Premium vs Commercial

Premium Tea

Premium teas account for about 5% of the current world's tea. Only the best top leaves and buds are hand-picked. Under the direction of the Tea Estate Master, the leaves are hand-processed and graded. Full leaf teas retain freshness and brew much better flavors.

Commercial Tea

Commercial teas account for about 95% of the current world's tea – the vast majority of which go into teabags. Mixed leaves are machine-picked along with some stems and twigs, then machine-processed by the CTC (cut, tear, curl) method into small particles. Small particles go stale faster and brew strong, but don't have nearly the flavor of premium teas.

Tea versus Tisane: the Mystery Unraveled.

Here is some basic terminology for those interested in the connection between tea and health.

• Tea - Dried leaves from the plant camellia sinensis and camill assamicas grown in semi-tropical climates having alternating monsoon and dry periods.
• Herbal Tea or “Tisane” - Leaves, flowers, bark, roots and berries from hundreds of plants which have found their way into hot water.
• Beverage Tea - Teas and Tisanes consumed for enjoyment with and without food.
• Medicinal Tea - Plants and herbs steeped in water, the “brew” of which is taken to affect specific body processes, usually to relieve symptoms as part of a health program.
• Aryuvedic Tea - Aryuveda has its roots in traditional Indian philosophy. Aryuvedic herbal and tea blends are traditionally used to promote equilibrium in the organ systems so that the body functions at its optimal level.
• Phytonutrient - Plant-based nutrient.
• Nutraceutical - Recently coined word generally referring to plant-based nutrients with medicinal effects.
• Black Tea - Associated with heart health, lower cholesterol and reducing chance of stroke.
• Green Tea - Associated with anti-cancer effects via antioxidants & SOD (Super Oxide Dismutase).
• Oolong Tea - Associated with healthy skin and weight loss via helping block fat absorption from meals.
• White Tea - Similar health effects to Green Tea, but with more anti-oxidants.

Notes From Our Customers

"We all LOVE this Lemonscent tea. The kids had some in little cups while finishing their homework after dinner. Peggy and I drank from clear tea cups. The color of the tea is a beautiful yellow; I wanted to photograph the cup to frame on our wall."
-Jim O. Franktown, Virginia