The Chinese classify tea into six broad categories, each category in turn being further classified into numerous species and grades dependent upon the sub-species of the tea bush, where it is grown, how it is processed and what type of beverage it produces.

There are six categories of Chinese tea, which include Green Tea, Black Tea, Oolong Tea, Scented Tea, White Tea and Compressed Tea. Sometimes, a seventh category - Yellow Tea is mentioned, but this is an exclusive tea type often subsumed within the "White Tea" category.

Oolong Tea
Oolong teas are somewhat similar to green and black teas in their production methods, and are consumed without milk or sugar. These teas are extremely flavorsome and highly aromatic, yet contain no additives. As with green tea, the best oolongs are handmade, and deserve to be much better known to Western tea drinkers.

How to brew the perfect cup of tea
The perfect cup of tea is five easy steps away:

1. Pour boiling water into a teapot to clean and remove germs and odors.
2. Put an adequate amount of tealeaves in the pot.
3. Pour boiling water into teapot to unfold and clean tealeaves, then discard the water.
4. Pour fresh boiling water over the tea, and leave the tea to steep for about 2 minutes.
5. Decant tea into cups and serve. With more boiling water, tealeaves can be reused 3-7 times.

When making tea you should always smell the tea's scent before drinking. This well allow for a rich and satisfying tea taste. Remember that water quality has a direct affect on the taste of tea.

Tea is one of the most popular, versatile beverages around. Highly prized for its good taste, it is also good for you.

Tea Relieves Intoxication
The caffeine in tealeaves activates brain cells and aids in the excretion of toxins, thus cleansing the body.

Tea Eradicates Bad Odors
After a meal, you should always drink a cup of tea to eradicate food remnants and germs, which in turn prevents bad breath. Furthermore, tealeaves supplement calcium loss in the body.
Tea and Obesity
Acids in tealeaves help dissolve fat deposits that collect on blood vessels, making it a healthy drink for overweight people.

Tea Kills Intestinal Parasites
Tea helps wash out any intestinal worms/parasites resulting from the ingestion of raw and half-cooked food.

Tea and Cancer
Tea helps prevent cancer. Even though there is no conclusive clinical evidence, it has been documented that tea drinkers have lower cancer rates than non-tea drinkers.