Senchamint steeped after 3 minutes
Available now. This blend is a mixture of Japanese Sencha and Peppermint. We call it Sencha Mint. The brewed tea is crisp, slightly astringent and floral. When compared to Moroccan Mint, it is more subtle and doesn't require any sweetener. And of course, it makes excellent iced tea. Cheers!
There are 3 keys to brewing a nice cup of tea. Right amount of tea leaves, water temperature, and steeping time.
Below are some general guidelines on how much leaves to use for different kinds of tea. Please note that the amount of dry tea leaves to use varies from person to person and from tea to tea, and it is always better to use less tea leaves if you are not sure how strong you would like the tea to be.
Black Tea -- Weak Brew: 2 grams ( 2/3 teaspoon ) of tea leaves per 8oz. cup; Medium Brew: 3-4 grams (1 level teaspoon) of leaves per cup; Strong Brew: 5 grams (1 heaping tea spoon) of leaves per cup.
Green Tea (Same Leaves Can Be Brewed Multiple Times) -- Weak Brew: 3 grams ( 1 teaspoon ) of tea leaves per 8oz. cup; Strong Brew: 5 grams (1 heaping tea spoon) of tea leaves per cup.
This Sencha is classic steamed green tea from Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture. It brews a cup that is slightly sweet and vegetal. It is mildly astringent with reasonable depth. A quality well rounded green tea to be enjoyed throughout the day. It also makes very refreshing iced tea.
Japan produces some of the best green teas in the world. The efficiency of Japan’s tea production is among the highest in the world reaching yields of 1500 pounds per acre. Despite the fact that mechanical plucking is used, the teas made in Japan are generally considered among the top green teas in the world.
Japan only exports about 1-2 percent of its total production and recently has become a leading importer of the finest teas in the world. The production of green tea entails the steaming of the green leaf and hand or machine rubbing. The teas are then pan fried or basket fired which gives them a distinctive appearance and glossy look and feel. These methods give a taste that is light in color but rich and full in the cup.
Country of Origin: Japan Region: Kagoshima Prefecture
Grade: Sencha Infusion: Pale yellow with green hue
Manufacture Type: Steamed green tea
Genmaicha is a specialty Japanese green tea that is blended with fire-toasted brown rice. Our Genmaicha is a highgrade sencha and Gyokuro base green tea blended with the toasted brown rice.
The fresh vegetative character of the green tea is imparted on the cup, but it is tempered with the bakey-like character of the rice. The Gyokuro green tea gives this tea more complexity and adds the “umami” (a Japanese term for savory taste) to the tea.
There is a natural sweetness and almost chewy character to the finish of this tea. During the firing of the rice, it is common for rice to ‘pop’ like popcorn, hence the name "popcorn-tea."
Country of Origin: Japan Region: Shizuoka Prefecture
Grade: Sencha and Gyokuro Genmaicha
Manufacture Type: Steamed green tea
Cup Characteristics: Light brownish yellow liquor with toasty flavor, tending sweet.
Our classic Gyokuro brews a full-flavored cup of green tea that has a satisfying, light, and refreshing character. It has the signature sweet green flavor with hints of seaweed.
This is one of Japan’s best green teas (made from single buds that are picked only in April/May). In an effort to develop increased chlorophyll (making them dark green) and reduce the tannin (giving a sweeter flavor with no bitterness), the tea is covered with black curtains or bamboo and straw shades for 3 weeks in early spring. The leaves are small - about 3/4 inch long and extremely fragrant and tender. Immediately after plucking the leaves are taken to the factory and steamed for about 30 minutes to seal in the flavor and arrest fermentation. Next they are fluffed with hot air and pressed and dried to 30% moisture content. Repeated rolling takes place until the tea develops long, thin, and dark green needles at which time it is finally dried to a 4-6% moisture content. At this price point, our classic Gyokuro is certainly one of the best on the market.
Country of Origin: Japan Region: Shizuoka Prefecture
Grade: Gyokuro Infusion: Very bright tending green
Manufacture Type: Shade grown and steamed green tea
The classic Gunpowder green tea brews a smooth, full-bodied cup with a hint of oakiness. A very nice tea to pick you up in the afternoon. It also makes very good iced tea.
Production of Gunpowder tea is unique. It is produced mainly in the mountainous areas on Zhejiang Province. After plucking, each individual leaf is rubbed and twisted by hand then dried by stir-frying in a large pan. Depending on the quality of the leaf, ambient humidity and temperature, up to 4 rounds of stir-fry drying may be required. Brew up a cup of Gunpowder tea, watch the leaves unfold, enjoy and relax!
Country of Origin: China Manufacture Type: Steamed and pan-fried green tea
Infusion: Medium green with golden notes
Jasmine Needle is made from the youngest 1st flush (new season growth) leaves and the buds. The tea is smooth and subtle with delicate jasmine aroma. The extraordinary flavor of the tea is due to the time of plucking, manufacture and the fresh spring jasmine blooms. The jasmine flavor is present but not overpowering. This is a perfect afternoon tea.
