Experts suggest that green tea was the first discovered some 3,000 years ago in China.  At that time, fresh leaves were plucked from the Camellia sinensis plant, which were then allowed to dry in the sun before being stored.  Then by the 8^th century, an evaporation process was used but in the 12^th century, the leaves were sautéed or pan-fried.  Over the years, the same processing steps used for Chinese green tea was used for Chinese black tea.

Interestingly, of all tea produced today, green tea is just one of a few left natural.  For instance, loose black tea is fermented but green tea is not.  This allows chlorophyll in the leaves to remain natural, giving green tea the unique color.  This also leaves healthy antioxidants alone, making green tea a healthier choice than any other type of tea.

Antioxidants are powerful, protecting the body from disease and fighting existing disease.  Antioxidants work by neutralizing free radicals, which are molecules that carry oxygen to DNA and cells.  While the body creates free radicals as a part of the digestive tract, if not controlled, they can do serious damage.

In addition to drinking green tea, you should also eat a diet rich of antioxidants such as fresh fruits and vegetables.  With this, you would have a means of protecting the body.

In the past few years, a tremendous amount of research has gone into identifying the long-term benefits associated with drinking green tea.  These studies show that the body is protected from heart disease, high cholesterol, and various types of cancer.  However, studies also show that drinking loose green tea or taking a green tea supplement can help with weight lose while regulating insulin within the body.  Although additional research is needed, it is likely that even more health benefits will be revealed.

Green Tea Classifications

The way in which green tea is dried determines its classification with there being five in all.

Stir Frying – The first classification involves the leaves being sautéed.  Usually, this is left for special teas or those exported.  The result of this process is a stronger flavor and aroma.  The types of tea usually stir fried include gunpowder green tea and dragonwell green tea.

Roasting – Another classification is roasting, which involves leaves being placed in a special chest or basket and then roasted.  In this case, the leaves are left intact and used to make flowering tea such as monkey king.

Semi-Roasting – Next, tealeaves are both fried and roasted, which retains the beautiful appearance and gives the tea a full-bodied flavor and aroma.

Solar Drying – This method is very old, which involves allowing the leaves to dry in direct sunlight.  Typically, solar dried leaves are used for compressed products such as green tea cakes commonly sold today.

Steaming – The last classification involves the leaves being steamed at high temperatures so they dry.  Sencha is steamed, which is a delicious variety of green tea.

For each of the five classifications of green tea are different grades for quality.  However, making a firm determination can be tough since every region where green tea is grown has a different system for grading.  In China, which grows the most green tea than any other country has specific grading.

Tea that will be exported is graded based on the leaf’s age, as well as the shape of the leaf when finished processing.  This would include green tea varieties such as gunpowder, young hyson, hyson, imperial, hyson skin, dust, and twankay.  These categories have a number of grades and in fact, a single shaped leaf might have more than a single grade.

As you can see, grading green tea is challenging since you would have a hard time knowing the tea dried.  If you understand the various methods of drying, as well as the way in which flavor and aroma are affected, this would help you choose only varieties that have been dried so you end up with the best quality.  A few other ways to distinguish quality grades includes:

Form – Bagged tea is a much lower grade than loose leaves, regardless of the tea being oolong, white, black, or green.  Therefore, only purchase loose tea.

Price – Typically, green tea is very affordable but if the price is low, chances are the quality is too.  Therefore, look at different prices so you can determine what price would justify high quality.

Tea Companies – Additionally, the better tea companies usually sell higher quality tea.  For this reason, it would be worth finding and shopping only at the best tea companies available.

You can purchase green tea varieties from around the world, making this an exciting venture.  With so many different flavors and infusions, you are sure to find several that you love.

Types of Chinese Teapots

While there are many different types of Chinese teapots, one in particular that is original and perfect for tea ceremonies or entertaining friends in the US is called the Yixing.  While the spelling appears as if the word would be pronounced one way, it is actually “E-Ching”.  This type of Chinese teapot is a collectible and features a design that has been used in China for thousands of years.  In fact, some Chinese swear that this type of teapot is magical, which comes in shapes of the Buddha, lotus flower, vegetables, animals, and fruits.

Although finding an authentic Yixing Chinese teapot would be hard to find, some newer options on the market feature contemporary shapes.  For instance, this type of teapot is now made in the shape of a wheelbarrow, chair, and other whimsical shapes that are sure to please.

