• How to brew tea?
Ever wondered how to brew all different types of tea and thought a handy guide would be super helpful? Well, fear not! Here is a comprehensive guide which tells you what are the overarching guidelines and the best way for you to brew all the different types of tea. We will tell you all about the best water temperature, steeping time and fun additions that you can add to have a delightful tea experience. (blog link)

  • What is special about Darjeeling tea?
The most special aspect of Darjeeling tea is the fact that its flavor comes from the tea plants in the tea gardens in Darjeeling which makes the flavors regionally exclusive and something that simply cannot be grown anywhere else in the world.

  • What is 1st flush tea?

First Flush: Harvested in mid-March, very light color, aroma & mild astringency.

 

  • What is 2nd flush tea?

Second Flush: Harvested in June, produces amber, full-bodied muscatel flavored cup of tea..

 

  • What tea is the best for summer?

Light and crisp tea’s work very well during the summer since they are refreshing. This would include Darjeeling first flush and green and flavoured green teas as well. Cold brew or iced tea is also great for the hot summer.

  • What is chai?

Chai is a staple in the diet of most Indians all across the country. Chai is characterized by its golden, tan color and is a steaming liquid, usually served in small clay pots, known as kulhar in Hindi or bhar in Bengali. is a fan favorite in India. The tradition of drinking ‘chai’ tea in India transcends all boundaries with chai shopping dotting the roadsides. This tea is usually prepared with milk and spices along with sugar.

  • How to make chai?

Chai is made with boiling water, milk and spices together, to which tea leaves are added and steeped. See the full recipe here!

  • How to make iced tea?

Check out our recipe here! 

  • Why choose loose leaf tea?

The main reason why loose lead tea is a popular choice is because of the real estate the leaves have to offer. Because it is the full leaf, there is more surface area for the essential oils of the leaf to be extracted in comparison to tea bags.

  • What are the benefits of green tea?

Contains healthy bioactive compounds. May improve brain function. Increases fat burning. Antioxidants may lower the risk of some cancers. May protect the brain from aging. May reduce bad breath. May help prevent type 2 diabetes. May help prevent cardiovascular disease.

  • What are the benefits of black tea?

Black tea has antioxidant properties and may help with boosting heart health. It also might reduce the propensity of strokes and improve focus. Read the complete blog here.

  • Does tea have caffeine?

Yes, it does contain caffeine. Each tea however has varying amounts of caffeine when brewed and they are all lesser in amount when compared to coffee.

  • Which type of tea has the most caffeine content?

Yerba mate, which is tea drink traditionally had in South America has the highest caffeine content however, among the teas we drink on the daily, black tea is the one with the highest amount of caffeine

  • What are the different types of tea?

There are mainly 7 different types of tea - black tea, green tea, white tea, oolong tea, pu’erh tea, blended teas and herbal teas.

  • Can I pair my tea with food?

Drinking tea is a very communal event and its joy is enhanced when shared with friends and family. Culturally, sharing food is also another event which brings the family together and thus, pairing tea with food makes it the perfect match. Britain has the traditional afternoon tea while Indians share tea over snacks and lots of laughter. Tea pairing with food has gained ground in the West and is today popular in many tearooms, boutiques and restaurants. 

 

  • What is the difference between 1st flush and 2nd flush tea?

The difference between 1st and 2nd flush tea is the time of the year the tea leaves are picked which cause them to have distinct tastes. First flush is the first round of picking which happens in the spring season while second flush is the picking which happens during summer.

  • Can I compost my teabags?

If your teabag is made from biodegradable materials, you should absolutely be able to compost it. Our green teabags are absolutely eco friendly and can be composted

  • How many times can you use a teabag?

Usually teabags are use and throw and one-time use only. Some teabags can definitely be used up to 2 times. Our green teabags however can be used up to 4-5 times.

  • How much loose leaf tea should we use for one cup of tea?

Between 2 to 2.5gm loose leaf tea is perfect for 8oz water

  • What is boba tea?