Our Organic Jasmine tea has exquisite abundant jasmine character. Organic tea is produced without the input of chemical fertilizers or pesticides and herbicides. The jasmine tree comes into bloom only during May and June. The blossom only lasts for about 12 hours and only comes out at night after the sun goes down. About half way through the night, the fragrance is at its peak, and it is at this time the blossoms need to be picked and layer into the tea. By the morning most of the fragrance has disappeared from the blossom, but if the tea maker has done his job correctly, this heavenly scent has been transferred to the tea and captured in time. This process is carried out on 5 successive evenings to impart the superior flavor of specially selected tea and jasmine flowers.
Country of Origin: China Grade: Organic special jasmine tea
Attitude: up to 2500 ft Infusion: Tending bright emerald green
Manufacture Type: Steamed green tea and infused with scent from midnight picked jasmine.
Our Sencha Superior is a wonderful tea for everyday drinking as well as special occasions. The young leaves are plucked in early spring and steamed to seal in freshness. The rolling process gives this leaf its needle-like shape, often called 'spider legs'. Best when brewed with water at 160° for 2 minutes. Do not over brew. Use one heaping teaspoon for every 8 ounces. Same Leaves can be infused up to 3 times.
Country of Origin: Japan Region: Shizuoka Prefecture
Grade: Spring Sencha Infusion: Very bright
Manufacture Type: Steamed green tea
Sencha Mint is a mixture of Japanese Sencha and Peppermint. The brewed tea is crisp, slightly astringent and floral. When compared to Moroccan Mint, it is more subtle and doesn't require any sweetener. And of course, it makes excellent iced tea.
Ingredients: Japanese Sencha, Peppermint.
Our Tencha brews a sweet cup that is vegetatively green with hints of walnuts. This Japanese Tencha is quite special a rare. Tencha is tea used for making Matcha. Taste profile of the tea is similar to that of Matcha, but lighter.
This is a very pleasant 1st grade Jasmine Green tea with surprising body and a captivating floral taste. On the nose the dry tea has a floral bouquet, which literally causes your senses to come alive with pleasant thoughts. The flavor is enhanced with the addition of jasmine blossoms, which give the tea a visual appeal few other teas are capable of copying. There are many different grades of jasmine tea. This particular grade is the first grade below the exotic jasmines. It has all the flavor, aroma and good green tea qualities but not the exorbitant price.
Country of Origin: China Grade: Jasmine First Grade
Altitude: 1500 ft. Manufacture Type: Pan-fried green tea
Infusion: Pale green liquor Ingredients: Green tea, Jasmine petals
Bi Luo Chun is regarded as one of the best green tea China offers. It brews a refreshing cup that is floral, slightly earthy with nutty notes. Bi Luo Chun literally means “green snail spring”. It is called “green snail spring” because it is a green tea that is hand rolled into a tight spiral, resembling snail meat, and is plucked and produced early spring. The annual productions span of the Bi Luo Chun is very short. It is picked between the Spring Equinox (end of March) and Qing Ming (early April). Our 'Choral Bi Luo Chun' tea is made from the finest tender buds, gathered and processed exclusively by hand.
Country of Origin: China
Infusion: Pale green
Cup Characteristics: Full delicate green tea flavor with a very smooth finish.
This Green Curls is a green tea from the mountains of Fujian, China. It brews a clean and crisp cup of green tea that is fruity and slightly smokey. The smokiness is similar to that of gunpowder green tea, but not as prominent. It adds a layer of complexity to this nice green tea. It is a good all day tea for anyone who is new to trying green tea. It is easy to make and is not grassy at all. It also makes refreshing iced tea.
Country of Origin: China
Altitude: 3000 ft.
Manufacture Type: Orthodox rolled green tea
Infusion: Bright green liquor
This is a 1st grade Chun Mee Green Tea from China. It brews a full-bodied cup of green tea with nutty and smokey notes.
Chun Mee is a traditional Chinese green tea with a long history. It was one of the first green teas introduced to the British. The tea leaves are hand-rolled and pan-fired to achieved the classic Chinese green tea appearance. This is a classic green tea that is good as an afternoon tea. It also makes very good iced tea.
Country of Origin: China Grade: 1st Grade Chun Mee
Infusion: Bright green liquor Ingredients: Green tea
Dragonwell aka Lung Ching is a famous green tea from China. Our Dragonwell brews a full-bodied cup of green tea that is sweet and slightly nutty with floral characters.
Dragonwell is produced by hand through a 10-part process. The side of West Lake in Zhejiang Province grows the tea used to produce Dragonwell. Dragonwell is distinguished by its beautiful shape, emerald colour, scented smell and tending sweet floral character. This tea is good for multiple infusions. It is really an exceptional afternoon tea that will certainly satisfy and make you relax.
Country of Origin: China
Region: Zhejiang Province
Manufacture Type: Pan-fried green tea
Infusion: Very bright
Kukicha is a traditional green tea from Japan. Our Kukicha is a Sencha and Gyokuro base green tea with both young leaves and stems. It brews a flavorful cup that is nutty and slightly creamy.
