What type is your favourite?

There are six major tea types; black, green, white, yellow, oolong  and post fermented, but they all come from one plant.  It’s how the leaves are treated that the different types of teas are created.  Black teas are made from leaves that are fermented then heated to remove moisture; the heat turns the leaves black.  Green tea leaves are not fermented.   

What About herbal tea?

Herbal teas are not actually teas because they do not contain leaves from the plant, Camelia sinesis.  Instead, they are made from infusions of various plants. The roots, leaves, flowers seeds and fruits are used.

Citrus flavoured or not?

Earl Grey tea is flavoured with bergamot oil.  Bergamot is a citrus fruit grown in Southern Italy.  Orange Pekoe tea has nothing to do with oranges.  The name came from the Dutch House of Orange and refers to a term used to grade black tea.

Where does tea come from?

Most of the world’s tea is grown in mountainous areas 3,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level in countries like China, India, Sri Lanka and Kenya.  At least 50 inches of rain a year is needed for tea plants.  The new tea plants or the top 1-2 inches of mature plants are picked to make tea.  It takes 7-15 days for new plants to come up.  A tea plant can grow as tall as 52 feet if the leaves are not harvested but plants are usually pruned to waist height.

Why is tea good for you?

Recent studies suggest that tea, especially green tea helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, helps bad breath, reduces some forms of cancer, reduces blood pressure, helps with weight control, acts as an anti-inflammatory, kills bacteria and viruses and is neuro-protective.  Drinking 3 cups of green or black tea per day results in a 21% reduction of the risk of stroke.  The combination of caffeine and the amino acid L-Theamine which is found in tea, improves memory while increasing focus and concentration.

Check out our wide selection of teas and experiment to find your favourite brew. Morning, noon or night, tea is a great choice for relaxation, refreshment and rejuvenation.  Keep up to date with our latest news on Facebook or Twitter.