If you must take your tea with milk and sugar, use these blends of premium Assam from northeastern India with Ceylon tea grown from the high mountain of Sri Lanka. Creaminess from milk will soften the bold and maltiness of the Assam tea, and the citrusy brightness from the Ceylon tea brings out the complexity of the overall flavor of the brewed tea. A nice Irish Breakfast tea for Irish and non-Irish drinkers alike!

Origin: Srilanka; Assam, India

Notes: Bold, Malty, Citrus, Fruity

If you like black tea that tastes like chocolate, this tea will remind you of milk chocolate. If you had our Golden Monkey or Wild Lapsang Souchong black tea, this tea is similar to that tea. This one is like drinking a bar of milk chocolate. The aftertaste is roasty and malty. Very smooth and relaxing. The perfect tea to drink with sweet desserts after a meal. 

This tea consists of only the tea buds and roasted with charcoal for over twenty hours in a charcoal roasting room.  

Notes: Milk Chocolate, Malty, Chocolate Smores

Origin: Tongmu Guan, Fujian, China

It's not every day we get a good quality oolong that has been aged. If you have had aged oolong in the past, you know how special it can be. And wow, does this tea hit hard.  

An aged oolong like this really makes a lot of people feel peculiarly relaxed. Not everyone will be so affected by the tea––but most people enjoy the dreamy sensation you get from it.

So who would enjoy this tea? 

If you love a smooth, roasty oolong with a hint of spices like nutmeg and cloves, then this tea is for you. There is also a cinnamon-like sweetness from the aftertaste. As you sip, expect to find yourself entering a daydreamy state, almost like a very mildly drunken, buzzed feeling. 

Try using boiling water to bring out the complexity of this tea. If you are doing gongfu-style brewing, use about 4 grams of tea and steep for around 15 to 20 seconds for the perfect balance between sweetness and roastiness.

You should expect a good 5–6 brews with the gongfu brewing method.

On the first steep, you can expect a smooth, creamy, and thick texture. A sweet cinnamon spice bread lingers, with hints of star anise.

This tea is best to have in the evening time. Even though there is a little bit of caffeine, this tea is also high in L-theanine which helps you relax and relieve stress.

Origin: Wuyi Mountain, Fujian, China

Notes: Sweet Cinnamon Bread, Cloves, Nutmeg, Anise

Umami is the keyword here. If a Japanese Sencha is only judged by its umami, no green tea we had in the past beats this tea. Does that make this tea the best Japanese Sencha we have? We definitely put this tea up there in our top tea tier. Is it for everyone? Probably not. 

One way you know for sure this tea is amazing is the fact that you can use boiling water to steep the tea and still taste amazing. It won't get bitter nor non-drinkable like most Senchas, it actually tastes incredible.

We do realize using a porcelain teapot to make this particular tea has a much better flavor than a clay teapot (Kyusu). The clay teapot we tested in the past seems to hide the umami flavor in the tea instead of highlighting it. This tea is also very unique because of how much it changes depending on how you make it. So do a little experiment with this tea, use lower temperature or boiling water and see how much it changes the flavor. Use porcelain or clay and see if you see the significant difference in its flavor as we did. 

Origin: Miyazaki, Japan

Cultivar: Oku Midori

Harvest: 2021 Spring

Notes: Umami, asparagus, spinach, seaweed, miso, mushrooms, parmesan cheese

Aah, nothing smells better than the smell of old tree puerh. Invite your friends over for one last cup before it's gone! This batch just came in and is spreading its smoky woodsy scent around the room. We're sorry to say that this aromatic puerh is old enough to drink by now! Talk about making history by drinking an antique tea- thank you for supporting our community partners who gave us access to this rare supply! 

This is a high-quality puerh that's sweeter and fruitier because it came from an old tree. The leaves in this tea are picked from a tree in Lincang, Yunnan, China which is about 100-200 years old!

ORIGIN: Lincang, Yunnan, China

This green tea is grown on the same farm as two of our other favorite senchas -- Sae Midori Sencha and Asanoka Sencha.

The leaves are harvested in the earliest day of spring from Asatsuyu cultivar in Kagoshima, Japan. The leaves are soft and tender. Just like our other Kagoshima green tea, they are also shaded for five days before harvesting.

The aroma of this tea recalls fresh green grass in early spring. 

On the first infusion of this tea you can taste the sweet fruity aftertaste, reminiscent of green melon or honeydew. There are barely any bitter or grassy notes in the flavor. The medium texture left in your mouth makes this tea feel satisfying. The aftertaste is relaxing, a sweet and refreshing watermelon.  

If you drink Japanese green tea every day, we highly recommend using Japanese teapot (kyusu) to make your green tea. They will make your green tea so much easier and taste so much better.  

