Questions and Answers

Hopefully you can find the answers to your questions about our teas somewhere on our website, however here's some recent queries we've had and our answers. If you have a question about our teas or about tea in general, e-mail us and we'll do our best to find the answer

Why is green tea called green tea? – It’s usually a shade of amber when brewed.

The term Green Tea comes from the early days of British tea trading with China. In those days teas with almost minimal fermentation were termed Green. More heavily fermented Green teas were called Black teas. Confusingly, the Dutch called Green teas “White tea” and Black tea “Brown tea”. And to add further to the confusion, the Chinese call true Black tea (80% fermented) “Red tea”. In China, the term “Black tea” is reserved for a rare, even more heavily fermented tea and Oolong is called a dark Green tea!.

Why do some green teas taste quite bitter?

The taste of tea, no matter what type, is always down to the skill of the tea master. Fine teas are made by hand by skilled craftsmen whose expertise involves manipulating the leaves they are working. There can be up to 14 different stages in the art of making fine teas; some are repeated if the tea master deems it necessary. It is their intuitive skill that is all-important. Mass manufactured teas have none of this subtlety and for this reason, often taste bitter and coarse.

I've heard that green tea is healthy; will drinking greater quantities of it increase its effect on me?

Yes

Which teas should I try to “learn” more about tea appreciation – and in which order should I try them?

Discovering teas is an exciting and rewarding journey. There is no set way to appreciate the finer qualities of tea. Just give yourself time to sit and relax and appreciate the different tastes and nuances. Our sampler packs of Green tea, Black tea, Japanese teas and caffeine free teas in our online shop are a good way to start to understand the differences between tea types

Are there teas so rare that only a few people can afford them?

Many fine hand made teas can be seen in tea markets across China, being sold in shops at around 1200 renmimbi for 500g, that’s about £184 for a kilo. The highest price paid to farmers last year is reputed to be $415 per kilo, this would suggest a price of about £1000 for a kilo by the time it came to market – in other words, £100 for a 100g packet of tea!

The finest Pilochun tea has not been made for the last two years as optimum leaf and climatic conditions weren’t achieved. Only a few hundred kilos of this rare and exquisite tea are made when conditions are right and the price is likely to be $1000 per kilo to the farmer.

How did the name Dragonfly come about?

Dragonflies are found over pure water - our teas are also pure, hence the name. Also, they are beautiful and appealing creatures!

Which is best, teabags or loose tea?

In our opinion the real criteria is the quality of the tea. Often teabags use low grade tea. This affects the taste dramatically. In our teabags you will find only the highest quality teas.

How can I tell when my tea is properly brewed?

Follow the guidance on the side of our packs. As a general rule, don’t go by colour. An early rich colour might fool you into thinking that your tea is ready yet its full flavour may not have developed.

I've heard that Rooibos can be used for other things - any tips?

We think Rooibos is best when you drink it, however there are some other ways to enjoy its amazing properties. Try it as iced teas (see our recipes pages). It's also good for cooking (Again, see our recipes page). The used teabags when chilled are apparently brilliant when put on sore tired eyes. We've also heard of Rooibos being added to the bath water of Eczema sufferers. In South Africa mothers are known to rub their babies' gums with a weak brew of the tea as an aid during teething.