Varieties of Tea

There are four main types of tea: green tea, black tea, oolong tea and white tea. All tea comes from the same plant. The specific variety of tea plant and the way the leaves are processed after harvesting determine the type of tea that is created.

Black teas differ from green teas in having been fermented. Oolongs, intermediate in color and flavor, are partially fermented. Green teas are produced chiefly in China and Japan; black teas in China, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, and Kenya; and oolongs in Taiwan.

We carry several types of green tea including:

Sencha - Sencha is the most popular of Japan's green teas. It has a lightly astringent taste along with a slight sweetness.

Gunpowder - These tea leaves are rolled into tight, little balls that apparently resemble old-style gunpowder. Because of the rolled form, Gunpowder tea stays fresher longer than most other green teas. The taste is fresh and a little grassy.

Macha - The kind of tea used in tradtional Japanese tea ceremony. It's ground up very fine, and the tea is whisked when prepared. The flavor is light and sweet. Macha works well added to desserts too. Recipes

Jasmine - Blended tea with green tea leaves and jasmine flowers. The blossoms give the tea a very refreshing taste, and fragrant aroma.

We carry several types of black tea including:

Darjeeling - Named for the Darjeeling province in India, this fine black tea is worth trying. Full-bodied, delicate flavor.

Keemun - Considered by most to be the finest of all Chinese black teas. It's smooth and very aromatic.

Assam - A very full-bodied tea, but without the hint of spice found in Keemun. It's grown in northern regions of India.

Nilgiri - A lighter and more delicate black tea, from India. This tea is excellent for the novice brewer, as it is a bit more forgiving if not steeped quite right.

We also carry specialty teas including:

Oolong -Tastes more like green tea than black tea. It does not have the grassy flavor of green tea.

White - Picked and harvested before the leaves open fully. White tea is similar to green tea but without the distinctive grassy taste. The flavor is light, and sweet.

Calming Blend (with medicinal herbs)

Ginsing Blend (with ginsing)