What are the different types of tea and how are they different?

There are 5 main types of tea, all of which come from Camellia sinensis, a plant originating from southern China which is now cultivated in many parts of Asia, Africa, Australia and elsewhere.

Black tea is tea which has been fully oxidized, while green tea has not been oxidized at all. Oolong tea falls between these two, as it is partially oxidized. Pu-erh tea is a tea which is fermented during the production process (it may or may not be oxidized as well). Finally, white tea is tea produced from the first leaves and buds of the tea plant each year.

Tisanes, commonly but incorrectly called herbal teas, are not true types of tea, but are referred to as teas because they are also steeped to produce a beverage. Some of the more well known tisanes include peppermint tea, rooibos tea, ginger tea, chamomile tea and dandelion tea.