Materials of the Yixing Teapot

The red clay used to make the Yixing teapot can only be found in the Yunnan province of China.  Because of the material, this ware is porous, making it easier to absorb color, which is why even the older teapots still have original vibrant colors.  These teapots are not even glazed although some of the newer ones could be.  Keep in mind that you only want to use one type of tea with the teapot because it will eventually begin absorbing flavors.  Therefore, whether you love chai green tea, gunpowder green tea, Chinese black tea, flowering tea, Jasmine tea, or something else, use just one pot for each type of tea.

Finding Yixing Chinese Teapots

It is actually very easy to locate Yixing teapots.  Because they are considered so popular and the perfect collectible, they are everywhere.  However, if you were looking for a genuine teapot, one of value, it would be important to purchase from a reputable and qualified dealer or vendor.  That way, you know you are buying homemade pot and not one made with a machine or some cheap knock-off.  If the teapot is genuine, your favorite healthy tea will taste better and heat more efficiently. 

Remember, there are certain things you want to look for when buying an authentic Chinese Yixing teapot.  Some of the more important elements include:

Cap – Needs to be firm and not easy to move

Body – Should not feel grainy

Knob – Needs to be in sync with the body, preferably ergonomic

Handle – Should be large enough to hold and firm

Capacity – Needs to be able to hold a substantial amount of water, enough to serve up to three people but no more

Mouth Net – Should have a net over the mouth to help strain loose tea leaves

Hardiness – Needs to be strong and durable

Color – Should never be dyed

Shape – Can be anything but the shape should not be clumsy and awkward

Craftsmanship – Overall teapot should be well made

Material – All Yixing Chinese teapots should only be made from Zhu or purple clay

Bottom – Should have the name of the artist engraved on the bottom

Skin – If the Yixing teapot is quality, it would have a brittle like skin with thinner interior walls

Pouring – When exotic tea is poured from the Yixing teapot, a smooth, consistent stream should be seen

Remember that along with the mentioned qualities of the Yixing Chinese teapot, when you find one that has it all, you could pay a high price.  Therefore, you should spend time looking so you can make comparisons.  If all the prices are outside your budget, then you might see if a manmade pot works.

Responsibilities of Tea Wholesalers

For suppliers that resell tea and tea products, tea wholesalers add distinct value.  While suppliers sell to consumers, tea wholesalers provide tea and tea products to hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, hospitals, bars, grocery stores, and other venues.

Without doubt, the value is vital, with some examples as follows:

 Guests staying in hotels are served delicious loose leaf tea in the restaurant and day spa or guests can have it delivered to the room via room service

Meals at quality restaurants are complimented with delicious loose green tea, loose black tea, or some other type of exotic tea of choice, whether consumed hot or cold

 At grocery stores and convenience stores, tea products are displayed for consumers to buy

Coffee shops, bars, cafes, and even tea rooms offer a relaxing environment where tea varieties of all types can be enjoyed

Reseller and Tea Wholesaler Relationship

For the greatest benefits, resellers and tea wholesalers need a good working relationship.  This means working closely together, beyond ordering from a website or catalog or being offered a discount on certain types of tea.  Instead, the wholesaler should understand the needs of the reseller and provide products and services that would add value to the reseller and his or her customers.

A great tea wholesaler would work hard to provide a quality product, as well as great service and competitive pricing.

Quality of Tea

Of course, one of the most important responsibilities of a tea wholesaler is always to provide the reseller with the highest quality tea possible.  As consumers realize they can purchase the best green tea, Jasmine tea, or other tea from a particular store, restaurant, or hotel, they will keep going back.  For this reason, the tea wholesaler should have a solid reputation for adding value.

Customer Support

In addition to the quality of tea, tea wholesalers must provide resellers with outstanding service and support.  If the wholesaler is dedicated, this would involve providing a variety of quality tea, assisting with reseller ordering, track shipments, offer billing assistance, if needed, and take care of any problems.  After all, a good working relationship would provide long-term benefits for both parties.

Competitive Pricing

Pricing is always important but especially in the current economy.  Another responsibility of tea wholesaler is to provide his/her resellers with the best pricing available.  Whether the reseller is buying Chinese green tea, Jasmine Pearl Tea, gunpowder green tea of some other variety, they need quality but at a competitive price, with discounts if possible.

