Frequently Asked Questions:
1) What are the differences between the tea bases?
True teas all come from the same plant - Camellia sinensis AKA the tea plant. The Camellia sinensis plant is native to Southeast Asia, and there is only one tea plantation in the United States. Tea doesn't much like our climate zones here.
Green Tea - The least oxidized form of tea. The fresh tea leaves are subjected to a brief period of high heat to neutralize the enzymes that enable oxidation. It has 30-50 mg of caffeine per brewed cup, and a host of benefits that we can get into later.
Black Tea - Tea leaves that have been heavily oxidized. This gives the leaves a dark appearance and changes the aroma and flavor. Oxidation is the natural chemical reaction carried out by enzymes within the leaf once they are exposed to air. Black tea has about 45-60 mg of caffeine per brewed cup.
Oolong Tea - Oolong is in between green and black tea. The tea leaves are partially oxidized, leaving the tea darker than green, lighter than black, and with its own distinct aroma and flavor. (My personal favorite!) Oolong tea contains a medium amount of caffeine as well - usually between 35 and 55 mg per cup.
Maté - Actually a variety of holly! Though it is dried and brewed like tea, maté come from a different plant and is native to South America, mostly Paraguay. Maté contains over 80mg of caffeine per cup. Native tribes - specifically the Guaraní and Tupi peoples - have been drinking its dried leaves for thousands of years.
Rooibos - A caffeine - free plant native to South Africa. Tasty. 0mg of caffeine but tastes reminiscent of black tea and turns a pretty red color when steeped.
Herbal Tea - No tea! Just herbal blends. 0mg of caffeine and lots of different delightful tastes.
2) Where do your ingredients come from?
Most of my ingredients, other than maté and Camellia sinensis, are picked by my own hands. Ingredients native to the northeastern US are picked and/or dug up, cleaned, and roasted, in the mountains of Vermont.
Ingredients native to Greece were picked wild (by me) on the Greek island Aegina.
Ingredients native to South Korea were picked wild in the fields outside Seoul.
My maté, rooibos, and Camellia sinensis is sourced from around the world in the places I have most enjoyed it. The list includes the finest crafters in India, China, and Japan.
3) What are your order sizes?
Our teas generally come in small, medium, or large packages.
A small container of tea will brew between 15-20 cups of tea
A medium package will brew about 25-30 cups of tea
A large serving will brew 40-50 cups of tea
*These all depend on how strong (or weak) you like your tea. Everything is adaptable!*
We are also happy to blend custom sizes upon request.
Please contact us if there's anything else you'd like to know