Your Guide to All Things Tea

Hot tea month is a great time to enjoy learning the story behind how that tea you're drinking is made. Find out just how tea is planted, grown, and harvested, before being processed and packed for delivery to your favorite grocery store, specialty retailer, or café.

Find out why leaf teas usually trump teabags, and how to make the switch from standard teabags to more flavorful loose-leaf tea, with these helpful tips. You'll also get great pointers for finding and brewing teas you’ll love.

So you've learned about whole leaf tea and why it makes the best brew. Do you know how to brew a cup of tea to bring out the best of its natural flavor? Here are five easy, wonderful ways you'll want to learn, so you can brew loose leaf tea at home, on the go, at the office and beyond.

When it comes to brewing tea, should you prepare your pot with piping hot water, or is cooler water better for some types of tea? Whether you're new to tea, or just not getting the flavor you want from your tea, these tips will help you get the most out of your brew. You'll find helpful tea brewing advice here for different types of tea, including white tea, green tea, oolong tea, black tea and herbal teas.

There are plenty of opinions on how to brew the "perfect" cup of tea. Here, a popular writer, a tea expert, and a scientific study square off to convince you how you should brew your next cup. It's a fun read and whichever expert advice you follow, you're sure to get great results from your brew.

Much like good coffee storage, proper tea storage is essential to the shelf life, quality and flavor of your drinks. In honor of National Hot Tea Month, learn how to keep your tea fresh and delicious, with these easy tea storage tips.

You don't need a large garden to grow your own tea. If you've got a balcony or even a window sill where a pot could be placed, then it's possible for you to grow your own container tea plants, to enjoy whenever you get the craving for a "cuppa". Find out the important basics here, including tips for growing different popular types of tea.

If you enjoy tea, you've probably been drinking black tea for years, but what do you really know about it? The category of black tea is diverse, flavorful, and filled with so many fantastic teas. Learn more about popular types of black tea, which ones are meant to be enjoyed with milk and sugar (and which ones aren't), and how to prepare black tea, including delicious and creative recipe ideas.

Herbal teas (also called tisanes) are a popular hot beverage among health conscious consumers. Caffeine-free and flavored with a variety of delicious herbs, fruits, and other plants, these teas have a long history and have been enjoyed for centuries, for both enjoyment and medicinal purposes. They can also be served hot or cold, making them a versatile beverage option in your household.

Green tea is the most popular type of tea in Japan and in parts of China, and it's gaining popularity in the West due to its reported health benefits, which include high levels of antioxidants and vitamins. Learn all about green tea, including how it's made, what you need to know to when shopping for green tea, and important tips on how to brew this delicate tea to maintain its fresh, delicate flavor.

Come explore white tea, which originated in Fujian, China in the 1700s. You'll find much to love about this fruity, delicate flavored tea besides its lovely taste and aroma — for instance, that it's naturally low in caffeine and packs plenty of health-boosting antioxidants. Learn more about this rare and delicious tea, so you can enjoy the perfect cup.

Puerh tea is a dark, rich Chinese tea with a complex flavor and many purported health benefits. Learn about the two main varieties of puerh tea — shou tea and sheng tea — and what makes them different. Plus, explore the fascinating origins of this tea that's been enjoyed in Asia for thousands of years, and is beloved by tea connoisseurs around the world.

Get the lowdown on exotic jasmine tea, which is scented with jasmine flowers or flavorings. We look into the health benefits of jasmine tea and offer tips on brewing the perfect cup of jasmine tea.

Earl Grey tea is one of the most popular teas in the Western world, but who or what was Earl Grey, and why is the tea preferred by so many tea drinkers? There's a whole lot to know about Earl Grey, so bone up with our guide to this tea's history, what types of Earl Grey tea are available, and how best to make and enjoy Earl Grey tea.

Ceylon tea is a popular type of black tea that is also known as Sri Lankan tea. Served as an iced tea or nice and warm, it is a favorite beverage for many tea drinkers. While Ceylon is known for its bold flavor, you might be surprised to know that it can vary greatly in taste, depending on where it's grown in the country. We introduce you to the most popular varieties, and what you can expect to taste when you enjoy these different teas.

Do you enjoy a little milk in your tea? Then you're one of the many tea drinkers throughout the world that love to sip on a "milk tea." Milk is a perfect way to mellow and smooth out the flavors of tea, and this can take on many forms, from a splash of milk in your morning English Breakfast tea, to a complex milk tea recipe, such as masala chai or bubble tea. Find out about the yummy variations of milk tea and get some of our favorite milk tea recipes here.

This National Hot Tea Month, explore the strong link between important health benefits and certain teas. To get hard science on tea and health, we talked to Douglas Balentine, director of nutrition and health at the world's largest tea company, to find out the benefits of drinking tea, and whether there's a healthier choice between drinking black tea or green tea.

