FAQ's - Frequently Asked Questions...
About Tea
When we're talking about just one type of tea, what's the difference between the different grades?
o Quality -- like wine, teas differ in quality depending on a number of factors (see following)
o Timing -- when the tea leaves are picked
o Climate -- what kind of climate the tea plants grow in
o Sources -- where the tea was grown (China, Taiwan, India, and so on)
o Picking -- how the tea is picked; the best tea leaves are those that are picked by hand rather than machine
Just what is jasmine tea?
o Jasmine tea is a particular type of Oolong tea that is scented with jasmine flowers. Not every Oolong can be used to produce jasmine tea. (Jasmine tea is also sometimes made from Green or Pouchong tea leaves.) Jasmine flowers are harvested during the daytime, and then stored in a cool place. At night, the flowers bloom, yielding a full fragrance. The jasmine flowers are layered with the tea leaves, imbuing the leaves with the flower fragrance. The quality of jasmine tea is determined largely by the quality of the tea used as the base; it is also determined by the thoroughness of the scenting process.
What are the differences between the different types of Oolong Tea?
o The tastes are different -- some Oolongs are more fruity in flavor, some more aromatic, and so on.
o Different types of Oolong come from different varieties of the tea plants; differences in flavor and type also depend on where the tea grows (for example, at what altitude)
o For the different types of Oolong, the fermenting processes differ in duration -- shorter duration produces a lighter flavor, whereas longer fermentation produces a tea with a very pleasant palate-cleansing aftertaste
About Preparing Tea
How do I prepare a proper pot of tea?
o 1. First, take one teaspoon of leaves out of the container; use a wooden or metal utensil, not your fingers; the oil from your skin will spoil the tea leaves.
o 2. Put one the leaves into the teapot (a 2-cup teapot). The amount of leaves will vary according to the type of tea; it is best to experiment to taste.
o 3. A good-quality clay pot is preferable. To achieve the proper flavor, it is best to preheat the teapot by splashing some boiling water over it a few times in the sink.
o 4. Use fresh, cold tap water or spring water, bringing it to a full boil. Then pour the water into the teapot. (Green tea is better if brewed with hot rather than boiling water.)
o 5. Brew the tea for about 1 minute and serve! Make sure that you empty the teapot of tea completely each time you have made a brew. The same tea leaves can be used at least three time; just fill up the teapot with boiling water again and let it brew (but do not let the leaves sit in the teapot overnight!). For each additional brewing, let the leaves and boiling water sit for about ten more seconds each time. Pu-Erh teas can be brewed for several minutes each time: the result will be a darker brew, more flavorful but without any bitterness.
o 6. Make sure that you reseal the package of tea leaves tightly after you have taken some tea leaves out for brewing.
More on Tea
How can I find further information about tea?
o Send us an email with any further questions you might have; just click on the link here below to contact us by email at: great_tea@verizon.net or call us at 1+267.679.4148. We look forward to hearing from you!