Tea and Personality: What Your Favorite Tea Says About You

ByDerry Liu

In Chinese tea culture, people say the tea you love reveals your personality. Black tea lovers are easy-going, pu-erh lovers are tolerant and mature, white tea lovers are simple and positive, oolong lovers are elegant and emotional, green tea lovers are lively, and yellow tea lovers are open-minded and gentle. Believe it or not, it’s a fun way to think about tea and personality.

Gongfu tea set ready for a tea and personality tasting with friends
Which tea are you?

What does your favorite tea say about your personality?

  • Black tea: easy-going. Black tea is fully oxidized. Its taste is mild, gentle and mellow, and almost everyone enjoys it, just like its fans.
  • Pu-erh: tolerant and mature. Pu-erh lovers have been through life’s ups and downs, become well-rounded and learned to enjoy life.
  • White tea: simple and positive. The simplicity of a minimalist appeals to them.
  • Oolong: elegant and full of feeling. Oolong has the richest range of flavors of all teas, so oolong lovers usually have refined taste.
  • Green tea: dynamic and full of energy. Green tea lovers are lively and always aiming higher.
  • Yellow tea: open-minded and mild. Yellow tea tastes fresh and sweet, and it takes one more step to make than green tea, so its fans are said to be patient, tolerant and gentle.
Brewed Da Hong Pao oolong in a cup
Oolong, for elegant souls.

Is the tea and personality idea serious?

It’s a lighthearted part of Chinese tea culture, not a science. But tea really does reflect taste and mood, and many people find their favorite changes as their life changes. We often see friends start with sweet black teas and slowly fall for pu-erh and rock oolongs. Read ladies are like water, men are like tea and the strength of character of tea.

How can you find your tea personality?

Try one tea from each of the six categories and notice which one you keep coming back to. A tasting set of small packs is an easy way to start. See the six basic types of Chinese tea.

Silver Needle white tea buds
White tea, for simple, positive people.

FAQ

What does liking pu-erh say about you?

Tradition says pu-erh lovers are tolerant and mature, people who have learned to enjoy life.

What personality matches green tea?

Dynamic, energetic people with high goals.

Can your tea personality change?

Absolutely. Many people’s taste in tea changes over the years.

Find your tea with Teawish