Many people buy organic tea for health reasons. But did you know that there are many other good reasons to opt for organic tea, over conventionally grown varieties? Learn how you can not only help your own health, but aid farmers and the planet, by choosing to shop for organic tea.

As people have become more aware of toxicity in our modern society, detox teas have grown as a popular drink for maintaining good health. Detox teas are herbal tea blends that are used to detoxify the body after overindulgence in heavy food, alcohol, and other substances. Most detox tea blends are based on traditional Chinese medicine, Indian Ayurveda medicine, and other forms of herbalism. You can learn about some of the most popular detox teas on the market here.

Have you tried bubble tea yet? This futuristic-looking and yummy tea drink combines brewed tea, milk or fruit flavors, a sweetener, and chewy tapioca pearls that add texture and fun. Whether you're simply curious or have already tried a bubble tea or two, there are plenty of flavors and possibilities for enjoying Taiwanese bubble tea. We examine this tasty, creamy, chewy beverage and explore some of the ways bubble tea can be made, including some unusual and surprising ingredients.

This iced chai latte recipe is everything you love about warm masala chai tea, but better because it's served as a chilled latte. It's deliciously creamy, perfectly spiced, and the recipe could not be any easier to make. Serve it simply over ice, for a smooth, frosty, exotic drink that's ready to enjoy in just a matter of minutes.

Tea is a surprising, flavorful and healthy way to add variety to your smoothies. With these top tea smoothie recipes, you can easily make healthy black, herbal or green tea smoothies with fresh-brewed tea, tea ice cubes or quality tea powders. From our delicious Matcha Green Tea Smoothie Recipe, to our exotic Tropical Banana-Yerba Mate Smoothie Recipe and more, we've got recipes here to make your morning or afternoon smoothie tastier and more nutritious.

This sweet, boozy tea cocktail is a restaurant favorite for good reason. While the name "Blueberry Tea" is deceiving (there are no blueberries used in the recipe), the taste of this warm mixed drink that blends orange pekoe tea with alcoholic ingredients is surprisingly reminiscent of the sweet berries. Simple to make and a treat to enjoy, especially on a cold winter's day or evening, the combination of Grand Marnier, amaretto, and black tea is fascinating and an absolute delight to the senses. Serve it the traditional way, in a brandy snifter, which captures the fragrant aromas and enhances the drinking experience.

Cooling, warming, and refreshing all at once, mint tea is one of the world's favorite types of tea. This National Hot Tea Month, rock your herbal world with these 10 incredibly flavorful mint tea blends that you can enjoy any time you're craving the comfort and warmth of tea. Every single one can be made in five minutes or less, and because they're made with dried herbs, they can be used for months and months to come. Mint tea blends make a great gift, too!

Want to boost your health while you enjoy a tasty hot tea beverage? Turmeric powder is the star ingredient in this delicious, soothing milk tea recipe (which also tastes great with soy or almond milk). Turmeric is a proven anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredient with powerful medicinal properties. This recipe is a great way to get your turmeric, while treating yourself to something special at the same time.

Iced tea is a wonderfully refreshing cold beverage that can quickly be dressed up to create an even better and more impressive drink. Many of the best iced tea recipes are also the easiest, so don't think that you have to stick with that same tea you've been drinking for years. Whether it's a Sparkling Jasmine Tea, a spicy Lemon-Ginger beverage, or a cooling Cucumber Mint Green Tea, have fun exploring these iced tea recipes that are perfect for entertaining or enjoying on the patio by yourself.

Why not celebrate National Hot Tea Month with a sophisticated tea party for your closest friends? We've got all the recipes and tips you need to put on an impressive afternoon tea spread, complete with ideas and instructions for assembling a fabulous array of finger sandwiches, scones and desserts, all served with — of course — tea.

Afternoon tea is an occasion to socialize and relax in style with friends. Selecting a great tea for afternoon tea is just one of the many aspects of the occasion, but it's often largely overlooked by people putting on or attending afternoon teas. This list of top ten afternoon teas includes old and new favorites that are well suited to pairing with afternoon tea sweets and savory sandwiches.

Get kids in on the fun this National Hot Tea Month by planning a delightful tea party for the younger set. From setting the tea table, to fun serving ideas and party game inspiration, you'll be inspired to throw a children's tea for an upcoming birthday party, or just because.

What are you doing with your used tea leaves? If you're simply tossing them in the trash, you're throwing away a valuable, nutrient-rich resource that can beautify your home. Instead of tossing wet tea leaves, dry them into what is known as chagra. You'll find chagra useful throughout your home and it's a great way to make more out of your favorite beverage. We tell you how to turn tea leaves into chagra and share the best ideas for what to do with this magical substance in your domestic space.

Have you ever wondered how to say "tea" in different languages, or found yourself traveling abroad and in need of a cup of tea? This National Tea Month, educate yourself with our handy listing that includes the words for "tea" in over 60 different languages from around the world.