Introduction to Tea
Tea is the most popular beverage in the world, next to water. Green, oolong and black tea all come from the same plant Camelia sineses. The location and manner tea is grown and fermentation process produces the great variety of flavor and aroma found in these teas.

Most teas can be categorized as one of three types: green, oolong, or black.

• Green tea is completely un-oxidized and baked while fresh to lock in a sweet grassy flavor.
• Oolong is semi-oxidized retaining many of the health benefits of green tea but resulting in a deliciously fruity tea that evokes the qualities of both black and green teas.
• Black tea is fully oxidized producing a tea with higher caffeine content and a rich smoky flavor.

All tea was originally cultivated in Fujain, China, starting around the fourth century. Dutch explorers brought the marvels of tea to the west and since then, tea drinking customs have become common throughout out the world. Chinese Tang dynasty poet Lu Tong explains the magic of tea drinking best in this poem:

“First cup moistens mouth and throat;
Second cup dispels loneliness and boredom;
Third cup makes the brain quick and lively,
capable of writing five thousand volumes;
Fourth cup brings mild perspiration,
draining all lifelong grievances through the pores.
Fifth cup refreshes muscles and bones;
Sixth cup brings communion with immortals;
No sooner has one drunk the seventh cup,
than a cool breeze lifts one up from below one’s arms.”

Health Benefits of Tea
The ancient Chinese considered tea medicine. Ancient Chinese proverbs describe tea ‘as a miraculous way to prolong life.’ Today science is confirming much of what Chinese folklore has known for millennia. Studies all over the world have reported that tea, especially green and oolong tea, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, lowers bad cholesterol levels, prevents many of the cancers common in the modern era, lowers blood sugar levels, raises metabolism reducing body fat, and prevents tooth decay and bad breath.

Tea, especially green and oolong tea, contains large amounts of polyphenol, a naturally occurring antioxidant compound. Antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals, which are implicated in a host of chronic illnesses, including cancer and heart disease. Studies indicate that the polyphenol found in green and oolong teas have an antioxidant effect more powerful than vitamin E. Polyphenols are also known to keep the influenza virus in check.

Tea naturally contains the minerals fluoride and manganese, as well as vitamins C, B2, D and K and a number of amino acids. Clearly, tea is one of those earthly wonders, delicious and good for one’s health.

Advice on Brewing Fine Teas
Water is a critical element to brewing a good cup of tea, experts recommend using fresh filtered water. Bring water to a full boil and remove from heat. Water that is boiled too long loses oxygen and becomes flat. Filtered tap water is preferred over bottled water because it contains more oxygen.

Only the proper temperature will draw out the best flavors of the leaf. Tea should never be boiled. While boiling water can be poured directly onto black tea, water for green tea should be cooled slightly before added to the tea as to not bring out too much bitterness. On the other hand very hot temperatures bring out the subtleties of oolong teas. Traditionally, a small unglazed clay teapot, called a gungfu pot is used. The pot is first pre-heated by letting boiled water sit in the pot for a few minutes then removing this water and beginning to brew tea.

In the whole process of producing fine teas tea has never been washed so the first step in brewing a delicious pot is washing the leaves. This is done be first pouring boiled water onto the dry leaves and quickly dumping out this first infusion letting the clean leaves remain in the pot for the next drinkable brew. The Chinese call this first infusion ’foot water’ and consider this tea only suitable for washing feet. After the initial washing, most teas can be infused three to five times. With oolong teas the second or third infusion is considered the choicest.

Tea leaves need to be fresh in order to deliver the true character of a tea. If stored properly, teas will keep their full flavor for many months. Teas should be kept in airtight containers in a cool dry space away from direct light and odors.

Here is Information on the Teas we Offer:

Organic Jasmine Green Tea
We are very proud to offer this prized, entirely hand harvested and handmade tea. Our Jasmine Tea is grown in the protected, ancient tea forest of the Jing Mai Mountains of Yunnan, China. Many of the tea trees are over 1300 years old and the forest is rich in bio-diversity and ecological balance. The ancient tea trees are the backbone of local minority Dai and Bulang villages’ economies. The unique nature of the tea trees creates a very fragrant tea that is good for many infusions and very low in caffeine! Our Jasmine Tea is the royalty of scented tea, very fragrant and flavorful! We use special Japanese style tea bags that leave enough space for the magic of the full tea leaves to expand.

Organic Long Jing Green Tea (Dragon’s Well)
Green teas have large amounts of powerful antioxidants, known to prevent illnesses including cancer, cardiovascular disease and influenza. These antioxidants are also famed for their anti-aging effects. Long Jing is the most famous and sought after green tea in China. It is grown in the home of green tea, Zhejaing China, where supposedly thousands of years ago an emperor discovered the magical beverage when a leaf from a Chinese variety of Camellia sinesis fell into his cup. Our certified organic Long Jing, hand plucked April 20th, is hand fired with nutty flavors and a buttery finish.

Golden Needle Organic Black Tea
This magical hand picked, handmade black tea is from the protected Jing Mai ancient tea forest of Yunnan, China. Many of the tea trees are over 1300 years old and the forest is rich in bio-diversity and ecological balance. The ancient tea trees are the backbone of local minority Dai and Bulang villages’ economies. This is a world-renowned black tea imparting all the mysteries of the oldest tea-growing region in the world. In China, Golden Needle Organic Black Tea is reputed to relieve arthritis and is naturally very low in caffeine. The Jing Mai mountain villages are home to many centenarians, attesting to the health benefits of these leaves. When brewed, Golden Needle Organic Black Tea has a very beautiful red color with spicy, floral qualities.

Emei Mountain Organic Green Tea
Green teas have large amounts of powerful antioxidants, known to prevent illnesses including cancer, cardiovascular disease and influenza. These antioxidants are also famed for their anti-aging effects. This certified organic tea is grown in the high mountains of Sichuan, China. The tea farm is part of the pristine Emei Mountain Buddhist Monastery Preserve, where for thousands of years Chinese Buddhists have come for pilgrimage. Emei Mountain Organic Green Tea, like all of our organic teas, was hand harvested. Because of the high elevation this tea was grown in it is picked around May 30th. The sacred environment of Emei Mountain imparts this tea with a sweet, uplifting flavor.

Ancient Beauty Organic Oolong Tea (Bai Hao Oolong)
We are very proud to offer this prized, entirely hand harvested and handmade tea. Our Ancient Beauty Organic Oolong Tea is grown in the protected, ancient tea forest of the Jing Mai Mountains of Yunnan, China. Many of the tea trees are over 1300 years old and the forest is rich in bio-diversity and ecological balance. The ancient tea trees are the backbone of local minority Dai and Bulang villages’ economies. The unique nature of the tea trees creates a very fragrant tea that is good for up to 15 infusions and very low in caffeine! Ancient Beauty Organic Oolong Tea is the most oxidized of all oolongs (55%) and has an essence of spiced, exotic fruit with a beautiful amber color.