Lifestyle — chinese tea

We thought it time we give you the low-down on white teas. Our lovely White Peony (Bai Mu Dan named as the buds resemble peony flowers) and Jasmine Silver Needle (Bai Hao Yinzhen) have been a highlight during our afternoon tea sessions these summer months. White teas come from the same plant as blacks, greens & oolongs, the “Camellia Sinensis” but are the least processed of all the teas. The tea leaves are hand-picked during Spring when the buds & leaves are still young’uns and are then left to wither and dry. This limited window of opportunity to pick the leaves, combined with the...

Oo-what? You’re not alone if you’ve never heard of an Oolong before. So, we’re here to give you a brief introduction. Let’s get technical. You may be surprised, but Oolong tea actually comes from the same plant as both Green and Black teas. But (and it’s a big but), there is a key difference, which is how it is manufactured. Unlike Blacks, which are fully oxidised, and Greens, which are not at all, Oolong is oxidised from anywhere between 8% and 85%. This is why it flaunts so may different textures and flavours. Got your attention? Read on. Although there...