Tea 101

What Does Mate Tea Taste Like
Michael Wu

What Does Mate Tea Taste Like

When you try mate tea, you'll notice its complex flavor profile. Made from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant, the taste is often described as: Earthy: You may recognize a robust, sometimes woody or herbal taste, akin to some green teas. Bitter: There's a decidedly bitter edge, much like black coffee, that is integral to its character. Grassy: Like green tea, you may detect fresh, grassy notes, especially in fresher batches. Sweet: Among the stronger flavors, a subtle sweetness can sometimes be evident, hinting at caramel. Mate is also rich in caffeine, which, while not a taste per se,...

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What Tea is Good for Sciatica Pain
Michael Wu

What Tea is Good for Sciatica Pain

Shop our Pu Erh Tea collections! Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Commonly, sciatica affects only one side of your body and can vary in severity from mild to severe. It's typically caused by a bone spur on the spine, herniated disk, or narrowing of the spine that compresses part of the nerve, resulting in inflammation, pain, and often some numbness in the affected leg. Pain Management Strategies: Physical Therapy: Improves flexibility Strengthens back muscles Increases mobility Medications:...

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How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea Without an Infuser
Michael Wu

How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea Without an Infuser

When brewing tea, loose leaf tea tends to offer a richer flavor and aroma compared to its bagged counterpart. The reason behind this is the quality of the leaf. Tea bags often contain smaller pieces of leaves or "fannings," which can result in a quick brew, but potentially a more bitter taste. In contrast, loose leaf tea is generally composed of larger, whole leaves, releasing their flavors more slowly for a more nuanced cup. Here are essential points to understand about loose leaf tea: Varieties: Loose leaf tea comes in several types such as black, green, white, oolong, and herbal....

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How to Clean a Teapot
Michael Wu

How to Clean a Teapot

Shop our Pu Erh Tea collections! Before cleaning your tea pot, it's important to familiarize yourself with its material composition and construction, as these factors will determine the appropriate cleaning method. Different materials such as ceramic, glass, metal, or cast iron require unique care. Ceramic Tea Pots: Non-porous and glazed Generally dishwasher safe Sensitive to sudden temperature changes Glass Tea Pots: Transparent and non-porous Can tolerate high temperatures Prone to breakage if mishandled Metal Tea Pots (Stainless Steel, Copper, etc.): Excellent heat conduction Durable, but can react with certain detergents Some may tarnish over time Cast Iron Tea Pots: Retain...

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