Properly speaking, tea is the beverage brewed from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant or varietals of such. Its wide variety of incarnations, such as green, black, oolong, and white teas, are created by different processing methods, but all derive ultimately from the same plant. The flavor of tea depends not only upon how the tea was processed, but also in what part of the world the plant grew, the time of year the leaves were harvested, what the weather was like that season, the soil conditions, altitude etc..
White tea originated in a small area in the Fujian province of China, once considered for only the wealthy and privileged, this mild delicate tea is now enjoyed all over the world.
This rare tea is hand harvested from medium-leaf tea bush varietals once a year for a few weeks in early spring when the temperature is consistently cool and dry, producing silvery-white sprouts and leaves. The unique withering process and the absence of firing or rolling, makes white tea the least processed of all teas.
It is well documented that white teas are low in caffeine, contain high concentrations of antioxidants, and the amino acid, L-theanine, that help reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, improve artery function, reduce stress and have detoxifying benefits.
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Green tea originated in China where it was enjoyed for centuries before being introduced to the outside world through trade. Today, green tea is produced in various countries utilizing their own methods creating vast differences in taste and aroma.
There are many factors that influence green tea’s flavor and character such as varietal harvested, the season in which it was harvested, the soil, elevation, weather conditions and the method of heat used to stop the oxidation process shortly after being harvested. There are literally hundreds of different types of green teas that are classified by the manufacturing style. While discovering green tea, one will note the variety of different shapes ranging from flat, balled, curly or twisted.
Green tea is high in antioxidants, especially epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG, which has therapeutic properties for many disorders including cancer. Studies show drinking green tea regularly can reduce your chances of heart disease and certain types of cancer, improve artery function, lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol.
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Oolong, or Wu Long as it is also know, is grown in a small area of China’s Fujian Province and the island of Taiwan. There are hundreds of different types of Oolong which are classified according to tea bush varietal, harvest season and the region in which it is grown.
Oolong is a semi-oxidized tea that ranges between a green and a black tea depending on the percentage of oxidation. This tea is rich in antioxidants such as theaflavin, tea catechin and polysaccharides. It is widely consumed to aid in lowering cholesterol, improve artery function, and help stabilize blood sugar, aid in weight loss and control. Each region has its own artesian style which produces its own unique flavor and complexities to be savored by all tea connoisseurs.
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Black tea originated in China where it is commonly referred to as hongcha’ or red tea, simply because of the infused color of the liquor and the color of the leaf which was oxidized more than green tea leaves. There are several reasons for the higher degree of oxidization and one was because it retained its flavor longer than leaves less oxidized. This was crucial for travel and trade purposes. As the word of this tasty brew grew, the production of black tea began in other countries offering a variety of leaf sizes and flavors. There are hundreds of different types of black tea which differ in flavor and aroma from delicate, fruity, floral, bold and malty. The profile of black tea is affected by tea bush varietal, harvest season, region in which it is grown and the degree of oxidation. Research shows the antioxidants in black tea can aid in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke. It can also be beneficial in lowering cholesterol.
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Often referred to as herbal infusions, fruit blends or tisanes, these teas generally are comprised from herbs, botanicals, fruits or nuts rather than the tea leaves from the plant camellia sinensis. Our herbal, botanical and fruit blended teas and tisanes are made from the finest ingredients and are naturally caffeine free.
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Rooibos, meaning red bush, grows in a small region of the Western Cape Provence in South Africa. Naturally caffeine free and high in antioxidants this tea can have a soothing affect on the central nervous system, be an effective sleep aid, relieve digestive problems such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, ulcers and constipation. It has been used to relieve symptoms of colic in infants and to help manage allergies and asthma. Rooibos has also been used to help alleviate dermatological problems such as acne and aging, eczema and diaper rash when applied topically. Athletes enjoy Rooibos because it helps replenish depleted minerals after a strenuous workout. It is easy to see why this nutrient rich herbal beverage is treasured by tea lovers all over the world.
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Yerba mate’, a small evergreen shrub or tree, is a species of the holly family, and is grown in subtropical South America. The dried leaves and young stems of this vegetal, grassy and herbal beverage is brewed and drunk as a healthy alternative to coffee. Mate’ contains caffeine, theophylline (found in green tea), theobromine(found in chocolate) and has a high mineral content which has the ability to give you energy without the jittery nervousness you can get from coffee. This herbal beverage can be enjoyed with or without milk, sweetened or unsweetened.
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The word chai, for many parts of the world, simply means tea. This centuries-old beverage has played an important role in many cultures. In India, chai is a spiced milk tea that has become increasingly popular throughout the world. Our aromatic blends of teas and spices are staff favorites and will nourish your soul with a warming and soothing cup.
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Organic tea is any tea inspected and certified by a qualified agency. Organizations include the UADA(United States), INDOCERT(India), and JAS(Japan) to name a few. Typically, this certification requires the use of farmland that has been free from chemicals for a number of years(often, three or more), keeping detailed written production and sales records(audit trail), maintaining strict physical separation of organic products from non-certified products, and undergoing periodic on-site inspections.
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For centuries, tea drinkers all over the world have been enjoying the health properties of tea. The teas and herbal infusions we have selected for our Wellness collection will brew some of the healthiest and nourishing cups of tea.
Caffeine free teas are herbal teas or teas that undergo a decaffeination process. This process is either done chemically which strips some of the nutrients and flavor from the tea or naturally which does not remove all the caffeine. So, for a truly savory caffeine free experience, try some of the many possibilities in our herbal and rooibos collection.
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