Sometimes, tea wholesalers will offer resellers automatic price level adjustments.  With this, when a reseller placed an order for bulk quantity, a price adjustment would be done automatically to show a discount and in real time.

Order History

To make the entire process easier, more efficient, and more accurate, an e-commerce website is recommended.  This should be created so it offers automatic order history.  In this case, tea wholesalers could quickly pull up all the information needed to make the next order better.  This is a huge time and effort saver, well worth it.

Along with having the capability of looking up past orders on an e-commerce website, having a system such as this also makes billing easier and it helps avoid mistakes and confusion.

Many tea wholesalers are now offering unlimited shipping locations for every order, as well as single point of billing when more than one delivery location is involved.

The bottom line is that the tea industry would not be what it is without three parties – tea wholesalers, resellers, and consumers.  All three add value, creating the perfect balance of what makes the tea industry so successful.

Japanese Tea Ceremony

When looking at the Japanese tea ceremony, this special occasion has been a longstanding ritual steeped in tradition.  While this ceremony is hundreds of years old, it is still a vital part of society today.  The type of tea served for the ceremony is called Macha, which is powdered green tea.  However, the flavor of the tea is second to the actual ceremony.

Typically, the tea ceremony occurs over a 45-minute period but centuries ago, it could last anywhere from four to five hours.  Keep in mind that the people that lead the Japanese tea ceremony are tea masters, people who have studied tea and mastered the ability to arrange flowers, apparel, and the making of tea, which are all important elements of the ceremony.

Guests enter the tearoom or tea house where they look at the flowers, artwork, and utensils for the tea.  Next, each guest would kneel and then sit after which time they are served sweets, which commonly consist of soft cakes made from bean paste.  While eating, the guests watch the Chinese green tea being prepared.  Interestingly, a leaf practitioner is the one that makes the tea, a person who has gone through in-depth training and spent years studying the appropriate way of making and serving guests of a tea ceremony.

Another important aspect of the tea ceremony is the tea utensils, which have been passed down within families for centuries.  The traditional utensils consist of iron kettles, tea bowls, bamboo water scoops, and Japanese tea cups.

Chinese Tea Ceremony

Tea ceremonies are also a part of the Chinese culture although in this country, they are more for special occasions.  In this case, the special event is the purpose of the ceremony and based on the event, the type of green tea would be served, such as gunpowder green tea, Chai green tea, flavored green tea, and others.

Although the Chinese tea ceremony could be for any occasion, it is most commonly associated with weddings.  On the day of the marriage early in the morning, the bride would serve her parents tea within their home just prior to the groom showing up.  Then once the wedding ceremony was complete, the bride and groom would serve the groom’s family tea together.

For this tradition, the couple would kneel in front of the groom’s family and the process of serving them tea is to show respect and honor.  During the Chinese tea ceremony for a wedding, the couple would be provided with red envelopes from various family members, with jewelry or money inside.

In addition, the Chinese wedding ceremony involves a number of symbols such as dates, lotus seeds, and others.  These symbols symbolize babies that would be born soon after the couple weds, along with the bride and groom having a happy, long life.

Green Tea as a Daily Beverage

For all the millions of people around the world outside of Asia, green tea is simply enjoyed because of its refreshing flavor but also the long list of health benefits. Studies now show that drinking three cups of green tea daily protects the body from illness.  This type of tea contains high levels of antioxidants that can prevent and fight heart disease, high cholesterol, and even some forms of cancer.  Additionally, studies show that because of green tea metabolism properties, it helps with weight loss and can regulate insulin, great for people with diabetes.

Today, many people suffering from cancer are turning away from traditional chemotherapy and choosing green tea as a nontraditional treatment instead.  However, for people that have been on chemotherapy, adding green tea actually makes this aggressive treatment more effective.  In fact, studies have been done that compare people on chemotherapy drinking green tea versus those not drinking green tea and for those that have three cups a day, the chemotherapy worked better.

If you were interested in making your own variety of green tea, you would first need to determine the variety you like.  Of course, with so many possibilities, narrowing your choices down to just one might be challenging.  Just in China alone, each of the small towns has multiple varieties of green tea.

Although you can ultimately choose what you like best, the following are some of the more popular choices:

Gunpowder Green Tea – This variety has a smoky flavor and is made by rolling pearl very tight that when being brewed, would slowly unroll to expose a slight green color and leaves

Sencha – This type of Japanese green tea is grown near Mt. Fuji and is very popular, often used to entertain people in homes.