Recommended brewing method:

3 grams - 165º Fahrenheit - 60 seconds - 300ml water

Certification: JAS Organic

Origin: Hioki, Kagoshima, Japan

Style: Deep Steamed

Notes: Honeydew, Watermelon, Spring Greens

Harvest: Spring 2021

This limited-time sample pack includes:

10g (1/3 oz) Organic Single-cultivar Sencha 

10g (1/3 oz) Organic Houjicha

10g (1/3 oz) Organic Genmaicha

10g (1/3 oz) Organic Kabusecha

Royal Assam Black Tea is a tea-lovers' dream come true. Slightly malty with a heady, golden aroma, Assam black tea may be enjoyed with or without milk. Many tea aficionados note that the mild natural sweetness of Kanoka estate specialty tea is delightfully delicious without added sugar or honey. We tend to agree.

Notes: Black currants

The leaf is plucked by the villagers of Tongmu and carefully smoked before it is fully dried. The more premium Lapsang Souchongs like this one is not too smokey and has a sweet delicate undertone. Before sipping this tea, try inhaling the delicious aroma of its smoky fragrance. The Chinese themselves rarely drink this tea; rather, it is manufactured solely for Westerners.

Our Lapsang Souchong is a Fujian version and is milder and softer than most other Lapsang Souchong in the market. And because it came from an old bush the leaves are much larger as well.

This tea is not for everyone. Just like licorice and cilantro, either you love it or you hate it. We do notice that many cigar smokers and whiskey drinkers absolutely love this tea. Its strong smoky flavor also goes very nicely with hot and spicy food, especially by a campfire.

Alternate Name: Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong

Origin: Tongmu Village, Wuyi Shan, Fujian, China 

Harvest: Spring 2020

Notes: Smokey, Cloves, Pepper

When drinking black tea, you don't normally associate its flavor profile with anything like "sweet caramel." But that's exactly what you get from this tea.

Using boiling water will bring out the most flavor from this tea. You should expect a sweet caramel, some smokiness, and a little maltiness when it's brewed properly. You should be able to get at least four good brews with this black tea, which is amazing since most black teas are only good for three brews.

If you have a sweet tooth and don't want to have the guilt of taking sugar in your tea, then this tea is the perfect tea for you!  

At the first sip, you immediately detect a caramel-candy taste with a hint of smokiness. There is a fresh feeling in the aftertaste. The color of the liquor is clear with vibrant caramel color. The aroma of the tea is sweet, soothing, and comforting. When you first sip this tea, you'll enjoy a satisfying treat, almost like drinking a hot caramel latte.

This tea is great to have all day. It's great as a morning pick-me-up tea, but also nice as a relaxing after dinner tea. The natural sweetness is an enticement for crowds who don't much appreciate the flavor of a tea.

Origin: Tongmu Guan, Wuyi Mountain

Notes: Caramel Candy

Big leaves bring forth a honey base with mineral notes and a nutmeg aftertaste.

Origin: Wuyi Mountain, Fujian, China

Notes: Ripe Berry, Honey, Chocolate, Spices

This Darjeeling is a blend of two different flushes. The second flush gives the sweet, floral with spring aroma and taste. The third flush gives the body and more full rounded flavor. 

Origin: Darjeeling, Northern India

A particularly clean and relaxing heicha, perfect for winding down in the late afternoon or evening. 

This tea was loosely packed in 900g increments into handwoven bamboo baskets to age in the long-term. It's common practice for Hunan heicha to be pressed and stored in larger quantities.  

From the same tea factory as our Alchemy, Sunveil, and Lotus Blossom heichas.

Origin: Anhua, Hunan Province, China

Harvest: 2012 

Notes: fruity, earthy, tart, full-bodied

If you love Wuyi oolong and are wanting to try something sweeter and more on the lighter side, this is the perfect oolong for you.

When you brew this tea for 12 to 15 seconds and use about 4g of tea in a small 120ml teapot, the flavor comes out very sweet and roasty. Almost like biting into glazed pistachio coated with honey. The aftertaste aroma is just wow, it's a very sweet and satisfying experience that you don't always get from other tea. Pay attention to how long you brew the tea if you like your tea sweet. 

If you double the steeping time, it will increase the roasty taste and improve the lingering aftertaste. You will experience warm and delightful energy that balances well throughout your whole body.

The first five brews will hit all the best notes of the flavor. After the fifth brew, it loses some of its sweetness but still is good enough for a daily drinker.

Harvest: Spring 2020

Notes: Honey, Roasted Pistachio

Origin: Wuyi Mountain, Fujian, China

Origin: Tongmu Guan, Wuyi Mountain

Notes: Wildflower Honey,

Genmaicha is a very popular Japanese green tea that is blended with roasted rice. The roasted rice flavor gives a very unique earthy and nutty flavor to the Japanese green tea. This one comes in the grounded form. 100% green tea with Japanese roasted rice. You can make your tea just like how you make normal matcha. Use about 2 tsp for a 16-oz hot or iced tea. 

There are so many ways you can use this genmaicha powder. You can add a unique Asian rice dessert flavor to many of your favorite blended drinks recipes. You can also use this powder in many baking recipes. 

