Somage logo
Somage logo

All articles

Tea and Tisanes

What is tea?

Did you know that tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world, second only to water? Tea has a recorded history that spans over 5,000 years. Legend has it that tea was discovered in 2737 BC when some tea leaves blew into Chinese Emperor Sh

Types of tea

All tea comes from the plant Camellia sinensis. The variety and difference among teas is created by the length of time leaves are oxidised (the browning of the tea leaves when exposed to oxygen) and how they are processed.The five primary types of te

What is a herbal tea (tisane)?

Herbal teas - also called tisanes (a French word for ''herbal infusion'') - are a major part of the tea world, but did you know they're not technically tea? Only beverages containing Camellia sinensis are considered tea. Herbal infusions that do not

How tea is produced at the factory

The Process. One of the main reasons why there are thousands of different teas is due to the variables in production. Each tea type uses a combination of various production steps and techniques, and then within each style, there are variations by cou

The oolong tea making process

Outside (Sun) Wilting (shaiqing) Once picked, the tea leaves are laid out on large sheets (usually over the road or concrete slabs) where the conductive heat from the concrete and radiant heat fro the sun help to remove excess water from the leaves,

The art of steeping tea

Why Control the variables during tea infusion?. To attain the optimum flavour and tactile balance from the infusion it is critical to control the water temperature, the amount of tea and the steep (duration of infusion). This is because during the in

Is it safe to drink tea during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Somage is not qualified to give medical advice therefore if you have a question relating to pregnancy, breastfeeding or any other issue that is presenting itself, the best course of action is to discuss with your doctor or healthcare professional bef

Which tea does not contain caffeine?

Herbal teas - also called tisanes (a French word for ''herbal infusion'') - does not contains Camellia sinensis and caffeine. So, if you're looking to reduce the amount of caffeine in your diet, replacing a cup of coffee or tea with herbal infusion w

Does tea contain caffeine?

All tea whether it is Black, Pu erh, Oolong...

What is the best way to store tea to keep it fresh?

While tea isn’t a perishable item, it can taste a lot better when you store it correctly. Try the following way to keep it fresh and save the flavour!Store sealed bags in their original packaging to keep them fresh.Arrange the loose bags in an airtig

Where does your tea come from?

We source only the highest quality of teas and tisanes from exceptional plantations from around the world, partnering with farmers from a number places in Asia, from Taiwan, China, Japan, Sri Lanka and India. Our unique and rare Reserve Selection tea

What are pyramid bags made from?

Our pyramid infuser bags are made from Soilon. Soilon is made from polylactic acid, which consists of biodegradable corn starch. Filter and string incorporate Soilon while the tags are made from paper which is also biodegradable and fully compostable

Ahinsa Estate x Somage partnership

Ahinsa is located in the bio-diverse region of Sri Lanka, bordering the Dellawa State Forest, in close proximity to the small town of Morowaka.The Estate is managed by Professor Piya Abeywaganda, a visionary man whose work since the commencement of t

Factors affecting quality in tea production

FARMING & ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONSThe environment in which the tea is grown has a significant effect on the quality and flavour of the tea. The elevation, climate (rain fall, average temperature and temperature variation, winds), soil fertility, drai

What are the main differences between the Chamellia Masala Chai and the 9 Spice Chai product?

We offer both Masala Chai in loose leaf and pyramid bags and also three varieties of the 9 Spice Chai. These two products differ dramatically even though the spices used in the drinks are similar. The Masala Chai is made up of dry spices and is recom

Puerh Tea

Puerh tea is a type of fermented tea originating from Yunnan Province in China. There are two main varieties;. Sheng Puerh; This is raw cake and can take up to 10 years in the fermentation process and is a very premium tea. Shou Puerh; In order to sp