Common Questions

That's up to you! There are many different brewing methods, including strainers, infusers, tea bags you can fill with your loose leaf tea, etc. Countries and cultures all over the world have different methods. Everyone has a personal preference, and your preferred brewing method will often come down to personal taste and the culture you're from. Below is how Americans tend to prefer brewing their tea: Bring cold water to a full boil. Allow water to cool slightly (around 195F for black, rooibos and herbal teas. 160-180F for green or white teas because the leaves are more delicate). Measure 1 tsp. loose-leaf tea per 6 oz. of water. Place tea in your tea ball, strainer or loose leaf tea bag. Pour hot water over the tea and allow to steep undisturbed for the proper amount of time (see times below). Take infuser out and enjoy! Remember, use more tea, not a longer steep time if you want stronger tea. Oversteeping leads to bitterness. Steeping times: Green & White Tea: 2 minutes. Black Tea: 3 Minutes Herbal & Rooibos Tea 3-5 minutes

Rooibos is an herbal tea grown in South Africa. “Rooibos” is Afrikaans for red bush. It is caffeine free and technically not tea at all, since it does not contain camellia sinensis. It has an earthy flavor and is high in antioxidants. Rooibos is extremely popular in Africa and has been gaining in popularity in the States due to its health benefits. With over 60 flavors of tea on our menu, we have something for everyone. Black , green, herbal, and rooibos teas are all available.

Loose leaf tea tastes better because it uses whole tea leaves that retain their natural essential oils and aromatic compounds. Most tea bags you find at a grocery store are filled with crushed "dust or fannings." This is the leftover bits after the tea leaves have been dried and processed. When you brew a pot of tea using loose leaves, the whole leaves have room to fully unfurl in hot water, releasing layered, nuanced, and complex flavors rather than the dull flavor that is produced by the pulverized tea dust found in a teabag.

Tea, the camellia sinensis plant, naturally contains caffeine. When a tea is labeled as decaffeinated it means the tea leaves have gone through a process to remove, by either extracting or dissolving, the caffeine molecules from the tea. Decaffeination aims to keep the flavor oils intact, while removing at least 97% of the original caffeine. This is how decaf black and green teas are made. A tea labeled caffeine free is not actually tea at all. It is a tisane, or herbal blend. Which means it does not contain leaves from the tea plant (camellia sinensis) but rather is comprised of a blend dried herbs, fruits or flowers. It is naturally 100% caffeine free and is how herbal blends, tisanes, and rooibos 'teas' are categorized.

Tea is derived from the camellia sinensis plant, commonly known as the tea tree or tea plant. Originally from China, camellia sinensis is now grown all over the world, including India, Japan, Sri Lanka, and even Hawaii.

Loose leaf tea does not spoil, but over time it will lose its freshness. Like spices in your kitchen cabinet, it may not be as potent or flavorful if stored improperly or if too much time has passed. We recommend consuming your tea within 12 months after opening. For maximum freshness keep your tea sealed in a dark and dry environment.