What is Red Tea? Best Types of Red Tea You Need To Know
Red tea is probably the most misunderstood type of tea out there. Why? Because there are many tea varieties out there that are all red. Popular types of red tea include Chinese red tea (a true tea), rooibos, hibiscus, rose tea, and raspberry leaf tea.
The term "red tea" can be used to refer to different types of tea, which can cause confusion. In addition to rooibos tea, some people use the term "red tea" to refer to Chinese black tea, which is sometimes called "red tea" in China due to its reddish colour when brewed. There are also many herbal teas that are marketed as "red teas" due to their reddish colour, such as hibiscus tea or rosehip tea. However, technically speaking, these beverages are not actually teas, since they do not come from the Camellia sinensis plant.
What is red tea?
There are two main types of red tea:
True tea, which usually refers to Chinese black tea.
Herbal red tea, which most commonly refers to rooibos, hibiscus, raspberry, rosehip, and rose tea.
All of these ted tea varieties have their own characteristic taste and health benefits. While Chinese black tea is a true tea, from the Camellia sinensis plant, the other red tea varieties are strictly speaking not a tea, but herbal infusions.
|
Type of Red Tea |
Flavour Profile |
|
Rooibos Tea |
Mildly sweet, nutty, and slightly earthy with a hint of vanilla |
|
Chinese Black Tea |
Bold, malty, and earthy with subtle sweet or floral notes |
|
Honeybush tea |
Sweet and floral, a milder version of rooibos |
|
Hibiscus Tea |
Acidic, with a bright, fruity flavour similar to cranberries |
|
Raspberry Tea |
Sweet and fruity, with a strong raspberry flavour |
|
Rosehip Tea |
Sharp, with a slightly sweet and floral undertone |
|
Rose Tea |
Floral, subtle and sweet aroma |
Except for the differences in taste, the other main difference between Chinese red tea and herbal red teas is the caffeine content. Chinese red tea contains moderate amounts of caffeine, just like regular tea, while the herbal red teas do not contain caffeine.
Types of red tea
Here are the most popular types of red tea:
1. Rooibos tea
Rooibos is probably the most famous type of red tea out there. In South Africa, where the tea originates from, rooibos is known as "red bush tea" or "red bush," as "rooibos" is Dutch for "red bush.” People call it red tea because of the reddish colour of the leaves and brewed tea.
One of the distinctive qualities of rooibos tea is its natural lack of caffeine. It has a mild and sweet, but fruity flavour.
So, what exactly is rooibos tea? Rooibos tea is made by harvesting the leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant and then fermenting them. During the fermentation process, the leaves turn red and develop their characteristic colour and aroma. The leaves are then dried, and ready for consumption.
This plant is indigenous to a mountainous region near the South African Atlantic coast. The majority of rooibos tea in the world is still produced in South Africa, since it is difficult to grow it elsewhere due to unique climate and soil conditions it requires.
2. Chinese black tea
In China, what westerners often refer to as black tea is commonly known as "red tea.” The tea itself is not actually red, but has a reddish-brown colour instead.
In China, this type of tea is known as "hong cha" (紅茶) meaning "red tea”. Chinese black tea on the other hand, is called “hei cha”(黑茶). This tea has undergone a slightly different fermentation and ageing process to obtain that even darker colour.
Chinese "red tea" is produced from the leaves of the camellia sinensis tea plant. Just like other types of true tea, it is known for its abundant supply of antioxidants and health benefits.
Here are some famous types of Chinese red tea:
|
Red Tea Variety |
Chinese Name |
Region of Origin |
Characteristics |
|
Keemun |
祁门红茶 |
Anhui Province |
Slow oxidation process resulting in nuanced aroma; floral, slightly smoky |
|
Yunnan |
云南红茶 |
Yunnan Province |
Earthy, malty, sweet |
|
Dian Hong |
滇红 |
Yunnan Province |
Lots of “golden tips” in the tea if high quality; Soft taste, low astringency, but can be bitter if low quality |
|
Qi Men Hong Cha |
正山小种红茶 |
Anhui Province |
Strong aroma, notes of honey and rose |
|
Lapsang Souchong |
正山小种 |
Fujian Province |
Dried over pinewood fire; Smoky, robust, acquired taste for some |
3. Honeybush tea
A close relative and often confused with rooibos is honeybush tea. Honeybush is native to South Africa, and is made from the leaves of the Cyclopia plant, which is a close relative of rooibos.
The name "honeybush" comes from the sweet, honey-like aroma of the tea.
4. Hibiscus tea
The bright red hibiscus tea is very similar in appearance to rooibos, but has a completely different taste. While rooibos has a very sweet flavour, hibiscus tea has a fresher, slightly sour taste. The combination of fruitiness and sourness in hibiscus tea, reminds of cranberries.
Hibiscus tea is produced from the dried flowers of the hibiscus plant (hibiscus sabdariffa). It is also known by several other names, including sour tea, red sorrel, agua de Jamaica, roselle, and karkadé. There are many different species of the hibiscus plant, and all of them prefer a sunny tropical climate to grow in.
Just like rooibos tea, hibiscus does not contain caffeine and is well tolerated when consumed with moderation.
5. Raspberry tea
Raspberry tea is a less common type of red tea. It is made by steeping raspberry leaves in hot water. The tea has a subtle, fruity flavour, similar to the scent of raspberries.
Like most other herbal teas, raspberry tea is also caffeine-free, making it a popular choice for those looking for a calming drink. It is also rich in antioxidants, which have many potential health benefits. Raspberry tea can be enjoyed hot or cold, and is often sweetened with honey or other natural sweeteners.
6. Rosehip tea
Rosehip tea is made from the fruit of the rose plant. The small, red or orange fruits are packed with vitamin C and other antioxidants, making rosehip tea a great choice for boosting the immune system and protecting the body against damage from harmful free radicals.
In addition, some people believe that rosehip tea may have anti-inflammatory properties, which could help to reduce pain and swelling in the body. This tea also has a mild diuretic effect, which means that it can help to promote urination and reduce fluid retention. Overall, rosehip tea is a delicious and nutritious beverage that is easy to prepare and can be enjoyed hot or cold.
7. Rose tea
Rose tea is made by steeping dried rose petals in hot water. Even though the tea is usually pink or yellowish in colour, people can still refer to this as red tea.
The tea often has a strong floral aroma. Even though it can be enjoyed on its own, I personally recommend to blend it with regular black tea. Just a few rose petals can help to bring even the most unimpressive black tea, to another level.
How to make red tea
The different types of red tea are all prepared differently. Some can be made with fresh flowers from your garden, while others are only available in dried form.
Here are the most popular types of red tea and how to prepare them: