FAQ

How did the tea come to be?
No one knows for sure how tea came to be, but Chinese legend has it that tea was discovered around 3000 B.C. by the Divine Cultivator, Shen Nong.Among his numerous discoveries and revelations, Shen Nong is credited with teaching the Chinese people how to farm and also with identifying hundreds of medicinal (and poisonous) herbs by personally testing their properties, which was crucial towards the development of Traditional Chinese medicine. His experimental with verious herbs sometimes resulted in poisoning, and he used tea as an antidote.Tea leaves were first picked from tea plants growing in the wild. Cultivation of tea plants are believed to begun in China’s southwestern province of Sichuan, and then moved down the valley of the Yangtze River.

How did the name ‘Tea’ came about?
The first mass marketer of tea, the Dutch East India Company imported the first shipment of tea from Fujian, China, where the name for tea is ‘te’ (pronounced ‘tay’). The Dutch adopted this name and spread to most of Europe. At the end of the 17th century, the English changed their pronunciation to ‘tee’ and later, ‘tea’.

What are the major types of tea?
The major types of tea are green tea, white tea, oolong tea, black tea, and pu-erh tea.

Why is tea drinking good for health?
Tea is loaded with antioxidants that cleanse the body of free radicals, which damage good cells and cause cancer. Studies show drinking 2-5 cups of tea daily can reduce cholesterol, lower blood sugar level that can lead to diabetes, can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke as well as reduce the risk of colon and other cancers linked to our digestive system. In addition, fresh brewed tea contains fluoride for strong bones, vitamin B and has less than 1 calorie per serving.

Who shouldn’t drink tea?

Those who are having ulcer, constipation, calcium deficiency, anaemia, sleeplessness, etc.

Is green tea better than black tea?
All tea; white, green, oolong, and black are healthy. Green tea was the first tea studied because scientist wondered why there was 0-rate of esophagus and stomach cancer in Shizuoka, Japan. They discovered residents of Shizuoka drank more green tea compared to other Japanese citizens because Shizuoka is where most Japanese tea is gown. US and UK researchers conclude black tea is also a potent anti-cancer fighter.

How many calories and carbohydrates are in a cup of tea?

We can state that unflavored black, green, oolong and white teas as well as mono-herbs have a carbohydrate content of virtually "0" and contain less than 3 calories per 6-ounce cup. Our teas do not contain any added sugars. However, it is important to note that there is a natural content of fruit sugar in the fruit additives, as well as a higher content of sugar in blends that are produced with candied fruits i. e. pineapple, papaya, mango. Teas that contain flavours (based on starch) or candied fruit pieces will contain a certain amount of carbohydrates, but it is different for each tea. Still, these teas are extremely low in calories and carbohydrates compared to other beverages.

Does tea have more caffeine than coffee?
A cup of black tea has about one-third the caffeine of an equal portion of drip coffee. Green tea, processed less than black tea, has even less caffeine. Green tea usually contains less caffeine than cola drinks and chocolate.

How can I remove caffeine from my tea?

You can remove most of the caffeine yourself by following these steps. Bring water to a boil and pour over tea bag. Steep 60 seconds, remove tea bag and discard the water. Pour boiling water over tea bag again, and steep 1-2 minutes. This removes up to 60-65% of the caffeine from the tea.

How many cups can 4oz of loose tea make?
4oz of loose tea can brew around 55 8oz cups of tea.
What is Gongfu style tea?
This is a method of tea preparation characterized by multiple short infusions of tea leaves.

What is the best tool for tea brewing?

Clay teapot is the best. YiXing ZiSha is the best of the best. It has air pores that allows gaseous exchange and it does a good job retaining water temperature.

How do you pronounce "YiXing" in English?
ee-shing
What is purple clay?
Purple clay has numerous properties that contribute to the fine quality of these teapots. Primarily, purple clay has an attractive color and a flavor-retaining quality.
Are YiXing teapots healthy and safe?
Yes. All of our teapots are certified to be lead free. And since no glazes are used on the teapots, they are free from the chemicals that one might find in other teapots.
How big are YiXing teapots?
Most YiXing teapots are only big enough for serving a single person. They are designed this way, for traditionally one drinks directly from his or her own YiXing teapot. Please note: the dimensions of each teapot are listed in our catalog.
What is a chop mark?
On the bottom of all YiXing teapots, there is a mark that identifies the artist who made the teapot (like a signature). This mark is called a chop mark.

What is the best way to store tea?

Tea should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to retain the best flavor possible. It is not recommended that tea be kept in the refrigerator or in the freezer, as condensation may be created by taking the tea out of the cold unit and may affect the flavor of the blend. Once your tea has been opened, you may want to place it in a canister or airtight plastic storage bag.