Tea is generally divided into categories based on how it is processed. At least six different types are produced:

• White: wilted and unoxidized;

• Yellow: unwilted and unoxidized but allowed to yellow;

• Green: unwilted and unoxidized;

• Oolong: wilted, bruised, and partially oxidized;

• Black: wilted, sometimes crushed, and fully oxidized (called 紅茶 [hóngchá], "red tea" in Chinese tea culture);

• Post-fermented: green tea that has been allowed to ferment/compost (called 黑茶 [hēichá] "black tea" in Chinese tea culture).