Articles About Tea
RateTea has articles on each style of tea we list, each brand / tea company, and each tea-producing region we classify teas by. To browse these articles, explore the links at the top of the page. This page is for other tea-related topics.
View articles on: Tea and Health, Tea and Sustainability, Brewing Tea, Tea Business and Industry, Buying Tea.
List of all articles
Grades of TeaUpdated: Aug. 21, 2024
A key for the system of letters (OP, FOP, BOP, FTGFOP, etc.) used in one system of tea grading.
Dropshipping in the Tea IndustryUpdated: Aug. 18, 2024
Dropshipping, when a retailer does not carry inventory, has pros and cons, but in the tea industry, the experience for the customer tends to be poor.
Brands and Companies We Do And Don't ListUpdated: Mar. 26, 2019
Explanation of types of brands and tea companies that we do and don't list for rating and review: we list companies that sell tea bags or loose-leaf tea.
Why We Don't Have A Mobile App and Won't Make OneUpdated: Oct. 31, 2018
RateTea has no mobile app; our site uses responsive design and is already easily and fully-accessible on smartphones, and updated in real-time.
Tea and MindfulnessUpdated: Oct. 24, 2018
Mindfulness, bringing your attention to the present moment, can both enhance your appreciation of tea, and benefit from the ritual of tea as a focal point.
Chamomile Tea and SleepUpdated: Oct. 11, 2018
An overview of the research on chamomile tea and its benefits for sleep, including quality, side-effects, and history of traditional use.
Single Origin TeasUpdated: Aug. 28, 2018
A single origin tea is a tea that has been grown and produced in a specific region; this article explains the reasons for buying single origin teas.
Multiple InfusionsUpdated: Aug. 28, 2018
"Multiple infusions" refers to the steeping of tea leaves multiple time, which is an excellent way to bring out the flavor and aromas of whole-leaf teas.
Brewing TeaUpdated: Aug. 28, 2018
Proper brewing can help you enjoy tea more. Amount of leaf, water temperature, steeping time, brewing vessel, and infuser type all influence flavor.
Loose TeaUpdated: Jul. 30, 2018
Loose tea, tea leaf not contained in a tea bag, offers compelling advantages over tea bags: price, sustainability, quality, and brewing flexibility.
Adding Milk to TeaUpdated: Jul. 30, 2018
Milk is one of the most common additions to tea, especially in Western tea cultures; adding milk is largely a question of personal taste and tradition.
What Is A Chai Tea Latte?Updated: May. 3, 2018
A chai tea latte is a drink made from concentrated spiced tea and steamed milk, like making a regular latte but substituting masala chai for the espresso.
Calories in Tea - With and Without Milk or SugarUpdated: May. 3, 2018
Tea is nearly calorie free, but adding sugar or milk can add significant calories to a cup of tea. This page explores how many calories milk and sugar add.
Iced TeaUpdated: Apr. 17, 2018
Tips on making iced tea, including how to minimize your energy usage when brewing and chilling iced tea.
Benefits of Linking Your Tea Company's Website to RateTeaUpdated: Mar. 16, 2018
Linking your tea company website to RateTea has numerous benefits; this guide explains how to carry out such linking so as to most benefit your business.
Unilever Tea BrandsUpdated: Mar. 16, 2018
Unilever is a multinational corporation owning many tea brands. This page lists all the brands of tea owned by Unilever.
White Tea and Caffeine - Myths and RealityUpdated: Mar. 5, 2018
Tea companies have promoted myths that white tea is lower in caffeine than other types of tea; this article provides accurate info.
Caffeine Content of TeaUpdated: Jan. 26, 2018
How much caffeine is in black, green, or white tea? Learn what determines the caffeine content of different teas, which teas are high and low in caffeine.
Will Teavana's Online Store Stay Open?Updated: Dec. 5, 2017
Starbucks has been conspicuously silent on whether or not they will keep the online store open following closure of Teavana's physical locations.
Writing About TeaUpdated: Oct. 16, 2017
A guide to how to write about tea, with an eye towards writing tea reviews, emphasizing how to describe flavor, aroma, and sensations on the palate.
Invasive Herbs for Herbal TeaUpdated: Sep. 28, 2017
The benefits of harvesting invasive plants for use in herbal tea, as well as practical, ecological, health, and safety concerns with doing so.
