Millions of people worldwide consume tea. In the United States, in 2021 alone, nearly 85 billion servings of tea (more than 3.9 billion gallons) were consumed, whether alone, in a coffee shop, or even at a tea party. Per-capita tea consumption in the United States has steadily grown in recent years and is projected to continue growing. At-home American tea consumption in 2024 is projected to be $2.7 billion (about $8 per person in the US).
Tea is produced from the leaves of the Asian native Camellia sinensis plant. It comes in a variety of flavors and forms, each with a distinct flavor, scent, and suggested health advantages. Let’s take a sip of some of the more popular teas together.
Black Tea - According to the Tea Association of the USA, black tea is the most consumed tea in the United States, at 84% of tea consumed in 2021. Black tea is derived from Camellia sinensis, the same plant as white, green, and oolong teas. Its black color results from the finishing process, which includes heating, oxidizing (a process that turns the leaves from green to black), and drying. Its fermented (a process that involves the action of microorganisms on the tea leaves) tea leaves give it a strong, robust flavor and a deep, rich color. Some popular black tea blends include English Breakfast, Earl Grey, and Darjeeling.
Green Tea—Green tea is the second most consumed tea in the United States. It is made from unfermented tea leaves, which gives it a light, fresh, and slightly grassy flavor. Green tea is bountifully rich in antioxidants and polyphenols and has been reported by medical professionals to have many health benefits. Some popular green tea blends include Dragonwell, Sencha, and Matcha.
White Tea - White tea is the least processed type of tea, made from the youngest tea leaves and buds. It has a delicate, light flavor and a pale, yellow-green color. It is known for its high levels of antioxidants: polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins. According to WebMD, it is reported to have more antioxidants than other teas, thus a reported potential to improve heart health, reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, and boost skin health. Some popular white tea blends include Silver Needles, White Peony, and Shou Mei.
Oolong Tea—Oolong tea is made from partially fermented tea leaves, which gives it a unique flavor that falls between black and green tea. According to Healthline, it may boost weight loss and stress reduction. Oolong tea has a smooth, floral, and slightly sweet taste. Most Oolong tea is from China and Taiwan. Some popular oolong tea blends include Tie Guan Yin, Jin Xuan, and Da Hong Pao.
Herbal Tea - Herbal tea is not technically a tea as it is not made from the Camellia sinensis plant. Instead, it is made from various herbs, flowers, and spices, such as chamomile, mint, and hibiscus. Herbal tea is known for its many health benefits, such as reducing stress, improving sleep quality, aiding digestion, and boosting the immune system. Some popular herbal teas include chamomile, ginger, hibiscus, cinnamon, rooibos, and echinacea.
Tea is a well-established and growing part of the beverage market in the United States, with a wide range of consumers and tastes craving and consuming more tea than ever. Tea is a versatile and delicious beverage with many potential health benefits (check with your certified health provider for the benefits and possible interactions with medications).
Whether you prefer a strong, robust black tea, a light and fresh green tea, a delicate white tea, a smooth and floral oolong tea, or a soothing and aromatic herbal tea, there is a tea out there such as at RudiGourmand.com to suit every taste and occasion. If you produce or sell tea from any part of the world, you can now easily export and sell your teas to Americans using PriorNotify.com.