“Thomas, which tea do you recommend, and where can I buy it online?”
This is undoubtedly one of the most frequently asked questions about tea on the internet. To help you discover your next favorite tea at an affordable price, I have put together the following list of well-known and lesser-known teas that I think are worth trying if you want to get a rough idea of the variety of tea available around the world.
Those interested in fine white tea, fine yellow tea or fresh green tea should find something on the list, as should die-hard fans of fine oolong tea, strong black tea or aged pu-erh. I hope that among my selections you will find something that suits your personal taste or current mood.
Have fun exploring the list – and happy sipping!
PS: If you would like to support my work, you are welcome to use the affiliate links provided under my editorial texts to get a small discount on your first purchase and to secure a small commission for me (see also the comments in the respective footnote).
WHITE TEA
«Baihao Yinzhen» (白毫银针) • White tea, China
Baihao Yinzhen, also known as Silver Needle tea, is a unique type of white tea originating from China. It is characterized by its silver fuzz and long, slender buds carefully handpicked. This tea is traditionally produced in limited quantities, making it a sought-after delicacy among tea enthusiasts, who appreciate Baihao Yinzhen for its subtle floral aroma and mild flavor.
⸺
Advertisement: Buy Chinese white tea «Baihao Yinzhen» from Teasenz.eu – 5% off with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (1) or, alternatively, buy «White Downy Silver Needle» from teaflow.me – 10% off with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (3)
«Ruby #18 White» (台茶18號紅玉白茶) • White, Taiwan
Ruby #18 white tea, also known as Sun Moon Lake Ruby White, shares its origins with its black counterpart. Like Sun Moon Lake Ruby #18 black tea, it hails from the picturesque shores of Taiwan’s Sun Moon Lake. And just like its black sibling, Ruby #18 White features the Taiwanese ‘Ruby’ cultivar, scientifically known as TRES #18. However, its unique character sets the white tea variant apart: its lightness and elegance make it a delightful choice for tea enthusiasts seeking a white tea that embodies elegance, natural beauty, and a touch of fruity delight. Whether you’re a seasoned tea connoisseur or a curious beginner: this tea invites you to savor its unique charm!
⸺
Advertisement: Buy Taiwanese tea «Ruby Blossom – Ruby 18 White Tea» from XianCha Tea – 10% off with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (2)
«Yabao» (芽包) • White tea, China
Yabao, sometimes sold as Pu Er Bai Ya, is a white tea from China, specifically originating in Yunnan province. It is harvested from the twig buds of old tea trees, some of which are over 200 years old (gushu). These ancient trees grow wild and often reach heights beyond human size. Yabao tea produces a light, crisp, and refreshing liquor with subtle spicy notes. It’s also excellent for cold brewing.
⸺
Advertisement: Buy Chinese white tea «Yabao» from Teasenz.eu – 5% off with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (1)
GREEN TEA
«Shengcha» (生茶) • Pu-erh tea (raw), China
Often referred to as sheng pu-erh, the term comprises a range of teas that, according to their processing, could initially be categorised as somewhat green. Due to a natural aging process, the profile of shengcha gradually develops and becomes more complex over the course of the tea leaves being stored for years (or, rather: decades), usually in the form of pressed tea cakes.
⸺
Advertisement: Buy Chinese sheng pu-erh tea «2007 Meng Song Ancient Tree Raw Pu Erh Tea Cake» from Teasenz.eu – 5% off with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (1)
«Anji Baicha» (安吉白茶) • Green tea, China
Hailing from Anji County in China’s Zhejiang province, this green tea is special to me in so many ways. Made from the Bai Ye No. 1 (白叶一号) cultivar, the leaves of this green tea appear pale green early in spring, due to a very low amount of chlorophyll – which has led to the tea being called “white” despite its processing as a green tea. Although there are more affordable Chinese green teas that offer a similar experience, this prestigious original is still my personal preference. Or, as my former mentor put it: “This is the only tea I’ll truly ever need.”