Of course, flavored green tea is another option, which means base green tea is flavored with things such as mint, vanilla, and Jasmine.

The goal is to brew the perfect cup of green tea, which means following precise steps.  First, the kettle would be filled with purified or filtered cold water.  While the water is heating on the stove, the teapot and your tea cups would be filled with warm water out of the tap to get them warm.

Once the water boils, it would be removed from the stove and the tap water in the teapot and cups discarded.  The boiling water would need to sit off the heat for two minutes or until it reaches 160 degrees.  Now, most other types of tea, such as Chinese white tea, oolong tea, and black tea are served at 180 degrees.  Next, one teaspoon of loose green tea would be added to the cup and the hot water poured into the cup.

The important part of brewing green tea is that you should not allow it to steep any longer than two minutes or it could become bitter.  With high quality green tea leaves, you could easily get three infusions from the leaves.

Remember, no matter if you were buying green tea for a traditional tea ceremony, as a means of building a healthier body, or simply because you love the flavor, you will not be disappointed.  Once you taste the soothing flavor of green tea, you will understand why it has been such a vital part of the Asian culture for so many years.

Controlling Blood Sugar

Another huge green tea benefits is that it can help regulate blood sugar levels.  In this case, green tea slows the increase of sugar after eating by using amylase, which is a special type of digestive enzyme.  For the breakdown of starches, this enzyme is critical for the body in that it keeps blood sugar levels from skyrocketing.  Then, when you look at loose green tea, you would also see that when consumed or taken as a green tea supplement along with chromium and/or vanadyl, blood sugar management is much more effective.

Key Benefits to Green Tea

Although many different types of tea offer healing benefits, green tea is exceptional.  However, the goal is to purchase only the best green tea possible and the following tips will help.

It is best to purchase green tea in isolation if you are looking for a specific ingredient for a desired result.

We also recommend that you purchase a quality fat burner, one containing green tea.  A great product currently on the market is Xenadrine EFT but others exist.  The goal is to look at the ingredients and level of ingredients so you purchase only high quality products with pure green tea.

Even if you love coffee, switch to the best green tea you can afford.  Remember, you can purchase quality tea from many tea stores or online and instead of dealing with hyperactivity or anxiety associated with caffeine in coffee, you would enjoy a relaxing beverage in that green tea contains very small amounts of caffeine.

As you begin searching for green tea, you will find various origins but without doubt, Chinese green tea is the best.  After all, the Chinese have been harvesting and drinking green tea for thousands of years so they certainly know.  We recommend you consider gunpowder green tea, Chunmee, Young Hyson, Lung Ching, Bi Lo Chung, and others, which are delicious, high in antioxidants, and affordable.  Other types of Chinese green tea to consider include Tianmu Qing Ding, Huang Shan Mao Feng, and Tianmu Yunding.

The best time of year to purchase the best green tea is in May and June, which is immediately following harvest time.  If the tea does not already come in an airtight container, be sure you store the tea this way, which would keep it preserved for several months.  To promote health, simply drink three to four cups of Chinese green tea a day while enjoying the wonderful flavor.

Hundreds of years ago, before innovative processing methods were developed leaves were simply set outside where they dried in the sun.  After drying, leaves would then be stored.  Thanks to the creation of Chinese green tea, it is now the favorite of all tea varieties in the world.

While black tea soon followed and was a welcomed choice, green tea is still the most valued.

Production of Green Tea

Green tea is a great choice and for people from Asia, they depend on this type of tea, as well as other varieties such as Chinese black tea as a part of life.  Even people in westernized worlds love green tea with the most of it coming from China or Japan.

While tea from Asian countries is excellent, green tea is also grown in India and Sri Lanka.  Interesting, the flavor of green tea has a distinct flavor depending on where it was grown and processed.  For instance, green tea that is grown in India and Sri Lanka is less common but delicious.  In fact, most people have no clue that tea is even grown in these countries.  Even so, after you sip a cup of green tea from either country, you would be impressed.

Green Tea from Sri Lanka

Green tea grown in Sri Lanka is known as Ceylon, which grows in the highlands of the country covering only about four square miles of land.  Tea from this part of the world has full flavor with a malty or nutty undertone.  Unlike other varieties of green tea, Ceylon tea is bright colored and bold.

