Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Tea has a rich and important history that goes back nearly 5000 years and is second only to water as a world beverage. According to Chinese legend, it was Emperor Shen Nung who discovered tea by accident in 2737 B.C. when a few leaves of tea fell into water he was boiling to drink. He drank the mixture enjoying the new found taste and thus the long history of tea began.

Tea consumption spread from China to Japan and eventually to the rest of the world, leading to the Opium Wars in China as well as signifying America's journey to independence with the historical Boston Tea Party.
3000 plus variations and an unbeatable array of flavors combined with emerging evidence of tea's many health benefits make it the perfect beverage for the next century.
Sit back and relax, and enjoy a brew of fresh full leaf tea.

White Teas

Produced from the Camellia sinensis plant, white teas are the least processed tea comprised of unopened young bud sets and first two leaves that are plucked by hand. These are steamed to stop any enzyme breakdown of the leaf and then are gently dried. The best ones are picked in the spring. White have many health benefits and a light sweet flavor.

Green Teas

Produced from the Camellia sinensis plant, green tea is processed from buds and leaves that have not undergone oxidation. Green tea has high amounts of polyphenols (antioxidants), vitamin C, fluoride, vitamins and minerals, and generally half the caffeine of black tea. A lot of medical research has been done on green teas, and they have been found to reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, improve dental health and the immune system, and also help lower cholesterol. Green tea should be steeped in water of 160 F to 175 F. Boiling water may make the tea bitter. Green teas can be steeped multiple times; the recommended steeping time is between 1 and 2 minutes.

Jasmine Teas

A fragrant tea that the Chinese have now been producing for over ten centuries, Jasmine tea can range greatly in quality. We sell only the finest quality Jasmine teas. Good after eating strong tasting foods to cleanse the palate.

Oolong Teas

This style of tea is produced by semi-oxidationn of the tea leaves. Oolong teas are often the favorite teas drunk by tea purveyors. Oolongs can differ in style and flavor widely depending on how oxidized they are during processing, and can range from almost being a green tea to nearer a black tea in appearance.

Darjeeling Teas

Named after a region of India in the foothills of the Himalayas, Darjeeling teas are known for their unique qualities and by many are considered the French champagne of teas. There are 3 different crops, or flushes, per year. 1st flush is the first tea picked after the winter and is generally the most expensive. 2nd flush is picked in early summer before the monsoon sets in. Autumnal flush is in the fall after the monsoon season is over. Each flush produces a different tasting tea. More Darjeeling tea is sold worldwide than actually produced in the Darjeeling region! Our Darjeeling teas are the genuine article, and fine examples of this famous tea.

Black/Red Tea

Fully fermented tea that is processed by many methods and varies considerably between the different producing regions. Black tea is the most commonly consumed tea in the world, which is an astonishing fact considering the Chinese nearly exclusively drink green tea.

Pu-erh

A tea prized for its medicinal qualities, it has been scientifically proven to lower cholesterol and is excellent for upset stomachs and the whole digestive system in general. Grown in the Yunnan region in China, the leaves are pile oxidized (like composting) which can last up to three months. It is during this time that the tea develops bacterial and enzymatic properties that are different to all other teas. It can be purchased in loose leaf form, bricks or tuo chas (bowl shaped).

Tisanes

Technically not tea, but very often referred to as a tea. Tisanes contain no part of the Camellia sinensis plant, and generally have no caffeine content. They are usually blends of different fruits, herbs, and plants that produce wonderful combinations of tastes and flavors.