The addition of Gyokuro base leaves enhances the Umami (a Japanese term for savory flavor) and add a unique flavor profile to the tea. Kukicha can also be added to juice to make an excellent children's drink. It is a powerful antioxidant and is very low in caffeine. In fact the lowest in caffeine (1/10 of the caffeine level in regular green tea) of all traditional teas.
Country of Origin: Japan
Grade: Kukicha
Manufacture Type: Steamed green tea
Hojicha is a low caffeine roasted green tea from Japan. It brews a toasty and nutty cup of tea that is slightly sweet with a very clean finish. It is also excellent when served as an iced tea.
There is almost no astringency or bitterness in this tea as a result of the roasting process. Caffeine level is also significantly reduced due to the roasting process. In Japan, because it is a low-caffeine tea, Hojicha is often enjoyed during and after dinner. Hojicha's low caffeine content also makes it a popular tea for children and elderly in Japan.
Country of origin: Japan
Grade: Roasted Bancha (summer crop green tea)
If you like Earl Grey and lemon tea you should definitely try the citrus green. Strong lemon and lime overtones on this green tea will wake up your taste buds and your nose. When the tea is brewed, the wonderful aroma adds another dimension to enjoying this tea. Excellent hot or iced.
Country of Origin: China
Ingredients: Green tea, citrus peels, natural flavors.
Mango Green is a fruity green tea with wonderful natural sweetness and piquant mango character evokes memories of bright sunny days. Just the enough flavoring and never overpowers the green tea. Makes stunning iced tea, brew up and you will become a believer.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacture Type: Steamed green tea
Ingredients: Green tea, mango pieces, and natural flavors.
Apricot green tea brews a refreshing cup of tea that is naturally sweet and crisp. It has the right amount of the natural apricot flavoring and never overpowers. If you are new to green tea and would like to try something flavorful, you should definitely try the apricot green. It also makes an excellent iced tea.
Country of Origin: China Manufacture Type: Steamed green tea
Ingredients: Premium green tea, apple, apricot and natural apricot flavor.
With the perfect amount of fruitiness, this Pomegranate Green Tea is delicious and crisp. It has a very nice tart pomegranate flavor with subtle sweetness. Want a refreshing green tea that is flavorful and fruity? Give it a try, you will not be disappointed. It is excellent both hot and iced.
Country of Origin: China Manufacture Type: Steamed green tea
Ingredients: Premium green tea, pomegranate, and natural flavor.
Cherry Blossom green tea is fresh and smooth with reasonable depth and body. The cherry flavor and subtle rose hints give the tea a wonderful character. It also makes excellent iced tea.
Country of Origin: China
Manufacture Type: Steamed green tea
Ingredients: Green tea, Rose petals, Cherries, Natural flavors
Our version of the classic Moroccan Mint is a blend of Gunpowder Green Tea, Chun Mee Green Tea and Peppermint. The Gunpowder and Chun Mee Green hold up very well with the peppermint. It also makes excellent iced tea.
Country of Origin: China, United States
Ingredients: Green tea, and peppermint.
Oolong Tea (Same Leaves Can Be Brewed Multiple Times) -- Weak Brew: 3 grams (2/3 teaspoon for the tight rolled Oolong, and 1 heaping teaspoon for waving Oolongs such as Pouchong and Champagne Oolong ) of tea leaves per 8oz. cup; Strong Brew: 5 grams (1 tea spoon for tight rolled Oolong, and 2 teaspoons for waving Oolongs such as Pouchong and Champagne Oolong ) of tea leaves per 8oz. cup.
White Tea (Same Leaves Can Be Brewed Multiple Times) -- Weak Brew: 3 grams ( 2 teaspoons ) of tea leaves per 8oz. cup; Strong Brew: 5 grams (3 teaspoons) of tea leaves per cup.
Black Tea -- Use water at boiling temperature. Brew tea for about 3-5 minutes.
Brews a delicate tending astringent cup with the distinctive ‘Muscatel’ grape character. Hints of currant create an almost wine-like taste. We like it as an afternoon or a after-dinner tea.
Information: The bushes at Margaret’s Hope are almost entirely the Chinese Jat (genus) accounting for the green leafed tippy appearance of the manufactured leaf and the superb fragrance. Because the tea is grown at such high altitudes and in relatively cool weather the bushes do not grow quickly, and as such the production is limited. The best time of the year for quality is during ‘second-flush’ (end May - end June). During this time Darjeelings are incomparable to any other tea in the world. The fragrance and taste is a complex bouquet that reaches right out of the cup. Some would describe the taste as nutty; others find it reminds them of black currants, but most often it is described as similar to the taste and fragrance of muscat grapes.
Country of Origin: India Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Grade: TGFOP (Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe)
Altitude: 6800 feet above sea level
Infusion: Bright tending light
Our Black Dragon Pearls is a hand-rolled small batch production from Yunnan, China. The pearls are hand rolled using only the highest quality leaves and buds. It brews a rich cup with the signature sweetness and hints of jammy flavor. Right amount of astringency with a touch of earthiness.
