learn the fundamentals of tea

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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Japan | A Historical Tea Origin
  • by Cameron Dodd

Japan | A Historical Tea Origin

Though tea didn’t originate in Japan, it has become an enduring part of Japanese culture. While it may not produce the same volume as other countries, Japan’s treatment of tea is unmatched in terms of quality and cultural significance. Japanese...

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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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South Africa | An Underdog Region Making an Impact with Their Indigenous Teas
  • by Zoë Maiden

South Africa | An Underdog Region Making an Impact with Their Indigenous Teas

When one thinks about the origins of tea, countries like China and India will often come to mind. During our journey of tea origins, we have discovered many other less known countries that have established delicious tea and created successful...

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South America | Tea & the Unique Origin of Yerba Maté
  • by Cameron Dodd

South America | Tea & the Unique Origin of Yerba Maté

South America has a wide range of climates, from tropical rainforests to freezing mountaintops. Of these diverse climates, there are actually many areas that can support growing the Camellia sinensis plant–the plant that gives us tea! However, South America is...

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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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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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