|
|
 |
|
|
▪ What is the
difference between white, green, black and oolong
tea?
▪ What is red
tea? What is Rooibos?
▪ What is Yerba Mate?
▪ What are
Blooming Teas?
▪ What is the
difference between loose tea and tea bags?
▪ Can I reuse
tea leaves?
▪ What is tannin?
▪ Do you offer
decaffeinated tea?
▪ Does tea have
caffeine?
▪ Does tea have
calories?
▪ How many cups of tea
does 1 oz of loose tea make? 4 oz? 8 oz?
▪ What is the
best way to store tea? |
|
|
What is the difference between white, green,
black and oolong tea?
Believe it
for not, all tea come from the same Camellia
Sinensis plant. The difference between black,
green and other teas lie only in the processing
method.
▪ White tea are
often used for special occasions or ceremonies. They go through
the least amount of processing and are not oxidized
at all. Tea leaves are
picked and dried
immediately. These leaves produce a pale, delicate
infusion the color of straw. The flavors tend to be
light with natural sweetness.
▪ Green tea go through a small amount of processing
and are lightly oxidized.
They are first dried then heated in order to stop oxidization.
The heat source can be the sun, a warm air source or
a pan fired wok.
▪ Oolongs are
considered to be semi-oxidized. Leaves are plucked,
dried then lightly bruised through shaking in order to release the natural oils.
It is
then heated to stop oxidization. Oxidation is between
10% to 75%. Oolongs with more of a green color are
less oxidized and should be steeped with cooler
water. Oolongs with more of a brown color are more
oxidized and should be steeped with hotter water.
▪ Black teas are fully oxidized. The tea leaf is cut
and bruised to maximize the flavors in the leaf. The
flavors will be strong, dark and nutty.
Top of
Page |
|
What is red tea? What is Rooibos?
Red Tea is also known as Rooibos (prounounced
'ROY-BOSS'). This tea is a
South African herb that is a widely enjoyed in South
Africa and other
countries. This tisane contains no caffeine.
Top of
Page |
|
What is Yerba Mate?
Yerba Mate is a shrub in the holly family, Aquifoliaceae, native to South America
and used as
a herbal tea. The word "hierba" is Spanish for
grass or herb. Yerba is a variant spelling of
it which is quite common in Argentina. Mate
is from the
Quechua "mati", meaning "cup". Yerba
mate's literal translation is "cup herb".
Yerba Mate is South America's most popular beverage
and has gained worldwide attention due to its
special energizing, nutritional qualities and uinque
flavor. Yerba is consumed by millions of South
Americans as an alternative to coffee. |
|
What are Blooming Teas?
Blooming Teas are also known as Display Teas, Art
Teas or Flowering Teas. They are hand crafted by tea
artisans of exceptional skill who hand-tie
tea leaves with edible flowers. When put in hot
water, each tea will slowly open, giving the
appearance of a blossoming flower. |
|
|
What
is the difference between loose tea and tea bags?
Loose
teas offer the best quality, variety and freshness.
Teas packaged in bags are often cut and sifted in
order to make it ready for the bag. Bags will
contain leaf grade such as fannings and dust which
allow the tea to brew quicker and stronger. Tea bags
restrict the ability of the tea to completely unfurl
and infuse freely in the water. This inhibits the
tea's ability to provide its full flavor. Tea bags
also do not keep fresh as long as loose leaf tea. We
recommend choosing loose tea over tea bags if you
have the option.
Click
here to see the difference
between loose teas and teas found inside a teabag.
Top of
Page |
|
|
Can I reuse tea leaves?
Yes, tea leaves can be re-used up to 3 times
depending on the tea and your personal taste
preference. Of course, the first brew will
always be the best.
Top of
Page |
|
What is tannin?
Tannin is a natural component of tea. When released,
tannin makes tea taste bitter or astringent. Tannin
is released from steeped tea leaves after 2-4
minutes if the tea is green; after 5-7 minutes if
tea is white; after 3-5 minutes if tea is black or
oolong. Tea leaves should be removed after the
appropriate steep time so that the tannin does not
affect the tea taste. Herbal Tisanes generally do
not contain
tannin and may remain in hot water without their
taste being altered.
If your stomach is especially sensitive to tea
tannins, add milk to your tea. The tannins will attack
the proteins in the milk rather than those in your
mouth and the taste will be much less astringent.
Top of
Page |
|
Do you offer decaffeinated tea?
No, we do not offer decaffeinated tea due to the
potentially harmful chemicals used in the
decaffeination process and the lack of flavor in
commercially decaffeinated teas. The good news is
that you can decaffeinate your own teas without
sacrificing quality or flavor. Simply steep the tea for
30 - 45 seconds then pour out the liquid from that brew.
Caffeine is water soluble and most of the caffeine
will be extracted in the
first steeping. Steep the tea leaves
again for the appropriate amount of time. This
process will remove up to 95% of the caffeine that
was in the tea.
Top of
Page |
|
|
Does
tea have caffeine?
Yes,
except for decaffeinated or herbal tisane. However one cup
of tea has about half the
caffeine content as the same amount of coffee. Here
are teas listed in order of least amount of caffeine
to highest amount: White Teas (extremely low), Green
Teas (low), Oolong (Medium), Black (Moderate
to High). Herbal Tisanes have no caffeine.
The exception to this rule is Matcha green tea, which has
twice the caffeine as an equal amount of coffee.
Top of
Page |
|
|
Does tea have calories?
Tea leaves contain less than 5 calories per serving.
Teas blended with fruits will
contain a slightly higher calorie content.
Green tea have been proven to help the metabolism
burn fat more efficiently. Taking this into account,
green teas will contain -8 calories per serving.
Top of
Page |
|
|
How many cups of tea does 1 oz
of loose tea make? 4 oz? 8 oz?
One ounce
of loose leaf tea will make approximately 12 cups of
tea. A 4 oz package will make approximately 48 cups
of tea and 8 oz will make about 94 cups of tea. This
is assuming that 3 grams of tea is used per serving.
Top of
Page |
|
|
What
is the best way to store tea?
Tea is
highly affected by air, light, moisture and odors.
To keep it as fresh as possible, we recommend
storing teas in a cool dark area in an airtight
container. Teas are best enjoyed immediately, but
under proper conditions it can retain its flavor and aroma for
up to a year.
Top of
Page |
|
){kind=link}