The taste of tea is not limited to one tea flavor. There are four main types which depending on where they are grow and processed, equal out to thousands of varieties. So you see, there is no "one taste". Some teas can be sweet, others on the bitter side. Some mellow, and some with kick. They can be full bodied or mild. But all and all, the many flavors of tea can be enjoyed by everyone!
That taste of tea in your cup is relied upon many factors, such as water quality, flash-boiling, steeping, or if brewed by bag or by whole leaf.
Loose leaf tea is the way to go, and offers superior flavor over the tea bag! You haven't had tea until you brewed it from the whole leaf...period!
Think about it, those little pieces of tea dust (fannings) that were sitting for who knows how long in those tea bags are severely dried out and have little to no flavor. This is the lowest grade of tea which are the leftovers that break off and are found at the "bottom of the basket" from the whole big leaves during processing.
I believe everyone's taste buds are different, and the saying "not my cup of tea" fits in perfect here. Below are the four main types of tea plus a small explanation on what you can expect on taste.
White tea:
has a light airy aroma and flavor, and in some varieties is almost fruity. The liquor brews a light golden-yellowish color. A rare and calming tea that offers the most health benefits out of all the teas.
the taste of this tea sometimes has an undeserving reputation. While it is true that some green teas taste a bit vegetal, after about four or five cups (as in my case), that slightly grassy taste changes and becomes much more enjoyable. Give you taste buds a chance to open up to green tea. Some green tea varieties are sweet and mellow and do not have that grassy taste at all.
the taste of tea along with the color changes with this type. Oolong teas are great and have a smooth full-bodied taste. It brews a dark golden-copper color, and the taste may seem a bit "woody" in the beginning for some (once again my experience), but is hardly noticeable or distracting. This tea type goes great with dinner and treats the palate with every sip.
this is the most common drunk type of tea in the world that has many different flavors. The best are Darjeeling black teas which are considered to be the "champagne" of tea. If you never had loose-leaf black tea and instead was introduced by the bag, you're missing out.
Black tea is rich and soothing. Some varieties can be "smoky", while others "earthy" but by no means is this in bad taste. I like black tea and enjoy it sometimes with milk. But in the case with a variety like "Irish breakfast" I find myself drinking it straight up.
Loose-leaf black tea is full of flavor and may replace that morning cup of coffee you are drinking...it did for me, and with half the caffeine.
