There are three main types of tea we offer at Teasup: Black, White and Green. They all come from the same green leaf of the tea plant, the species known as Camellia sinensis. It is the process by which the green tea leaf is turned into the tea that we drink which determines if it is green, white or black. In particular it is the process of oxidation.
There are four main stages of production.
From China
There are many techniques that can be used during the process that will determine the end flavour. Combining teas from different regions, or different sub-species gives us endless possibilities in terms of flavour profile. Teasup focuses on speciality teas from the best tea gardens around the world. We source the finest full leaf tea from all over the world. This enables us to ensure that the quality and style is best suited to every blend we make.
Green teas have the highest levels of antioxidants called catechins. Catechins are a type of natural plant-based antioxidant. Within this the most prevalent catechin is known as EGCG (epigallocatechin 3 gallate), which is a very powerful antioxidant with good wellbeing properties. Black teas have less catechins because as the black tea oxidises the catechins react with the oxygen and turn into other compounds. White teas are only slightly oxidised – they also use the youngest parts of the tea plant which are the most nutritious and so have a high amount of antioxidants.
There are many well published benefits to consuming antioxidants. There are two other main properties of tea that contribute to wellbeing: L-Theanine is an amino acid found almost exclusively in tea that causes a calm but alert state of a mind, and helps to counter the buzz that you get from caffeine alone.
Each cup of tea contains around 40-50mg caffeine, compared to 90-100mg in a cup of coffee. This means less of a buzz compared to coffee, especially as caffeine reacts with tannins in the tea to slow the release into the circulatory system.
Of course the quickest and easiest way to brew the perfect cup of tea is using our environmentally friendly pyramid teabags. One bag for a cup or pot for one, or two bags for a larger tea pot for two.
There is something special about using loose leaf tea. Maybe it is the ceremony involved, or the additional space the tea leaves have to mingle with the water, but loose leaf always tastes fantastic and is our favourite.
Every tea is different, and over the following pages we give the best quantity and water temperature for you to get the best flavour from your tea.
The ideal way to brew a cup of loose leaf tea for one is by using a Teasup infuser. The infuser fits perfectly into your mug. Simply add the recommend quantity of loose leaf tea and perfect temperature hot water. Leave the lid on whilst the tea brews to keep the heat in.
Once infused you simply take the lid off, turn it upside down and use it as a tray for the infuser. This keeps everything clean and drip free! The infuser is dishwasher safe, however we would recommend taking off the silicone gloves before running it through to save them coming off in the dishwasher. Or wash by hand.
The Forlife Stump teapot has a built-in infuser that can be removed once the tea has had the perfect brew time.
