"English" tea is mostly black tea either from India or Ceylon (Sri Lanka), or the Yunnan, Fujian, or Anhui provinces of China. These places are where a vast majority of black tea is produced. There is no tea actually produced in the UK. There may be different blends or brands of tea produced there, however the actual tea is grown in Asia (or rarely, in Africa). "Chinese" tea would be really any of the types of tea, but brewed traditionally without any addition of sweeteners or milk. These types include White, Green, Yellow, Oolong, Pu-erh, and Black. They are all made from the same plant, but processed differently. For example, oolong would be oxidized longer than a white tea and would therefore be "stronger" and it would have more body. Some types of black tea (especially from the Darjeeling region of India) can even be pretty light in flavor and body.
The "Chinese" tea you probably had was oolong as it is served at many chinese restaurants. In order to make it at home, you would need a good quality loose leaf tea, a teapot, and a tea kettle (for heating water). First, heat enough water that you think you will use plus a little extra until boiling (not in the actual teapot). Pour a little of the hot water into the teapot (without leaves in it) and swish it around for a while to warm it. Pour this water out and then measure out about one teaspoon of leaves for each cup of water and put them in the teapot. Wait until the water has cooled to about 82-93 degrees celsius, and pour the water in the pot until full. Cover it and wait about 3 minutes. While waiting, make sure you have your cup(s) ready as well as some sort of strainer to place over your cup while pouring the tea to block the leaves. When the time is up, make sure to pour all of the tea out of the pot, even if you aren't going to drink it right away. This will assure that all of the tea is the same in strength. Oolong tea can always be steeped again, usually about 3 times, depending on the quality of the leaf.
A good place to buy tea online is:http://www.teatrekker.com/main.htm (US)
There are essentially 3 types of tea: Green, Black, and Oolong. "Chinese Tea" is usually Oolong tea, and "English Tea" along with most tea in Amercia (iced or hot) is black tea.Whats the difference between English tea and Chinese tea?
There are many types of tea, even among the Chinese teas. I think English teas are generally black teas but so far many Chinese ones. It all has to do with the oxidation levels -- the blacks being heavily oxidated. Oolong is one of the more common varieties of Chinese tea and is what you'll find served in Chinese restaurants. The reason it's not as dark is because it's less oxidated than the black teas.
If you're not a fan of heavily oxidated teas, I would suggest drinking either green or white teas. There are Chinese version of each of them (white teas are a bit expensive but I love their delicate flavor!) and the type of tea you get all depends on the brew (how long you let it steep, how hot the water is, water to tea ratio, quality of the leaves, etc) so I would try and do some research so you learn how to brew the perfect cup of tea.
And actually, the Chinese have a black tea flavored with milk (albeit condensed sweetened milk) called milk tea and I find it awesome. Sweet and creamy with a hint of tea -- absolutely lovely. But I'll concede it's not for everyone.
What you are calling English tea is actually from the Indian subcontinent. The main difference is that Indian teas are usually fermented.
What you probably had in China was un-fermented 'green tea' which is easy to find in the UK. Just look for green tea. You will also find Jasmine or Chrysanthemum tea. This is also green tea scented with flowers. This is also popular in China.
I am too a chinese tea fan, though am not as elobrate as others, I like to have a cuppa chinese tea at home once in a while too ^_^
will not touch on the diff since there are many experts answering on that :p
Sherryillk (2nd answerer) has made a few pointers abt chinese tea drinking. But for a 'easy' drinkier like myself, i simply use a chinese teapot %26amp; e accompanying teacups for my enjoyment, other times, i'd use a mug.
It's so easy!, just tea leaves %26amp; hot water, how difficult could it be? but yes, if you are gonna buy a tea set for chinese tea, i'd suggest u at least have a brief idea how to prepare it, from the amt of tea leaves, the water, the 'rinsing' %26amp; 'warming' of the cups, to the fragrance cup (which is taller then the drinking cup), etc etc... it's fun to know and cool way to show off to ur friends when they visit too :p
Other than that, the choice of tea is also of personal perferrence. I dun really enjoy Oolong but loved the leafy green teas like 碧螺春 (bì luó chūn), 龙井(lóng jǐng) and the aromatic flowery tea, Jasmine tea (香片 xiāng piàn), Chrysanthemum tea (菊花茶 jú huā chá)... amongst many others.
If am to talk anymore abt tea, there will be no more space left XD LOL
Anyway, enjoy ur cuppa ^_^
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