Tea Tips for Regensburg

Tea is a hot drink that people have enjoyed for several millennia. Every single variety of tea is distinguished by its own taste and aroma.

But what exactly is tea?

Let's be honest: very few people can say much about tea in general. We'll fill you in.

The basis of true tea is the Camellia sinensis plant, an evergreen shrub of medium height. The buds and leaves of the bush are processed to make tea.

Fresh tea is made by pouring boiling water over leaves or buds of the Camellia sinensis plant, or over common tea bags.

This simple process can be carried out with almost any variety of tea, but the strength and flavour of the tea depend on the variety chosen.

There are plenty of countries that grow and export tea. The largest quantities come from India, Kenya, Argentina, China, Sri Lanka and Turkey, and from there they find their way to us and here to Regensburg on the Danube.

So it is not surprising that Regensburg, with its good 150,000 inhabitants, has shops for locals that specialise in tea.

In this article we set out 20 different types of tea and describe each one briefly.

Black Tea

Aromatic and slightly bitter – that is how black tea tastes. This distinctive taste comes from the leaves being strongly fermented during processing.

Black tea is the variety drunk most widely around the world. It is considered the pick-me-up par excellence, and thanks in part to its moderate caffeine content it revives mind and body without leaving you restless.

Green Tea

Green tea is also obtained from the Camellia sinensis plant. Compared with the leaves for black tea, the tea leaves for green tea are not fermented, which keeps it lighter in colour and milder in taste than black tea.

Green tea is considered healthier than other teas because of its high antioxidant content.

Matcha

Matcha tea is a green tea made from powdered green tea leaves. The tea is often used in Japanese tea ceremonies and has a strong aroma. It can be drunk on its own or added to other drinks such as smoothies or lattes.

White Tea

White tea is made from the young buds and leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. It is the least processed variety of tea, which gives it a gentle taste. Thanks to its low caffeine content and its health benefits, white tea is becoming more and more popular in Bavaria too.

Yerba Mate

The herbal tea yerba mate is made from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. Yerba mate has a bitter, earthy taste and is traditionally drunk with friends from a shared cup through a straw. Thanks to its energising effect, it is very popular in South America.

Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea is a type of herbal tea that is also very popular in Regensburg and is made from the leaves of the peppermint plant. You can drink peppermint tea to ease nausea and stomach ache. It has a minty, refreshing taste. The tea can also be used as a natural remedy for anxiety and headaches.

Chamomile Tea

The ingredients for chamomile tea are extracted from the flowers of the chamomile plant. Chamomile tea has a sweet, floral taste and is traditionally drunk in the evening before sleep to help you relax. The tea can also be used as a natural remedy for insomnia and anxiety.

Herbal Tea

Herbal tea is any tea that does not contain Camellia sinensis leaves. For example, herbal teas can be made from lavender, chamomile or mint. In general there is a large number of plants to choose from. Herbal tea can be drunk iced or hot and is usually caffeine-free, and it is very popular in Germany.

Rooibos Tea

The delicious rooibos herbal tea is made from the leaves of the red bush plant, which comes from South Africa. Rooibos tea is naturally caffeine-free and has a sweet, earthy taste. Rooibos tea improves digestion and lowers stress levels, which is why it is so often drunk.

Ginger Tea

This herbal tea is made from the roots of ginger. It is traditionally used to relieve stomach ache and nausea and has a spicy, earthy taste. Ginger tea also improves circulation and cholesterol levels.

Lavender Tea

Lavender tea is a tea made from the flowers of the lavender plant. Lavender tea is often drunk for its calming effect and has a floral, sweet taste. It can also be used as a natural remedy for headaches and anxiety.

Rosehip Tea

Rosehip tea is made from the dried fruits of the rosehip. Rosehip tea has a fruity, tart taste and is rich in vitamin C. It can be drunk hot or ice-cold and is often used as a natural remedy for flu and colds.

Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea is a herbal tea made from the dried flowers of the hibiscus plant. The tea is packed with antioxidants and has a tart, fruity taste. It is often used as a natural remedy for high blood pressure. Of course, it can also be drunk iced or hot.

Sage Tea

Sage tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the sage plant. Sage tea is traditionally used to relieve stomach ache or improve digestion and has a herbaceous, bitter taste. It can also be drunk for its health benefits, which include, for example, lower stress levels.

Lemon Balm Tea

Lemon balm tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the lemon balm plant. Lemon balm tea has a lemony, citrus-like taste and is often drunk to ease insomnia or anxiety. It can also be used as a natural remedy for indigestion and headaches.

Nettle Tea

Nettle tea is a herbal tea produced from the leaves of the stinging nettle plant. Nettle tea has a bitter, earthy taste and is traditionally used to treat hay fever or allergies. It can also be drunk for health reasons, as it helps, for example, to ease joint pain.

Dandelion Tea

Dandelion tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the dandelion plant. Dandelion tea works very well as a natural remedy for digestive complaints and for detoxifying the body, and has a bitter, earthy taste.

Passionflower Tea

Passionflower tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the passionflower plant. Passionflower tea has a sweet, floral taste and is often drunk to reduce anxiety or insomnia. It is also a natural remedy for digestive problems and headaches.

Yarrow Tea

Yarrow tea is a herbal tea made from the leaves of the yarrow plant. Yarrow tea has a bitter, herbaceous taste and is traditionally used to treat fever, colds or flu. It can also be enjoyed for its effect on improving detoxification and circulation.

Elderberry Tea

Elderberry tea is a herbal tea produced from the berries of the elder plant. Elderberry tea is often used as a natural remedy for colds and flu and has a sweet, tart taste. It can also be drunk for detoxification and improved immune function.

The Proof Is in the Tasting

Admittedly, all theory is grey, and the choice and range are large. The proof is in the tasting, in a tea shop, of which there are many near you in Regensburg, offering expert advice or the chance to buy a small amount to try.