Tea Properties

I love oolong teas. I love the mystery, the craftsmanship, the uniqueness and the wonderful complexity of an oolong. I love how the processing is so complex and painstakingly precise, yet it is still true to the inherent quality of the leaf. Before I start writing poetry and love letters about oolongs let me explain why oolongs are the best. First off, what is an oolong? Oolongs are semi-oxidized teas. Green teas are not oxidized (ideally), black teas are “fully” oxidized and oolongs, generally speaking, are anything in between. It is not just the amount of oxidation that sets oolongs apart, but the plant ... Read Full Story

Numi’s Bouquet Bamboo Gift Set with Clear Teapot and Nine Flowering Teas Brand: Numi Rating: Product Description Packaged in an exotic hand-made dark mahogany bamboo case, this Flowering Gift Set holds a bin of Numi’s Bouquet Flowering Tea that is filled with bouquets of tea leaves and Numi’s Teahouse glass teapot (420 ml.) through which to observe the blooming tea petals. A simple luxury that heightens the tea experience and makes for a singular conversation piece, this reusable case will have a long-lasting impression on a friend or loved one NOTE: The included teapot does not come with a strainer Features One bamboo box ... Read Full Story

I love to learn about tea. Not just reading about it, but listening to the story that the tea tells. A good deal of information can be learned from studying your tea leaves. Everything from what mistakes were made in the processing to what cultivar was used can be deduced just from looking at the leaves. For example, looking at a green tea and seeing bits of brown in the leaves would indicate improper manufacturing techniques. For the most part this is done by looking at the leaves after they have been infused and have fully opened up therefore simply giving reason to the ... Read Full Story

Although there is one species of tea plant, many varieties of tea are produced from it. The health benefits of tea are becoming widely known, from cavity reduction to its anti-oxidant effects, from virus destroying properties to reduction in cardiovascular diseases. Certainly drinking tea is a positive step for better overall health. Soil and climate affect the tea leaf and how tea is processed also makes a difference. As well, there are subspecies of tea. The best tea is made from what is called the flush: tender spring leaves. The leaf bud at the tip of the shoot, with its covering of fine hair ... Read Full Story

Tea is brewed from the leaf of Camellia sinensis and contains important compounds that protect human health. Sipping this beverage, in fact, can help in the war against cancer. Did you know that tea of all kinds helps to lower cholesterol? Tea is a natural source of the amino acid theanine and polyphenolic antioxidant catechins. Regular drinking of tea (which contains fluoride) can prevent dental cavities to some extent. The health benefits of tea are multitudinous and drinking tea regularly can be another step to a healthier lifestyle. There are many tempting teas to choose from. Whatever your preference, whether for black tea or ... Read Full Story