The Yin and Yang of Tea!

Everything in this universe can be attributed to yin or yang, according to Taoist philosophy. Different teas are processed differently and can therefore be categorized as either yin or yang, and they belong to different elements. They will accordingly have different effects on our body and mind.

Artisan Moonlight White Tea served after a yoga session at Slottsholmen in Västervik. A Yin and water element tea.

If the tea leaves are green when you steep them in water, it’s a Yin - cooling tea. If the leaves are dark red or slightly brownish black in the water, the tea is Yang and has warming properties. Of the six major tea types, green, yellow, and white teas are Yin and cooling. Oolong, black (red tea in China), and dark teas are Yang, warming teas. But read more below, as it's not always clear-cut.

Which teas are yin or yang and what does it mean?

Green tea is a refreshing and cooling yin tea, belonging to the wood element. The best season to consume this tea is in the summer when the temperature is high, as it will help to cool you. Green teas are attributed to enhancing your immunity and increasing your metabolism.

White tea is the least processed of all teas and it belongs to the water element. As a yin tea, it cools, nourishes, and cleanses your whole system. The best season to enjoy white tea is spring and the beginning of summer.

Yellow tea is a very mild yin tea that goes through a yellowing process after it has been processed similarly to green tea. The yellowing process ferments the leaves slightly, making them reabsorb their own moisture. This gives the leaves a yellow tone and changes the element from wood to earth, becoming yang in nature. It's a light, fruity, and nourishing tea, good for those with a sensitive stomach. The best season to enjoy this tea is early autumn when it's still warm.

Oolong tea - these teas are often very sophisticated, with many complex aromas and flavors combined. The lightly oxidized and lightly roasted oolongs belong to the wood element; they are yin, and the best season to enjoy them is in the warmer seasons. The more oxidized and heavier roasted oolongs belong to the fire element, and they will warm you, and are therefore yang in nature. Those are best enjoyed in the colder seasons.

Black tea (called red tea in China because of its reddish color in the cup) is generally yang; it warms you (fire element) and is best enjoyed in the colder seasons. If you have a taste for it, you can add spices of your choice for an authentic masala chai. The spring-harvested "black teas" from high elevation areas like Darjeeling and Nepal are very green in nature. They are produced like black tea, but with much shorter rolling and minimal oxidation, and are therefore more yin and cooling in nature.

Dark Tea / Post-fermented tea is a very large and versatile group of teas. These teas exist in many different shapes, forms, and types and have their origin in different regions and countries. In the Xishuangbanna Dai Prefecture of China, they are referred to as Sheng and Shou pu-erh. Sheng starts as a green tea and is aged a minimum of 5 years before consumption. Shou is a green tea that is post-fermented through the piling method, where the leaves are heaped and covered until they turn very earthy and dark. The piling is a form of "speeded-up" aging process. The piling is closely monitored, and the tea leaves are turned frequently to prevent mold. After processing, the tea leaves are pressed into various forms to facilitate better aging. The young Sheng belongs to the wood element, they are yin in nature and become more earthy as they age. The Shou pu-erhs are very earthy, yang in nature, and will aid your digestion and warm your entire system. These teas can also be called Liu Bao (from Guangxi), Brick Teas, Dark Teas

Singhpho Phalap and more. Here are two very good sources for post fermented, high quality teas Global Tea Hut and Wild Tea Qi.

Pouring a yin white tea served after a yoga session. This tea is also referrerd to as a Moonlight White Pu-erh Tea.

Herbal infusions or Tisanes - are not actual teas, since they are not produced from Camellia sinensis nor its subvarieties. But we often refer to them as tea since they are steeped in water. The herbs, fruits, flowers, roots, and spices mostly belong to the metal element, and they can be used all year round. Common metal element herbs and spices are: fennel seeds, anise, cinnamon, cloves, rosemary, mint, cardamom, pepper, dill, cilantro, wasabi, ginger, basil, nutmeg, thyme, marjoram, chamomile, and more. The herbs can either be yang (warming), yin (cooling), or neutral. We can also use these herbs and spices in our cooking or together with a Camellia sinensis tea.

Finding Out for Yourselves!

Try the different teas and find out how they influence your endocrine, nervous, and digestive systems. The Taoist philosophy and the Five Elements Theory are very complex, and it's not "one size fits all." All are related and interconnected and dependent on your age, gender, constitution, lifestyle, exercise routines, eating habits, and more.

Seasonal yoga class at Slottsholmen in Västervik, with tea to harmonise the session, served after yoga.

Tea events!

Would you like to organize a tea and/or yoga event at your hotel, yoga studio, or another suitable place? Welcome to contact me and I'll be happy to tailor the event to your wants and needs.

Examples:

• Yoga class with tea, adjusted to the yoga theme and the season

• Afternoon Tea Serving - I come to your afternoon tea event and steep the teas

• Tasting all six tea types and matcha, approx. 2 hours, theory and tasting

• Tea Sommelier Course, Level I, duration 6-7 months. One course per annum, fully remote, in English. Read more about the next course that starts in Autumn 2025.

Afternoon tea serving at Slottsholmen, Västervik.