Okay so you're probably asking, "Why is she going on about berries when this article's headline is something about tea?" Well, with so much attention on their berries, Sakuma Brothers' efforts to grow tea gets overlooked.

Richard Sakuma and his tea

Over the past 14 years Sakumas has been testing and growing approximately 5 acres of tea plants on their farm located in Burlington, WA. The  goal has been to develop the proper variety that will thrive in the Pacific Northwest. Besides the Sakumas, there is only one other company attempting to grow tea commercially in the entire United States.

Isn't it exciting to be able to buy homegrown tea here in Washington! Sakumas offers 3 types of tea: green, oolong, and white. So I thought this would be a good opportunity to explain some of the differences between teas.

First of all, it's important to know that all types of tea come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. It's the different growing conditions and numerous processing techniques that create all the various kinds of tea we drink.    

Black Tea undergoes the most processing, causing it's oils to be released, which react with the air and cause oxidation. How this is accomplished, and how long it takes, affects the final flavor of the tea.  Black tea has a rich and bold taste. It's the best tea to use if you like to add milk 

Longjing  - green tea

Green Tea is the most minimally processed type of tea, the leaves are steamed soon after picking to prevent oxidation. Then they are rolled and dried. This tea gets closest to what a fresh leaf might taste like, and so is often described as having a "grassy" taste. Some kinds have a very light flavor, and others are sharper. (Think of the difference between a sweet leaf of spinach and the more astringent cabbage.)  

Silver Needle - white tea

White Tea, like green tea, is minimally processed but it specifically uses the youngest buds and leaves of the tea plant. White tea is very mild, not even having the grassy taste of green tea.  

Oolong Tea is neither lightly processed like green tea nor fully processed like black tea, it's everywhere in between and is the most diverse in flavor. If you can't decide if you want green or black tea then Oolong is your choice!    

Pu-erh tea cake Image via Jason Fasi

Pu-erh Tea is interesting because it's fermented and aged, sometimes for years. It's formed into hard cakes and can be steeped several times before loosing it's flavor. The taste is dark and earthy.  

This is just a simple guide to help you discern the basic differences between teas. If you've only ever had tea in the form of tea bags, I really recommend you take the opportunity to try some loose tea. Some tea bag tea can be of low quality, and depending on the brand, missing complex flavors. My Green Tea, available at Uwajimaya, is an exception to this rule.  

Try going to one of the tea shops in town, such as Teahouse Kuan Yin in Wallingford. They can help you find a tea to match your taste preferences and will show you how to prepare the perfect cup.