Tea Facts & FAQ

You’re probably familiar with black tea, green tea, or even white tea, but may have some questions about Oolong tea. Oolong tea represents only 2% of the world’s tea and combines different qualities of the dark and green teas in one unique family of its own. Oolong is traditionally from China and is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, the same plant used to make green tea and black tea. The difference is in how the tea is processed. Oolong tea is partially...

Maejima Gyokuro – Limited Edition Gyokuro is the highest grade Japanese green tea. It is cultivated in a special way. The name refers to the pale green color of the infusion. During my recent visit to Japan, I was able to visit Mr. Maejima, a well-respected master of the art of Gyokuro making. Mr. Maejima lives in Okabe, a small village close to Fujieda in the Shizuoka Prefecture. He won three gold medals for the best Gyokuro, more gold medals at the international green tea...

About Matcha Green Tea Why is everyone such an advocate for matcha? Is it really the holy grail of green tea? Matcha has been revered for centuries due to its valuable medicinal properties as well as its ability to encourage wakefulness and alertness for hours. A few benefits of matcha include: Packed with antioxidants such as EGCgLowers cholesterol and blood sugarFortifies the immune systemIncreases energy levelsDetoxifies bodyEnhances calmRich in fiber, chlorophyll, and vitamins...

It seems as if tea is as old as time. Tea has become a staple drink and even a cultural practice in many countries around the world. We want to take it all the way back to its roots in China. The furthest back that tea can be tracked is in the year 2737 BC. The oral tradition has been passed on over centuries to share the story of the first cup of tea ever enjoyed. Legend has it… The Chinese emperor Shen Nung was sitting beneath a tree while his servant boiled drinking water, when...

Are you steeping your tea properly? Preparing your tea for tasting is just as important as picking the right one. We are all guilty of leaving our tea to steep, getting distracted, and returning to a room temperature brew with a bitter taste and a feeling of disappointment. Pay attention to your tea and avoid this common steeping misdemeanor. Turns out this isn’t the only steeping mishap. People everywhere are mis-measuring, mis-timing, and mis-using teaware. Find out more about how to...

Kenya boasts some of the highest quality black tea in the world. The taste of Kenyan tea has a distinct and acclaimed flavour and aroma. Tea is the top foreign exchange earner for the economy and 95% of the country’s tea is exported every year.   Kenyan tea comes in different forms. The majority of Kenyan tea is blended with other teas and sold across markets worldwide. The most rare and reputable Kenyan tea is the purest form and in this form, Kenyan...

Cook Up Something New Bored of the same old recipes and routines? There may be an ingredient sitting in your kitchen that you haven’t tried yet, tea! Tea leaves, ground tea, and matcha tea powder can all be used in sweet or savoury recipes for added flavour. Make your plate a little more interesting with the integration of this new ingredient. 1. Swap your stock If you’re cooking grains, heating rice, or simmering quinoa, you can mix up the directions by...

Lavender is a plant native to the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean where it grows in bright sunlight. The word lavender comes from the Latin root lavare which means “to wash”. This name was given to the fragrant plant for its common use as an ingredient in soaps and shampoos for bathing the body and spirit. Researchers confirmed the scent of lavender produces soothing and sedative effects that can help with sleep promotion, reduction of anxiety, and...

Darjeeling: The Astonishing Town and Tea Darjeeling is not just a tea. Darjeeling is a town in India’s West Bengal state.  The town sits right in the Himalayan foothills and promises a breathtaking view. The black tea named after the location is grown on plantations surrounding the slope of the mountain.  If you were to visit the plantation your view would be that of one of the highest mountain peaks in the world: Mount Kanchenjunga. In days when the sky is clear and clouds are...

Your favourite tea may not really be tea. This is because many tea retailers call select beverages tea when in fact, they don’t contain tea leaves. So what are they? What makes something tea and what makes something... not tea? What is Tisane? Technically, any fruit or herb can be steeped in water, ingested, and categorized as tisane. Tisane (tih-ZANN) is a french word for “herbal infusion” and is usually made with dried flowers, fruits, and...

What is Blooming Tea? Blooming teas are beautiful and unique artisan teas that flower as you steep them. The teas come in a small dry sphere of dried leaves and tisane. When the ball of tea is dropped into steaming water you can watch as it unfurls and blooms before your eyes. We highly recommend using a glass teapot to steep your blooming teas so that you don’t miss the delicate beauty of your tea as it blooms. How are Blooming Teas Made? Flowering teas are beautiful pieces of art....

You may have seen the beautiful, original, and eye-catching mugs we sell here at The Tea Haus. But where do these mugs come from? Why are they so special? And what is Dunoon Bone China?