# The best teas in the world

The world's most celebrated teas, from Darjeeling, the 'champagne of teas', to Taiwanese oolongs and Chinese pu-erh, based on tea guides and specialist tea merchants.

- 440 votes · 16 items
- Dec 3, 2023 · David Henderson
- https://even.best/en/l/204/the-best-teas-in-the-world

## Top 15

1. **Darjeeling first flush (India)** (55 · ▲58 ▼3) — The 'champagne of teas' from the Himalayan foothills, with a muscatel note; first and second flush are prized.
2. **Matcha (Japan)** (34 · ▲38 ▼4) — Shade-grown green tea ground to powder, whisked in the tea ceremony; Uji is the classic origin.
3. **Gyokuro (Japan)** (30 · ▲33 ▼3) — Shaded Japanese green tea, sweet and full of umami.
4. **Taiwan high mountain oolong (Alishan)** (28 · ▲30 ▼2) — Creamy, floral oolong grown above 1,000 m.
5. **Dong Ding oolong (Taiwan)** (26 · ▲29 ▼3) — Roasted Taiwanese oolong from Nantou.
6. **Da Hong Pao (China)** (23 · ▲25 ▼2) — Roasted rock oolong from the Wuyi mountains, with legendary mother bushes.
7. **Longjing / Dragon Well (China)** (21 · ▲23 ▼2) — Pan-fired flat green tea from Hangzhou's West Lake.
8. **Keemun (China)** (19 · ▲20 ▼1) — Smooth Chinese black tea with a hint of smoke and cocoa.
9. **Pu-erh (China)** (15 · ▲20 ▼5) — Fermented and aged tea from Yunnan, sold in pressed cakes.
10. **Assam (India)** (15 · ▲18 ▼3) — Malty, strong black tea, the base of English breakfast blends.
11. **Tieguanyin (China)** (14 · ▲19 ▼5) — Floral oolong from Anxi, Fujian.
12. **Ceylon (Sri Lanka)** (14 · ▲18 ▼4) — Bright, brisk black tea from highland estates like Nuwara Eliya.
13. **Silver Needle (China)** (13 · ▲16 ▼3) — Delicate white tea of downy buds from Fujian.
14. **Sencha (Japan)** (11 · ▲15 ▼4) — Japan's everyday steamed green tea, grassy and fresh.
15. **Earl Grey** (7 · ▲13 ▼6) — Black tea scented with bergamot oil, the British classic.
16. **Jasmine pearls (China)** (7 · ▲11 ▼4) — Green tea rolled into pearls and scented with jasmine blossoms.

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.