⸺
Advertisement: Buy Chinese green tea «Anji Baicha» from Teasenz.eu – 5% off with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (1)
«Longjing» (龍井茶) • Green tea, China
A famous green tea from the West Lake region in Hangzhou – also known as Dragon Well tea. You can recognise it by its characteristic, flat-pressed leaves. Floral notes and nutty baking aromas that somehow always remind me of the cookie dough of my childhood. The Chinese green tea classic par excellence!
⸺
Advertisement: Buy Chinese green tea «Longjing» from Teasenz.eu – 5% off with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (1) or, alternatively, buy Longjing «Fountains of Spring» at teaflow.me – 10% discount with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (3)
«Daejak» (대작) • Green tea, South Korea
An excellent third harvest green tea and one of my favourite green teas over all. The special thing about Korean green teas: they are first steamed in the Japanese style to prevent oxidation and then briefly roasted before the leaves are finally dried – this gives the tea its typical character, which I would classify as somewhere between the algae notes of a Japanese sencha and intense roasted aromas that are almost reminiscent of peanuts.
⸺
Advertisement: Buy Korean green tea «Korean Island Fantasy» at teaflow.me – 10% discount with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (3)
«Sencha» (煎茶) • Green tea, Japan
This most well-known out of the vast variety of Japanese green teas is also still my favourite. High-quality sencha can easily compete with other Japanese teas that are famous for their elegance – e.g. Gyokuro or Kabusecha.
⸺
Advertisement: Buy «Sencha Viridian Serenity» at teaflow.me – 10% off with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (3)
OOLONG TEA
«Baozhong» (包種) • Oolong tea (light), Taiwan
An oolong tea from the rural district of Pinglin, New Taipei City, Taiwan. A delightful “green” oolong – meaning it falls on the lower end of the oxidation spectrum – with twisted leaves that boast floral and fruity notes, and a buttery finish.
⸺
Advertisement: Buy Taiwanese oolong tea «Qing Yu – Pinglin Baozhong Oolong» from XianCha Tea – 10% off with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (2)
«Naixiang Jinxuan» (奶香金萱) • Oolong tea (light), Taiwan
Grown in the pristine high-altitude tea gardens of Taiwan, this oolong offers a unique taste profile. The leaves emit a gentle, natural milk fragrance during brewing, and the tea has a smooth, velvety texture with floral undertones. The milk-like quality is not artificially added; it arises naturally from the leaves themselves. High-altitude cultivation contributes to the tea’s sweetness and complexity.
Its name in Mandarin combines two intriguing elements: 奶香 (Nǎixiāng) literally means “milk fragrance.” It describes the unique creamy and milky aroma found in this tea. 金萱 (Jīnxuān) is the name of the tea cultivar used to produce this oolong. Also known as “TTES #12”, it is famous for its rich flavor and natural milk scent.
⸺
Advertisement: Buy Taiwanese Jinxuan oolong «Golden Sunshine – High Mountain Milky Oolong» from XianCha Tea – 10% off with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (2)
«Lishan» (梨山) • Oolong tea (light), Taiwan
Lishan Oolong tea, a treasure among Taiwanese teas, originates from the heights of the Lishan Mountains in the middle of the island. The tea bushes thrive at an impressive altitude of 1,200 to 2,600 meters above sea level, making this Oolong one of the highest teas in Taiwan. The fresh, cool mountain winds and the thick mist of Lishan ensure that the plants grow slowly, giving the leaves time to develop a rich and intense flavor.
Lishan Oolong is particularly characterized by its gentle, delicate flavor and its soft, silky texture. The careful manual harvesting and the use of proven processing techniques for withering, rolling and drying the tea leaves result in a tea of exceptional quality.
