Let's Talk Tea!

With the seasons changing and spring mornings lending themselves to a nice warm cuppa, I thought it was the perfect time to chat about one of my absolute favourite things - TEA! We've got an incredible range of loose leaf teas, and if you haven’t tried them you are definitely missing out!

First things first - we only stock loose leaf tea, and here's why: those convenient little tea bags might seem handy, but they're actually packed with nasty microplastics that leach into your brew… no thank you! Loose leaf tea not only tastes SO much better (seriously, the difference is incredible), but it's also way better for your body and the planet. Plus, you can bring your own containers in store and get exactly the amount you need - bonus!

If you're ready to ditch those tea bags but are wondering how to actually brew loose leaf tea, don't worry - we've got tea strainers in-store to make the whole process super easy!

The 4 Teas:

Let me break down the four main types of tea we stock, as it can be hard to keep up with them all.

Black Tea - This is your classic breakfast tea - Earl Grey, and English Breakfast territory. It's fully oxidized (that's what gives it that deep, black color), packs the most caffeine punch, and has that bold, robust flavor that can handle a splash of milk beautifully. 

Green Tea - These leaves are lightly processed and packed with antioxidants, green tea has a fresh, grassy flavor and about half the caffeine of black tea. It's like a gentle hug for your body - great for metabolism, brain function, and just general wellbeing. We’ve got Green Tea, Sencha Green, Green Jasmine, and Genmaicha (green tea with bits of toasted brown rice… one of Craig’s faves!)

White Tea - The delicate princess of teas! In ancient times, it was only ever made for and consumed by royalty, so it’s pretty special stuff. This is the least processed of all teas, with the most subtle, sweet flavor. It's got some caffeine, but has more antioxidant levels than green or black tea. Think of it as your afternoon meditation in a cup - super gentle and calming.

Herbal Tea - Okay, technically not "tea" since it doesn't come from the tea plant, but we're counting it because it's AMAZING! Chamomile, peppermint, rooibos, lemongrass & ginger - these caffeine-free beauties are perfect for any time of day and each one comes with its own special benefits. Chamomile for sleep, lemongrass and ginger for digestion, peppermint for... well, everything really!

How to Brew the Perfect Cuppa:

Okay, now that we know the different types of tea, let’s talk about how to make it because this is honestly the question we get asked most often - how do I brew loose leaf teas?

There's nothing worse than a bitter, overpowering cup of tea when you're expecting something lovely. Here's my foolproof guide:

If your tea is too strong or bitter, DON'T use fewer leaves - brew for less time instead!

Using the right amount of tea leaves (usually about 1 teaspoon per cup) gives you all those lovely flavors and benefits. But steeping too long is what makes it bitter. Different teas need different brewing times:

• Black tea: 3-5 minutes max

• Green tea: 2-3 minutes (this one goes bitter FAST!)

• White tea: 4-6 minutes (it's gentle, so it can handle a bit longer)

• Herbal tea: 5-7 minutes (go wild, these guys are forgiving!)

  
  

Pro tip from someone who's made a LOT of bitter tea: Set a timer! I cannot tell you how many times I've wandered off and come back to what basically tastes like plant water with attitude. You may even have seen me run off from the till saying “my tea timer!” if you’re lucky. It’s the best way to make sure you get a good brew - trust me on this one! 😆

If your tea is too weak, try some extra leaves! 

You can go to about a teaspoon and a half if you want some more flavour, but stick to the brewing times. For example, I love my Chai tea SPICY, so I like to use just over a teaspoon of leaves. But my Earl Grey? Never more than a teaspoon for me.

These guides will get you started, but it’s all about experimenting with what you like as well. If your green jasmine just isn’t doing it for you, try adding some more leaves and brew it for less time. If your peppermint tea just isn’t pepperminty enough, let it steeeeeeep for longer!

What about the water?

Water temperature matters too - boiling water is perfect for black tea and herbals, but green tea and white teas prefer it a bit cooler (around 70-80°C). If you don't have a thermometer, just add a splash of cold water before pouring from the kettle!

That’s it! 

Pop in and chat with me or the team about which teas might be good for you - we love helping people find their perfect cup! And if you're new to loose leaf brewing, we can walk you through the whole process. There's nothing better than that perfect cup of tea any time of day.

Here are some staff favourites and recommendations to get your started:

Green Jasmine - floral, fragrant, and absolutely divine

Echinacea Boost - perfect for keeping the sniffles at bay

Aunt Myrtle - our Aussie native tea that's both tangy and fresh

French Earl Grey - like regular Earl Grey but fancier (and YUM!)

Chocky Chai - because sometimes you just need chocolate in your tea