learn the fundamentals of tea

Sri Lanka | Ceylon Black Tea From the Country of Ceylon
  • by Cameron Dodd

Sri Lanka | Ceylon Black Tea From the Country of Ceylon

As we continue our exploration of tea origins, our next stop is an island country called Sri Lanka. This South Asian island lies in the Indian Ocean and is geographically separated from peninsular India by the Gulf of Mannar and...

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Taiwan | The History & Cultural Influence of Tea
  • by Cameron Dodd

Taiwan | The History & Cultural Influence of Tea

Tea from Taiwan is exceptionally delicious and its origin story is fascinating. The tea industry in Taiwan is heavily influenced by China, Japanese investors, and British tea traders. The result of these three influences is a unique tea culture with...

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United States | Tea History and the True Meaning of Local Tea
  • by Zoë Maiden

United States | Tea History and the True Meaning of Local Tea

What comes to mind when you think of tea in America? Is it the Boston Tea Party? Perhaps you think of the Southern innovation of sweet tea? The Camellia sinensis tea plant, native to China, was a guarded secret for...

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Why Temperature and Time is so Crucial in Tea Brewing
  • by Jonathan Kellso

Why Temperature and Time is so Crucial in Tea Brewing

This blog post marks the beginning of a new series that we here at Hackberry are introducing: “Tea Brewing Tips and Tricks.” This series will revolve around the “dos and don’ts” of tea brewing, breaking down specific nuances and recipes...

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blog graphic for Hackberry education: reads "english - irish - breakfast a breakdown of the breakfast teas""
  • by Cameron Dodd

English, Irish, and Scottish Breakfast Tea

Drinking hot tea has been a longstanding tradition in Europe, specifically in the United Kingdom. English, Irish, and Scottish breakfast teas have been a staple for many households for their bold flavors and tannin levels. Breakfast teas were produced to...

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Tea Brewing 101 | White Tea
  • by Zoë Maiden

Tea Brewing 101 | White Tea

What is White Tea? Like all tea, white tea originated from the Camellia sinensis plant found in China. This particular tea was discovered around the 11th century and was considered the finest and most delicate of teas. The main difference...

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Butterfly Pea Flower | Add Some Color to Your Tea
  • by Karla Walker

Butterfly Pea Flower | Add Some Color to Your Tea

Here at Hackberry Tea, some of our teas have vibrant and bright colors. How do they get that way? For example, our Hibiscus Purple Papaya is a bright and beautiful purple, and our Calm Mango Beach is a deep and vibrant...

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brown graphic with title chai tea: it's origin and evolution in dark brown text
  • by Cameron Dodd

Chai Tea 101 | Origin & Evolution

Chai is one of the most popular tea drinks globally. But did you know it’s not actually a tea type like black or green tea? Instead, it’s a spiced blend—often with black tea as its base—mixed with aromatic ingredients like...

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Tea Brewing 101 | Green Tea
  • by Karla Walker

Tea Brewing 101 | Green Tea

Whether you’re talking about green, black, or white tea, it all comes from the same leaf. The difference in flavor and color lies with the oxidation level. With different oxidation levels come different brewing recommendations. Green tea is slightly oxidized...

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