Darjeeling First Flush Harvest 2023
Darjeeling is one of most celebrated tea origins in the world and is a paragon of terroir flavor expression, earning it the title the “Champagne of Tea”. The name of the region derives from Dori Ling, the very place where the Hindu deity Indra’s thunderbolt struck the ground.
The Story of Ancient Tea in Thailand and the Old Tea Trees Found in Doi Wawee
Tea cultivation and tea eating culture spread to northern Thailand during the 11th and 12th centuries, if not earlier. There are some assumptions about the first appearance of ancient tea trees in the northern region of Thailand.
Origin Spotlight: Doi Mae Salong, Thailand
This picturesque region is renowned for its ecotourism, amazing food, rich history and as a diverse ethnic melting pot which draws in visitors from around the world.
What is Tea? – Origins and Categorization of Camellia Sinensis
The modern tea world recognizes six categories of tea: green, yellow, white, oolong, black, and dark (Pu'er). The main attribute by which a tea is put into one ...
Kuradashi: Fine Aged Japanese Green Teas
Japanese Kuradashi tea, intentionally “aged tea released for sale” is a unique and highly sought-after style of tea in Japan. Kuradashi tea are teas that have benefited from aging in the traditional method of storing and maturing green tea leaves for 1-2 years in special storage conditions, resulting in a distinctive flavor profile and enhanced quality.
Cha Qi & Tea Drunk
Qi in the Chinese language represents the lifeforce energy or the breath of life. Cha Qi is an elusive term with a slightly intangible definition. The literal translation is “tea energy”.
Hon Yama: Shincha from Japan’s ‘Shizuoka Alps’
The Hon Yama tea growing region is located along the streams and valleys of the Abe and Warashina Rivers at the base of Shizuoka’s Southern Alps. It is a renowned terroir for sencha aficionados with natural micro-climates that are exclusive to the remote inner reaches of the Shizuoka Prefecture.
Japanese Green Tea
Japan is renowned for green teas with a natural and vivid green color, fresh bitter sweetness, and famed umami flavor. This unique character is typically imparted when the tea is steam fired.
A Focused Look: Cultivars & Terroir in Taiwan
Rishi’s tea partners in Taiwan are amazing tea masters in Mingjian Village. The matriarch is Mrs. Yang Yin-Tsao and is a significant supplier for Rishi tea. Yang Yin-Tsao has devoted her life to tea but is also a true naturalist in her farming of tea, fruits, herbs, orchids, varieties of turmeric and ginger—you name it, she grows it.
Makers Spotlight: Tsuji San
Our friend and fellow Rishi, Ryo Iwamoto, a Urasenke Tea Master and Ambassador of Japanese Tea based in Tokyo and Shizuoka, had the opportunity to sit down with a 5th generation tea master, Tsuji San, including the distinction of producing tea for the Emperor and the Imperial Family of Japan for his unrivaled tencha tea farming practices and matcha productions.
Laos Forest Tea
Together Dr. Thiphavong Boupha and Rishi Tea are working to bring exquisite and rare Laos forest teas to market.
What is Garden Direct?
Garden Direct is a carefully curated selection of single-origin seasonal teas. They are packaged fresh at origin and sent via air freight to our warehouse in Milwaukee, Wisconsin so we can share these most cherished teas at their peak freshness.
Origin Spotlight: Mingjian Village, Nantou, Taiwan
Around the world, Taiwan is well-known as a country that produces highly specialized teas. The Mingjian Village is situated in the central highlands of Nantou, Taiwan and the gardens here are incredible.
Makers Spotlight: Yamaguchi San
Yamaguchi San’s farm was founded by his family in 1946 in Hoshino Village. Across Hoshino Village, there are around 120 different tea gardens, with the average age falling around 30 years.
Guayusa & Yerba Mate
Plants from the holly genus, Ilex, including guayusa, yerba mate and yaupon contain not only caffeine, but caffeine-related compounds like theobromine.
