FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What are the different types of tea you sell?

We offer Black, Chai, Oolong, Green, Matcha, White, Herbal, Rooibos, Wellness, and Iced Tea. Teas can be classified into four basic types: Black, Oolong, Green and White. And all of them come from one of two varieties of the camellia plant. Camellia sinensis is indigenous to China, camellia assamica is from India. Many popular herbal tea blends are not true teas because they do not contain the camellia plant. Popular varieties are rooibos, peppermint, and berry. They are herbal "tisanes," which is hot water infused with herbs, spices or other plants. We will be adding a selection of organic herbs and spices to our product range in the near future.



Why do you sell only organic tea?

Drinking organic tea is ideal for your health. Organic tea is grown without the use of chemicals fertilizer, pesticides, fungicides, or herbicides. However; with non-organic tea some pesticides and fertilizers are removed during tea processing, but many of these chemicals are water-soluble... which means that they are in the leaf structure being steeped into the liquid infusion that you drink.



How long does your tea stay fresh and how should I store it?

Storing tea for long periods of time causes its unique flavour to diminish. We recommend that you enjoy the full flavour of our teas by consuming them within one year. You should avoid storing your tea in places where it can be exposed to light, moisture, heat, odours and air. If you store in clear plastic containers, they should be kept in a dark cabinet. Keep your tea containers away from ovens and stoves and out of direct sunlight.



Can I cold brew any tea?

The best iced teas are cold brewed. You should always make it like this! It’s simply delicious. The steeping process is slow and the end product is sweeter than tea steeped in hot water.

Tannins are what makes tea bitter and astringent. When steeped in cold water they aren’t steeped out of the tea leaves like in hot water. It’s easy, but keep in mind that you have to allow at least 12 hours to brew.



Do you ship internationally?

We only offer shipping within Canada and the USA.



What is the best temperature to steep tea?

Water temperature is one of the most important factors in the preparation of the perfect cup of tea. The other two are tea quality and steeping time. The traditional way to make tea was to pour freshly boiled water from a kettle over the tea leaves or tea bags in a teapot or cup. That’s perfectly correct for Black teas like English Breakfast. (Although traditionalists would frown at using teabags and insist on using a teapot.)

However, the rising popularity of Green teas and Herbal tisanes requires a little more precision. To get the most exquisite tastes and heavenly aromas out of our Oolong and Green teas and especially our Herbal Tisane blends, we recommend steeping your teas at the temperatures set out below.

To get the temperature just right, you can use a kettle with temperature settings or boil water in your regular kettle, let it cool slightly, then check the temperature with a cooking thermometer. Once you know how long it takes to cool to the right temperature, you can use a timer – but remember that boiling water cools more quickly in cold winter temperatures.

Black – is best steeped at 93°C - 100°C. For example Delightful English Breakfast and Mystic Cleansing Lemonade. Oolong – darker oolongs (browner leaves) like Zesty Orange Citrus Brew is best steeped at 85°C - 91°C, and lighter oolongs (greener leaves) like Fujian Iron Goddesss at 77°C - 85°C. Green – ideal steeping temperatures range from 68°C - 85°C, such as Calming Focus Bouquet or Angelic Cherry Blossom Sencha. White – steep white teas at 82°C - 88°C. Try our like White Truffle Strawberry or Mystic White Rose Romance. Herbal – herbal teas are best steeped at boiling or near boiling (100°C). Examples are our Rooibos blends and Exotic African Festival.



Can I order over the phone (or online) and pick it up at your location?

Yes, you can. Phone Jeanne at 1 (647) 783-4440, or email us at contact@angeloftea.com.