Tea is considered the second most popular beverage in the world after water. There exist various varieties of tea, ranging from the strong black tea to healthy green tea. Though they are different, all of them originate from the same plant, the Camellia sinensis. They differ from each other on the basis of processing and geographical conditions of the region where the plant is cultivated. (While the plant is referred to as the tea plant, the areas where these plants are cultivated are known as tea plantations.) Different Types of Tea Since ancient times, tea has been associated with several cultures across the world. The origin of the tea plant can be traced to Southeast Asia, from where it was introduced to more than 50 nations around the world. Today, tea has not only become one of the most popular beverages in the world, but has also undergone tremendous change and resulted in introduction of several different varieties―each better than the other. Black Tea Black tea is the most oxidized among the various types. It is also stronger and has relatively more caffeine content than the other varieties. In the process of oxidization, the water in the tea leaves evaporates and they absorb more oxygen. Pu-erh tea is a type of black tea which is oxidized twice and hence, is stronger than other black tea varieties. The dark brown and black color of the leaves from which black tea is made, can be attributed to the process of oxidization. Even though it is called black tea, it is actually crimson in color, and hence, the Chinese call it crimson tea. Green Tea Exactly opposite to black tea, green tea is the least oxidized variety of tea. It also has the least amount of caffeine; seldom exceeding 30 percent. Green tea is associated with a whole lot of health benefits. Drinking it on a regular basis reduces the chances of heart attacks and certain types of cancers. It constitutes mere 10 percent of the total production and consumption of tea in the world. However, it is catching up fast, owing to its increasing popularity in regions wherein black tea has been the most popular tea type. Oolong Tea Quite popular in China, Oolong tea is more oxidized than green tea, but less than black tea. Being one of the finest, it is also very expensive. It's the ideal choice for people who are wary of the strong flavor of black tea or the subtle flavor of green tea. Oolong tea is further divided into different varieties depending on the region where it is grown and leaves used. Irrespective of which variety you choose, it is considered one of the best tea types produced in China and tastes better without milk or sugar. White Tea Like green tea, even white tea undergoes minimal oxidization. However, the tea leaves chosen to prepare this variety are picked from young buds. Most subtle among different types, the white tea has a natural sweetness associated with it. Popular varieties of white tea include the Ceylon white, Darjeeling white, Assam white, and the African white. Studies have revealed that the anti-bacterial properties of white tea are superior to that of green tea. Each of these has several varieties of its own. White tea grown in Sri Lanka, for instance, differs from white tea grown in India. Although, the word 'tea' is used to refer to any beverage prepared from the leaves of a plant, it is technically incorrect. The term 'tea' technically refers to those beverages made from the Camellia sinensis. Herbal infusions, more commonly referred to as herbal teas, are actually not true to form, and therefore, are not included here.