For brewing, we recommend using 2-3 pearls per 8 oz. cup of water at212° and steeping for 3-5 minutes.
This rare tea from Yunnan China consists of mostly golden tips with fine aroma. It brews an exceptionally cup that is malty and full-bodied with a rich peppery finish. Golden Yunnan is one of the top qualities available from Yunnan Province. It is only made during the last two weeks of March and the first two weeks of April, when the new season growth flushes in a particular manner that gives a high percentage of golden tips. This well rounded tea will not disappoint. Brew up a cup of Golden Yunnan to relax yourself in the afternoon or after dinner!
Country of origin: China
Grade: Special Golden Tippy Orange Pekoe
Manufacture Type: Orthodox
World renowned for its strong full-bodied cup. Our Ceylon Kenilworth brews a malty flavored cup that is full of life and very smooth. A fine tea after dinner or in the afternoon.
Kenilworth tea is known around the world for its full bodied strong liquors (liquors is a tea tasting terms for taste of the tea in the cup) and is considered to be the hallmark of Ceylon medium grown teas. This estate receives an average rainfall of 190 inches per year. The location of the estate is unique in that both the South West and North East monsoons bring rain to this particular region. The Kenilworth Orange Pekoe grades are the most sought after by any medium grown tea garden.
Addtioinal Information
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka Grade: OP (Orange Pekoe)
Altitude: 3000 feet Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Infusion: Noire tending coppery
Our English Breakfast is a blend of Ceylon, Kenya and India black tea. It brews a full bodied breakfast tea with excellent body and full flavor. It also takes milk very well. A perfect morning tea to get the day started.
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka / Kenya / India Grade: Flowery Pekoe
Manufacture Type: Orthodox Infusion: Bright Coppery
This is an excellent summer harvest Darjeeling tea from Sungma Estate. The signature muscat grape aroma and taste is very prominent in this tea. The brewed tea is golden and aromatic. The taste is fruity and slightly spicy with hints of honey and squash. It is pleasantly astringent with a nice sweet finish. It is an excellent afternoon tea for both new and experienced tea drinkers.
Country of Origin: India Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Grade: TGFOP (Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe)
Altitude: 6800 feet above sea level
Infusion: Bright and golden
A classic Ceylon tea. Light liquoring with hints of delicate floral notes. Dashes of astringency reminiscent of plum are sprinkled throughout the cup.
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka(Ceylon) Grade: Pekoe (Certified Organic)
Attitude: above 6000 ft Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Infusion: Bright tending yellow
Organic Credentials: Certified Organic by Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd.
This is a classic Indian Assam black tea from Behora Estate. It brews a full-bodied cup with bold malty flavor, strength and just the right amount of astringency. Classic example of a top Assam Tea.
Country of Origin: India
Grade: TGFOP (Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe)
Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Infusion: Bright and tending coppery
From one of the best tea gardens in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Lover's Leapbrews a cup of middle to light bodied tea that is bright with excellent floral notes. Produced during peak season. Lover's Leap is characterized by a delightful flavor that is astringent and lively.
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka Grade: OP (Orange Pekoe)
Altitude: 6000-8500 feet Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Infusion: Bright and Coppery
Golden Spiral brews a rich and flavorful cup with hints of honey and spice. This beautiful Golden Spiral is a hand made black tea from the famous Chinese province of Yunnan. As the birth place of tea, Yunnan is a beautiful mountainous region. The geographic character, soil condition and climate make Yunnan an ideal tea producing region. Golden Spiral bears some similarities amount other premium Yunnan Teas. It is well balanced and complexity, sweet, astringent to a point where it does not get too bitter. A classic example of high quality Yunnan black tea.
Our Kenya Milima is a rich full bodied tea with floral-like flavor notes. The cup has thickness with a malty but lively character. A perfect all day tea. It is the best grade produced by Milima .
Country of origin: Kenya Altitude: 6000 ft
Grade: GFBOP (Golden Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe)
Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Infusion: Bright and coppery orange.
If you are fan of Earl Grey and have not tried the Cream Earl Grey (Earl Grey de la Crème), you are in for a treat. Cream Earl Grey has a taste that is smooth with vanilla overtones which stand out above the premium bergamot flavor. It is An exquisite Earl Grey character mellowed with soft hints of cream. This is a tea that would complement a meal or any aristocratic occasion for that matter! Truly a taste extravaganza.
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka Grade: OP (Orange Pekoe)
Altitude: 4800-7600ft Infusion: Bright and Coppery.
Ingredients: Ceylon Black tea, Cornflower petals, Natural flavors.
Same great flavor as the regular Cream Earl Grey black tea. Decaffeinated using a natural CO2 process that allows tea leaves to retain their shape and flavor. Excellent both hot and iced.
If you are fan of Earl Grey and have not tried the Cream Earl Grey(Earl Grey de la Crème), you are in for a treat. Cream Earl Grey has a taste that is smooth with vanilla overtones which stand out above the premium bergamot flavor. It is An exquisite Earl Grey character mellowed with soft hints of cream. This is a tea that would complement a meal or any aristocratic occasion for that matter! Truly a taste extravaganza.
