Summer Teas
What is White Tea?
White tea is harvested in early spring, when the youngest buds and tender leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant are at their most pristine.
What is Herbal Tea?
What is herbal tea? Contrary to common usage in our lexicon, herbal teas (also known as tisanes) are not technically considered “teas” in the botanical sense. Herbal teas don’t incorporate leaves from Camellia sinensis, a plant species that defines a “true” tea.
What Is Black Tea?
Black tea is typically grown in Sri Lanka, India, China, Thailand, and Africa, but what makes black tea popular worldwide is its robust flavor.
What Is Dark Tea?
Dark tea, known by the name heicha (黑茶), or literally “black tea” in Chinese, refers to the fermentation process it undergoes to become part of this category.
How to Make Iced Tea
From loose leaf to lattes, discover the coolest ways to brew.
How to Cold Brew Tea
Cold brew tea is one of summer's simplest rituals, requiring nothing more than pure water and quality tea. Unlike hot brewing, cold brewing relies on time rather than temperature, allowing the tea to slowly release its flavors, aromas and catechins for a smooth, naturally sweet infusion. Whether enjoyed by the glass or prepared as a pitcher to keep on hand, it's an effortless way to savor tea all season long.
Celebrate Earth Day Every Day
A note from our founder, Joshua Kaiser.
Tokoname: The Ancient Ceramic City That Shaped Sencha Brewing
Tokoname has a rich ceramic heritage that traces back to the Heian period (794–1185). Recognized as one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns—a group of historic pottery centers that are still active today—Tokoname is famous for its finely crafted kyusu teapots and traditional ceramic shrine statuary. Beckoning cat figures, or maneki-neko, are a signature sight throughout the city and are thought to bring good fortune to all who cross their path.
White Champaca: A Rare Scent in Tea
Michelia × alba, commonly known as White Champaca or White Jade Orchid, is a precious flower from the Magnoliaceae family found in the tropical gardens of Southeast Asia. Beloved for its ethereal and uplifting fragrance, this ivory white flower has long held a place in traditional medicine and natural aromatherapy. In rare cases—like the one we’re excited to share with you here—it is also used in the traditional scenting of tea.
Scent Notes: Tea in Perfumery
Tea notes can add depth and complexity to perfume, make it sparkle or sing, or whisper gently as a cup of chamomile
The Art of Rose-Scented Tea
At first, scented tea can feel like a mystery. How do tea leaves come to smell so vividly of roses when there are no rosebuds visible in the blend? As it turns out, there’s an art to it. Read on to learn more.
Why Premium Teas Make the Finest Alcohol Alternative Drinks
Recent years have seen a notable decline in alcohol consumption—and a corresponding boom in alcohol alternative drinks. In most major cities, you can’t go far without encountering a sober drink pop-up, and many liquor aisles across the U.S. now stock alcohol replacement drinks. Whether motivated by health goals or changing values, more and more people are cutting back—and discovering they can do so without sacrificing the sensory and social pleasures of savoring an elegant drink. The preferred alternative for many? Premium tea.
Ode to Sencha: How to Taste the Nuances of Terroir, Cultivar & Craft
Everyone is talking about matcha, but did you know that the spring of 2025 produced one of the highest quality harvests of Japanese sencha in recent memory? We are absolutely enamored with the single-origin sencha selections in our Garden Direct program this year. Today we’d like to take you deeper into our range of 2025 sencha offerings, providing you with a framework to compare and contrast them. We’ll explore how different geographic regions of origin, tea bush cultivars, and processing details all influence the ultimate taste experience.
Hibiscus: Tart, Timeless, and Rooted in Tradition
Hibiscus sabdariffa, commonly known as roselle, is a tropical plant with a rich history and many uses. From Egypt to West Africa, this vibrant botanical is revered for its refreshingly tart flavor, striking crimson hue and nourishing properties.
Journey to the Source: Uji, Japan
Revered as the origin of Japan’s finest matcha, Uji is a haven for centuries-old tea traditions. Discover how these deep-rooted practices have shaped matcha as we know it, cementing Uji’s legacy as an icon in the world of tea.