When a tea base is blended with milk or fruit flavoring and then poured over black pearls, it makes the famous boba tea. According to the New York Times, the gluten-free pearls (boba) are produced of tapioca starch, which is then blended in an industrial mixer "with brown sugar syrup, water, potassium sorbate, and guar gum, to make a moist, caramel-colored powder." The end result is a chewy black bubble with little flavor. It is also known as pearl milk tea, bubble milk tea, or bubble tea.

 

  • How to make boba tea?

The easiest way to make boba tea is to combine store-bought boba with your favorite milk tea preparation.

  • What tea should you use to make boba tea?

Since its beginnings, the basic tapioca iced tea recipe has evolved into an entire genre of drinks. The tea base for boba drinks is usually black or green tea. Black tea seems to be the most popular choice for making this yummy drink because of its robust flavor which is pronounced even after the addition of milk. Earl Grey tea has also become a favorite when it comes to being a base for boba tea due to its delectable taste and citrusy notes. Other than Black Tea, Green Tea is also very popular as the base tea...for Milk Tea, Assam is very popular. Other popular varieties include Matcha, Roasted Barley etc. The blending of different fruit punches like Strawberry, Blueberry, Mango, Kiwi etc. are the most popular among the younger crowd. Want to make boba tea at home? Explore our range of black teas, especially Assam CTC (for Milk Tea) and our Darjeeling 2nd flush, Himalayan Wonder and Nilgiri for Black Tea and our Green Tea to find the perfect base for your boba tea!

 

  • How to visit Darjeeling tea gardens?

Tea tour packages are usually all-inclusive and everything from transportation to meals and sightseeing is all covered under the cost. The tea estates offer a range of prices for these tours according to one's budget and the range is often from between 7000Rs per person to 14,000Rs per person (non-inclusive of the cost of travel to reach the nearest airport or train station to Darjeeling) Thus, from a mid-range to a higher range, all forms of budgets are covered! We highly recommend that you undertake this journey to this beautiful land of tea, nestled in the Himalayan mountains. One can take a flight there and a connecting toy train ride or car journey up to the hill station,

  • What is tea tourism?

Tea tourism is the practice of travelling around the world and visiting organic green tea plantations, which provides a great deal of enjoyment. The most exotic and imaginative way to appreciate nature is to escape to tea gardens set in a serene landscape. It's a brand-new idea that's rapidly gaining traction.

 

  • How does tea auctioning work in India?

Tea auctions are a way for producers to sell their teas to a wide variety of customers in a reasonable manner, allowing for a fair price discovery. In India, public tea auctions have always been an important medium for primary tea marketing. Only loose tea in bulk packets is sold at public tea auctions. This is regulated by the Tea Board of India.

 

  • What is Kombucha?

Kombucha is a fermented, lightly effervescent, sweetened black or green tea beverage that is famous for its alleged health benefits. To differentiate it from the bacteria and yeast culture, the beverage is often referred to as kombucha tea.

 

  • How can one make kombucha at home?

One can make kombucha at home by purchasing or finding a SCOBY and following the tea fermentation as it is shown in our blog!

  • What tea can one use for kombucha?

One should be using black tea for brewing kombucha at home for the best flavor. However, other types of tea like green tea can be experimented with.

  • What are the leading tea producing regions in India?

The leading tea producing areas in India are Darjeeling, Assam, Nilgiri, Sikkim and Meghalaya

  • What are the different regional teas in India?

The different regional teas in India are - Darjeeling tea, Assam tea, Nilgiri tea, Meghalayan tea and SIkkim tea

  • What are the benefits of tea blends?

Tea blending is a process by which different types of tes, spices and/or herbs are blended together to create a flavorful final product. Teas of the same type and coming from the same region can be blended to create a balanced flavor profile and teas are also blended with herbs, spices, oils and other additives to create signature flavored tea blends which are extremely popular. The benefit is the multitude of flavors and nutrients that make it yummy and healthy.

 

  • How does Darjeeling tea taste?

We have always talked about our fantastic Darjeeling tea and the exquisite and delicate taste and aroma of Darjeeling tea is unmatched and cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world. This has given the tea industry in Darjeeling a massive boost over the years and it remains a fan favorite. The first flush or the Spring flush yields fresh, light and airy tea, able to wake up all your taste buds. It tastes of leaves and springtime and is a refreshing yet delicate tea. Summer flush or second flush tea is rich, bull-bodied, with intense color and warmth. It has a muscatel, and fruity flavor.

