All of the world's tea falls into one of three categories: black, oolong or green. These divisions are based solely on differences in the methods of processing the tea leaf. Black teas (most familiar in the West) are black in appearance and produce red-brown liquor in the cup. Green teas are green in appearance and yield yellow-green liquors. Oolong teas are greenish-brown in appearance and make an amber-colored beverage. It is possible to make green, black and oolong teas from the leaves of a single tea bush. It is commonplace for greens, oolongs and black teas to be made from the same varieties of the plant. As a practical matter, however, certain districts, areas, and estates generally specialize in the production of one of these categories of tea. Virtually all Japanese tea is green while almost all Indian tea is black. China produces all three types.
