Best Chinese Tea in 2026: Your Guide to Premium Teas and Brewing

Chinese tea has a long, storied history that continues to capture the hearts of people all round the globe, thanks to its incredible depth of flavor and the rich cultural heritage surrounding it. The thing is, with just so many different teas to choose from now, deciding which one to go for can be a bit of a challenge, but don't worry, we've got your back.

To put together our Top 7 selection of the best Chinese teas for 2026, we took a deep dive into customer reviews and the top-selling teas from each brand that use Chinese tea as their base or a key ingredient. We considered consistency, the quality of the leaves, and the all-important balance of flavor to ensure that every one of these teas offers a well-rounded tea experience. And to make sure they're accessible to everyone, we also checked their availability in the United States.

Our approach reveals both classic Chinese teas and more modern blends where Chinese tea plays a starring role in the flavor profile.

Chinese tea, or cha, is made from the Camellia sinensis plant and is a pretty broad category, encompassing a staggering array of different styles. There are six main types of Chinese tea - green, black, oolong, white, yellow and pu-erh - each with its own unique taste, aroma and character. In China, 'red tea' is what we in the West call 'black tea', full of oxidation and with a lighter, milder profile.

These differences come from oxidation, processing, the region in which it's grown and the level of craftsmanship that goes into creating the tea.

Chinese tea has a huge range of flavors to choose from - from nutty and grassy to rich and smoky. Many people discover Chinese tea through popular varieties like jasmine green tea, Keemun black tea, Wuyi rock tea, Longjing or aged pu-erh. Most of these teas are enjoyed as loose-leaf tea, which is the best way to get a real authentic tea experience. Each one has a distinct aroma - from floral and delicate to bold and robust.

Chinese tea is typically brewed with hot water - a method that has replaced the ancient practice of grinding or whisking powdered tea. As people all over the world become more interested in Asian tea types, Chinese tea remains at the forefront of the scene because it offers such a wide range of many different types, complex layers of flavor and a deep and rich cultural heritage.

China has several major tea regions, each with its own unique character - shaped by soil quality, the altitude and the way the weather behaves.

• Zhejiang Province: This is where you'll find the classic Chinese-green teas like West Lake Longjing - a brew that's produced in the West Lake area around Hangzhou, and it's just as famous for its super-high quality, smooth flavor and just the right amount of sweetness.

• Fujian Province: This is the place to go for oolong tea like Tie Guan Yin and smoky black tea like Lapsang Souchong. The Anxi County in Fujian is especially well-known for producing a top-notch oolong tea with a nice robust flavor.

• Yunnan Province: This is where you'll find Pu-erh tea and some of that full-on Chinese black tea, and it's known for its depth and richness.

• Anhui Province: This is where they make Keemun black tea, and it's prized for its floral aroma and just the right balance of tea.

• Henan Province: This is where Xinyang Maojian Tea is produced - a Chinese green tea that's really well-regarded for its unique flavor and high quality.

• Jiangsu Province: The Dongting Mountains in Jiangsu are just as famous for producing Bi Luo Chun - a green tea that's really celebrated for its special flavor and aroma. And that's all down to the region's unique microclimate.

All of these regions have a real impact on the character of the teas you'll find in China. Take Jasmine tea for example - which is produced in different parts of the country and each region adds its own subtle touch to the tea's character. Even when you're talking about a blend where Chinese tea is just one of the components - its presence adds that extra layer of depth, a nice hint of aroma and a proper Chinese tea flavor.

Below are the top teas that feature Chinese leaves as the primary base or as a meaningful flavor component

Brand overview: Harney & Sons has been around for a long time - and over that time they've built up a solid reputation for having some of the highest quality tea leaves out there and a real knack for finding the best teas from all over the world. They're also a company that really knows how to put a blend together, and their Hot Cinnamon Spice has been flying off the shelves for years.

Flavor and experience: The tea starts off with a nice, smooth medium-bodied black tea from China - that's the base. Then - usually in a very pleasant way - you get a warm burst of cinnamon, a whisper of clove and a hint of citrus that together makes the tea feel like a nice cuddle in a mug. It's naturally sweet without any added sugar so you can just sit back, take a sip and enjoy the experience - and that flavor will stay with you.

Brewing and Serving: To get the most out of Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice, take a sachet or a teaspoon and put it in 8oz of boiling water for 4-5 minutes. As you wait for it to brew, the spices start to wake up and the whole thing starts to take on a depth of flavor that's just incredible - and that sweetness you can taste without the need for milk just gets richer and richer. You can have it on its own or with a splash of milk and either way the flavor remains bold and warming right to the end even after it's cooled off.

Brand overview: August Uncommon Tea is the brand that's all about really pushing the boundaries of what you'd usually expect from a cup of tea. They start with some amazing tea bases and then just go wild with all sorts of crazy flavor combinations - and the end result is just an amazing sensory experience.

Flavor and experience: The Black Lodge has a really deep, earthy base thanks to some Chinese Yunnan and smoked Chinese black tea. They then add in all sorts of botanicals to give it that smoky flavor, a hint of banana, some earthy truffle and loads of rich undertones. This tea has a really sweet taste and has a lot of body to it - it's almost like a coffee, but in a good way!

Brewing and Serving: To brew Black Lodge, steep 1 teaspoon or a sachet in 8 oz of water at 208-212°F for 4-5 minutes. As the tea leaves start to unfurl, you get this really earthy heat and aroma coming out - and you get hints of banana and truffle softening the smokiness and adding a really warm, rounded sweetness. The body of this tea can handle multiple infusions without losing any of its amazing depth.

