Havukal Tea Guide

Havukal Tea guide

 

We’ve put together a handy guide to the different types of tea.

 

Black Tea

Black tea is fully oxidised, meaning that molecules in the tea react with oxygen to give the leaves a rich, robust flavour. Nilgiri tea, is known for its extremely strong aroma.

Many of our black teas are flavoured with fruit, spices or even flower petals, or infused with essential oils to complement the flavour of the tea. Their natural depth and richness makes them the perfect base for a wide range of different flavour combinations.

How is it produced?

Black teas are unique for being the only completely oxidised type of tea, giving them a distinctively full body and rich, malty taste.

Rooibos

Rooibos

Rooibos

Rooibos

Rooibos

PICKING

WITHERING

ROLLING

OXIDATION

DRYING

More mature leaves are usually chosen for black tea.

The leaves are laid out on racks to dry for several hours.

Rolling the leaves in large drums triggers oxidation.

Enzymes in the leaves react with oxygen, changing their taste.

Finally, the leaves are dried, sorted and packed.

 

Green Tea

The core difference between green and black tea is oxidation. While black tea is oxidised to change its flavour and appearance, green tea is heated to stop oxidation – preserving that fresh taste and green colour that makes it famous.

Many of our black teas are flavoured with fruit, spices or even flower petals, or infused with essential oils to complement the flavour of the tea. Their natural depth and richness makes them the perfect base for a wide range of different flavour combinations.

How is it produced?

Unlike black tea, green tea is heated before oxidation can take place – preserving its delicate, refreshing taste.

Rooibos

Rooibos

Rooibos

Rooibos

Rooibos

PICKING

WITHERING

HEATING

ROLLING

DRYING

The delicate bud and top two leaves are best for green tea.

The leaves are laid out on racks to dry for 1–3 hours.

To prevent oxidation, the leaves are fired or steamed and "fixed".

Most green teas are rolled to release their aromatic oils.

Finally, the leaves are dried, sorted and packed.

 

Fruit & Herbal Infusions

Our fruit and herbal infusions are the finest black and green teas blended with fruit, herbs, spices and flowers.

There's an extraordinary range of flavours possible in a fruit and herbal infusion that enhance your tea experience, from lemon and apple to saffron kahwa and jasmine flowers.