Frequently Asked Questions
Why pay more for tea?
Paying more for loose leaf, artisan tea can offer several benefits that justify the higher cost, including better quality, ethical considerations, health benefits, and a more enjoyable drinking experience. Here are some reasons to consider:
Quality of Leaves:
Our teas use better quality leaves, usually the top buds and first few leaves of the plant, which provide a richer and more complex flavour. Our teas go through more careful and skilled processing methods that preserve the delicate, nuanced and refined flavours and aromas that cheaper teas lack.
Health Benefits:
Artisan, loose leaf teas often contain more antioxidants and beneficial compounds, as they are made from better quality leaves and undergo less processing.
Ethical Considerations:
We ensure that the tea producers, makers and farmers are paid fairly and work in good conditions. We only buy from makers that protect their local environment and use sustainable farming methods.
When you buy from Omcha you know who has made your tea, you know they have been paid well and you know the environment hasn’t been negatively affected because of your brew.
Experience:
Drinking high-quality tea can be a more enjoyable and relaxing experience. The ritual of preparing and drinking artisan, loose leaf tea can provide a moment of calm and mindfulness.
In summary, paying more for tea can enhance your tea-drinking experience through better taste, higher quality, and ethical and health benefits.
Are your teas organic?
Although not all of our teas are certified organic, we only buy from producers who do not use artificial fertilisers or pesticides. Organic certification is expensive and takes years to process, so certification is not a viable option for many small producers.
Are your events accessible?
We are committed to making a rich and diverse community and feel strongly about making our events accessible to everyone. Please contact us if you have accessibility needs and want to join any of our events, we will do everything we can to help you attend.
Do you offer discounts?
We price our tea as competitively as possible to ensure you can have the teas you love. More than anything we want to share our favourite teas with others. We mark up our teas the smallest amount possible to ensure many people can experience our teas.
We occasionally offer 10% off as a thank you to our customers for supporting us, and we’ll advertise these discounts on our instagram and newsletter.
How much is delivery?
We pay the delivery fee for orders over £70. For orders under £70 we offer a flat rate of £4 for delivery.
How can I know the temperature of my water?
To accurately know the temperature of your water for tea brewing, you have several options:
Digital Thermometer: This is the most accurate method. Simply insert the thermometer into the water to get an instant reading.
Analogue Thermometer: These can also be used but might take a bit longer to give an accurate reading compared to digital ones.
Temperature-Controlled Kettle: Invest in an electric kettle with adjustable temperature settings. These kettles allow you to select the exact temperature you need for different types of tea.
Boiling and Cooling Method: Bring the water to a boil and then let it cool to the desired temperature. Use the following general guidelines to estimate the cooling times (note that these times can vary based on the volume of water and the environment):
Japanese Green Tea (55-65°C / 131-149°F): Let boiled water sit for about 11-13 minutes.
Other Green Tea (70-80°C / 158-176°F): Let boiled water sit for about 6-10 minutes.
White Tea & Light Oolong Tea (75-85°C / 167-185°F): Let boiled water sit for about 4-8 minutes.
Dark Oolong Tea (85-95°C / 185-212°F): Let boiled water sit for about 1-4 minutes.
Black Tea (90-95°C / 194-212°F): Let boiled water sit for about 1-2 minutes.
Visual and Auditory Cues:
If you don’t have a thermometer, you can use visual and auditory cues to estimate the water temperature:
Small Bubbles (70-80°C / 158-176°F): These appear as tiny bubbles forming at the bottom of the kettle.
Moderate Bubbles (80-90°C / 176-194°F): Bubbles become larger and begin to rise to the surface.
Full Boil (100°C / 212°F): Water is vigorously boiling with large bubbles.
By using these methods, you can ensure your water is at the ideal temperature for the type of tea you're brewing, enhancing the flavour and overall tea experience.
How should I store my tea?
Storing loose leaf tea properly is crucial to maintaining its freshness, flavour, and aroma. Here are some tips to ensure your tea keeps well:
Airtight Containers: Use airtight containers to protect the tea from exposure to air, which can cause oxidation and degrade the quality of the tea.
Keep Away from Light: Store tea in a dark place, as light, especially sunlight, can degrade the quality of the tea.
If using glass containers, ensure they are opaque or stored in a dark cabinet.
Avoid Moisture: Tea leaves absorb moisture easily, which can ruin their flavour and aroma.
Store tea in a dry place, away from humidity sources like sinks and stoves.
Cool Temperature: Keep tea in a cool environment, as heat can accelerate the degradation process.
Avoid storing tea near ovens, stovetops, or any heat-producing appliances.
Odour-Free Environment: Tea leaves are highly absorbent of surrounding odours, so store them away from strong-smelling foods and substances. Ensure that the storage area is clean and free from any strong scents.
Separate Storage: Different types of tea (e.g., green, black, oolong, herbal) should be stored separately to prevent cross-contamination of flavours and aromas.
Avoid Frequent Opening: Try not to open the storage container too frequently, as repeated exposure to air can degrade the tea.
By following these storage guidelines, you can extend the shelf life of your loose leaf tea and preserve its optimal flavour and aroma for as long as possible.
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