A Beginner’s Guide to Asian Teas for Lunar New Year

We love celebrating Lunar New Year here at Tea Life as it is a brilliant opportunity for renewal, reflection, family gatherings, and sharing traditions.

Across many Asian cultures, tea plays a very central role in how the Lunar New Year is celebrated, as well as in hospitality and daily rituals.

For those of you who are new to our Asian teas, Lunar New Year gives you a wonderful chance to explore some of the more traditional varieties with friends and family. We’ve put together a handy beginner’s guide to help explain the main types of Asian teas, how they’re prepared, and how they are usually enjoyed during festival periods.

Why Tea Is Important During Lunar New Year

For many centuries, tea has been a huge part of culture and ceremonial life across China, Taiwan, and other parts of Asia.

During the Lunar New Year:

• Tea is served to guests as a sign of respect.

• Families share tea as part of reunion meals.

• Tea ceremonies symbolise gratitude and new beginnings.

• Gifting tea is considered thoughtful and refined.

In many cultures, tea reflects values associated with the new year, like balance, clarity, and intention.

The Main Types of Asian Teas to Know

The most common way to categorise Asian teas is by how they are processed. Once you get your head around these categories, it makes it a lot easier to choose your blends.

Green Tea

One of the most popular kinds of tea is green tea. Green tea is minimally oxidised in order to preserve the fresh characteristics of its flavour profile.

A few common characteristics of green tea include:

• Light body

• Fresh, grassy or floral notes

• Pale green or golden liquor

Jasmine green tea is one of the most popular teas enjoyed during celebrations because of the uplifting and welcoming aroma it gives off when being steeped.

Oolong Tea

Another popular choice is Oolong tea. Oolong tea is only partially oxidised, so it sits somewhere between black and green tea.

A few common characteristics of Oolong tea include:

• Smooth texture

• Floral, creamy, or roasted notes

• Layered flavour profile

We find that Taiwanese oolong teas are especially well known for their refined processing and well balanced taste. They make a fantastic choice for gatherings as they can be steeped multiple times yet still give off that same great flavour.

Black Tea

What we know as black tea is often called red tea in China. This is due to the colour of the tea when brewed. Of course, red is a lucky colour in many Asian cultures, which is why it’s another popular choice for the Lunar New Year.

Some common characteristics of black tea are:

• Fuller body

• Malty or slightly sweet notes

• Deep amber to red infusion

Black teas are usually served over the cooler months and pair exceptionally well with festive meals. It’s a great time to purchase them here in Australia as we’re just starting the approach to Autumn.

Scented and Floral Teas

Now your scented and floral teas are traditional tea leaves that have been combined with flowers or other natural aromas.

A few examples of these teas include:

• Jasmine tea

• Osmanthus scented teas

• Fragrant herbal blends inspired by Asian botanicals

These teas are often associated with celebration as they have a delightful aroma that really heightens the tea experience.

Taiwanese Teas and Their Role in Celebration

You may already be aware that Taiwan is internationally recognised for high-quality oolong production. The Taiwanese high mountain oolongs are commonly appreciated for their:

• Clean finish

• Light floral aroma

• Smooth texture

A lot of tea drinkers choose Taiwanese teas during the Lunar New Year because they are a perfect representation of craftsmanship and refinement. It’s also a theory that sharing a tea that can be steeped multiple times encourages slower conversation and connection amongst friends and family.

How to Choose the Right Asian Tea as a Beginner

If you’re totally new to Asian teas, then we recommend you follow the approach below!

Choose by your flavour preferences:

• Prefer light and fresh: start with green tea.

• Enjoy floral aromas: try jasmine or scented teas.

• Like smooth and layered flavour: explore Taiwanese oolong.

• Prefer bold and warming: choose black tea.

However, you should think about the occasion as well! For gatherings and shared meals, choosing an oolong is a very sensible idea as it can be infused multiple times.

On the other hand, green or floral teas are a lighter and more refreshing alternative for quiet reflections alone.

How to Brew Asian Teas Properly

You’ll be pleased to know that we do have brewing instructions on every single product page in our online store. So, if you’re feeling a bit stuck or confused, that should be the first place you check!

A few general brewing guidelines for Asian teas are:

• Use fresh, filtered water.

• Avoid boiling water for delicate green teas.

• Use shorter infusion times for first steeps.

• Re-steep quality teas multiple times.

But it’s also very important that you follow the correct temperature guidelines as well:

• Green tea: approximately 70 to 80 degrees Celsius

• Oolong tea: approximately 85 to 95 degrees Celsius

• Black tea: near boiling

As mentioned above, the precise temperatures and brewing guidelines are listed on all of our product pages, so we suggest you follow those if you want to enjoy your very best cups of tea.

Frequently Asked Questions About Asian Teas

Here are a few of the questions we get asked the most about our Scent of Asia collection.

What is the best tea to drink for the Lunar New Year?

There is no single best tea. Jasmine green tea and Taiwanese oolong are commonly enjoyed because of their floral aroma and smooth flavour.

Are Asian teas caffeinated?

Most traditional Asian teas made from Camellia sinensis contain caffeine. Herbal teas do not. Caffeine levels vary depending on type and brewing method.

Can beginners brew Asian teas without special equipment?

Yes. While traditional gaiwans and small clay teapots are used in ceremonies, a simple teapot or infuser works well for everyday preparation.

A More Thoughtful Way to Begin the Year

There’s no doubt about it, Asian teas like the ones in our Taiwanese tea collection or even our Scent of Asia range offer a much more thoughtful way to enter the new year.

Use our guide to choose the teas that work best for your plans or the teas you enjoy the flavour of. Alternatively, you can contact us with any questions!

Don’t forget to download the Tea Life app on both Android and IOS to make it super simple to shop all your favourite blends. You can also sign up for Tea Miles Rewards, so you can earn while you shop.

Happy Lunar New Year, and enjoy sampling our Asian teas today!