 

  • Which is healthier - tea or coffee?

Tea in general has less caffeine compared to coffee and thus is a great drink and an amazing replacement for your morning coffee since you are less likely to crash from a caffeine rush. Because of the lower caffeine content, tea is said to be healthier than coffee.


  • Should you drink tea early in the morning?

Tea has less caffeine content than coffee which means that you will feel energized and not experience a low after the rush is over like what commonly happens with coffee. This also allows one to drink multiple cups of tea a day while safely being within a safe amount of caffeine consumption

  • How do people drink tea all over the world?

People drink tea all over the world and it is one of the most widely consumed beverages. There are many traditions surrounding tea consumption and you can read all about it here!

  • What is the green tea ceremony?

Ceremonial grade matcha is specifically distinct from its color to how it feels. It should have a vibrantly green color and smell light, fresh, and slightly grass like. It should also be extremely fine to the touch and feel silky and smooth like eye shadow. The ceremony requires poise and graceful hand movements and the ceremonial ritual is usually taught to students in tea clubs or in the homes as passing down of ancestral knowledge. A traditional bamboo whisk is used to mix the matcha powder with hot water to form a green paste and after the paste reaches the right consistency, more hot water is added to make a rich tea.

 

  • Does green tea help in weight loss?

Green tea is much more effective when it comes to weight loss. It aids in the weight loss process due to its antioxidants. The small amount of caffeine present in green tea is also known to act as a stimulant that is shown to aid in fat burning and improve exercise performance in various studies. One cup of green tea, half an hour before you exercise, is sure to give you great results!

  • What can you add to your tea?

You can add multiple things ranging from milk, cream to lemon, sugar, honey and spices like cinnamon as well. Teas like darjeeling tea benefit from lemon being added while masala tea and english breakfast are perfect for adding milk and cream.

  • Should you add milk to your tea?

Certain teas are better had with milk while others are better consumed without. Below is a short list and a quick guide to which teas you should have with milk and which teas you should not. Organic black tea and Orthodox tea are types of tea which are best without milk. It is usually served plain or with a dash of lemon and/or honey. This includes - Darjeeling organic tea - NIlgiri organic tea - Assam orthodox tea - Sikkim orthodox tea. CTC tea is much bolder and stronger, with more robust flavor and is hence commonly had with tea to balance it out. Assam CTC tea is a good example of the same. Indian masala chai is extremely commonly had with milk. Green and white tea have a soft and delicate flavor and hence it is best to have these without milk.

  • Who discovered tea?

There are two main legends of the discovery of tea and they originate from China and India respectively.
According to the first story, tea is said to have been discovered in China. However, what will surprise you is how it was discovered. Legend has it that tea was discovered by accident.
It is believed that in the year 520, Indian prince Bodhi Dharma he went to China to preach the teachings of Zen Buddhism and there he vowed to meditate for 9 years without sleep. Towards the end of his meditation, he fell asleep and when he woke up, he was terribly upset and angry with himself and in that anger, he cut off his eyelids and threw them on the ground. From these eyelids, a tea plant sprang up to honor and sanctify his sacrifice.

  • Where does tea originate from?

It is widely regarded that tea originated in China

  • Who is the largest producer and exporter of tea?

China is the largest producer and exporter of tea

  • Does drinking tea reduce stress?

Herbal teas have been around for quite a long while and have been praised for their medicinal properties. The health benefits of herbal teas are many and their properties are varied. Each of them has something different to offer to help you be the best version of yourself. These teas are exceptionally good at calming you down and helping relieve stress. It also gives a relaxing experience which is a welcome respite during the constant uncertainty of this pandemic.

 

  • What are the most popular teas in the USA?

According to various statistics and studies, around 85% of Americans prefer their tea cold and thus drink iced tea or cold brew tea. 
Americans in general prefer black tea however herbal and fruity teas are a close second choice along with green tea and even oolong tea. The tea market in the US has always been open to experiments and thus has worked well for the tea industry to launch new products here in the US market.

