FAQs
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Where does tea come from?
All tea comes from the same bush, the Camellia Sinensis be it black tea, green tea, white tea and blue tea (also known as Blue tea). The major differences between them are a result of the different processing methods they undergo. Black teas undergo several hours of oxidation in their preparation for market; oolongs receive less oxidation, and green teas are not oxidized at all. If they come from the same tree, why are there so many types of teas? What happens to the tea in terms of how the leaf is processed after being harvested determines the type of tea. White Tea? Amongst the least processed of all teas. After picking, leaves are slightly withered with great care, and left to dry. The most delicate: soft, silky, slightly flowery, discreet, very subtle and refreshing. Green Tea? The leaf is plucked from the camellia Sinensis bush and then either roasted or steamed. The leaf is then dried. Steamed green teas tend to have a more delicate taste than the roasted version. Oolond Tea? The leaf is plucked from the Camellia Sinensis bush and allowed to wither. It’s then twisted and allowed to part-ferment, that is it’s allowed to turn slightly from green to brown but not all the way. Oolong tea is between a Green tea and a Black tea so has flavours of both a Green and Black tea. Black Tea? The leaf is plucked from the Camellia Sinensis bush. Withered in the open air, when the leaf becomes soft. Twisted and then fermented and this process is where the leaf oxidizes. And finally dried. Black tea creates a coppery cup of tea, with the strongest flavours and body with varying tastes: spicy, flowery, woody etc. Rooibos? Rooibos tea,also known as red tea or Redbush tea is a soothing drink, sweet and nutty in taste, naturally caffeine free and low in tannin. It comes from a herbal plant that is grown in South Africa. Why does green tea always taste bitter to me? You may be brewing it too long or using water that is too hot. Green teas, as well as oolongs and white teas, are more sensitive than blacks and herbals, and boiling-hot water can scald the leaves. Water temperature should be between 160-180 degrees Also try a shorter brew time. Taste your green tea at one minute intervals, starting at one minute, to find out where you like it best. Good quality green tea should never be bitter when brewed properly. How long do I brew my tea for? There are a few rules of thumb as different teas are brewed differently. In general a black tea needs to brew 3-5 minutes for best flavor. Green teas often need only 1 minute, but 2-3 minutes is not unusual. Oolongs typically need 2-3 minutes. Herbals need 5-10 minutes, and they generally don't get bitter, so you can let them brew as long as you like. In general, finely cut teas, whether black, green, or herbal, require shorter brewing times than large leaf teas. Which teas have the most caffeine? And Least? English Breakfast, Assam, Ceylon, Keemum, Darjeeling are amongst some of the teas that are considered with the highest amount of caffeine whilst teas like Snow white are considered to have the least. Rooibos, fruit and herbal teas are caffeine free. Why large leaf tea and small leaf? The leaves were heated, rolled, twisted and baked very gently, in order to keep them intact and to preserve their flavour. As tea expanded into other countries, the process was mechanised using large rollers and applying pressure to the tea, squeezing the leaves to rupture the cells, a process essential for making black tea. One of the consequences of this was the production of broken leaves, and small fragments, which were separated using meshes. This is what we call fannings. Where should I store tea? Tea should be stored in an airtight, opaque container in a cool, dry place. Many tea retailers sell tea in metal tins that close tightly, which seems optimal. Clear glass jars are acceptable only if you can keep them in a closed cupboard away from light. If you reuse containers, avoid using materials that retain odors, as the tea will pick them up. The refrigerator is not a good place. The cold encourages water condensation, which can ruin the tea. You can freeze tea for long-term storage if you tightly seal your container and wrap it in plastic. Before you open a container of frozen tea, let it warm to room temperature in order to avoid contaminating the tea with condensation. (You may also want to do this on a dry day.) |
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