Experience gourmet loose tea with our handcrafted, signature blends, and single-estate full leaf teas. Our selection of hand-picked, organic, & fair trade loose leaf tea supports traditional harvesting methods and offers premium flavor & health benefits. So drink up, and feel good about it!
Our collection of global tea represents all the traditional tea producing nations with their signature varieties. Over the past 4000 years, the tea plant spread to each of these nations, where it took on a unique form and flavor due to the regional terroir, namely the local soil quality, humidity, altitude, and temperature. Each region also developed specialized methods of processing the tea leaf to obtain a particular taste and form. Shaped by the traditions of their culture, local tea masters are still developing and perfecting regional tea around the world. Explore our collection!
Caffeine naturally occurs in the tea plant, causing all traditional teas to have a naturally occurring amount level of caffeine. Chemical processes can be used to extract most of the caffeine from tea leaves, however we do not carry these processed decaf teas. We do, however, have a variety of herbal teas that are naturally 100% caffeine free. On the other hand, other traditional teas are naturally highly caffeinated. These create a sustained buzz that won't result in the familiar unwanted "crash" that often follows coffee.
This unique organic black tea is dried over pinewood, giving it a heavily smoky aroma and a deep, rich liquor. The tea leaves are first withered over pine root fires, then panfried, rolled and oxidized. The leaves are finally placed in bamboo baskets and hung on wooden racks over smoking pinewood fires to dry and absorb the smoke. This results in a powerfully smoky aroma coupled with a smooth taste.
Legend has it that the process for this smoked black tea came about during tribal times when a village burned all their possessions and inadvertently smoked the tea. Another story states that during the Qing Dynasty, an army unit passing through a village occupied a tea factory filled with fresh leaf awaiting manufacture. When workers could get back into the factory, they realized that for their tea to arrive at market in time, it was too late to dry the leaves the usual way and open fires of pinewood were lit to hasten the drying. When the tea reached the market, the smoke flavor created a sensation and a new product was born.
Black Tea is known to banish fatigue, stimulate mental powers, and raise energy levels. It has been shown to reduce stress hormone levels and acts as a nerve sedative, frequently relieving headaches. Black tea contains a number of vitamins considered essential for maintaining health, including Carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, has antioxidant and protective properties, Vitamin B1 and Panothenic Acid, Vitamin C and Vitamin B6.
Black Tea also contains antioxidants which may help to protect your body from the ravages of aging and environmental effects. Because they are allowed to ferment completely before drying, most black teas are especially rich in those polyphenols which have been shown to be effective against dementia in aging as well as AIDS related dementia. These compounds penetrate the blood brain barrier and have also been found to reduce blood cholesterol levels.
Black tea is known for its antiviral and antibacterial properties. It can be topically applied to cuts, bruises and burns, and is famous for its sunburn relief and has been shown to have a positive effect on preventing tooth decay and gum disease.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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Author: Timothy Cassidy This is probably the best smoked tea I have ever had. The smoky flavors are powerful, but not overwhelming. If you are a smoked tea lover, this one doesn't disappoint.
Author: Lisa G. This one is really unique. It reminds me of smoked bacon. I shared some with my husband, and it's the first (and only) tea he's asked me to make when his buddies come over. I'm thinking it's the perfect tea for men who love an occasional pull of whiskey, cigars, and campfires. You know the type... the guys who grow out their beards at some point each winter. It's a little burly for me, but I'll definitely buy it again if it gets my husband drinking tea!
Author: Cay My first smoked tea. Absolutely fantastic! When you're steeping it, don't let the fact that it smells like burning tires put you off. Boy, I bet that hooked you in! It has a smoky taste, but it has a sweet after taste and the combination is wonderful. I read that Winston Churchhill use to put scotch in this tea. That intrigued me. I'll be getting this again, can't wait to try it iced.
Author: Laura Brumbaugh This tea is amazing! The smoky flavor is complex and interesting, and it is a great substitute for coffee when you need a caffeine boost in the morning. Thank you, Tea Spot!!
