About Tea
Tea leaves come from Camellia sinensis, an evergreen that produces over two thousand varietals. The distinct character of each individual tea is given by how and where it is grown, including the elevation and climate of the place of cultivation. The most flavorful part of the tea plant is the top two leaves and the bud, and is quite often the only portion of the plant used in fine teas.
The Affordable Luxury
The pleasure of enjoying a cup of fine tea costs only pennies a cup, depending on the rarity of the blend. Even a cup of the rarest lose tea costs substantially less than most ordinary bagged teas, allowing tea drinkers everywhere to be able to afford the luxury of a fine cup of tea.
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From Cultivation to Cup
The different categories of teas all originate with Camellia simensis. The difference between tea in the field and tea in your cup is what happens after they are harvested.
Black Tea
Black teas are tea leaves that undergo a very careful process of fermentation. The basic method of fermentation is harvested leaves are withered, then rollied (often by hand) in order to release enzymes that cause fermentation. The leaves are then spread out and carefully monitored for perfect color and pungency. Then the tea is fired, or heat dried.
Oolong Tea
Oolong is semi-fermented tea. First manufactured in Taiwan. Leaves are spread three to four inches deep in baskets set in the sun and shaken to bruise the outer edges, starting fermentation. When the leaves begin to give off their distinct aroma, the baskets are passed through a fire to halt fermentation.
Green Tea
Green tea has a more subtle, fresh taste than black tea leaves are first panfired, where leaves are exposed to hot steam to destroy the fermentation-including enzymes. The leaves are then rolled on heated tables to further dry the leaves. They are then fired, graded, and packed all in one day.
Herbal Teas
Herb blends are aromatic mixtures of fresh botanicals. These teas are made with blossoms, fruits, spices, and fragrant roots that make them delectable not only to the tongue but also to the eye.
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Tea is healthful and natural.
Tea contains less caffeine per cup than coffee-generally one-quarter to one-half of the caffeine in one cup of drip coffee. Green tea has substantially less. And the low amount of caffeine in tea has been found to boost energy levels without adverse effects. The subtle effects of tea produce a sense of calm alertness while increasing energy.
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