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka Grade: OP (Orange Pekoe)
Altitude: 4800-7600ft Infusion: Bright and Coppery.
Ingredients: Ceylon Black tea, Cornflower petals, Natural flavors.
This lychee black tea is a delightful tea infused with the natural flavor of sweet lychee. It is excellent both hot and iced.
Scented teas have been around for a long time and are produced according to ancestral recipes. Before the advent of essential oil extracts one of the easiest scents to duplicate was Lychee a fruit that plays an important part in Chinese life. The plantations would squeeze Lychee fruits plucked from the trees, which grew in the area. The result was a delicate and finely flavored tea. Today the practice remains virtually the same, but essential oils are used to scent the tea to meet the demands. Lychee tea has a long historty. It is one of the first flavored teas that were introduced to the Western world. Give it a try. You won't be disappointed.
This warm and welcoming Pumpkin Spice is the perfect fall and winter tea. Premium Ceylon black tea is blended with pumpkin spices such as cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, marigold flowers and natural pumpkin flavor. Get your fall and winter day started with a nice pumpkin spice tea latte in the morning!
Ingredients: Ingredients: black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, marigold flowers and natural pumpkin flavor.
Our Monk’s blend is medium bodied and flavorful with piquant Ceylon character. Blended with natural flavor oils of vanilla and grenadine, which impart a smooth and unique heavenly flavor.
Ingredients: Black tea, calendula petals, daisy white, marigold petals, and natural flavors.
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka Grade: OP (Orange Pekoe)
Altitude: 4800-7600 ft Manufacture Type: Orthodox
This exceptional 2nd Flush tea is from Castleton Estate, which is situated in the Himalayan region of Darjeeling (India). It brews a delicate cup of tea with wonderful muscatel highlights. Our batch of Castleton tea is graded F.T.G.F.O.P. (finest tippy golden flowery orange pekoe) and is in the upper 10 percentile of Castleton‟s quality.
Country of Origin: India Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Grade: FTGFOP (Finese Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe)
Altitude: 3500-7000 feet above sea level
Infusion: Light with subtle astringency and classic muscatel character.
Our Earl Grey has an unbelievable aroma that portends an unbelievable taste. A correct balance of flavoring results in a piquant and refreshing true Earl Grey taste that goes well with pastries and cakes. The true taste from the bergamot oil creates an Earl Grey that calls you back for more. No wonder it is the most consumed afternoon tea.
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka Grade: BOP (Broken Orange Pekoe)
Altitude: 4800 - 7600 feet Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Infusion: Bright and Coppery.
Ingredients: Premium black tea, Bergamot oil, Blue flowers (Cornflower petals), Citrus peels.
The famous spring Golden Monkey is grown and produced in Fujian, China. Golden Monkey is noted for its rich aroma, sweet taste, golden color and well-twisted tippy leaf. Leaves are harvested in Spring. After a labor intensive production process, this tea is hand sorted to ensure a beautiful leaf appearance. The leaves are curly, wiry and well twisted with a high percentage of tips evident. This exceptional tea can be infused multiple times.
Country of Origin: China Manufacture Type: Hand sorted Orthodox
Region: Fujian Province Altitude: 4800 ft
Grade: S.T.O.P (Special Tippy Orange Pekoe)
Cup Characteristics: A full bodied tea with an exotic origin character which tea tasters describe as ‘mouth-feel’.
Infusion: Very bright and golden coppery color
This Keemun Black tea from China is a fine example of a winey Keemun -very often referred to as the “Bordeaux or Burgundy of Tea”. The tea infusion is rich with orchid like fragrance -a fragrance that some say can be enhanced with milk. This grade has tightly rolled leaves that promote a deep rich concentrated flavor - in fact when properly stored takes on a deeper winey and mellow character. This is the third highest grade of Keemun that is available, (the two top grades are Hoa Ya A and Hoa Ya B), and is only made during March and April growing months.
Country of Origin: China Grade: Keemun Mao Feng
Altitude: up to 5000 ft Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Infusion: A reasonably thick reddish liquor.
Cup Characteristics: Winey and juicy with a very clean cup that has depth and character.
In blending the Ginger Peach tea, we have combined the Queen of spices with delicious sweet peach! This wonderful tea has a delightful taste of peach with mild spiciness. The ginger flavor highlights the taste profile of the tea. It is very well balanced as the piquant and spicy character of ginger is mellowed with the sweet character of peaches. A perfect mid morning tea! Also, as this tea offers a sweet and fanciful taste of Peach, seasoned with the tingle of spicy ginger, it makes exceptional iced tea.
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka Grade: Pekoe
Altitude: 4800-7600ft Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Classic black tea from China. It brews a middle to full bodied cup that is flavorful, slightly malty, sweet and with reasonable depth. It is a very well rounded black tea. An excellent everyday tea to be enjoyed both hot and iced.
If you are looking for a quality black tea with the most reasonable price, look no further!
