ChnTeas - tea varieties
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link: https://chnteas.org/tag/tea-varieties/
items: Do All Teas Come from the Same Tea Tree?

Do All Teas Come from the Same Tea Tree?
type: item
date: 2026-01-24T15:53:00+00:00
description: 1. Tea Tree VarietiesMany people believe that all tea comes from the same tea tree, but in fact, the source of tea leaves is not singular. Tea leaves primarily come from two varieties of the tea plant: Camellia sinensis var. assamica (the Assam variety) and Camellia sinensis var. sinensis (the China variety). These two tea tree varieties differ in appearance, aroma, and taste, which results in distinct characteristics in the tea produced from them.Assam Variety: Primarily found in regions like India, Sri Lanka, and Yunnan, this variety has larger leaves and is more suited for tropical and subtropical climates. Assam tea leaves usually have a strong, bold flavor, and they are often used to make black teas, such as Darjeeling and some types of Pu-erh tea.China Variety: This variety is mainly found in China, Taiwan, and Japan, with smaller leaves. The tea tree is adaptable to temperate climates. Teas from this variety tend to have a lighter, more delicate taste and are often used to make green tea, white tea, and oolong tea.Did you notice the mistake in the picture? Haha, I'll fix it when I have time.2. Origins of Different TeasAlthough all teas come from the same species of tea plant, their flavor, color, and aroma vary widely due to different processing methods and the tea tree varieties used. Below are some common tea types and their origins:Green Tea: Typically made from young leaves of the China variety, green tea undergoes a quick steaming or pan-firing process to preserve its fresh flavor and natural aroma.Black Tea: Mostly made from Assam variety leaves, black tea undergoes complete fermentation, which gives it a strong, robust flavor.White Tea: Mainly made from the tender buds of the China variety, white tea is minimally processed and retains its natural, delicate flavor.Oolong Tea: Often made from a blend of Assam and China varieties, oolong tea undergoes partial fermentation, which gives it both floral notes from green tea and a rich body like black tea.3. T…