FAQ

How should I store my tea?
Tea should be stored, preferably in an airtight container. It should also be kept out of direct sunlight.

How long should I steep tea?
Each tea’s brewing time varies. A general rule of thumb is to brew white tea 1-3 minutes; green tea 1-3 minutes; oolong 2-4 minutes; darker and black teas 3-5 minutes. Most herbal teas vary but generally steep a bit longer at approximately 4-7 minutes.

How much tea should I use to make a single cup?
To make a single cup of tea you should use a teaspoon, and if you want more flavor, then use 2 teaspoons.

What temperature should water be for tea preparation?
For tea preparation at home, minus the fancy water heaters, bring your water to a slight boil then let it rest for about 5 minutes to allow it to cool to a temperature range that makes the best tasting cup. The temperature for preparing each tea varies, but a general temperature range is about 185 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why are there different steeping times for each type of tea?
Each type of tea has different steeping times because some teas are more delicate than others. And generally, a traditional or cultural strength in flavor has been standardized preferred by most. Therefore, steeping times are based on this, as well as what’s required to release its health benefits and attributes.

What makes tea bitter?
Bitter tea comes from over steeping. When tea is brewed for too long, the tannins that are attached to the amino acids in tea begin to release, giving the tea a bitter taste.

How much tea should I use to make iced tea?
To make iced tea, you should use approximately 6 teaspoons of tea for every gallon served. When making iced tea, strong flavor is important, because some flavor will simply dissipate from the cooling process.

What is loose tea?
Loose tea is the tea leaves that are picked from the tea bush (camellia sinensis) to be prepared for steeping. Loose tea is a pure form of what you would find inside of manufactured tea bags. If you open a tea bag, inside you will find loose tea amongst other factory floor ingredients. Loose tea can also come in different blends of tea, herbs, fruit, and spices. The tea found in tea bags has to be pulverized in such a way that denigrates its full benefits, quality, consistency, and flavor.

Can I re-steep tea leaves?
Yes, you can absolutely re-steep tea leaves. This is one of the great benefits of having a quality tea. Generally, you can re-steep tea approximately 3-4 times. Herbal teas are not as flexible.

How much caffeine is in tea?
Tea has about one-third the level of caffeine found in coffee. Black teas have the highest amount of caffeine. Oolongs have less, while green and white teas have the least amount of caffeine.

What is decaffeinated tea?
There’s really no such thing as decaffeinated tea. Herbs such as mint, chamomile, rooibos, etc naturally do not contain caffeine and are used to make herbal teas. Tea that comes from the tea bush (camellia sinensis) all has a small, natural level of caffeine. You can remove much of this by steeping a cup of tea, pouring this out, and use the same leaves to steep a second cup to remove most of the caffeine.

What are the health benefits of tea?
There are many health benefits of tea, some of which can be found on our “Tea and Health” tab. In addition, the more spices, herbs, and infusions added bolster the healthy benefit of tea. For more information, see our Tea and Health page.

How many calories are in tea?
Tea without any additional ingredients, sweetener, or milk has zero calories.

Can I drink tea during pregnancy?
Yes, but as with everything, it should be in moderation. Most physicians suggest you reduce your overall caffeine intake during pregnancy. Herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free and are the tea of choice for most women who wish to enjoy a cup of tea during pregnancy. However, it is important to do this with moderation.

How long until tea expires?
Most teas don’t expire but do get stale. All teas vary on how long they stay fresh. This is generally two years. We say our teas have a shelf life of 15 to 18 months, in order for you to enjoy the best-tasting quality.