Country of Origin: China
Grade: FOP (Flowery Orange Pekoe)
Strawberry black tea is premium Ceylon tea blended with natural flavors of the sweet strawberries. With just the right amount of natural flavoring, this tea brews an aromatic strawberry tea that is excellent both hot and iced. A drop of milk and a dash of sugar can bring out more of the wonderful strawberry flavor.
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka Grade: Pekoe
Altitude: 4800-7600ft Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Our Mango black tea is a premium Ceylon tea blended with natural flavors of the tropical ripe mango. Mango tea has a wonderful sweetness that is nicely complementing the tea rather than overpowering. It will certainly remind you of the sunny summer days. Excellent both hot and iced and taste good with or with out milk.
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka Grade: Pekoe
Altitude: 4800-7600ft Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Our peach black tea is a premium Ceylon tea blended with natural flavors of sweet peaches. It brews a wonderful cup that is peachy, slightly sweet and aromatic. It is excellent both hot and iced.
Ingredients: black tea, natural peach flavor, apricots, marigold flowers and apple pieces.
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka Grade: Pekoe
Altitude: 4800-7600ft Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Our Irish Breakfast tea is a robust blend of Assam and Kenya black tea. It is a very full bodied cup of tea.
The strength and deeply malty flavor of a classic 2nd flush Assam tea is combined with the rich flavorful Kenya tea. Our Irish Breakfast blend is a CTC tea. CTC means cut, tear and curl. Like the name suggests, the leaves are cut, torn and curled into tiny pellets. As a result, CTC teas have more strength and taste stronger.
This tea is best enjoyed with milk since the casein in milk renders the tannins in tea insoluble and reduces the characteristic bitterness of strong teas. This is really a nice cup of Irish Breakfast tea to cheer you up to the morning.
Country of Origin: India, Kenya
Grade: BOP(broken orange pekoe), BP1 (broken Pekoe #1)
Manufacture Type: Orthodox CTC
Our Kosabei is a TGFOP grade black tea from Kenya's highlands. Along with Milima Estate it is regarded as one of the finest from Kenya's tea production. Kosabei brews a rich smooth cup that is deliciously malty with hints of butter toast and notes of currant grapes. Although it takes milk very well, it is perfect to drink just as is without any milk or sugar.
Country of origin: Kenya Altitude: 5000-6000 ft
Grade: TGFOP (Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe)
Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Infusion: Bright and coppery.
This tea from the Hunwal estate is a very well balanced Assam tea. The brewed cup has the classic Assam tea characters and has a more delicate finish. It is full-bodied, malty and smooth. The astringency is slight less prominent than a typical Assam tea. This is due to the tippy leave presence in the tea. The result is a well balanced tea that is good on its own or with a few drops of milk.
Country of Origin: India
Grade: FBOP (Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe)
Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Infusion: Bright and tending coppery
Earl Grey with fragrant blue Lavender! This delicious tea is citrusy, floral, slightly sweet and creamy. Here, we have combined our classic Earl Grey tea with the versatile and floral lavender flowers to make a soothing, floral and mellow earl grey.
Craving Chocolate Mint? This Chocolate Mint Black Tea is for you! Full-bodied black tea is combined with chocolate and peppermint to create this delicious tea.
Ingredients: black tea, peppermint, dark chocolate chips & cocoa nibs, natural chocolate flavor.
Green Tea -- Most Green Tea can be brewed for up to 3 infusions). Use water at about 160-180 degrees Fahrenheit for Japanese Green Tea, and use water at 180-190 degrees Fahrenheit for Chinese Green Tea . First Infusion, brew the tea for 2 minutes then pour all the tea from the tea pot (take the tea infuser out, if you are using tea infuser) into the cups and enjoy; Second Infusion, brew the tea a little longer (3-4 minutes); Third Infusion, brew the tea for 5 minutes.
White Tea -- Use water at about 180 degrees Fahrenheit and brew tea for 3-5 minutes.
Oolong Tea -- Oolong tea can also be brewed multiple times (some can even be brewed for up to 7 times). Use water at 180-190 degrees Fahrenheit. First Infusion, brew the tea for 1-2 minutes then pour all the tea from the tea pot (take the tea infuser out, if you are using tea infuser) into the cups and enjoy; Second Infusion, brew the tea a little longer (2-3 minutes); Third Infusion, brew the tea for 3-5 minutes.
Herbal and Fruit Blend -- Use water at boiling temperature. Brew tea for about 3-5 minutes.
Oolong tea is semi fermented/oxidized tea. The degree of oxidation varies among different types of Oolong. This variation in the oxidation gives Oolong tea unique characters and complexity. Oxidation levels of different Oolong teas can differ greatly. Some are very green with an oxidation level of only 10-15%, while some are very dark at 85%. As a result, the taste profile can range from floral and fragrant to smoky and malty.
You will see (particularly in the infused leaf) that the edges of the leaves are slightly bruised (brownish). The reason for this is that the leaves are lightly bruised to start the oxidation process. Oolong teas usually are not picked too early or at too tender a stage. They must be produced immediately after picking.
