Tea 101

  • What Is Chai Tea?

    by Kalah Garcia
    • Understand what chai tea is and how it differs from regular black tea.
    • Explore the Indian roots and Ayurvedic influence behind masala chai.
    • Chai blends black tea with spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom for flavor and balance.
    • Try Yum Cha’s Coconut Chai, Cordyceps Chai, Mermaid Chai, and Uber Spice Chai.

  • How Many Times Can You Re-Steep Loose-Leaf Tea?

    by Kalah Garcia
    • Quality loose-leaf teas like oolong and pu-erh reveal new flavors over multiple infusions.
    • Early steeps release more caffeine and polyphenols, while later ones taste softer and sweeter.
    • Most teas offer 2–6 good re-steeps, depending on type and brewing method.
    • Safe re-steeping means keeping leaves clean, covered, and chilled if not used right away.

  • Rooibos vs Green Tea: Differences & Health Benefits

    by Kalah Garcia
    • Green tea provides EGCG antioxidants and a light caffeine boost for daytime focus.
    • Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free, lower in tannins, and gentler on the stomach.
    • Both teas offer unique antioxidants: catechins in green tea, aspalathin in rooibos.
    • Choose green tea for energy and research-backed benefits, rooibos for evening relaxation.

  • Tea Detox Plan: Support Your Body’s Cleansing

    by Kalah Garcia
    • Gentle 7-day tea detox plan using green, herbal, and caffeine-free blends
    • Supports digestion, hydration, and natural detox pathways
    • Includes antioxidant-rich teas to help protect cells and reduce inflammation
    • Flexible and easy to maintain as part of a balanced lifestyle

  • What Is L-Theanine? Benefits and Teas That Contain It

    by Kalah Garcia
    • L-theanine is a natural amino acid found in green, white, oolong, and black teas
    • Promotes calm alertness by boosting alpha brain waves and GABA activity
    • Most concentrated in shaded Japanese green teas like matcha and gyokuro
    • Helps reduce stress, improve focus, and balance the effects of caffeine

  • Loose‑Leaf Tea vs. Tea Bags: Why Whole Leaves Win

    by Kalah Garcia

    • Whole-leaf tea offers fuller flavor thanks to intact structures that preserve essential oils, creating a richer, more nuanced cup compared to bagged tea.

    • Tea bags often contain low-grade fannings and dust, which brew faster but produce a harsher, less aromatic flavor.

    • Loose-leaf green tea contains more antioxidants, including higher levels of catechins and flavonoids than many tea bags.

    • Minimized oxidation in loose tea helps preserve polyphenols that support heart health and reduce inflammation.

  • Does Tea Have Caffeine?

    by Zachariah Holzapfel
    • Caffeine Content in Teas: Understand the varying caffeine levels in different types of tea, from green to black and matcha.
    • Factors Influencing Caffeine: Discover how leaf age, growing conditions, and brewing methods affect caffeine in tea.
    • Debunking Myths: Uncover the truth about caffeine myths, including misconceptions about decaf tea.
    • Black Tea Breakdown: See how full oxidation gives black tea one of the highest caffeine contents.

  • What is the caffeine content of tea

    by Zac Holzapfel
    • Overview: Dry tea has more caffeine by weight than coffee, but steeped tea contains less caffeine per cup.
    • Comparing Caffeine Content: Tea contains 40-120 mg of caffeine per eighth-ounce serving, while coffee has 80-206 mg.
    • Caffeine in Tea vs. Coffee: Tea's caffeine is combined with L-theanine and theophylline, offering a balanced energy boost.
    • Decaffeinated Options: Decaffeinated teas are available, processed using methods like carbon dioxide, ethyl acetate, and water processing.

  • The Differences Between White, Green, Black, and Herbal Teas

    by Kalah Garcia
    • White, green, and black teas all come from the Camellia sinensis plant, but differ in processing, flavor, and caffeine content.
    • Rooibos and herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free and come from different plants, making them great for evening or sensitive drinkers.
    • Each tea type supports different health goals—from energy to relaxation—so it’s easy to rotate them based on your needs.
    • Green and black tea are ideal for focus and energy, while white and rooibos are gentler and better for antioxidant support.

  • Matcha vs. Green Tea: What's the Real Difference?

    by Kalah Garcia
    • Green tea and matcha come from the same plant, but differ in how they’re grown, processed, and consumed.
    • Matcha is shade-grown and stone-ground into a powder, while green tea is sun-grown and steeped.
    • Matcha delivers significantly more nutrients, including antioxidants, caffeine, and L-theanine, per serving.
    • Green tea offers a mild, grassy flavor, while matcha is rich, creamy, and umami-forward.
    • You discard the leaves in green tea, but drink the whole leaf in matcha—maximizing its wellness benefits.

  • The Best Tea for Chai: Assam vs. Ceylon

    by Kalah Garcia
    • The tea you choose for masala chai shapes its strength, flavor, and how well it blends with milk and spices.
    • Assam tea is bold, malty, and perfect for classic chai recipes that need depth and body.
    • Ceylon tea offers a lighter, brighter profile with crisp citrus notes—ideal for iced or dairy-free chai.
    • Assam is grown in India’s lowlands and creates a dark, full-bodied brew that pairs well with strong spices like ginger and cardamom.
    • Ceylon, from Sri Lanka, enhances floral and citrusy spice blends, offering a refreshing twist on traditional chai.

  • The Essence of Chai: Chai Spices Explained

    by Kalah Garcia
    • What makes cinnamon essential to every chai blend.
    • How cardamom adds brightness and balance to bold spices.
    • The digestive benefits behind ginger, fennel, and cloves.
    • Which spices enhance absorption, sleep, or immune support.