FAQ

What is tea?

Tea is a broad-leaf perennial evergreen plant called Camellia sinensis. 

Any other plant material brewed in hot water is technically called a tisane. Many tea merchants call tisanes herbal tea. This includes peppermint, chamomile, hibiscus, lemongrass, ginger, yerba maté, rooibos and many more; but they are botanicals and do not derive from the Camellia sinensis plant.

Tea is the most consumed hot beverage on the planet. 

What are the best selling teas?

In each tea category, the first listed is our most popular.

Black tea

• English Breakfast Supreme
• Assam Harmutty
• Earl Grey

Green tea

• Organic China Sencha
• Australian Sencha

White tea

• Pai Mu Tan
• Buddhas tears (Jasmine pearls)

Flavoured black tea

• French Earl Grey
• Chai
• Vanilla

Flavoured green tea

• Japanese Morning Dew
• Evening Mist

Fruit

• Berries of the Forest

Herbal

• Chamomile
• Peppermint
• Lemongrass

Herbal blend

• Lemongrass Ginger
• Relax
• Sandman

Vegetable blend

• Organic carrot, Ginger, Orange and Tumeric

What are the health benefits of green tea? 

After reading much research and many studies of the health and wellbeing effects of green tea drinking, it appears there are an astonishing number of claims; but none can attribute the benefit(s) to tea drinking alone.  

Read more in our Blog post: 

Health benefits of green tea

How important is brewing technique?

Careful brewing is essential to maximize the health benefits and enjoyment of tea.

Brewing methods vary for tea types and will influence the

• strength of tea character
• degree of bitterness
• level of caffeine

Through brewing knowledge you will able to experiment with brewing times and temperatures to adapt your favourite teas to suit your personal taste. 

Read more in 

Brewing your best "cuppa"

Does white tea have less caffeine than green tea?

Does green tea have less caffeine than black tea?

Generally the answer to both questions is yes.

Caffeine levels can be discussed in three contexts.

• tea growing
• tea processing
• tea brewing

First, the tea buds growing at the top of the tea plant contain higher levels of caffeine than the more mature tea leaves growing lower in the plant.

Second, the leaf size will determine the speed that caffeine will release into the tea brew; large leaf tea will release caffeine slowly; fine leaf tea will release caffeine quickly

Finally, the temperature and brewing time will also affect the quantity of caffeine in the cup of tea you drink; slow brew times will release smaller quantities of caffeine than longer brew times.

Reed more about brewing recommendations-

Brewing your best "cuppa"

With so many variables, there are no simple comparisons because there are always exceptions. However, if you prefer to drink tea with low-level caffeine, it would be a large-leaf white tea, brewed at low temperatures for short times. You would also gently wash the leaves before brewing. (Washing will remove some soluable Flavinols [EGCG] and health benefits)

Try low-level caffeine White teas; brewed at low temperatures for short times.

• Pai Mu Tan 
• ​Buddhas Tears

Try mid-level caffeine teas; mostly large-leaf green teas and a few black teas; brewed at low temperatures for short times.

• Organic China Sencha (Green)
• China Keemun (Black)

Try best selling high-level caffeine teas; generally small-leaf of broken-leaf black teas; brewed at higher temperatures for longer times.

• Scottish Breakfast
• Irish Breakfast

Read more:

Caffeine

Does herbal tea have caffeine?

No. Herbs are classed as botanicals and have no caffeine.