VariTEAS
All teas come from the same plant called Camellia sinensis. The thousands of different varieties of teas available in the world only vary on the region it was grown, the time of year picked, and the processing method. The differences stem from how they are processed.
How the leaves are processed will determine their final classification. The main categories of tea are White, Green, Oolong, and Black. We also sell Herbal tisanes or infusions, sometimes called herbal tea, which do not actually contain the Camellia sinensis plant.
The main difference between the many tea varieties is how much oxygen the leaves are allowed to absorb during processing. Much oxygen produces dark-colored black teas. Little oxygen results in green tea. Unprocessed leaves are called white tea.
Each type of tea has its own characteristics including a different taste, differing health benefits, and even different levels of caffeine.
is produced on a very limited scale in China and India. It is the purest and least processed of all teas. The new tea buds are plucked before they open and simply allowed to dry. The curled-up buds have a silvery appearance and produce a pale and very delicate cup of tea. White tea has very little caffeine and brews a light color and flavor. White teas also contain the highest antioxidant properties (helps to detoxify and fight cancer), help lower your cholesterol level, and are the best for skin and complexion. We invite you to view photos and descriptions of individual white teas.
is the most popular type of tea. It is often referred to as "unfermented" tea. The freshly picked leaves are allowed to dry, then are heat-treated to stop any fermentation (also referred to as oxidation). In China, traditional hand-making methods are still employed in many places, particularly in the manufacture of the finest green teas you'll find offered here. Often Green tea is mixed with fruits or scented with flowers to create flavored or scented Green teas. This tea has only 5-10% the caffeine in coffee. Green tea is also high in antioxidants (helps to detoxify and fight cancer), helps lower blood pressure, fight gingivitis and cavities, and helps regulate blood sugar levels. Green teas should be steeped at a much lower temperature than boiling. We invite you to view photos and descriptions of individual green teas.
is full-bodied with a flavorful fragrance and sweet aroma. It is generally referred to as "semi-fermented" tea which gives it approximately 15% of the caffeine in one cup of coffee. Oolong is principally manufactured in China and Taiwan (often called Formosa). For the manufacture of oolongs, the leaves are wilted in direct sunlight, then shaken in bamboo baskets to lightly bruise the edges. Next, the leaves are spread out to dry until the surface of the leaf turns slightly yellow. Oolongs are always whole leaf teas, never broken by rolling. The least fermented of oolong teas, almost green in appearance, is called Pouchong. Oolong teas promote weight loss by boosting your metabolism rate and aid in digestion by breaking down oils and fats. We invite you to view photos and descriptions of individual oolong teas.
undergoes a full fermentation process composed of four basic steps - withering, rolling, fermenting, and firing (or drying). So it has approximately 20% of the caffeine in a cup of coffee. First, the plucked leaves are spread out to wither. The withered leaves are then rolled, in order to release the chemicals within the leaf that are essential to its final color and flavor. The rolled leaves are spread out once more to absorb oxygen (oxidize), causing the leaves to turn from green to coppery red. Finally, the oxidized leaves are fired in order to arrest fermentation, turning the leaf black and giving it the recognizable tea scent.
Black tea helps prevent the absorption of cholesterol into the blood stream, which helps to prevent heart disease. It is also good to prevent gingivitis, tooth decay, and it helps regulate blood sugar level and blood pressure. We invite you to view photos and descriptions of individual black teas.
does not contain any leaves from the Camellia family, so it is sometimes referred to as a tisane. Often, herbals are blends of many different plants, fruits, and flavorings. They are particularly nice choices for children, for evening consumption, and for anyone who wants to completely avoid caffeine.
Herbal or tisane teas can be broken into three categories: Rooibos teas, Mate teas, and Herbal infusions. Herbal infusions consist of pure herbs, flowers, and fruits. The health benefits of herbal tea varies from tea to tea, but they are all caffeine-free and typically rich in vitamin C. Herbal teas are delicious hot or iced. We invite you to view photos and descriptions of individual herbal teas.
Rooibos (or Red) tea is made from the needle-like leaves of a caffeine-free bush native to South Africa. It is oxidized like black tea, and many people are using it instead of decaffeinated black teas. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein and has higher antioxidants than Green tea. Naturally caffeine free, Rooibos teas are excellent in aiding with digestion, help relieve allergies, and promote healthy skin, teeth and bones. Rooibos teas are delicious hot or iced, has a mild flavor and won't turn bitter with extended brewing.
Mate or yerba mate is a herbal plant grown in Argentina, that makes a delicious hearty herbal tea. Made from the leaves and twigs of the yerba mate plant, mate teas give the same energy as coffee without the jitters. It is considered the coffee lover's favorite tea. Mate also curb the appetite and is rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
is any tea that has undergone a process which eliminates most of the caffeine content. Two processes are currently used to commercially decaffeinate tea, an ethyl acetate and a CO2 method. While the ethyl acetate method is cheaper and easier, the CO2 method has been proven much safer. Decaf tea is the perfect alternative for tea lovers who are trying to lower their caffeine intake. We use what we term "Canadian Chemical Free CO2 Process". The tea tastes better and does not have residual chemicals.
also called Artisan teas, these teas actually 'bloom' as they steep. They are hand tied by tea artists and often include some type of flavor or scent along with the beautiful design. These romantic teas make a great gift for your significant other!
Tea Blends
Tea blends often have the best of both worlds since they combine more than one type of tea. You can examine each blend to understand the tastes and health benefits associated with the teas included. This is one of the best ways to get great flavor along with great health benefits.
