How to Judge Tea Quality Before You Buy
A practical checklist for judging tea: dry leaf, aroma, liquor, texture and finish. What each sign means, which ones are myths, and how to calibrate.
Tag: Tea Basics
Foundational tea knowledge — categories, standards, ware, health and how to start.
Green Tea vs Black Tea: What Actually Differs
Both come from one plant. The difference is oxidation. Compare processing, caffeine, flavour, brewing and storage between green and black tea.
Loose Leaf vs Tea Bags: What You Actually Lose
The gap between loose leaf and tea bags is mostly leaf grade and space to expand, not snobbery. Compare quality, cost, convenience and brewing.
Gaiwan vs Teapot: Which Should You Brew In?
A gaiwan gives fast control and shows the leaf; a teapot holds heat and suits larger groups. Compare both by tea type, skill and convenience.
Does Green Tea Help With Weight Loss? What the Evidence Shows
Green tea is widely sold as a fat burner. The clinical evidence is small and inconsistent. Here is what studies actually found and what the risks are.
US Tea Regulations: FDA Requirements and USDA Organic
US tea regulations explained: FDA facility and import rules, labeling requirements, the legal line on health claims, and USDA Organic certification tiers.
India Tea Standards: The Auction and the GI
About half of India's tea is sold at auction, and the Tea Board sets the grades that auction lots are described by. Darjeeling's GI has been contested three times since 2000.
ISO Tea Standards: What They Actually Regulate
ISO tea standards cover terminology, sampling, test methods and specifications. Learn what they do, what they do not do, and why they matter for trade.
Tea Quality Standards: Complete Global Guide (Directory)
One directory for the tea standards that matter: China GB, ISO, Japan JAS, India, the EU and the US. What each system covers, and who enforces it.
Tea Kit Budgets: Two Lists at Two Prices
Three hundred yuan buys a glass, a basket and a spoon and leaves nothing for a pot. Eight hundred adds a gaiwan and a scale, and the order of buying matters more.
Types of Teacups: Shape, Material and What They Do to Taste
Cup shape, wall thickness and material change what you taste. Why thin porcelain suits most tea, when a thick wall helps, and which cups to skip.
Best Time to Drink Tea: A Practical Guide by Hour
Timing changes what tea does to you. Learn when caffeine helps, why tea with meals cuts iron absorption by up to 26 per cent, and when to stop before bed.