Origin: Japan

Ingredient: Matcha, Green Tea, Roasted Rice

A classic heicha with a fruity, tart profile with the slightest hint of toasty peanuts. Tasty and comfortable! 

We love this heicha for its abundant golden flowers, or jin hua -- a romantic way to talk about the friendly yeast that grows on the tea leaves over time, almost like cheese. It is believed to have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, as well as to aid in digestion. Note that this tea may not be ideal if you are sensitive to gluten, penicillin, or other yeast-based foods.

This tea was pressed into 800g bricks for long-term storage, as is common practice for heicha in Hunan. Compared to Yunnan Province and its pu'erh teas, Hunan heichas tend to be pressed and stored in larger quantities. 

From the same tea factory as our Gentle Giant, Sunveil, and Lotus Blossom heichas.

Origin: Anhua, Hunan Province, China

Harvest: 2012 

Notes: fruity, earthy, tart, toasted peanut

This hand-picked oriental beauty is special because its processed of oxidation relies a lot on the green leafhopper. These tea green leafhoppers love to bite into the leaf. The tiny bites don't necessarily cause bite holes. Instead, the plant actually releases a natural sweetness enzyme to attract predators of the leafhopper. 

As a result of the higher oxidation, this oolong tastes between an oolong and a black tea. You'll get the floral and nutty flavor, and also a rounder, honey after-taste similar to a black tea. Overall a nice relaxing tea to have after meals. 

Origin: Nantou, Taiwan

Notes: Floral, Malty, Honey

Just like green tea can be scented with jasmine blossoms, heicha can also be scented, in this case with lotus flowers!

The combination of the dark, fermented tea and exotic aromas of lotus make for a fascinating flavor profile, and the tea brings a sense of calm and peace of mind. A rare and unique tea, on the palate and beyond.

The base tea is a 2012 production from Hunan Province, China. It was pressed into 1-kilo bricks for long-term storage, as is common practice for heicha in Hunan. Compared to Yunnan Province and its pu'erh teas, Hunan heichas tend to be pressed and stored in larger quantities.

From the same tea factory as our Alchemy, Gentle Giant, and Sunveil heicha.

Origin: Anhua, Hunan Province, China

Harvest: 2012 

Notes: Lotus, Dried Date 

This Wuyi oolong is probably one of the most fun Wuyi tea. The aroma and flavor are very different from all other Wuyi tea. The drinking temperature of this tea affects so much the complexity of the tea flavor.

A roasted flavor with floral notes leads to a lightly sweet aftertaste.  This tea can go well with spicy food, balancing it out after intensifying the spiciness. This tea aroma has a similar aroma to Japanese Houjicha. Sweet and woody.

Gongfu Brewing Instructions: 5g in a 120ml gaiwan for about 10 seconds on the first infusion. 

Origin: Wuyi Mountain, Fujian, China

Notes: Prune, Chocolate Cake, Toasted Bread

This bundle includes three of our most popular Kagoshima senchas below.

Sae Midori Sencha : Creamy Melon, Cucumber, Almond, and Spinach

Asatsuyu Sencha : Honeydew, Watermelon, Spring Greens

Asanoka Sencha : Honey, Lettuce, Basil

This is an uplifting tea with a very calming feeling. There is a subtle umami flavor in this green tea. This tea is pretty forgiving as well, you can use many different ways of brewing and it will still taste amazing. We tried brewing this tea at a 175º, 190º, to even a 205º, and it will still tastes pretty amazing. This Sencha also doesn't get bitter, even when you use a boiling water. Overall is a very nice green tea to have anytime.

Origin: Miyazaki, Japan

Notes: Sweet Pear, Light Umami, Creamy

When you think about a classic Tieguanyin Oolong, this would be the type of oolong that makes Tieguanyin a world-famous Chinese tea. Tieguanyin has been around since 1723 and was originally produced in Anxi County, China. Nowadays, 

The flavor is more similar to a green tea than a typical Chinese oolong tea most people familiar with. There is a natural orchid fragrance that is very clean and refreshing. The color of the liquor is clear with a light champagne color. 

This fresh-scented Tieguanyin is mellow in taste and slightly sweeter aftertaste.  

Alternate Name: Fresh-Scented Iron Goddess Oolong, Fragrance Iron Goddess Oolong

Origin: Anxi County, Fujian Province, China

Harvest Year: 2021 Spring

Notes: Orchid Flower, Fresh Greens, Sweet Aftertaste

This Chinese Black Tea sample pack includes:

10g (1/3 oz) Honey Jinjunmei Black Tea

10g (1/3 oz) Yunnan Golden-tip Dian Hong Black Tea

10g (1/3 oz) Golden Monkey Black Tea

10g (1/3 oz) Tongmu Unsmoked Lapsang Souchong Black Tea

10g (1/3 oz) 2014 80-year Old Bush Black Tea