Guide Note

Tea is the common name for the plant known as Camellia sinensis, and for the beverage that is brewed from its leaves or flowers. It has also become the name for any beverage that is made by steeping leaves or flowers in boiling water.

Fast Facts

1. Most consumed beverage in the world, after water
2. Four basic types: Black; Oolong; Green; White
3. India: World's largest tea exporter

White tea, black tea and other types of tea all come from the same plant. Tea leaves wilt, and their chlorophyll is broken down, releasing tannins, a process known as oxidization. White tea is unwilted and unoxidized, while green tea is wilted and unoxidized. Oolong tea and black tea are both wilted, but oolong is bruised and partly oxidized, while black is crushed and fully oxidized.

You may have heard someone say, "I wouldn't do that for all the tea in China!" Just what are they turning down? China produced 1,133,176 American tons of tea in 2006. In February 2008 tea was selling for $2.48 per kilogram on the open market. If they won't do it for all the tea in China, it means they won't do it for about $2.55 billion dollars.