  • What is the healthiest tea?

White tea, for instance, has the highest concentration of antioxidants because it is the least processed tea. By this standard, it might be considered the "healthiest" of them all. As far as antioxidants are concerned, white tea is followed by jasmine tea, green tea, then black tea

 

  • Is tea good for you?

Tea contains antioxidants. Tea has less caffeine than coffee and it may reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Tea may help with weight loss.

 

  • How many cups of tea is okay to drink in a day?

It is not advised to drink more than 3 cups of tea a day. There are a couple of reasons.
Drinking more than 3 cups of tea a day can go well over the caffeine content one should have in a day. The tannins present in tea, in excess amounts can react with the acids of the stomach and thus cause acidity and bloating. Having more than 3 cups a day can also lead to an increased intake of sugar

 

  • What is tea leaf grading?

tea leaf grading is the process of evaluating products based on the quality and condition of the tea leaves themselves. The highest grades are referred to as OP or, "orange pekoe", and the lowest as "tannings" or "dust". 

 

  • What is FTGFOP?

FTGFOP, which stands for Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe. Finest in this case refers to the fact that this tea really is the finest. Only teas of exceptional quality will have this grade.

 

  • What is SFTGFOP1?

SFTGFOP stands for Special Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe. Special stands for the fact that a tea with this classification is truly unique and very rare indeed. Sometimes this will be prefixed with number 1 indicating that particular tea as being even more special, so the grading would be SFTGFOP

 

  • Do I need to use an infuser for tea?

Not at all. Making loose leaf tea without an infuser is extremely easy! All you need is a strainer or a sieve and you can brew loose leaf tea with ease.

  • Where is the tea trading hub in India? 

The tea trading hubs in India are mainly in Kolkata, Siliguri, Gawhati, Jalpaiguri, Cochin and Coimbatore

  • Which type of tea has the least caffeine content? 

Following is the amount of caffeine in one cup of tea, from least amount of caffeine to most!
white teas deliver 6–60 mg per cup, Green tea usually contains 24-45 milligrams of caffeine per cup. A standard cup of black tea contains anywhere between 14-70 milligrams of caffeine. Matcha green tea is another high-caffeine tea. It usually comes in powdered form and packs 35 mg of caffeine per half-teaspoon (1-gram) serving. Yerba mate, a tea traditionally enjoyed in South America usually contains 85 mg of caffeine per cup.

 

  • Is Darjeeling and Assam Tea similar? 

Not at all, they are completely different and they even come from different plants. Darjeeling tea come from Camellia Sinensis while Assam tea comes from Camellia Assamica, The size of leaves are also different. The processing pf the tea leaves are different as well which results in two very distinct flavors. Assam tea is a darker brew and malty while Darjeeling tea is fruity and has a muscatel flavor. Assam tea has 2 types of processing - Orthodox and CTC, while  Darjeeling tea has only one type.

  • What is “cold brew” tea? What is Ice brew? 

Cold brew tea refers to a method of brewing tea that uses cold water instead of hot or boiling water and thus requires much longer to steep. You can check out our favorite cold brew recipe here.

  • What is the significance of the Boston Tea Party? 

Dutch settlers first introduced tea to North America in the 1600’s and the tea culture grew greatly after the colonies came under British control. People’s fondness for tea increased over time and English tea-drinking customs were adopted in various places such as Boston and Philadelphia. Tea was an important product of trade between the colonies and the British East India Company and thus was heavily taxed by the British parliament. This heavy taxation led to the colonies protesting against the injustice and the monopoly on tea imports along with the issue of “taxation without representation”. This protest is remembered today as “The Boston Tea Party” wherein, on 16th December 1773, colonists raided tea ships carrying black tea from China. The colonists threw over 45 tonnes of tea overboard these ships as a mark of protest. It was only in 1834 that the British East India Company lost its monopoly and control over tea, allowing it to be traded freely. Americans entered the world of tea trade and their sleek new clipper ships brought tea much faster than their British counterparts and since then, the United States continues to be one of the largest importers of tea.