Tea, by nature, is cold and can help clear the mind and soothe the spirit.
Different people have different constitutions, which means they should Drink different types of tea.
Therefore, choosing the right tea and drinking it well starts with understanding the nature of the tea and the suitable groups of people for each type.
Nature of Teas
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Green Tea: The core process is “fixation,” making its nature cold. People with a hot constitution, high stomach fire, or abundant energy can benefit from drinking green tea, as it has great effects in clearing heat, refreshing the mind, and boosting alertness. Green tea also has excellent radiation protection benefits, making it ideal for those who work on computers.
White Tea: The core process involves “withering and sun drying” followed by natural storage, which transforms the tea's nature from cold to cool and then to mild. Fresh white teas share many properties with green tea, but the most significant difference is that while aged green tea becomes like grass, aged white tea becomes even more precious. As it ages, old white tea becomes even milder, making it suitable for a wider range of people.
Oolong Tea (Blue Tea): The core process includes “greening” and “Roasting,” and the degree of fermentation varies widely, but generally shifts from cold to mild and warm. Lightly fermented oolongs are similar to green tea, such as the fresh and fragrant Tieguanyin, which has a greater cold nature. Heavily fermented oolongs are closer to Black Tea and are suitable for a broader audience.
Black Tea: The core process is “fermentation,” transforming the tea's nature to warm. People with cold stomachs, weak constitutions, or older age can all enjoy black tea. Those with cold limbs and hands, and those feeling chilly, will find it especially beneficial. It can be sweetened with milk or honey for better taste.
Dark Tea: The core process is “pile-fermentation,” changing the tea's nature to warm. It has the benefits of reducing fat and cholesterol, and after years of aging, both taste and medicinal effects improve.
Yellow Tea: The core process is “yellowing,” which changes the nature of the tea, but not drastically. In recent years, due to difficulties in processing and a lack of skilled craftsmen, traditional yellow tea has become more like green tea. Its nature and benefits are similar to green tea, but with a more mellow flavor.
The Impact of Different Teas on Body and Mind
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The clear and transparent infusion of green tea and oolong tea, whether green or slightly yellowish-green, provides a refreshing and cooling sensation during hot and restless times.
Many good oolong teas, especially those that have been aged well, exhibit pleasant fruit acids. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, acids enter the liver meridian, so they have the effect of soothing the liver and regulating qi, but those with stomach and spleen ailments should not drink too much. Wuyi rock tea, a type of oolong tea, has distinct characteristics and a robust flavor, helping to calm the mind and uplift the spirit. Fenghuang Dancong tea stands out with its prominent aroma, particularly effective in clearing the mind and regulating qi.
Black tea has a rich honey-like fragrance and a sweet, warm nature. It enters the spleen meridian and helps nourish blood and qi, replenish heat, relieve fatigue, and harmonize the stomach and spleen. Its bright red infusion gives a warm and joyful feeling, making it perfect for cold hands and feet, low spirits, and other cold conditions.
Dark tea has a bitter, warm nature and develops woody, aged, and fruity aromas as it ages. Dark tea corresponds to water in the five elements and enters the kidney meridian. If you have a dark complexion without luster, sore throat, reduced appetite, diarrhea, cold feet and back, and a decline in vitality, this tea is good for you.
Choosing Tea Based on Different Constitutions
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People with yang deficiency should avoid cold teas and instead drink warming teas such as dark tea and heavily fermented and properly roasted oolong teas, especially aged ones. Those with yin deficiency often feel hot and thirsty and need hydration; light and elegant teas like yellow tea and white tea are suitable options.
Those with qi deficiency experience weakness, shortness of breath, fatigue, and a weakened immune system. They should eat foods that benefit the spleen and stomach and choose mild teas. Those with phlegm-dampness have high Humidity and should drink light teas to eliminate dampness and detoxify. Those with damp-heat can drink neutral oolong tea.
People with blood stasis can drink green tea, white tea, or floral teas. Those with allergy-prone constitutions can choose highly fermented and moderately roasted teas such as fragrant Tieguanyin, Wuyi rock tea, and Oriental Beauty tea.
Those with qi stagnation can drink aromatic floral teas, Anji White Tea, or Fenghuang Dancong with a high floral aroma. Those with a balanced constitution can drink any tea, enjoying floral teas in spring, green tea in summer, oolong tea in autumn, and black tea in winter, or drink oolong tea throughout the year!
Special Situations
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Seniors and children can drink tea, but they should not drink large amounts or strong tea.
Men generally prefer green tea, oolong tea, and raw Pu'er tea, especially Wuyi rock tea, which is potent, grounding, cleansing, and detoxifying.
For women, we recommend “ripe teas,” especially black tea, which is warm, promotes blood circulation, and soothes the uterus and heart. Drinking aged high-quality oolong tea and dark tea in moderation is also a good choice.
Women in special periods or during pregnancy can drink tea, but they should choose the right tea based on the nature of the tea and their constitution. They should not drink large amounts or very strong tea. Aged rock tea and black tea are good choices, while green tea should be consumed sparingly.