Brand overview: Plum Deluxe is the brand that really gets what tea is all about. They specialize in small-batch, hand-blended teas that are all about making you feel good - whether it's the freshness, the clarity, or just making you feel like a nice cup of tea is the perfect thing to have on a given day. They're based in Oregon and spend a lot of time working out how to balance out flavors and aromas to create teas that are just perfect for everyone.

Flavor and experience: Citrus Mint Green Tea starts off with a smooth Chinese green tea base - giving it a nice gentle body and a naturally grassy sweetness. Then they add in some lovely lemon, orange and cool mint - and suddenly the whole cup just opens right up with that bright, zesty taste. Then it settles down into a nice, refreshing finish. The aroma is super clean and calming - and the flavor is super mild and balanced - just perfect for anyone who likes their green tea on the lighter side.

Brewing and Serving: For Plum Deluxe Citrus Mint Green Tea, steep 1 teaspoon of tea in 8 oz of water between 175-185°F for 2-3 minutes. As the tea infuses, the Chinese green tea base kind of mellows out the sharp citrus and mint tones - and you get this lovely, refreshing aroma with a cool, lightly sweet finish. The end result is just perfect for that afternoon pick-me-up - whether you have it warm and comforting or chilled and refreshing.

Brand overview: Tea with Tae is the American tea company that really knows how to keep things simple and super tasty. They focus on using high quality ingredients from all sorts of different places and believe that great tea doesn't have to be complicated. They also care about the environment and making tea that's easy to enjoy every day - which is one of the reasons they've got eco-friendly packaging.

Flavor and experience: This English Breakfast blend is made from Chinese Keemun, Indian Assam, and Ceylon black teas - and it's just like a big warm hug in a cup. The Keemun adds some gentle sweetness and some smooth floral notes - the Assam gives it this classic malty depth and structure - and the Ceylon adds a nice bright, lively edge. Together, these teas give you this really refined yet hearty brew with hints of roasted nuts, a little smokiness, and a really subtle stone-fruit finish. It's just the perfect cup to start your day with.

Brewing and Serving: To make a great cup of Tea with Tae English Breakfast, start by boiling your water and then letting it cool just a bit to around 200-212°F (93-100°C). Steep one tea bag or a teaspoon of loose tea in 8 ounces of water. You'll notice the Keemun giving the tea a beautiful rich color and inviting aroma, while the Assam adds a nice, full-bodied balance. If you like, add a splash of milk to take this classic breakfast tea to the next level.

Brand overview: Piper & Leaf is a little family-owned tea company from Alabama that's making a name for themselves with small-batch artisan blends that bring together creativity and top-notch ingredients. What they're really aiming for is teas that are balanced, flavorful and easy enough to drink every day.

Flavor and experience: Trailblazer Blend is a real standout - it starts off with a smoky Chinese Lapsang Souchong that gives off this super-cozy campfire vibe. You'll also pick up on some hints of evergreen and wood, and then there are the spices and herbs like cinnamon and cedar that add a bit of sweetness and depth. It's a bold tea that's still really balanced and just keeps getting better with every sip.

Brewing and Serving: To get the best out of Trailblazer, use about 1 teaspoon of loose leaf or one tea bag - steep that in 8 oz of water that's been heated up to 200-212°F. You want to let the smokiness come through at first, and then as you steep a bit longer, the spice notes will start to add some real depth to the tea. By the end of the infusion, the flavor just keeps evolving - it's a really fun tea to drink.

Brand overview: iLola is a reputable tea company that are all about finding top-notch ingredients and crafting teas that are perfect for everyday sipping without over-complicating things.

Flavor and experience: Chunmee No. 25 is a classic Chinese green tea that comes in these convenient tea discs - and it tastes just like you'd expect from a good Chinese green. There's a bright, grassy taste with a hint of smokiness that comes from the tea leaves themselves. When you brew it up, you get this really smooth, crisp cup that's great for any time of day.

Brewing and Serving: When you're ready to make Chunmee No. 25, just steep one of the tea discs in 8 oz of water that's been heated to about 175-185°F or 80-85°C. As the tea disc starts to unfurl, you'll get this lovely earthy aroma coming through, and then the tea itself is clear and nice and balanced - perfect on its own or with a light snack.

Brand overview: Beach House Teas is a small company that's all about making unique, high-quality teas using just natural ingredients. They keep things simple but still aim to deliver real, memorable tea experiences.

Flavor and experience: Beach House Green is a lovely Chinese green tea with bright and lively notes, along with some fresh vegetal flavors and a bit of natural sweetness. It's a really clean and refreshing cup that makes it a great choice for everyday drinking whether you like it hot or iced.

Brewing and Serving: To brew Beach House Green, use one teaspoon of tea leaves or one tea bag, and steep in 8 oz of water that's been heated to 175-185°F or 80-85°C. Let the tea leaves unfurl for just a moment, and you'll get this clear, bright infusion that's perfect for just one or two infusions - the flavor develops a bit of tanginess and a really clean finish that's just ideal for sipping on its own.

Chinese tea's really a bit like a perfume - you've got to get the temperature and steep time just right to get the best out of it. Chinese black teas are usually pretty robust and full-bodied, and green tea leaves are best steeped a bit under boiling to get the light, grassy notes coming through. Oolong teas are all about multiple infusions and you get this amazing complexity of flavor and fragrance as you go - it's really quite something.

Most Chinese teas actually prefer a bit shorter steeping time and fresh hot water, which lets the tea leaves really express themselves - the style of the leaf, the taste, the aroma and all that.

Chinese tea has this incredible connection to history and tradition - but it also has a pretty amazing variety of flavors to choose from. Whether you're after a pure green tea or a smoky black tea, or if you want to try some blends with Chinese tea as the base - you've got all sorts of options to choose from.

If you want to give one of our top-picks a go, or just browse through our collection to find the perfect cup for your day, then you should totally check out the Taste of Tea.

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