About our teas

A cup of tea starts with a few simple choices: the leaf, the blend, and how you brew it. This guide introduces the tea styles behind the Grace & Gratitude collection and helps you find your own way to enjoy them.

The tea leaf and the blend

Black, green, white and oolong teas come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. The way the leaves are processed creates different tea styles. A blend can combine a tea base with other ingredients, bringing another layer of aroma and character to the cup. Herbal and fruit infusions are a separate family of drinks, made from ingredients beyond the tea plant. Learn about tea types from the UK Tea & Infusions Association.

Black teas in the collection

Sweet Blues, Sunday Grace and Warm-Hearted were featured among the collection’s black teas. Warm-Hearted was presented as a chai black tea, while the wider collection included individual blends and sampler sets. Black tea contains caffeine; adding fruit or spices to a black tea base does not make it a caffeine-free infusion.

Explore the tea collection for the blend names and photographs. If you have a packet at home, its ingredient list and brewing directions are the best starting point for that particular blend.

Getting to know a loose-leaf blend

Begin with a plain cup before adding milk, lemon or sweetener. Notice the aroma first, then take a sip once it has cooled enough to drink comfortably. Does the tea feel light or full? Is there a lingering spice, fruit or floral note? A simple tasting note can help you remember what you liked when you prepare the next cup.

Change one thing at a time when experimenting. Keeping the cup size and amount of leaf steady makes it easier to compare a shorter steep with a longer one. Once you have a cup you enjoy, write down the method so you can make it again.

A little space for a tea ritual

Your ritual can be as simple as choosing a favourite mug, putting your phone aside and giving the kettle a moment. Make a cup for yourself or share a pot with someone else. There is no special equipment or elaborate routine required: the useful part is making time to enjoy it.

For water temperatures, steeping tips and storage advice, visit Tea FAQs and brewing. For questions about the website, get in touch.