If you are just discovering tea, you are an Inductea!

Tea is more than just a simple beverage, it's comfort, inspiration, relaxation, stimulation, health, refreshment and warmth. It's an integral part of life in many cultures throughout history and today. Here, we present a brief introduction to tea, along with our time-tested methods for brewing the perfect pot, so that you may expand your appreciation of one of the world's most popular drinks!

What is tea?

Tea is produced from the camellia sinensis plant,that requires high altitudes and harsh climate conditions to thrive. The differences you see between the different types of tea are mainly due to where they are grown, and how they are prepared once they have been plucked.

Tea grading system

or "What are those letters that follow estate black teas from India and Ceylon?"

Flowery Orange Pekoe (FOP): Tea made from the bud and first new leaf of each shoot; fine tender young leaves with a good proportion of tip ("flowery" does not mean actual tea flowers). The term "orange" has nothing to do with the flavor of the tea but rather refers to the Dutch House of Orange or the Chinese practice of including orange blossoms to flavor tea - no one is sure which. The word pekoe (pronounced "peck-oh") is derived from the Chinese word for the tiny hairs or down on the underside of the young leaf. A pekoe grade is virtually a whole leaf.

Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe (FTGFOP): Is a very high quality FOP with golden tips.

Loose leaf vs. tea bags

Tea bags are known for their convenience and portability, but many experts maintain that the infusion they create is not of the same quality as that of loose-leaf. The contents of tea bags generally contain a lower grade of tea, often from many different sources, and generate a much harsher taste than loose leaf. Loose leaf tea produces a better-tasting more flavorful brew.

Getting Started.

Before you can brew tea, you need to make sure you have the right materials at hand. At Savouré, we offer a wide variety of teaware and accessories, but here we've selected a few items and pointers especially for Inducteas.

Teapots: Selecting a teapot is more than just a matter of aesthetics. Be sure to find a sturdy teapot with a drip-proof spout and a heat-proof handle. Glass teapots will show off the colors that distinguish different teas, while dark porcelain or ceramic teapots, such as the traditional Brown Betty, won't be stained as easily. A good, inexpensive, easy to clean teapot is the Beehouse, which comes in a variety of colors and includes a removable infuser basket. Don't put your teapot in a dishwasher or use soapy water to clean it. Instead, rinse the teapot with warm water and let it dry upside-down. To remove build-up, scrub with a toothbrush, using baking soda and hot water.

Infusers: If you aren't ready to invest in a teapot, or your teapot didn't come with an infuser, then you'll need either an infuser basket, tea sock or disposable filter bags. If you plan to make your tea one cup at a time in your favorite mug, you'll want the smaller sized version of one of the infusion devices mentioned above. When shopping for an infuser, look for one with ample room and perforations to allow the leaves to unfurl and infuse properly.

Preparation.

Brewing loose-leaf tea is an art more than an exact science, and much of it depends on your personal taste. Try experimenting with our tried-and-true method below to prepare the perfect pot of tea!

Preheat the teapot and infuser by rinsing with hot water. Preheat cup(s)if desired as well.
Put 1 teaspoon of tea per 1 cup (6 ounces) of water. For example, if using a 2-cup teapot, use 2 teaspoons of tea.*
Bring fresh, cold water to a boil (note that some Green and White teas require cooler water for steeping). Pour over the tea so that all the leaves are covered.
Let the tea steep. Black tea typically steeps for 3 minutes. Refer to chart below for oolong, green or white tea or, refer to your specific tea under its description on our website. Amount of tea and steeping times are recommendations only, adjust either or both if you feel your tea is too strong or too weak.
Remove the tea leaves, stir the tea and serve.



Type	Amount (per 6 oz)	Water	Steep Time



Black	1 tsp	full boil	3 minutes



Green	1 tsp	brisk steam	1-3 minutes



Gyokuro	1 tsp	slow steam	1.5 minutes



Jasmine Pearls	8 pearls	brisk steam	2 minutes



Oolong	2 tsp	brisk steam	3-4 minutes



White	2 tsp	steaming	2 minutes



Herbal	1 tsp	hot	to taste

Tips and solutions

for preparing and serving tea:

The water you use has a major impact on the taste of your tea; always start with fresh, cold water in your kettle.
When the water reaches the desired temperature, pour it over the leaves right away. Continued boiling depletes the oxygen levels in the water, and leaves your tea tasting flat.
Adding milk to your tea is a matter of personal taste, but experts suggest that white, green, oolong and scented teas are best without milk. If you do like to use milk in your tea, adding it your cup before pouring the tea will mix the liquids better and prevent the milk from scalding.
Adding a slice of lemon to black tea instead of milk is also a matter of personal taste. However, don't use both lemon and milk in your tea, as the acidity of the lemon will cause the milk to curdle.
Use a kitchen timer to help track the steeping times of your favorite teas. Black tea takes about 3 minutes, oolong can take 3 to 4 minutes. Green tea only needs 1 to 2 minutes to brew. Steeping longer than recommended times can leave the tea tasting bitter.
Take care not to store your tea near spices or other aromatic foods, as the tea leaves could take on unwanted flavors. Also avoid light, heat, and extended exposure to air.

Lemon Sorbet Rooibos

Unbelievably lemon! Lemon Sorbet is a little bit creamy and a lot of lemon. Whether you are serving it hot or iced it is sure to be a hit. Blend of lemon grass, lemon, lime, and yogurt granulate.

To brew: 1 tsp per 6oz of water / heat water till hot / steep to taste

Decaf Darjeeling

Quiet black tea from India with subtle fruity notes.

To brew: 1 tsp of tea per 6oz of water / bring water to a full boil / steep for 3 min