learn the fundamentals of tea

Black Tea 101 | History, Processing, and Health Benefits
  • by Cameron Dodd

Black Tea 101 | History, Processing, and Health Benefits

History of Black Tea Black tea was discovered in China in the mid-17th century. For many years, only green and oolong teas were consumed. The story of how black tea came to be is that an army from Jianxi entered...

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Fruit Tea 101: History & Benefits
  • by Cameron Dodd

Fruit Tea 101: History & Benefits

Fruit tea, served hot or cold, is naturally sweet and deliciously refreshing. But what exactly are we drinking when we drink fruit tea? Well, for starters, it may surprise you to hear that fruit tea is not technically ‘tea’. Tea...

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Green Tea 101 | History, Processing, and Health Benefits
  • by Zoë Maiden

Green Tea 101 | History, Processing, and Health Benefits

History of Green Tea Green tea originated in China, tracing back to 2737 BC. The discovery occurred accidentally when the Chinese Emperor Shennong mistakenly drank water with a dead tea leaf boiled inside. He found the flavor refreshing; thus, a...

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Honeybush Tea 101 | History and Processing
  • by Cameron Dodd

Honeybush Tea 101 | History and Processing

History of Honeybush Tea In the world of tea, Honeybush stands out. Not just for the unique, honey-like aroma that emanates from its yellow flowers (where it gets its name), but also for the plant it comes from. Unlike black,...

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Oolong Tea 101 | History, Processing & Health Benefits
  • by Cameron Dodd

Oolong Tea 101 | History, Processing & Health Benefits

Somewhere between black tea and green tea you’ll find the wonder that is oolong tea. Oolong is a tea in the truest, most traditional sense since it comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. But due to its unique processing method, it sits...

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Pu-erh Tea 101 | The History, Uniqueness, and Health Benefits
  • by Cameron Dodd

Pu-erh Tea 101 | The History, Uniqueness, and Health Benefits

Pu-erh, like all true teas, comes from the Camellia sinensis plant — but it’s far from your average black tea. Unlike traditional black teas, which are simply oxidized and dried, Pu-erh undergoes a fascinating process of microbial fermentation — unlocking...

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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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