Tea Blog

I’ve explored tea from an A–Z perspective before, including this guide to tea types organized alphabetically, this overview of tea-producing regions and companies from A to Z, and this glossary of tea terminology. It seemed like a good time to revisit the format and highlight a few additional topics.

A — Assam black tea from northeastern India known for its bold flavor
A favorite for many tea drinkers thanks to its rich, full-bodied character.

B — Boil
Avoid overheating delicate teas. Boiling water is suitable for stronger black and some oolong teas, but too harsh for green, white, or yellow teas.

C — China
China is both the birthplace of tea and a major modern producer, as well as the namesake for fine porcelain teaware.

D — Duel
Tea dueling is a real concept. Learn more in this explanation of the art and rules of tea dueling or visit the official website of the Honourable Association of Tea Duellists.

E — EGCG
Short for epigallocatechin gallate, a compound frequently discussed in this closer look at EGCG and its role in tea research.

F — Robert Fortune
A plant hunter and explorer often described as a key figure in the spread of tea cultivation beyond China.

G — Gadgets
Tea inspires innovation. Browse examples in this collection of tea-related gadgets and brewing tools.

H — High Mountain Oolong
Learn more in this explanation of high-elevation oolong tea production or explore a product example like this pouchong-style oolong tea.

I — Ireland
Ireland ranks among the highest tea-consuming nations and is associated with blends like Irish Breakfast tea known for its strong, robust character.

J — Samuel Johnson
A literary figure and famously enthusiastic tea drinker.

K — Kombucha
A fermented beverage often made from sweetened tea cultures.

L — Sir Thomas Lipton
A pioneer in branding and global distribution of tea.

M — Milk / Mint
Milk is common in Western tea traditions, while mint is essential in North African tea culture, often paired with green tea varieties used in traditional mint preparations.

N — New Tea (Shincha)
The first harvest of the season, prized for freshness.

O — Orange Pekoe grading terminology explained
A common yet often misunderstood tea grading classification.

P — PG Tips British tea brand known for its popular advertising campaigns
A widely recognized UK tea brand.

Q — Queen Victoria
Associated with the popularity of certain teas during her era.

R — Resteep
Many teas can be infused multiple times for extended enjoyment.

S — Steep
Proper temperature and timing are essential for good flavor.

T — Twinings historic tea company with centuries of production
One of the longest-running tea brands in the world.

U — Umami
A savory taste characteristic found in some teas, especially high-quality green teas.

V — Value
Maximize value by choosing quality tea and reusing leaves where appropriate.

W — Water
Good tea begins with good water quality.

X — Xylophone
No tea reference—just a reminder to enjoy the brewing process.

Y — Yak Butter
A key ingredient in traditional Tibetan tea.

Z — Zisha
A type of clay used to make Yixing teapots. Learn more in this introduction to Yixing teapots and zisha clay.

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