Welcome to the Wonderful World of Tea

The main families of tea

Most true teas, black, green, oolong, white and pu-erh, come from a single plant, Camellia sinensis. What sets them apart is how the leaves are grown, picked and processed, which is why one plant can yield everything from a brisk breakfast brew to a delicate, grassy green.

Alongside these sit herbal blends, or tisanes, made from flowers, leaves, roots and spices rather than the tea plant itself. These are naturally caffeine-free and open up a whole extra dimension of flavour and wellness-focused drinking.

How origin shapes flavour

Just as with wine, where tea is grown leaves its mark. Soil, altitude, climate and local craft all influence the final cup, so a tea from one region can taste worlds apart from the same style grown elsewhere.

At OzTea we bring an Australian sensibility to blending, crafting our teas in Brisbane, Queensland and shipping Australia-wide. Our approach has earned bronze at the Golden Leaf Awards and recognition at the Royal Tasmanian Fine Food Awards.

Finding your place in the world of tea

The best way to explore is simply to taste widely. Trying small amounts of several styles helps you notice what you love, whether that is a malty black, a floral herbal or something bright and refreshing.

That is why every OzTea blend comes as a 10g sample and a 50g pack in biodegradable, recyclable kraft packaging. You can gather a little tasting flight, brew your way through it, and build a collection that reflects your own corner of the tea world.

Frequently asked questions

How many types of tea are there?

True teas fall into roughly six families, black, green, oolong, white, yellow and pu-erh, plus a huge range of caffeine-free herbal blends made from other plants.

Are herbal teas real tea?

Technically no. Herbal teas, or tisanes, are made from flowers, herbs, roots and spices rather than the Camellia sinensis plant, which makes them naturally caffeine-free.

What is the best tea for a beginner?

Start with a small selection of styles and see what appeals. Sample sizes let you taste widely without committing to a full pack, which is how many people find their favourite.

Where is OzTea based?

OzTea is an Australian tea maker based in Brisbane, Queensland, crafting loose-leaf and herbal blends and shipping Australia-wide.