What is "high quality tea?"

Because everybody says they have the best “quality,” I thought it would be valuable to actually define quality in our own terms, educating you so that you can go out and see for yourself what exactly “quality” tea is, without subscribing to any mass hype.

Quality Tea is...

1. Consistency
A tea should be consistent in size, shape, and color. Take a look at any of these tea for good examples (Jingmai 7 Sons, Jasmine Silver Needle, Organic Jasmine Pearl.)The leaves should all look very similar. This will yield an infusion that is consistent, and that tastes like it should. Consistent leaves will brew up evenly. Inconsistent leaves will both over and under brew, giving you a flat, murky, bland taste. Here is the catch though: Consistent tea leaves do not come about by accident. In fact, the only way to get consistent tea leaves is for every leaf to be intentionally selected, hand chosen and picked. This takes skill, timing, and lots of energy by artisans. This kind of tea is not mass produced, and it is only available in limited supply. But when it is consistent, it is truly beautiful to look at, and delicious to drink.

2. Freshness
Tea should be chosen by its seasonality. White and Green teas in Spring, Black teas throughout the summer, Oolongs in Fall, Winter, and Spring. They should be packed and stored away from heat, light, and moisture, and in air-tight containers.

3. Proper Brewing
Tea should be brewed using delicious water (filtered or spring water), timed to ensure you get the best infusion possible, and served in teaware that accents the type of tea.

Chances are, if you getting all of this, you are getting really great tea (whether it's from us or someone else), and, you should be happy!