Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world after water and has always been a symbol of hospitality, bringing people together for a moment of peace and happiness. Tea has been an indispensable beverage for thousands of years and has been an integral part of cultures from all over the world and also been a part of ceremonies, trade routes and even starting revolutions. Tea is grown far and wide, between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn and the best teas of the world mainly come from India, China, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Kenya, Formosa (Taiwan) and Japan.

While the teas of the world reveal endless complexities and variations, all teas originate from a single plant species called the Camellia Sinensis. The four main varieties of tea are Black, Green, White and Oolong teas.

The factors that influence teas from each other are mainly human intervention with regard to the different ways in which teas are processed. Besides, the geographical location of the tea plantation and nature’s influence with respect to the changes in the weather, the soil, the elevation and the season of harvest greatly affects the alchemy of the tea as it steeps in the pot.

“Herbal Teas” or “Tisanes,” including Chamomile, Rooibos etc. are not actually teas. Rather, they are naturally caffeine-free single or blended infusions of herbs, flowers, fruits, leaves, bark and roots of almost any edible non-tea plant.

Hence, each tea has its own unique character and will soothe, energize and delight you with its own taste and individuality.

Black Tea
Is a varietal of the Camellia Sinensis plant. The manufacturing process of Black tea goes through a traditional four-step transformation that includes withering, rolling, oxidation and firing. Put simply, Black tea is a more oxidized version of White, Green or Oolong teas and has a stronger flavor than other tea types.

There are many varieties of Black tea and they are typically named after the region in which they are produced. These tend to have flavor characteristics that are unique to the area they are grown, similar to wine-growing regions. The most popular Black teas include full-bodied and malty Assam tea, floral and fruity Darjeeling tea and Sri Lankan, Ceylon tea, which can all have a range of flavors, aromas, and strengths depending on the estate in which they were harvested.

Black tea is often blended with other teas, fruits, flowers, oils, or spices to produce a distinct taste and aroma. Popular Black tea blends include English Breakfast, Earl Grey and Chai’s.

Green Tea
Like all true teas, Green tea is also a varietal of the evergreen Camellia Sinensis bush. Green tea originated in China, but production has since spread to other parts of the world. After Green tea is harvested, it goes through a single-day, three-stage process of steaming or pan-frying, rolling and firing to remove any bitterness and preserve the tea’s all-natural flavors and healing properties.

The sudden heat from steaming or pan-frying, blocks the enzymes that would otherwise lead to oxidation, hence Green tea is not oxidized like Black and Oolong teas. The leaves are then rolled on heated trays to reduce their moisture content and then carefully fired — drying them until they retain just two-percent of moisture. This process causes Green tea to retain its high levels of antioxidants and what separates Green tea from Black and Oolong teas.

While all teas are thought to offer a world of health-inducing benefits, Green tea is considered to contain some of the strongest healing properties of all teas. Green tea is widely known for its powerful polyphenols, which are strong antioxidants.

White Tea
Is the least processed varietal of the Camellia Sinensis plant. Produced from the tender, white downy buds, White tea is hand-plucked only a few days of the year, right before the leaf opens. Fragile buds must be carefully monitored as they are withered and dried. This labor-intensive process produces a delicate and faintly sweet tea with a light grassy flavor. Since this tea is minimally processed hence White tea retains the highest levels of antioxidants of all the teas.

White tea gets its name from the silvery-white hairs on the unopened buds of the Camellia Sinensis plant, but the tea itself is not white. When steeped, the tea retains a pale yellow color. The rarest White tea is Silver Needle White Tea, which is grown high in the mountains of China’s Fujian Province. This tea is only harvested two days a year. With small yields and high demands, this tea remains one of the world’s most rare and expensive teas.

Oolong Tea
Like all true teas, Oolong tea is also a varietal of the evergreen Camellia Sinensis bush. Oolong originated in Formosa (Taiwan) and in the Fujian province of China sometime during the sixteenth century. The exact timeline of origins of Oolong tea is shrouded in mystery, but it is known that the name “Oolong” means “Black Dragon” in Chinese, in reference to the long, twisted leaf forms.

As is the case with all fine teas, Oolong tea’s unique flavor profile is a direct result of how it is cultivated, where it is grown (including elevation and climate) and above all, how it is processed. Oolong tea thrives in cool, lush, highly elevated regions, and is native to China.

