Please note:

If you wish to order herbal teas, please visit our ‘Herbal Tisanes’ section in the main menu.

Tea, especially loose leaf tea, has formed part of our daily ritual here in the UK for some 400 years, since Catherine of Braganza, the the Portuguese wife of Charles 11, brought tea to the royal court during the seventeenth century.

The actual story of tea however, begins in China over 4,000 years ago. Legend tells us that the Emperor, Shen Nung, was waiting for his manservant to boil some water for him to drink , when a leaf from the nearby Camellia Senensis plant fell into the water – the Emperor drank it and of course, as the saying goes – the rest is history.

All teas come from different varieties of the Camellia Senensis plant and is only the process they undergo after picking, that determines the particular type. In the main, teas can be categorised as follows:

Black Leaf Tea:

This is the tea that most of us have been brought up with, albeit if you were born after 1970, it will probably be via the good old tea bag. All black leaf teas have been oxidised (fermented), contain a certain level of caffeine and are packed with anti-oxidants. These teas  help to protect the body against free radical damage, which can be a contributory factor in up to 60 diseases. Black leaf teas are indicated as diuretics, anti-inflammatory aids, nervous system stimulants, circulatory tonics and are known to calm, uplift and revive. 2 CUPS MAXIMUM PER DAY IN PREGNANCY

Oolong Tea:

Oolong teas are partially oxidised (fermented) and find their place between black & green leafed teas, in colour, flavour  and caffeine content. There are over 3,000 types of Oolong throughout the world, offering  a range of flavours from fresh and peachy, to deep and woody. The health benefits are similar to those of black leaf teas, but in addition they may also help to balance blood sugar levels. 2 CUPS PER DAY MAXIMUM IN PREGNANCY

Green Leaf Tea:

Green tea is either steamed or pan heated, to prevent oxidation (fermentation), which increases the antioxidant content  and provides superior health benefits. It is lower in caffeine than Oolong & black leaf teas. Chinese doctors recommend it for its high mineral content and as a preventative against many cancers. It can help lower cholesterol, assist with brain function and act as a nervous, digestive  and circulatory system tonic. Studies have shown that it can  burn excess fat after a meal without increasing the heart rate. 2 CUPS MAXIMUM PER DAY IN PREGNANCY – AVOID WITH BLOOD THINNING DRUGS

White Leaf Tea:

White leaf is the world’s purest tea, as it remains free from all processes other than withering and drying and contains only the best quality young leaves. It does contain caffeine, but has a lower amount than green, Oolong & black leaf. Its health benefits are almost identical to those of green tea in so much as  Chinese doctors recommend it for its high mineral content and as a preventative against many cancers. It can also help lower cholesterol, assist with brain function and act as a nervous, digestive  and circulatory system tonic. 2 CUPS  MAXIMUM PER DAY RECOMMENDED IN PREGNANCY

How to Make the Perfect Cup of Tea

1. Place a half to one tea measuring spoon of leaves into a mug, or one to two heaped tea measuring spoons of leaves into a 500 -750ml teapot, according to taste.
2. Bring the kettle to the boil and for all black leaf teas, pour on immediately. For all other teas (Oolong, green and white) allow the kettle to go off the rolling boil for 2 minutes before pouring. This ensures that the tea does not become bitter and will preserve the plant’s active ingredients.
3. Allow to steep for between 3-5 minutes according to taste.
   
4. For best results either use a tea infuser or tea ball in a cup, or a teapot with a built in infuse. The same leaves can be used at least twice, provided you remove them from the water after each use, although the steeping time will need to be a little longer. A little honey may be used to sweeten.