⸺
Advertisement: Buy Taiwanese Lishan oolong «Little Jade Robe – High Mountain Oolong» from XianCha Tea – 10% off with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (2)
«Dongding» (凍頂) • Oolong tea (light), Taiwan
Originally hailing from Dongding mountain, this medium-roasted oolong tea is by many considered the most balanced of the Taiwanese bunch. Its liqour appears less green in colour (more towards a bright orange) – especially when compared to high mountain oolongs, like Alishan or Lishan.
⸺
Advertisement: Buy «Frosty Peak Oolong» at teaflow.me – 10% off with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (3)
«Darjeeling First Flush» • Oolong/black tea, India
This tea is often marketed as a black tea, but its bright orange cup colour already suggests that, due to an incomplete oxidation process, this is technically – controversial opinion incoming! – more of an unroasted oolong tea.
⸺
Advertisement: Buy Darjeeling First Flush «Spring Awakening» at teaflow.me – 10% off with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (3)
«Dongfang Meiren» (東方美人) • Oolong tea (medium dark), Taiwan
Also known as Oriental Beauty. An oolong tea with fruity notes and a distinct amber hue, due to its higher level of oxidation (about 70%). My special pick for fans of second flush Darjeeling teas who wish to try something truly spectacular!
⸺
Advertisement: Buy «Oriental Beauty Oolong» at teaflow.me – 10% off with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (3)
«Yingxiang #20 Red» (台茶20號紅烏龍) • Oolong (dark) , Taiwan
Discover the rich flavors of a heavily oxidised and heavily roasted oolong tea crafted from the Taiwanese ‘Yingxiang’ cultivar (TRES #20). If you appreciate oolongs that comprise notes reminding of highest-grade black teas, this red oolong one is an excellent choice!
⸺
Advertisement: Buy Taiwanese tea from XianCha Tea – 10% off with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (2)
BLACK TEA
«Ruby 18 Black» (台茶18號紅玉紅茶) • Black tea, Taiwan
Sun Moon Lake Ruby #18 Black Tea, also known as Sun Moon Lake Ruby Black, originates from the picturesque shores of Taiwan’s Sun Moon Lake. Its defining characteristic lies in the use of the Taiwanese “Ruby” cultivar, scientifically known as TRES #18. This cultivar results from a fascinating hybridization: the large-leaved Burmese B-929 cultivar serves as the mother, while Taiwan’s native wild B-607 tea tree acts as the father. The name “ruby” aptly reflects the tea’s infusion colour: a rich ruby-red hue.
⸺
Advertisement: Buy Taiwanese tea «Master Ruby – Ruby 18 Black Tea» from XianCha Tea – 10% off with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (2) or, alternatively, buy Taiwanese oolong «Ruby Kissg» at teaflow.me – 10% off with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (3)
«Balhyocha» (발효차) • Black tea, South Korea
This exceptional black tea, also called Woori, actually behaves more like a good Oolong and enchants with its unique, long-lasting notes of cocoa and caramel. This tea owes its special character to the intensive roasting that is typical for Korean teas at the end of the processing.
⸺
Advertisement: Buy black teas from different tea regions of the world at teaflow.me – 10% discount with code “THOMASTALKSTEA” (3)
(1) This link will lead you to teasenz.eu, an online tea store based in the Netherlands that specializes in high quality Chinese teas. Thanks to my affiliate agreement with them, you will get 5% off on your first purchase on their online store by using my affiliate links or the check-out code “THOMASTALKSTEA”. I will receive a small commission on each sale made this way.
(2) This link will lead you to xianchatea.com, an online tea store based in Berlin, Germany that specializes in high quality Taiwanese teas. Thanks to my affiliate agreement with them, you will get 10% off on your first purchase on their online store by using my affiliate links or the check-out code “THOMASTALKSTEA”. I will receive a small commission on each sale made this way.
(3) This link will lead you to teaflow.me, an online tea store based in Bremen, Germany that specializes in high quality teas and herbal tisanes. Thanks to my affiliate agreement with them, you will get 10% off on your first purchase on their online store by using my affiliate links or the check-out code “THOMASTALKSTEA”. I will receive a small commission on each sale made this way.