Bottled TeaUpdated: Sep. 25, 2017
RateTea does not list bottled teas, but we do refer people to companies selling unsweetened bottled iced tea.
Brewing Temperature for TeaUpdated: Aug. 3, 2017
This article goes into more depth on the topic of what temperature water to use for steeping various teas.
Loose Tea, Tea Bags, Sachets, Etc.Updated: Aug. 2, 2017
Teas can be classified as loose tea, tea bags, sachets (pyramid bags), and a few other forms.
Decaffeinated TeaUpdated: Jul. 27, 2017
Outline of different decaffeination processes and their effects on health and the aroma and flavor of tea.
Whole Leaf Tea (Full Leaf Tea)Updated: Jul. 26, 2017
Whole leaf tea or full leaf tea consists of whole, intact leaves; it is easier (but slower) to brew, and has a more subtle flavor and aroma.
Acidity of TeaUpdated: Jul. 20, 2017
Tea is mildly acidic, much less so than many common drinks; this article explores the question of how acidic tea is and what effects this has on the body.
Additives in TeaUpdated: Jul. 19, 2017
Common additives in tea and herbal blends and their safety, including natural and artificial flavors, caffeine, extracts and supplements, etc.
Health Benefits of TeaUpdated: Jul. 3, 2017
A brief overview of the health benefits of tea, and exploration of whether certain teas are better for you than others.
Tea and SleepUpdated: Mar. 22, 2017
There is evidence that tea has sleep benefits, especially when compared to coffee. Herbal teas have diverse effects on sleep.
Switching From Coffee to TeaUpdated: Jan. 6, 2017
Health reasons for switching from coffee to tea, and some ideas of teas for coffee lovers to start with.
Tea, Bone Density, and OsteoporosisUpdated: Nov. 11, 2016
Drinking tea has no negative effect on bone density and may protect against osteoporosis through a variety of mechanisms.
Tea and Acid RefluxUpdated: Oct. 24, 2016
In spite of some doctors' recommendations to avoid tea, there is no evidence that tea causes or aggravates acid reflux.
Aluminum in Tea and Its Health EffectsUpdated: Oct. 19, 2016
Tea has high aluminum levels, but in spite of this, there is no evidence that moderate tea consumption poses any health risks associated with aluminum.
Tea and Iron AbsorptionUpdated: Dec. 21, 2015
Tea is known to inhibit iron absorption, but this effect is not a matter of concern for normal, healthy adults.
Tannins in TeaUpdated: Jul. 23, 2015
Tannins are a class of compounds occurring in black tea and responsible for bitterness, astringency, dark color, and antioxidant activity of these teas.
Weasel Words in Tea Descriptions and MarketingUpdated: Jul. 15, 2015
Weasel words are words used to give a misleading impression of authority; weasel words are common in marketing, where they can be harmful or dishonest.
Oxidation of TeaUpdated: Mar. 26, 2015
Oxidation of tea (not fermentation), a process distinguishing black tea from green tea, changing the color of the leaf and other characteristics of the tea
Tea and Weight LossUpdated: Feb. 3, 2015
Scientific evidence for tea as an aid to weight loss, with discussion of companies that market tea as a weight-loss product.
Fair Trade TeaUpdated: Dec. 31, 2014
Fair trade tea: what it is, what problems it intends to solve, and criticisms and limitations of the fair trade movement.
Organic TeaUpdated: Dec. 31, 2014
What it means for tea to be organic, why organic tea is important, and how to exercise caution with organic labelling.
Chinese Restaurant TeasUpdated: Dec. 8, 2014
Most Chinese restaurants serve oolong tea, some serving jasmine tea, green tea, or Puerh. This guide will help you to discover these types of tea.
Drinking Hot Tea To Cool DownUpdated: Dec. 8, 2014
Drinking hot tea or other hot liquids might seem like it would warm you up, but under certain conditions, it can actually cool off the body.
Vitamin C Content of TeaUpdated: Nov. 6, 2014
Green teas tend to contain small amounts of vitamin C, whereas black teas tend to contain none. Processing and storage can reduce Vitamin C content.
Herbal Teas Containing CaffeineUpdated: Jun. 5, 2014
Although most herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free, there are a few herbal teas, including yerba mate, guayusa, and guarana, which contain caffeine.
Storing TeaUpdated: May. 5, 2014
Information on storing tea, including how to store aged tea, how long tea typically stays fresh, and what to do with stale tea.
