Tea is a drink that made from a steeping processed leaves or buds of tea bush in hot water for a few minutes.  Tea processing can be oxidation, heating, drying and blending with other herbs, flowers, spices and fruits.  There are four types of tea:  Green Tea, Oolong, White and Black Tea. 

Tea has an amino acid theanine, methylxanthines such as caffeine and theobromine and polyphenolic antioxidant chatechins.  It has a cooling, slightly bitter and astringent flavor.  

Tea’s benefits have been researched in China, Japan, other Asian countries and other western countries.  Drinking tea everyday helps prevent some of the worst heart diseases, lowering blood fats and prevent cholesterol accumulation.  Tea has a sliming effect and prevents formation of stones in the kidney and internal organs, according to Chinese doctors’ studies, and researches from Eastern and Western scientists.

What is Tea?

Tea is a beverage from processed leaves of camillia sinensis plant.  Camillia sinensis is an evergreen plant that grows in tropical or subtropical climates.  Teas grow at the altitutes between sea level to 7000 feet.  The slower the plant growth the better the flavor.  The top 1- 2 inches of the mature plants are picked.  It takes 7 - 10 days for the plant to grow new flushes.  An average 4.5 pounds of fresh tea leaves will give a pound of tea.

There are two varietals of Camillia sinensis.  They are Camillia Sinenis Sinensis which has small leaves (China plant); and Camillia sinensis assamica which has large leaves (Assam plant).

Tea History

The Chinese consumed teas over 5,000 years and the tea benefits were first discovered by Chinese.  In ancient, Chinese used tea as currency.

According to Chinese Legend, Tea was discovered by accident.  Shen Nung, Emperor of China, inventor of agriculture and Chinese medicine was  drinking a bow of boiling water, some time around 2737 BC.  The leaves from a near by tree fell into his water and began to change its color and had a lovely aroma.  After drinking the liquid, the Emperor felt refreshed and enthused.  Tea was invented through that event.

Different types of teas

Black tea

Green tea

Oolong tea

White tea

Pu-erh tea

Premium or delicate tea

Basic Tea Brewing Instruction

 

Steeping time presented below is for using 1 tsp. of tea leaves to make an 8 oz. cup of tea.  We recommend boiling fresh cold water.  Boiling water should be poured onto the tealeaves instead of doing the reverse of dropping the tealeaves into the water.  Tealeaves should be quickly rinsed with hot water before steeping.

 

                Black Tea    :  Heat water until boiling, 212 degrees Fahrenheit, steep for 3.0 minutes.

Green Tea  : Heat water until steam rises, 180 degrees Fahrenheit, steep for 2.0 to 2.5 minutes.

Oolong Tea: Heat water until steaming briskly, 200 degrees Fahrenheit, Steep for 1.5 to 2.0 minutes.

White Tea   :  Heat water until steaming briskly, 200 degrees Fahrenheit, steep for 2.0 minutes.

 

Our instructions are only guidelines, for your ultimate enjoyment please experiment with the steeping time, water temperature and the amount of tealeaves.  Enjoy!

 

Teapot, Tea Sets, Tea Cups, Tea Accessories

If you purchased a teapot, tea set, tea cup or tea accessories and intend to use it for tea consumption, please make sure to clean the items thoroughly.

Preparing Your New Yixing Clay Teapot

 

Steps for teapot preparations prior to first use:

1.       Remove lid and add tealeaves into the teapot.  Use tealeaves that you intent to brew in the future with your Yinxing Clay Teapot.

2.       Pour boiling water into your Yingxing Teapot until it fills to the top.

3.       Let your teapot soak in the tea for 24 hours.

4.       After 24 hours, remove the contents of the teapot.

5.       Rinse well with hot water.  This removes the natural earthy aroma of the teapot and rises away any clay residue from inside of your pot.

6.       Let it air dry naturally.

 

Yixing Mugs and Cups

1.       Prepare your mug or cup the same way as with the teapot described above.

2.       For continuous maintenance, rise clean with hot water and wipe dry with a soft cloth.

 

 Maintaining and Cleaning your Yixing Clay Teapot

After each teapot usage, follow instructions below:

1.       Pour out the tea leaves.

2.       Rinse teapot with hot water.

3.       Wipe the outside dry with a soft cloth.

4.       Let it air dry naturally.

Caution: Never use soap, cleanser, or detergents on your Yixing item.