Unlike leaves for green tea, those destined to be Oolong are wilted in the direct sun and then shaken in tubular bamboo baskets to bruise the leaf edges. The bruising is what make the edges oxidize faster than the center. After 15-25 minutes (depending upon ambient temperature and humidity levels) the tea is fired, locking in the special flavor profile.
Quality Oolong teas have complex taste profiles. Usually, same tea leaves can be infused multiple times (2-3 times).
Water temperature for steeping Oolong varies depending greatly on oxidation level. Generally, the darker or more oxidized types of Oolong tea the hotter the water. For example, the Fomosa Oolong and Oriental Beauty Oolong are best when steeped in freshly boiled water, because they both have higher levels of oxidation. One the other spectrum, the less oxidized Jade Oolong and Pouchong Oolong are best when infused in water that is 195°F.
Amount of tea leave to use really depend on personal preference and taste. Generally, we use 2-4 grams of leaves per 8 oz. cup. We would recommend using less tea leaves to start.
As for brewing/steeping tea, we suggest steeping 2-3 minutes for the first infusion and 3-5 minutes for the second infusion. If a third infusion is desired, steep for 5 minutes.
Enjoy!
There are many good reasons to drink tea. Drink tea for its good taste and to boost energy are the primary reasons why tea is the most consumed beverage in the world. However, to the health conscious crowd, tea drinking is not only pallet pleasing but also beneficial to our health. Let's scroll on to find out why.
In conclusion, moderate long-term tea drinking could be very beneficial to our health. Let's brew some tea now. Enjoy!
Cold brewed tea is tea steeped in cold water for an extended period of time.
Pictured above is Sencha green tea cold brewed for 12 hours.
The process brews the tea leaves slowly, using time rather than temperature to release the flavors. Free form catechins(antioxidants) and tanning acids, which are good for the human body, are more dissolvable and readily released in cold brewing as opposed to regular hot brewing. In addition, the amount of caffeine released from cold brewing tea is only half of the caffeine released from regular hot tea brewing.
Black Tea is a fully fermented (oxidized) tea. It is the most common form of tea in southern Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, etc.). Black tea is generally stronger in flavor and contains more caffeine than the more lightly oxidized teas. The characteristic flavors of black tea range from flowery to fruity, nutty and spicy.
After the harvest, the leaves are first withered by blowing air on them.
Then black teas are processed in either of two ways, CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) or orthodox. The CTC method is used for lower quality leaves that end up in tea bags and are processed by machines. This method is efficient and effective for producing a better quality product from medium and lower quality leaves. Orthodox processing is done either by machines or by hand. Hand processing is used for high quality teas. While the methods employed in orthodox processing differ by tea type, this style of processing results in the high quality loose tea sought by many connoisseurs.
Next, the leaves are oxidized under controlled temperature and humidity. (This process is also called "fermentation" although no actual fermentation is taken place.)
Then the leaves are dried to arrest the oxidation process.
Finally, the leaves are sorted into grades according their sizes (whole leaf, broken leaf, fannings and dust), usually with the use of sieves. The tea could be further sub-graded according to other criteria.
Below are the basic grades for whole leaf orthodox black tea (for more information on grading of tea leaves click Here)
Brews a delicate tending astringent cup with the distinctive ‘Muscatel’ grape character. Hints of currant create an almost wine-like taste. We like it as an afternoon or a after-dinner tea.
Information: The bushes at Margaret’s Hope are almost entirely the Chinese Jat (genus) accounting for the green leafed tippy appearance of the manufactured leaf and the superb fragrance. Because the tea is grown at such high altitudes and in relatively cool weather the bushes do not grow quickly, and as such the production is limited. The best time of the year for quality is during ‘second-flush’ (end May - end June). During this time Darjeelings are incomparable to any other tea in the world. The fragrance and taste is a complex bouquet that reaches right out of the cup. Some would describe the taste as nutty; others find it reminds them of black currants, but most often it is described as similar to the taste and fragrance of muscat grapes.
Country of Origin: India Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Grade: TGFOP (Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe)
Altitude: 6800 feet above sea level
Infusion: Bright tending light
Our Black Dragon Pearls is a hand-rolled small batch production from Yunnan, China. The pearls are hand rolled using only the highest quality leaves and buds. It brews a rich cup with the signature sweetness and hints of jammy flavor. Right amount of astringency with a touch of earthiness.
For brewing, we recommend using 2-3 pearls per 8 oz. cup of water at212° and steeping for 3-5 minutes.
This rare tea from Yunnan China consists of mostly golden tips with fine aroma. It brews an exceptionally cup that is malty and full-bodied with a rich peppery finish. Golden Yunnan is one of the top qualities available from Yunnan Province. It is only made during the last two weeks of March and the first two weeks of April, when the new season growth flushes in a particular manner that gives a high percentage of golden tips. This well rounded tea will not disappoint. Brew up a cup of Golden Yunnan to relax yourself in the afternoon or after dinner!