Ethical Tea PartnershipUpdated: Apr. 28, 2014
The Ethical Tea Partnership is a non-profit organization funded by member tea companies, seeking to promote address social issues in the tea industry.
Keurig K-Cups and TeaUpdated: Jan. 28, 2014
Keurig K-cups are devices for brewing instant tea and coffee; our cost-per-cup analysis shows that they are expensive relative to even artisan teas.
Astringency in TeaUpdated: Jan. 13, 2014
Astringency refers to a dry or puckery sensation on the palate; some astringency imparts body and a refreshing quality to tea, but too much is unpleasant.
Tea and SustainabilityUpdated: Jan. 13, 2014
Sustainability as it pertains to tea: fair trade, organic agriculture, packaging, composting, energy usage, and locally grown tea.
Antioxidants in TeaUpdated: Jan. 13, 2014
Tea contains antioxidants, including catechins and theaflavins. These have various effects on health, but their health benefits are often exaggerated.
Nylon Tea Bags - Safety and Environmental ImpactUpdated: Dec. 20, 2013
Some tea bags are made out of nylon; nylon is not the most environmentally sustainable choice of material for a tea bag as most nylon is not biodegradable.
Climate, Geography, and Tea ProductionUpdated: Oct. 31, 2013
Tea is an adaptable plant, but grows best in subtropical climates with wet growing seasons; climate and geography influence tea production in complex ways.
Private Label TeaUpdated: Oct. 31, 2013
Private label tea is tea that is sold wholesale to another company which markets it as its own brand name. Private label tea can be a lucrative business.
Caffeine and DehydrationUpdated: Oct. 31, 2013
Caffeine in tea and coffee is often claimed to be a diuretic, leading to dehydration, but research does not back up this view.
Herbs and Herbal Teas for AnxietyUpdated: Oct. 31, 2013
Numerous caffeine-free herbal teas can be used to promote relaxation, including chamomile, tulsi or holy basil, passionflower, and lemon balm.
Composting Tea Leaves and Tea BagsUpdated: Oct. 31, 2013
Composting tea is a great way to promote sustainability. Loose tea can be composted or added directly to gardens as mulch.
Tea and PregnancyUpdated: Oct. 31, 2013
This article summarizes the potential risks and benefits associated with drinking tea or herbal tea during pregnancy.
L-Theanine and TeaUpdated: Oct. 31, 2013
L-theanine, a chemical found in tea, has a number of effects on the mind and body, boosting the effect of caffeine on alertness and promoting relaxation.
Making Tea Using a MicrowaveUpdated: Oct. 31, 2013
Safety tips and other practical tips for making tea in a microwave, and an explanation of why in general this is not the best way of heating water for tea.
Why Style? What Exactly Is A Style Of Tea?Updated: Apr. 16, 2013
RateTea refers to styles of tea; this page explains why we use the word style, and what exactly we mean by a style of tea.
Tea, South DakotaUpdated: Feb. 13, 2013
Tea, South Dakota, is a small town, with an amusing history in which the town was named for the tradition of drinking tea.
Naturally Sweet TeasUpdated: Dec. 6, 2012
Tea tends to be more bitter and less sweet, but there are a few types of teas which are sugar-free but naturally sweet and less bitter.
Our ValuesUpdated: Jul. 17, 2012
RateTea is guided by values of respect for all people, sustainability, transparency, and truthfulness. This page explains how these values guide our site.
Tippy TeaUpdated: Apr. 4, 2012
Tippy tea is tea that contains a greater portion of tips (leaf buds); tippy tea tends to be higher in caffeine, smoother in flavor, and more expensive.
Discover New TeasUpdated: Apr. 3, 2012
RateTea can help you discover new teas, new styles (types) of tea, and companies from which to buy tea, all while learning more about tea.
Caffeine Addiction, Dependency, and WithdrawalUpdated: Mar. 5, 2012
Caffeine is mildly addictive and causes a physical dependency; caffeine withdrawal can be inconvenient and unpleasant, but tends to only last a few days.
World Tea EastUpdated: Mar. 5, 2012
World Tea East is a tea expo and trade show, happening Sept. 9-10 in Philadelphia, 2011, and run by World Tea Media, the group behind the World Tea Expo.
Breakfast TeasUpdated: Nov. 8, 2011
Breakfast tea refers to a number of styles of strong black tea, usually blends, that are typically drunk with breakfast in Western countries.
