Updated July 2026
To choose your first tea, start from what you already enjoy and let taste, not rules, lead you. If you like light and delicate, begin with a white or green tea. If you like fuller and comforting, try an oolong or a red tea. If you are drawn to earthy and deep, a puer will suit you. Buy small amounts of two or three, from a seller who names the origin and picking, and taste them slowly over a week. The only firm rule at TI YA RA TEMPLE is that tea means Camellia sinensis, so you are choosing between its many expressions, not reaching for an infusion.
- Name the flavours you already like: fresh and light, full and warming, or deep and earthy.
- Match a starting style: white or green for light, oolong or red for full, puer for earthy.
- Buy small quantities of two or three, so you can compare without committing.
- Choose a source that names the tea's origin, harvest and processing.
- Taste each slowly over several days and keep the one that draws you back.
Trust your own palate
There is no correct first tea, only the one that makes you want another cup. Beginners are often told to defer to prestige or price. Better to defer to your own attention: the tea you return to willingly is the right one to build a practice on.
Frequently asked questions
What tea should a beginner start with?
Start from what you like. White or green tea suits those who like light and fresh; oolong or red tea suits fuller tastes; puer suits earthy, deep preferences. Buy small amounts and compare.
How do I know if a tea is good quality?
Buy from a source that names the origin, harvest and processing, start with small quantities, and taste attentively. The tea you willingly return to is the right one for you.
Is herbal tea a good first tea?
Herbal blends are infusions, not tea. If you want to begin a tea practice, start with true tea from Camellia sinensis: white, green, oolong, red or dark.