Country of origin: China
Grade: Special Golden Tippy Orange Pekoe
Manufacture Type: Orthodox
World renowned for its strong full-bodied cup. Our Ceylon Kenilworth brews a malty flavored cup that is full of life and very smooth. A fine tea after dinner or in the afternoon.
Kenilworth tea is known around the world for its full bodied strong liquors (liquors is a tea tasting terms for taste of the tea in the cup) and is considered to be the hallmark of Ceylon medium grown teas. This estate receives an average rainfall of 190 inches per year. The location of the estate is unique in that both the South West and North East monsoons bring rain to this particular region. The Kenilworth Orange Pekoe grades are the most sought after by any medium grown tea garden.
Addtioinal Information
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka Grade: OP (Orange Pekoe)
Altitude: 3000 feet Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Infusion: Noire tending coppery
Our English Breakfast is a blend of Ceylon, Kenya and India black tea. It brews a full bodied breakfast tea with excellent body and full flavor. It also takes milk very well. A perfect morning tea to get the day started.
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka / Kenya / India Grade: Flowery Pekoe
Manufacture Type: Orthodox Infusion: Bright Coppery
This is an excellent summer harvest Darjeeling tea from Sungma Estate. The signature muscat grape aroma and taste is very prominent in this tea. The brewed tea is golden and aromatic. The taste is fruity and slightly spicy with hints of honey and squash. It is pleasantly astringent with a nice sweet finish. It is an excellent afternoon tea for both new and experienced tea drinkers.
Country of Origin: India Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Grade: TGFOP (Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe)
Altitude: 6800 feet above sea level
Infusion: Bright and golden
A classic Ceylon tea. Light liquoring with hints of delicate floral notes. Dashes of astringency reminiscent of plum are sprinkled throughout the cup.
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka(Ceylon) Grade: Pekoe (Certified Organic)
Attitude: above 6000 ft Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Infusion: Bright tending yellow
Organic Credentials: Certified Organic by Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd.
This is a classic Indian Assam black tea from Behora Estate. It brews a full-bodied cup with bold malty flavor, strength and just the right amount of astringency. Classic example of a top Assam Tea.
Country of Origin: India
Grade: TGFOP (Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe)
Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Infusion: Bright and tending coppery
From one of the best tea gardens in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Lover's Leapbrews a cup of middle to light bodied tea that is bright with excellent floral notes. Produced during peak season. Lover's Leap is characterized by a delightful flavor that is astringent and lively.
Country of Origin: Sri Lanka Grade: OP (Orange Pekoe)
Altitude: 6000-8500 feet Manufacture Type: Orthodox
Infusion: Bright and Coppery
Golden Spiral brews a rich and flavorful cup with hints of honey and spice. This beautiful Golden Spiral is a hand made black tea from the famous Chinese province of Yunnan. As the birth place of tea, Yunnan is a beautiful mountainous region. The geographic character, soil condition and climate make Yunnan an ideal tea producing region. Golden Spiral bears some similarities amount other premium Yunnan Teas. It is well balanced and complexity, sweet, astringent to a point where it does not get too bitter. A classic example of high quality Yunnan black tea.
Green Tea is a lightly oxidized (5-15%) tea. Unlike Black Tea, Green Tea leaves have not undergone the withering and oxidation processes. There is a minimal amount of oxidation by application of heat; either with steam, a traditional Japanese method; or by dry cooking in hot pans, the traditional Chinese method. Green tea is processed within one to two days of harvesting. Green Tea has a high level of antioxidants called catechins.
There are 2 traditional methods, Chinese and Japanese, in making Green Tea. The differences between the two are the in the Kill Green Process where the Japanese Green Tea uses a steam then dry method while the Chinese implements a panfrying method to finally seal and lock the moisture content.
Jasmine Dragon Pearls Green Tea
Green tea has been credited with providing a wide variety of health benefits, although many of which have not been validated by clinical evidence. These claims and any for which academic citations are currently missing are listed here:
The taste of the tea is smooth with delicate and pleasing flavor and a heavenly jasmine character.
Jasmine Dragon Pearls are a green tea and are made from the top two leaves and the bud of new season growth (late March /early April). These delicate leaves are then hand rolled into the small pearls. When you infuse these pearls in your tea cup, you will see the top two leaves and the bud come to life. In fact you will see some small ‘hairy down’ on the bud of the leaves - this denotes superb quality and very careful and delicate handling. The extraordinary flavor of these Jasmine Dragon Tears is due to the time of plucking, manufacture and the fresh spring jasmine blooms. The new tea season starts in China in late March/early April (dependent on weather patterns) and it is during the first 4 weeks that the best teas are manufactured. After this initial period the quality of the teas and green leaf start to deteriorate rapidly and the teas become quite plain. Dragon Pearls are only made from tea plucked in the first 3 weeks of the new season. Coinciding with the new tea growth, the jasmine bushes are in spring bloom. Only the most fragrant blossoms are used (from bushes that are known to produce the most fragrant flowers). These fresh flowers are layered between the tea and before long the intense and uplifting fragrance of the new jasmine blooms is passed on to the tea. An extraordinary taste experience!
Country of Origin: China Grade: Hand-made tea pearls