Tea Facts

Discover tea varieties, brewing techniques, and health benefits. From green tea to oolong and beyond.

Society Tea’s Blue Blueprint: How a Century-Old Brand Masters Tradition and Tech

Society Tea’s Blue Blueprint: How a Century-Old Brand Masters Tradition and Tech

There’s something brewing in Mumbai’s Chai Gali that’s been simmering for nearly a century. Society Tea, a brand born in 1933 by Hiravan Pranjivandas, has turned a simple promise—“tea as it should be”—into a formula that’s outlasted trends, rival brands, and even the rise of coffee. Now, under the guidance of third-generation leader Dhaval Shah, the brand is redefining itself without losing its soul. With a 28% market share in Maharashtra and a growing presence in a digital-first India, Society Tea’s playbook is less about flashy slogans and more about quiet mastery. At its core, Society Tea thrives on consistency.…
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Matcha’s Health Perks Outshine Regular Tea, Experts Say

Matcha’s Health Perks Outshine Regular Tea, Experts Say

Get ready to sip on this: Matcha isn’t just a trendy latte ingredient—it’s a powerhouse of benefits that outperform regular green tea. Registered dietitians say the powdered form of Camellia sinensis delivers a concentrated dose of antioxidants, heart-boosting compounds, and metabolism-aiding properties. Unlike loose-leaf tea, matcha’s powder form means you’re consuming every nutrient from the entire leaf, making it a nutrient-dense contender for health enthusiasts. The science is clear: Matcha’s star antioxidant, EGCG, fights free radicals linked to chronic disease and aging. Studies suggest it may lower “bad” LDL cholesterol while raising “good” HDL levels, reducing heart disease risk. Chlorophyll,…
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Beyond the Puer: Exploring Global Fermented Teas

Beyond the Puer: Exploring Global Fermented Teas

If you’ve ever sipped a pu'er or heicha, you’ve tasted the magic of fermented tea. But what if you’re craving something outside China’s fermented tea canon? The answer lies in Japan’s kuzuyu, Korea’s jeotgal, and even India’s rare, wild-fermented blends. These teas aren’t just variations of the same formula—they’re distinct ecosystems of flavor, shaped by climate, culture, and centuries-old techniques. Japanese fermented teas, like kuzuyu (a sweet, umami-rich brew made from fermented rice and tea leaves), offer a stark contrast to the earthy, woody profiles of puers. While puers rely on microbial fermentation over decades, kuzuyu is crafted through a…
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A Rubyland Poet Puerh Review: Autumn 2023’s Flavorful Escape

A Rubyland Poet Puerh Review: Autumn 2023’s Flavorful Escape

If you're chasing the elusive balance between fruit-forward charm and earthy depth, the 2023 Autumn Mengku Sheng Puerh from Rubyland Poet delivers a rare harmony. This tea marries the brightness of dried apricots with the grounded richness of old-tree terroir, creating a profile that feels both inviting and refined. The first steep reveals a floral perfume that lingers like a whispered secret, while the body carries a dense, almost creamy texture that coats the palate without overwhelming. Its minerality is forward, sharp enough to cut through the sweetness but not so assertive as to disrupt the delicate equilibrium. What sets…
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The Smoky Mystery of Upton’s 2016 Sheng Pu’erh

The Smoky Mystery of Upton’s 2016 Sheng Pu’erh

If you’ve ever wondered why pu’erh tea smells like a campfire, you’re not alone. A recent attempt to dive into Chinese tea traditions led to a perplexing discovery: a 2016 Sheng pu’erh from Upton Tea that smelled more like a charcoal grill than a tea cake. The aroma was unmistakably smoky, almost as if the leaves had been stored in a firepit. For someone new to the world of pu’erh, this was a confusing experience—especially since Sheng pu’erh is meant to be earthy, not acrid. Sheng pu’erh, or "raw" pu’erh, is known for its vibrant, floral notes and a subtle…
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The Smoky Echoes of a 2006 Gaoshanlaoshu Raw Puerh

The Smoky Echoes of a 2006 Gaoshanlaoshu Raw Puerh

Here’s something to stir your curiosity: A 2006 Gaoshanlaoshu raw puerh delivers a smokestack of hickory and barbecue pit, but the rest of the story feels unfinished. The tea’s aroma is a quiet rebellion—hickory without the sharpness of a charcoal grill, oatmeal without the cloying sweetness of breakfast. It’s a scent that lingers, but only in the upper register, like smoke drifting above a campfire rather than settling into the air. The first steep reveals a paradox: lightness that hints at depth. Oatmeal and woody incense dance with a peppery edge, while a fleeting strawberry note vanishes like steam in…
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The Puer Tea Newbie’s Burning Questions

The Puer Tea Newbie’s Burning Questions

Time to spill: You’re not alone if you’re sipping puer and wondering how long a session can stretch. That first brew is a revelation—rich, earthy, and oddly soothing—but the second, third, or even fourth? It’s a dance between patience and practicality. The rule of thumb? Stick to a 30-minute window between infusions. Beyond that, the tea loses its clarity, and the flavor becomes muddled. But here’s the catch: if you’re sipping over an hour or two, you’re already in the sweet spot. Just don’t let the clock dictate your pace. If you’re working, split the session into chunks—maybe a few…
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Golden Needle White Lotus Shou: Aged Depth in Every Sip

Golden Needle White Lotus Shou: Aged Depth in Every Sip

The 2003 Golden Needle White Lotus Shou isn’t just another aged pu-erh—it’s a revelation in how time transforms tea. Steeped in a wood-fired teapot, this 7g sample in 110ml yields a first infusion that’s light, woodsy, and faintly medicinal, like stepping into a forest after rain. But the magic unfolds with each subsequent steep. By the second or third infusion, the tea deepens into a rich, almost chocolatey complexity, still carrying that medicinal edge but now layered with warmth and earthiness. The mouthfeel is silk-smooth, a contrast to the boldness of its flavor profile. What stands out isn’t just the…
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The Gaiwan That Rewired My Tea World

The Gaiwan That Rewired My Tea World

There’s a Gaiwan that rewired my tea world. It arrived as a gift, a catalyst for a journey that bridged family tradition and personal curiosity. My roots are steeped in tea—my mom’s herbal rituals, my husband’s East Frisian heritage, where black tea is both comfort and cultural anchor. But for years, I clung to simplicity, convinced there were only two kinds of tea: Tiele Silber and Bünting. That changed when a colleague gifted us Dianghong red tea, smooth and balanced, its depth revealing layers I’d never tasted. It was the first sip of a revelation. Tea became a language of…
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Why Your Tea Turns Bitter—And How to Fix It

Why Your Tea Turns Bitter—And How to Fix It

Let’s talk about the moment your favorite tea transitions from sublime to soured. You’ve mastered the pour, the heat, the ritual—but once you’ve sipped past the halfway mark, that once-delicious brew becomes a bitter punch to the palate. It’s a common frustration, especially with delicate teas like oolong orange blossom, where balance is everything. The culprit? A steeping process that’s gone too far. Tea’s bitterness stems from tannins, the same compounds that give wine its edge. In oolong, which sits between green and black tea in oxidation, these tannins are both a feature and a foe. Oversteeping allows them to…
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