Oolong gains its alluring character and flavor through a meticulous, multi-step process that begins with withering and a brief oxidation in direct sunlight. As soon as the leaves give off a specific distinctive fragrance—often compared to Apples or Peaches—this stage is halted. Next the leaves are rolled, and then fired to halt oxidation when it is about halfway between Black and Green tea. The caffeine content is also midway between Black and Green teas.

Chinese Oolong teas are often quite green and floral. Alternatively, Oolong tea from Taiwan, known as Formosan Oolongs are oxidized and fired for a longer period of time and brew a more ripe and fruity cup.

Assam



Assam is located in North East India where the majestic Brahmaputra river flowing through this tropical valley makes it rich and fertile. Assam is also home to one-horned rhinos, leopards, elephants and wild buffalos. In the midst of such exciting surroundings, more than 500 million kilograms of tea is produced every year, making Assam the single largest tea-growing region in the world. High rainfall and humidity in the valley make Assam tea a strong, brisk, malty and a full-bodied cup.

Darjeeling



Darjeeling is located in picturesque steep slopes of the Eastern Himalayas in India. Darjeeling teas are also called the “Champagne of Teas” and are the most sought-after exquisite teas commanding premium prices the world over. Darjeeling has three unique tea-growing seasons, the prime second flush season teas are of the most exalted quality, featuring exquisite bouquet, muscatel flavour, superb taste and a lingering aftertaste. Teas produced during this season rightly fetch the highest prices.

Nilgiri



Spectacular “Nilgiri” or “Blue Mountains” in South India that form a part of the Western Ghats, a land lush with vegetation and teeming with wildlife and a thousand streams and rivers. High-grown Nilgiri teas are considered‚ the “Southern Darjeeling” and are known worldwide for their intensely aromatic fragrance, brightness and brisk character. Tea is grown in the Nilgiris throughout the year at elevations of up to 7,500 feet, amongst the highest grown teas in the world, in the midst of Eucalyptus, Blue Gum and Cypress trees.

Health Benefits of Tea
We at “HighTea” take great delight in the knowledge that drinking tea brings about more than a pleasurable experience. For centuries, tea has been associated with good health. Now more than ever, scientific research supports that fact.

All teas weather they are black, green, white or oolong teas, they all have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. These antioxidants are Polyphenols and Catechins. Studies from renowned institutes like Purdue, Linus Pauling, Harvard and the Medical College of Wisconsin have shown a variety of benefits from drinking tea – greater immunity, improved cognitive functions and immunity, decreased risk of cardiovascular problems, less fatigue, lower blood pressure, slowing of the aging process and reduced stress. Recent research from Shandong University in China concluded that green tea may even help ease depression. Hence, tea offers numerous health benefits and it’s imperative that you should add cups of tea to your daily routine.

Tea Certifications
“HighTea” is proud to assure our patrons that we are aware of honoring special concerns and acting in a responsible manner, by partnering with world standard certification organizations as below. We source our teas from “Ethical Tea Partnership” certified, “Rainforest Alliance” certified and “USDA Organic” certified tea estates and plantations.

Ethical Tea Partnership
The Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP) is a non-profit membership organization that exists to improve tea sustainability, the lives and livelihoods of tea workers and smallholder farmers and the environment in which tea is produced.

To achieve their vision of a thriving tea industry that is socially just and environmentally sustainable they focus their work on four key areas:

• •   Raising Standards
• •   Tea Workers
• •   Smallholder Tea Farmers
• •   Climate & Environment

Rainforest Alliance Certified
The Rainforest Alliance is a growing network of farmers, foresters, communities, scientists, governments, environmentalists and businesses dedicated to conserving biodiversity and ensuring sustainable livelihoods. They are an international non-profit organization working to build strong forests and healthy communities through creative, pragmatic collaboration.

The Rainforest Alliance’s ambitious mission is to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices, and consumer behavior. The Rainforest Alliance’s work is guided by our understanding that the health of the Earth is linked to the well-being of those whose livelihoods depend on the land and forests. As everyone has a vital role to play in strengthening this relationship, they provide training to farmers and foresters, work with businesses committed to sustainability, and motivate citizens to adopt sustainable lifestyles.

USDA Certified Organic Teas
Some of our teas are certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), an independent service organization developed specifically for the purpose of certifying the authenticity of produce which is organically grown. Cultivated with a zealous adherence to organic regulations, these organic teas are grown without the use of synthetic chemicals or pesticides, using only sustainable agricultural methods.