Is there caffeine in Green tea?

Yes, there is caffeine but generally it is only 20-40 mgs versus coffee or black tea, which can be 100 mgs or more per cup. The tannins are the chemicals which release the caffeine and gives a bitter taste to the tea. This will get stronger the longer it is brewed, so we recommend two minutes for best results. We also suggest not using boiling water for green teas, but use water in the “pearl stage” as the Chinese do; that is when you see lines of bubbles or pearls coming to top of your water level. That is pouring time, right before it starts to boil! Caffeine in green tea is handled more like a period of slow released stimulation versus like a jolt from coffee! When you brew your cup a second or third time it then becomes a relaxing tea.

What about decaffeinated tea?

The process of decaffeinating tea also removes some of the good benefits and some taste.

Today there have been improvements in processing methods. There still are good benefits to decaffeinated tea. I still recommend drinking the whole plant if possible to get the full benefits.

Do all green teas taste bitter?

Not all teas are bitter; the bitter comes from the tannins released into the hot water. Some teas are processed or fermented or heated to slow the breakdown of chemicals, this is why taste and bitterness varies. Our green tea is not fermented or processed in any way so the bitterness actually is very minimal. Our leaves are processed by hand with no heat, and air-dried for the best preservation.

Where is it grown?

Our Green teas are grown at altitudes over 1,000 feet along the coast of China, near the Xiamen region, across from Taiwan. It is a private family farm and we deal directly with the people as a fair-traded tea. They do not use any pesticides or chemicals on their plants. (Please take time to see our wonderful picture gallery.)

How is our green tea different?

Unlike typical commercial green tea where the leaves and buds are separated and marketed as "white green tea" and "green tea leaves", which result in less flavor, our green teas combine the leaves and buds together for the fullest flavor and the most benefits possible.

How do you brew loose-leaf tea?

Loose-leaf tea or bulk tea needs a container to hold leaves to be steeped. Many people do not strain leaves but leave them in their cups, some to eat the leaves and some to brew again. Many teas can be brewed up to 2-3 times. Some people even read their fortunes in the leaves!

I do recommend using an infuser. There are many kinds available from spoons to cup size. (Please refer to our tea supply page.)

What is the difference between green, black and herbal teas?

All teas — black, brown and green — come from the same plant, Camellia Sinesis, the teas differ because of the way they are processed by use of heat, flavors, drying methods and packaging. There are actually three levels of tea; first grade teas are almost always bulk or loose, usually contain the whole leaf, with minimal processing, and almost never in tea bags. First grade is lower in caffeine but higher in benefits.

Second grade is broken leaf pieces, with more processing, and found in tea bags or loose; generally this is higher in caffeine and still has a good tea to benefit ratio.

Third grade teas are what is left on the drying floors after the larger pieces of tea leaves are graded out. In some instances this level is called “dust” — the smallest pieces that are highest in caffeine and lowest in benefits are generally found in commercial tea bags.

Depending on your taste and preferences enjoy what you like for all tea drinkers are healthier because all teas have varying levels of benefits.