You would even find that the leaves of Ceylon tea are much darker prior to being brewed and once brewed, the tea is darker and richer.  This type of exotic tea is made in the same way as green tea from China and the leaves have the same size and shape as many Chinese green tea varieties to include gunpowder green tea.

While tea from Sri Lanka is delicious, it accounts for only a very small amount of tea exported.  However, with such great response to this herbal tea, it is expected that production levels will rise.  Now, if you have had Chinese and Japanese green tea, once you taste the flavor of Ceylon tea, you will likely be surprised at the difference.

Green Tea from India

Green tea produced in India comes in two types, which includes Darjeeling and Assam.  Both are considered healthy tea that provides wonderful flavors, making them very popular.

With Assam tea, it is grown in the northeast part of the country right on the Burma border.  In this region, loose black tea is also grown, producing more than 1.5 million pounds annually.  However, for Assam green tea, this is a newer option but many people find it favorable.  This tea is medium bodied with great flavor with a hint of malt and a slight touch of honey.

When brewing Assam green tea, you would not taste any bitterness.  For this reason, it makes an excellent all-around choice.  Now, for black tea, most often it is blended with other teas rather than served alone whereas Assam green teas are standalone and not blended.

The other type of Indian green tea is Darjeeling, which has to grow at 4,000 to 10,000 feet above sea level.  At this height, temperatures are cool with a slight mist.  These qualities coupled with soil that drains well results in an amazing and distinct flavor of green tea, which people find relaxing.

In fact, people from Great Britain prefer Darjeeling black tea, often used for afternoon teatime.  The first tea colonies in India were actually started by the British as a means of supporting production of tea from Asia.

The Darjeeling region of India has long been great for growing tea and to experience the fields, tourists can enjoy a tram ride up the Himalayan, looking at the gorgeous crops that grow in tea gardens.

Throughout the entire world, Darjeeling is one of the largest of all regions that produce tea yet when it comes to green tea; it holds only a small portion of the market.  One thing for sure is that this type of green is that it is unique, different from green tea grown anywhere else.  This type of green tea has a hint of flower and it has a milder body than black tea produced in Darjeeling.

With a grassy flavor as well that you would expect from green tea, Darjeeling tea is often characterized as being musky.  After being brewed, the tea is lighter in color than black tea from this region, actually having a soft aroma and amber color.

Although Sri Lanka and India do not grow as much green tea as China, finding high quality Indian or Ceylon teas is a little more challenging.  The good news is that these types of teas are becoming increasingly popular so they are not as hard to find as they were five years ago.  If you shop around for various tea companies in the US, some do carry both options.

If you want a different, richer flavor with green tea than what you get from China or Japan, then perhaps you should reach further and try Ceylon or Indian green tea.

Not only is green tea light and refreshing, it has also been rated as one of the healthiest of all teas.  Again, while it might take more work to find Ceylon or Indian green tea, the time spent is worth it.

Green Tea Varieties

For one thing, Chinese green tea comes in a wide range of varieties.  The different flavors are the result of the oxidization process but with green tea, no oxidization is done, which means enzymes in the loose green tea leaves are never exposed to oxygen.  However, if you were to look at Chinese black tea, the process involves full oxidization whereas oolong tea only goes through a partial process of oxidization.  Therefore, the type of flavor and even medicinal properties are based on how much oxidization the leaves go through.

You will also find that green tea comes in a wide range of textures and flavors, depending on the process, as well as the country of origin.  For instance, green tea comes from China, a variety enjoyed in Asia, India, and westernized countries.  Chai green tea is also very popular.  In addition, you might consider different blends and flavors such as Jasmine tea, Jasmine Pearl tea, Gunpowder Green tea, Sencha, Mint, and vanilla, each unique and delicious.

Appealing Green Tea

Because all green tea is light and refreshing, it has a huge following all over the world.  Even though tea in general was discovered more than 5,000 years ago, there are just five basic varieties most recognized and used to produce all the different flavors.

For many people, loose leaf green tea is a staple of daily life.  While you could purchase tea bags, the best green tea or other tea would be in the form of loose leaves.  Today, tea is enjoyed as a daily beverage, as well as for entertaining friends or gathering with family as a ritual.  Even in China and Japan, tea is an important part of life, enjoyed after a hectic day but also used in tea ceremonies.

