-year harvest.
Most production is oriented towards black tea, and the best examples of Ceylon black tea come from higher elevation tea gardens located in the center of the island. Altitude has the most significant effect on the final character of Ceylon teas. Low-grown teas are mostly used in blends and provide a firm body and good strength.
Mid-grown teas—typically cultivated between 2,000 and 3,500 feet—are full-bodied and have a rich and complex flavor.
THE BEST Ceylon Black Tea Teas
Longjing tea, literally translated to dragon well, is one of the best and most popular Chinese teas. It is a type of pan-roasted green tea. After roasting, the leaves should be emerald-colored, broad, flat, smooth, and brittle.
When brewed, this tea will produce a green-gold brew with a refreshing flavor and mellow vegetal aromas that often include buttery, toasty, nutty, and chestnut-like nuances. High-quality Longjing is usually harvested in spring, while summer harvest mostly produces low-quality versions.
Because of its high-quality and limited availability, the first pickings of authentic Longjing can reach astronomical prices and sell for up to $875 per kilo.
Black tea is a large and diverse category, and what differentiates it from other tea varieties is heavy oxidation—in the process, the tea leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant attain their distinctive dark color and develop earthy notes.
When brewed, black tea will usually have a typical amber or brownish hue and stronger flavors and aromas, which may range from savory to sweet and include typical earthy, malty, nutty, and fruity nuances. However, since there are numerous variations and blends available, the final taste profile may significantly vary.
VARIATIONS OF Black Tea
THE BEST Black Tea Teas
Junjie Lin Tea Garden
Smaller Green Leafhopper Honey Flavour Black Tea (flower)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars 2023, 2024
Oolong is a semi-oxidized tea that can vary depending on the leaf style, level of oxidation, color, and the roasting degree. Falling somewhere between green and black teas, it is one of the most complex varieties regarding production, and it can take on a wide variety of flavors and aromas.
Their color can vary from pale green or yellow to dark orange, while the aromas often include notes of melons, apricots, wood, orchids, or spices. The level of oxidation can vary anywhere from 10-80%. The less oxidized styles resemble green teas, while more oxidized varieties, typically over 50% percent, share more characteristics with black teas.
VARIATIONS OF Oolong
THE BEST Oolong Teas
This prestigious tea was named after the Indian city of Darjeeling, the center of Bengali tea cultivation and once the starting point of a caravan route to Tibet. Even today this ancient city is still best known for the very best quality tea of the same name.
The tea cultivation in the West Bengal Darjeeling district goes back to Englishman Arthur Campbell (1805-1874) who experimented with different types of tea in his private garden in the wider Darjeeling area. This led to establishing the Darjeeling Company in 1864 which was renamed in 1896 to Darjeeling Consolidated Tea Company.
Sencha is the most popular green tea in Japan. It is harvested from the leaves that are exposed to direct sunlight. After they are plucked, the leaves are shortly steamed and are then rolled and dried. There are several different types of sencha, but shincha, also known as ichiban-cha, is often cited as the highest-quality version.
It is produced from the first seasonal harvests and typically has a sweeter and more delicate flavor. Japanese sencha has green, needle-like leaves. It has a vegetal and grassy character, mild sweetness, and subtle astringency. Sencha tea pairs well with seafood and rice.
Sheng is the so-called raw variety of pu erh tea that is considered as the authentic and the original version of this highly-sought tea variety. Pu erh is made in Yunnan, but unlike shou that is artificially fermented, sheng is allowed to naturally age and ferment, often over the course of several years.
