It's All About Tea

In the previous blog post, we started a thread on some of the most popular custom tea blends featuring loose-leaf tea. We explored a deeply rooted tradition of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) of mixing loose-leaf tea with various medicinal herbs, fruits, and flowers, among others, to create tea elixirs that are both therapeutic and aromatic. They focus on harmonizing the wellness aspects with the enjoyable sensory experiences of the tea.

We have explored some of Green and White Tea's custom tea blends. In this blog post, we continue with some of the most aromatic and complex tea types, namely Oolong tea, Red tea or Hong Cha (known as Black tea in the Western world), and Hei Cha, with Pu-erh tea as one of its most notable representatives. We'll learn about the different tea blends created with those tea types. We'll also explore the healthy advantages they bring along and how their ancient wisdom might benefit our modern lives. (Read More)

In China, the homeland of tea, tea lovers and connoisseurs usually consume tea in its pure state. That way, they can appreciate the depth of flavor and aroma unique to each tea type and variety. Yet, there's a parallel tradition that intertwines the age-old wisdom of medicine with tea by creating tea blends that are both therapeutic and aromatic. Mixing loose leaf tea with herbs, flowers, or fruits isn't random. It's mostly about enhancing tea's natural benefits. It also adds a twist of flavor and aroma that makes each sip a little more special. TCM doctors, tea experts, and tea lovers thoughtfully crafted these tea blends, balancing the health benefits and the sensory pleasures of the brew.

As we dive into the most popular blends for each tea type, we're not just exploring flavors. We step into a world where tea enhances our daily lives, addresses specific problems, or brings certain benefits, offering both health and pleasure in every cup. Ready to mix things up? (Read More)

Brewing the perfect cup of tea – the hailed summit that every tea lover strives for during the years of practice and dedication! Indeed, to brew tea in the best way is an art that includes several key components: the quality of the tea leaves, the temperature and nature of the water, and the steeping time, considered the Holy Trinity of them all. When it comes to fine tuning, though, some low-key factors strongly impact the outcome. The technique used for pouring water is one of them. While most of us pay close attention to the type of tea and the water temperature, the way we pour water over our tea leaves often goes overlooked. Yet, it's a crucial step that can significantly influence our tea's flavor, aroma, and overall enjoyment.

In this blog post, we dive into water-pouring techniques for brewing tea. It might surprise you, but how you pour water can transform your tea experience. Every detail matters, from the height of the pour to the speed and the angle. Whether you're a seasoned tea enthusiast or just starting to explore the vast universe of tea, understanding these techniques can elevate your brew to new heights. So, grab your favorite teapot (or gaiwan) and let's explore how a simple change in your pouring method can unleash the full potential of your tea leaves (Read More)

"Champagne of teas", "the perfume of teas" are just a few among the nicknames of one of the most beloved teas out there, namely Dancong Oolong tea. Although Oolong tea came out as the last addition to the millennia-long tea history of China, it quickly gained popularity. It established itself, stealing the crown of red tea, or Hong Cha, as the most aromatic tea among the six tea types.

In this blog post, we'll unveil the mystery behind one of the most captivating aromas in the world of tea. We'll explore the factors that influence the formation of Oolong tea taste and aroma, and analyze the factors behind it, both from nature and science's points of view. We're talking specifically about Dancong Oolong, as it's the one type of Oolong tea with the most abundant variety of aroma profiles. However, the factors that influence the formation of the aroma and taste of Dancong Oolong apply to virtually any type of loose leaf oolong tea. Ready for it? Let's begin! (Read More)

In the previous blog post, we explored a hidden gem in the 22-million megapolis of Shenzhen – a tea house-turned-private museum of a renowned tea person, lover, and collector. Mr. Chen, the president of the Chaoshan Tea Association in Shenzhen, has a lifelong passion for tea and Gongfu Cha culture. With him as our guide, we embarked on a journey through time, discovering antique Gongfu Cha memorabilia, the air of then-times, and the stories hidden behind those objects.

In this blog post, we continue our journey in the Gongfu Cha realm, sipping high-quality almond-flavored Dancong Wulong, diving into the history and present of Gongfu Cha, as well as its representation in the daily life of local Chaozhou people (Read More)