Tea Time

Chicago is home to tea shops, cafes serving tea lattes, and high tea events.

Read More About Tea

Tea originated in China as a medicinal drink and is now the second-most consumed beverage to water world-wide (though it is relatively less popular in the U.S.). Tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant, an evergreen shrub native to Asia. Technically, blends made from other plants or dried fruit are tisanes, not teas. It takes several years for a tea plant to bear leaves for harvest. While tea may be enjoyed year round, certain teas can also be paired with the season. Because of its warmth, tea is a popular choice in chilly winter months. Check out these winter and holiday teas.

Both new tea drinkers and tea lovers may enjoy a tea subscription service, which sends new and seasonal tea flavors to your doorstep.

Teas by processing technique:

White Tea: Wilted and unoxidized
Yellow Tea: Unwilted and unoxidized, but allowed to yellow
Green Tea: Unwilted and unoxidized
Oolong Tea: Wilted, bruised, and partially oxidized
Black Tea: Wilted, sometimes crushed, and fully oxidized (called red tea in China)
Post-Fermented Tea: Green tea that has been allowed to ferment/compost ( called black tea in China)

Tea by Origin

Sri Lanka: Ceylon
China
India: Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri
Taiwan: Formosa
Japan: Green tea, kelp tea, plum tea
Learn more about cultural tea traditions by origin.
The United Kingdom is known to drink tea in high volume. However, a 2016 poll found that as consumers avoid biscuits, they also avoid tea.
Kombucha is a fermented tea that has trace amounts of alcohol. Kombucha can be enjoyed as is, or mixed into a kombucha cocktail.