Black tea, known as "red tea" in China, is completely oxidized and offers the strongest flavors. Black teas from China are mellow, sweet and rich with low astringency and a slight smokiness. Black teas from India tend toward brisk, tangy and bold flavors and are more astringent.
Chinese Green Teas are prized for their sweet, herbaceous and refreshing taste. The distinctive flavors of Chinese green tea are a result of many factors -- tea plant varietal, season of harvest, geography and tea processing method. Much of China's green tea is still processed by hand, from the pan firing in the wok to the twisting and rolling of the tea to the careful sorting of dry leaves for size and shape. We strive to offer a seasonal selection of the finest Chinese green teas, many from small tea farms where the art of traditional tea making is still carried on.
Gaiwan, or covered cups, have been used in China since the Ming Dynasty to brew fine teas.
In China, gaiwan are considered the preferred method for brewing teas with delicate flavors, such as green and white teas; however, the gaiwan is suitable for any type of tea.
The gaiwan consists of a saucer, bowl and lid. It is versatile and can be used in place of a teapot, as a combination teapot/teacup or simply as a drinking cup.
We offer an assortment of unique tea gifts that are sure to bring hours of enjoyment and relaxation. Our tea gift sets include complimentary gift packaging along with your gift message.
Give your family, friends, and associates the very best in tea for any special occasion. We offer an assortment of unique tea gift ideas that are sure to bring hours of enjoyment and relaxation.
Green tea is the most widely produced and consumed type of tea in China and Japan. The highest quality green teas are picked during the early spring and then processed by hand. After picking, the leaves are pan fired or steamed to preserve their freshness.
Rich in Vitamin C and low in caffeine, green teas offer a rich variety of flavor and aroma. Our loose leaf green tea selection includes traditionally crafted, single-origin teas from China, Japan and India as well as signature blends.
We offer a curated selection of greeting cards, printed from original art created by Ming Franz, a Taiwan-born artist who now resides in New Mexico. Ming specializes in splash color painting, which combines watercolor techniques with Chinese ink and brush. Each card measures 5"x7", includes a mailing envelope and is wrapped in a clear protective sleeve.
Caffeine-free, our herbal infusions consist of blends of
botanical herbs, spices, flowers and fruits.
Japanese tea is mainly green tea. Most Japanese green teas are fragrant, refreshing and vegetal, with a deep green color and beautifully shaped leaves. A special processing style contributes to the distinctiveness of Japanese teas: after picking, the leaves are immediately steamed, then air dried, to preserve their fragrance, color and flavor.
The matcha bowl originated in China as a way to prepare powdered teas and became especially popular during the Song Dynasty (AD 960). With the widespread availability of loose-leaf teas in modern times, this type of bowl is now mainly associated with preparing matcha for the Japanese tea ceremony. Still, the matcha bowl is versatile and makes a perfect vessel to brew any type of loose-leaf tea, in addition to the traditional Japanese matcha. Our selection of matcha bowls is elegant and easy to use for brewing loose teas: simply add tea leaves and hot water, steep a few minutes and drink directly from the bowl.
Oolong tea is a type of semi-oxidized tea, produced in China and Taiwan. The best oolong tea is hand-picked during the spring and winter seasons and processed entirely by hand using traditional techniques. Oolong tea exhibits aspects of both green and black teas and offers the greatest range of flavors, from the light floral green style to the sweet richness of the dark style.
We offer a growing selection of organic loose leaf teas. Grown without the use of pesticides or fertilizers, our organic teas are certified at origin to NOP standards.
With a rich history and famous for their curative properties, Pu-erh teas are aged and fermented teas made from large leaf tea plants native to the forests and jungles of China’s Yunnan Province. The aging process of Pu-erh teas helps develop their earthy aroma, reminiscent of a wet forest, and sweet, smooth and full-bodied taste.
Special harvest tea represents the very best of artisan crafted teas. Some are rare teas that are made on small farms for the local market and not commonly found outside the country of origin. Others are top-grades of well-known teas. Each one is unique and of interest to tea connoisseurs and adventurous tea drinkers.
