Breville BTM800XL manual Before First USE, TEA Types, TEA Storage

BEFORE FIRST USE

Of your Breville Tea Maker

BEFORE FIRST USE

TEA TYPES

There are four main types of teas from the tea plant camellia sinensis. The picking and processing methods determine the type of tea fi nally produced.

1.Black Tea

Black tea is the most common type of tea worldwide. It is made by fermenting the harvested leaves for a couple of hours before heating or drying. This oxidation darkens the leaves and increases the amount of caffeine. Of all the teas, black tea has the strongest color and fl avor.

2.White Tea

White tea is the rarest and the most exclusive tea. White tea consists of the whitish buds of the tea plant which are steamed then left to dry naturally. This tea is low in caffeine and has a slightly sweet fl avor.

3.Green Tea

Green tea makes up approximately ten percent of the world’s tea. The leaves are picked, rolled and dried before they can go brown. Green tea has a distinctive aroma and has a slight astringent taste.

4.Oolong Tea

Oolong Tea is semi fermented, which means leaves are processed immediately after picking. They only have a short period of oxidation which turns the leaves from green to red/ brown. Its leaves have a fl oral, fruity quality and hence have a delicate fruity taste. It is recommended not to drink Oolong tea with milk, sugar or lemon.

5.Herbal infusions or Tisanes

Herbal infused teas are not produced from the tea plant, but from fl owers, leaves, roots or seeds. Common herbal beverages are chamomile, peppermint, fennel, rose hip, and lemon verbena. Herbal infusions that do not contain tea will generally not become bitter with extended brews. These can often be brewed with boiling water 3 times without jeopardizing the taste.

6.Blends

Tea producers make blends by combining different types of teas, often in order to achieve fl avor consistency from one season to the next. Common black tea blends include English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Irish Breakfast, and Russian Caravan.

TIP:

Brewed tea leaves make an ideal garden fertilizer and help condition the soil.

TEA STORAGE

•Teas stored inside a vacuum sealed bag can be stored for up to two years, depending on the quality and grade of tea. Once opened, tea should be stored in an airtight container and kept in a dry and dark place.

•Once opened, black teas will last longer than green and oolong teas but all tea needs to be stored in ideal conditions.

•You can tell when tea is past its best if it has lost its aroma and will create either a bitter or dull tasting cup.

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