Tea Blog

The many types of tea might not cover every color of the rainbow, but they certainly come close. The best known, of course, are

green tea varieties known for their lighter oxidation and fresh flavor profiles

and

black teas that are fully oxidized and typically stronger in flavor
.

Following these are

white teas that are minimally processed and delicate in taste

and

oolong teas that fall between green and black in oxidation and character
.

Although oolong is not technically a “color” tea, it is sometimes referred to as blue tea. Similarly, naming conventions can vary by culture, as explained in

this discussion of how red tea in Chinese terminology corresponds to what is known as black tea in the West
.

Less common categories include yellow tea, a Chinese variety similar in some ways to green or white tea, and

purple tea developed through modern agricultural research in Africa
.

All of which leads to a rather unusual preparation known as pink tea. While not a distinct tea category in the same sense as those listed above, it is a well-known regional beverage, particularly in Kashmir, which spans parts of India, Pakistan, and China.

Pink tea, also known as shir chai, shares some similarities with masala chai, incorporating both tea and a variety of additional ingredients.

Unlike traditional chai, which is typically made with black tea, pink tea is often prepared using loose-leaf green tea, although some variations use oolong.

Common ingredients include milk or cream, salt, and baking soda, along with nuts such as almonds or pistachios. Spices like cardamom and cinnamon are also frequently added, reinforcing its connection to chai-style beverages.

For those interested in preparing it at home, you can refer to
://www.foodspk.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1670″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>
this recipe for Kashmiri pink tea with traditional preparation steps
,

this guide to making Kashmiri chai including ingredient variations
,
or

this example of a pink tea preparation alongside other tea recipes
.

If you prefer visual guidance, video demonstrations are also widely available online showing different preparation methods.

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