American Tea Anthology
This is How We Roll...
Consciously Sourced Ingredients
Sustainable Packaging
Small-batch Handcrafted Blends
Made with love!
Our production, sourcing and packaging:
Rolling Leaf is a small, family-run business and our blends are produced with a great deal of love, care and meticulous attention to detail. Combinations of temperature, texture, aroma, terpene profile, flavor and balance are all essential elements to getting our blends "just right," and we do a lot of tweaking in the process! We understand a fine tea blend, just as a fine wine, pleases the entire palate (not to mention its other mind and body benefits). We carefully source high-quality ingredients from farms across the globe and strive to use ingredients that are organic, non-GMO and pesticide-free wherever possible. Our small batch blends are handcrafted in the USA, and we have many new blends on the horizon. We package our teas in resealable pouches to retain freshness and aroma. If stored properly, our blends should remain at peak freshness for about 1-2 years, depending on the ingredients. Always check for our "best by" date on the packaging.
Our blends contain teas, botanicals, herbs and fruits known for their beneficial effects on mind and body - though we're NOT making any medical claims. As always, ask your doctor if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have allergies or any other concerns before drinking any herbal or blended teas.
Shop with the assurance that Rolling Leaf will never bombard you with emails or ads or force you into auto-ship renewals. We do things the Gen-X way around here and we love it!
Don't just drink tea. Experience it!
Quality
Similar to herbs, the color and feel of tea leaves are excellent indicators of quality. Look for vibrant, rich colors and a luster that suggest freshness and care in processing. The leaves should be somewhat uniform in size and shape, specific to the cultivar. They should feel light and firm to the touch, indicating that the plants were well cared for and harvested, and the leaves have been properly stored. Avoid leaves that are brittle or overly dry, as they may not provide the best flavor.
Steep
You've heard it before: "Stop and smell the roses," or "Rosemary for remembrance" (some scientific studies suggest this herb may actually stimulate memory! Sniff fresh Lemon Balm and you may feel an instant joy. These are the terpenes and other volatile compounds that you're experiencing - and it's the same with tea! The aroma of dried or freshly steeped leaves plays a crucial role in brewing the perfect cup —not only hinting at the flavor but enhancing the overall sensory experience. Elevate your tea ritual by taking time to experience the fragrant notes and combining taste with aromatherapy!
Taste
Tasting tea for quality involves a careful evaluation of its aroma, flavor, and appearance. First, observe the dry leaves, noting their color and texture. Brew at the right temperature until the desired color and strength are achieved. Next, inhale and enjoy the fragrance. Finally, sip and hold, letting the flavors dance on your palate. Swish, and evaluate for balance, complexity, and a lingering finish to determine the quality of the tea.
Appreciation
We've been blessed to study alongside dedicated tea growers in several countries. These artisans have in common an expertise and passion for tea cultivation rooted deeply in family and cultural traditions, often dating back centuries. Their mentorship was invaluable, inspiring us to delve more deeply into the wonders of tea with the knowledge they shared. Now, whenever we hold those beautiful tea leaves in our hands, we carry forward and honor their history, their heritage and the lands they're rooted in (as well as our own) with everlasting gratitude.
The Perfect Steep
There are many rules out there when it comes to properly steeping your tea but, as the saying goes, "rules are meant to be broken." We all have our preferences, so it's really up to you to decide how strong you want your tea.
One thing to consider is the leaf size and density of the tea. Some tea leaves are full and large (like white teas) or tightly rolled (like oolongs) requiring a longer brew time. These tea leaves can usually be resteeped multiple times, each steep resulting in a different flavor profile. For ctc teas (crushed, torn, curled) or smaller leaf size teas, where more surface area of the leaf is exposed, the steep time will be less.
As a general guideline, we recommend the following:
Use 1 teaspoon of tea (or 1-3 grams depending on leaf size and density) per 6-8 oz. cup. Using fresh, filtered water is always recommended.
Steep:
White Tea at 170°-185° for 2-4 minutes
Green or Yellow Tea at 165°-180° for 1-3 minutes
Darjeeling Tea at 185°-200° for 2-3 minutes
Oolong Tea at 190°-212° for 1-5 minutes
Black Tea at 205°-212° for 3-5 minutes
Puerh Tea at 212° for 3-5 minutes
Herbal Tea at 212° for 5-7 minutes
Teas are full of natural terpenes and volatile compounds that easily evaporate. Keeping your tea covered during the steep time will capture these compounds, enhancing the aroma, flavor and your ultimate tea experience.
Remember to reseal your tea packages and keep your tea stored in a cool, dry place. As some of our teas are flavored with freeze-dried fruits, they are marked with an expiration date and at their freshest and most flavorful when used by that date.