Historical Details of Tea

From 1405 to 1433, tea was very powerful in China, carried around the sea by seamen transporting it but also using it to last through long, difficult journeys.  It was common for seamen to drink a type of tea beverage that contained vitamin C, which was shown to prevent the deadly disease of survy.  Then 100 years later, it was still used but to many medical officers of European fleets, they were introduced for the first time while taking a trip from China to Africa that involved 27,000 men.

Tea Health Benefits

Numerous current day studies have been conducted showing that all tea, especially green tea is highly beneficial to a person’s health.  While tea has long been used for medicinal purposes, its true value is only recently being fully understood.  In China, tea was commonly used to support a healthy mind and body.  While discovered 5,000 years ago, it was not until 2737 BC when health benefits were first referenced.  During ancient China years, the cost of tea was high, which meant only the rich and famous drank it.

However, during the Ming Dynasty in 1368 BC, the Mongolian empire fell.  With this, tea became available for everyone.  Then in 1606, the first shipment of tea, which was green tea, was sent to Europe by sea from the Dutch East India Company.  Then in 1994, results of a cancer study done by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute were released, showing that drinking green tea daily could reduce occurrence of esophageal cancer by as much as 60%.

Another study done by the University of Purdue also showed that Chinese green tea is actually capable of stopping cancer cells from growing.  You will even find that drinking three cups of green tea daily can help lower high cholesterol while supporting good cholesterol.  Even in Japan, the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that the Japanese had lower risk of death, regardless of cause by drinking green tea.

With so many wonderful flavors, you can choose any type of high quality tea, again choosing loose leaf so you too can enjoy the many health benefits.

Many tea companies and specialty shops offer gift cards as well, making the Tea of the Month or the gift card a unique and cherished gift for you or someone special.

Tea of the Month Example

One option of what you would receive when joining the Tea of the Month Club includes the following samples:

Month One – Coconut Pouchong

Month Two – Moroccan Mint

Month Three – Sinharaja

Month Four – Vanilla Jasmine

Month Five – Temple of Heaven Gunpowder Green Tea

Month Six – Honey Pear

Month Seven – Tippy Earl Grey

Month Eight – Rose

Month Nine – White Persian Melon

Month Ten – French Breakfast

Month Eleven – Kashmiri Chai

Month Twelve – Organic Green Tea

Remember, every month that you are a member of the Tea of the Month Club, you would receive a new selection.  Typically, tea companies and specialty shops provide you with the highest quality and the newest tea creations.  When wanting to learn about tea and the many flavors available, this is the perfect way.

Length of the Tea of the Month Membership

Sometimes, tea companies and specialty shops that offer this type of membership will allow you to choose from a six or twelve month program.  In fact, sometimes, you can choose a membership for eighteen or twenty-four months.

In fact, many companies now give buyers the option of having the subscription recurrent.  In this case, the twelve-month option would be chosen along with an automatic renewal.  That way, when the twelve months ends, your credit card would be charged for the next twelve months and so on until you decide you no longer want to participate.

Delivery – Fast and Accurate

Along with the great tea varieties that come from a Tea of the Month Club, you want to make sure the company you buy from offers several different delivery options and have a proven record of fast delivery.  Typically, these companies have e-commerce websites that make the buying, paying, and navigation easy.

Tea Packaging

It is also important that the tea you purchase be properly packaged so it arrives fresh and undamaged.  Additionally, the packaging, especially if for a gift, should be professional and attractive.  The packages of individual tea should be re-sealable, using only the highest quality and safest materials.  Obviously, if the tea were to arrive wrapped in a brown paper bag or newspaper, or anything containing harmful chemicals, this would be horrific.

The benefit of buying from a company that offers re-sealable packaging is that the tea would remain fresh for a long time, and pets and small children would not be able to open the package.

Quality a Number One Priority

No matter how unique the flavors of tea are, unless they are high quality, it would not matter.  When buying from a Tea of the Month Club, it is imperative that the loose leaf tea be extremely high quality.  Of all components of buying, this is the number one priority.  This is why locating a company that has a strong reputation is important.

A common practice by the best tea companies is called cupping.  With this, a small sample of every tea shipment received is tested to ensure it meets high standards.  If this information is not provided on the company website, you can always ask if the tea is cupped.  This way, you have confidence that the tea you are purchasing is in fact the best quality you can buy.

Without doubt, joining a Tea of the Month Club is an exciting purchase and the perfect way to sample incredible flavors of loose leaf tea.  Buying from a reputable supplier, one that guarantees your satisfaction is the best way to go.