The aging process improves the overall characteristics of the tea—making it less astringent and mellow. The production process is simple, and after the tea is withered and sun-dried, it is usually pressed into blocks. It is then stored at a cool and preferably humid place.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Tea Producers in the World
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/7ac059a25607488b88979b1a12696831.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d458a90cc5864c4a8b144bed9dc26e08.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
BEST Archome Ent. Int'l Teas and Herbal Infusions
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/8a1b1f0b88564550a5383d618af766ba.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022, 2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/ca690a48ba9d4c73aa5456bdc54e6259.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2021
BEST Formocha Tea Teas and Herbal Infusions
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/047a35279e9d4f73be3b4005822bcb28.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024
![2 stars](/images/productawards/b6c941ff2aec4bd8861c91f4852b3c39.png?w=160)
Decanter World Wine Awards - Best in Show
2021
![2 stars](/images/productawards/14911332f60b4cc99468e8490e89b338.png?w=160)
Decanter World Wine Awards - Platinum
2017, 2016
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/4d7db26536f849f1aee8d84d65c0f2ae.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
BEST Cantinho Das Aromaticas Teas and Herbal Infusions
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d458a90cc5864c4a8b144bed9dc26e08.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
BEST Ching-shin-ming-fun Teas and Herbal Infusions
JING Tea is a company that focuses on sourcing and providing high-quality, single-origin teas. They specialize in a wide variety of teas including green, black, white, oolong, and pu-erh. The company emphasizes working directly with tea farmers to ensure ethical sourcing and high standards.
Their products are available for purchase through their website and in select retailers.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/7ac059a25607488b88979b1a12696831.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2024, 2023
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d458a90cc5864c4a8b144bed9dc26e08.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
BEST Jing Tea Teas and Herbal Infusions
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/4d7db26536f849f1aee8d84d65c0f2ae.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d458a90cc5864c4a8b144bed9dc26e08.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
BEST Namaste by Delhi Darbar Teas and Herbal Infusions
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/3d022f6d0cb2478991f880e5dfcbb122.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 2 stars
2023, 2022
![2 stars](/images/productawards/8a1b1f0b88564550a5383d618af766ba.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
BEST Omgtea Teas and Herbal Infusions
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Teas in the World
FLORA TEA - Jasmine Pearls is a product crafted by FLORA TEA GROUP LTD. It consists of premium green tea leaves that are meticulously hand-rolled into small pearls and infused with the natural essence of jasmine. The tea leaves absorb the fragrant aroma of jasmine flowers during the scenting process, providing a delicate and soothing floral taste when steeped.
Each pearl unfurls gracefully in hot water, releasing a fragrant and flavorful brew.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/8a1b1f0b88564550a5383d618af766ba.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022, 2021
Oriental Beauty Tea 1, produced by Formocha Tea Co., is renowned for its unique flavor profile and high-quality leaves. This tea originates from Taiwan and is celebrated for its natural sweetness, which comes from the bites of leafhoppers that enhance the tea's oxidation process.
The tea leaves are multi-colored, reflecting a careful and precise harvesting technique. Each sip of Oriental Beauty Tea 1 offers a rich, fruity aroma with notes of honey and a smooth, lingering finish.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/8a1b1f0b88564550a5383d618af766ba.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022, 2021
Smaller Green Leafhopper Honey Flavour Black Tea (Flower) is a specialty product made by Junjie Lin Tea Garden. This tea is crafted from leaves affected by the green leafhopper, an insect that enhances the natural sweetness and imparts a honey-like flavor to the tea.
The tea is processed as a black tea and includes floral notes, creating a complex and aromatic profile that is prized among tea enthusiasts. The unique interaction between the leafhoppers and the tea plants is a significant factor in developing this tea's distinctive taste.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d458a90cc5864c4a8b144bed9dc26e08.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2024, 2023
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/8a1b1f0b88564550a5383d618af766ba.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2022
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/4d7db26536f849f1aee8d84d65c0f2ae.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d458a90cc5864c4a8b144bed9dc26e08.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d458a90cc5864c4a8b144bed9dc26e08.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d458a90cc5864c4a8b144bed9dc26e08.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
Lemon Verbena Reserve Lot Herbal Tea by Cantinho das Aromaticas is celebrated for its high-quality, organic ingredients. This herbal tea is specifically made from lemon verbena, known for its vibrant citrus aroma and soothing properties. The tea is carefully harvested and processed to preserve its natural flavors and therapeutic benefits.
It is often enjoyed for its refreshing taste and potential health benefits, such as aiding digestion and reducing stress.
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/4d7db26536f849f1aee8d84d65c0f2ae.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2021
AWARDS
![2 stars](/images/productawards/d458a90cc5864c4a8b144bed9dc26e08.png?w=160)
Great Taste Awards - 3 stars
2023
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TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. For the “Top 100 Teas in the World” list until February 14, 2025, 2,338 ratings were recorded, of which 2,063 were recognized by the system as legitimate. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.