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What
are the primary areas where tea is grown in the world?
Tea is currently grown in 30 different places
worldwide. The leading places of tea growth areas are found in China, India, and
Kenya.
These three countries together supply about 75% of the world's entire tea
supply.
Other primary areas of tea growing are Sri Lanka, Japan, Indonesia, Argentina,
Uganda, Turkey, and Russia. 
Which
countries are currently the world's largest tea manufacturers?
China leads the competition with one million tons of tea
manufactured per year. Right behind is India, manufacturing an average of
about 900,000 tons of tea annually.
Which country holds the record for tea consumption per capita?
Ireland, with an average daily consumption of 3.5-4 cups on
average per person; Great Britain follows right behind.
How
should I store tea?
Tea should be stored in
an airtight, opaque container in a cool, dry place. Many tea retailers sell tea
in metal tins that close tightly, which is ideal. 
Clear glass jars are acceptable only if you can keep them in a closed cupboard
away from light.
If you reuse containers, avoid using materials that retain odors, as the tea
will pick them up. Most teas will keep for up to six months.
Green teas should be enjoyed within three months.
The refrigerator is NOT a good place. The cold encourages water condensation, which can ruin the tea You can freeze tea for long-term
storage if you tightly seal your container and wrap it in plastic. Before you open a container of frozen tea, let it warm to room temperature
in order to avoid contaminating the tea with condensation.
(You may also want to do this on a dry day.)
Is herbal tea really tea?
Technically, this is not tea. This term refers to beverages made from plants other than Camellia sinensis, such as Black, Green, or Oolong teas.
Usually, they are caffeine free. Examples include chamomile, rooibos, peppermint, and hibiscus. Often, herbals are are blends of many different plants,
fruits, and flavorings. These are also referred to as "tisanes." They are particularly nice choices for children, for evening consumption, and for anyone
who wants to completely avoid caffeine.
Is it true that tea contains more caffeine than coffee?
Yes, this is true. Dry tea leafs contain more caffeine than dry coffee beans. However, one pound of dry tea leaf makes about 200 cups of tea
but one pound of dry coffee beans makes only about 50 cups of coffee. This means that, on a liquid basis, coffee contains more caffeine than tea.
Black tea has the highest amount of caffeine, with diminishing amounts found in oolong, green and white teas, respectively.
Black tea contains about 40 mg. per cup, depending on strength and steeping time; green tea has approximately 20 mg. per cup.
Coffee, by comparison, has 80 to 100 mg. per cup.
What
is red tea?
 Now commonly referred to as Red Tea, "Rooibos",
"red bush," or “bush tea” is a South African herb that is a widely
drunk beverage in
South Africa and in other countries. 
Is tea good for you?
Yes. All tea contains polyphenols, which are potent antioxidants that improve
the body's defenses and suppress free radical activity.
Green tea aids in weight loss, reduces "bad" cholesterol, and is
associated with the prevention of cancer.
How many servings are in an ounce of tea?
Typically, one ounce will make 10-15 6-ounce cups of tea, depending on how strong you like it. The volume of an ounce of dry tea leaves
can vary quite a bit, though. Some teas are light and fluffy, while others are dense. Each of the teas pictured below is one ounce in comparison to a quarter.
What is
chai?
This
Indian word for "tea" has come to refer to black tea brewed with
traditional Indian spices and lots of milk and sugar. The flavor of chai will
vary from brand to brand. Some are quite hot due to a lot of pepper; others tend
sweeter with more cinnamon and cloves. You can get pre-blended liquid chai, chai mix, or loose tea
with chai seasonings to which you add your own milk and sugar.
Why does tea sometimes taste bitter?
Tannins in tea are what give
the tea the slightly astringent taste, especially when the tea is of poor
quality or is brewed strong.
What does “flush” refer to?
A “flush” of tea leaves is the new growth of leaves on a tea bush; typically including the bud and top two leaves of the tea plant. T
· First Flush: the leaves were plucked in the first growth of the season (typically around March); first flush teas tend to produce a very light, delicate drink.
· Second Flush: second-growth harvest (typically around May/June); second flush teas tend to be more robust and complex than first flush teas.
· Autumnal Flush: harvest after the rainy season.
Is it okay to put milk in my tea?
Putting milk in tea is a personal preference. The classic additions to tea include: honey; milk; sugar; lemon; milk and sugar; lemon and sugar; lemon and honey.
Cream is too heavy for most teas and should be avoided in favor of milk. Like cream, whole homogenized milk is too heavy and strong tasting for most people.
Low-fat or skim milk seems to work best. Milk and honey don't seem to go very well together. Do not add milk and lemon.
The acidic lemon juice instantly curdles the milk. You should NOT add anything to green or oolong tea; they are meant to be drunk straight.
What is a tisane?
Tisane: is the herbal or fruit infusion that does not contain tea leaves from the Camelia Sinensis plant.
Examples of tisane are Turkish apple tea, chamomile, and Rooibos .
What is Bubble tea?
A sweet, cold, black or green tea drink created in Taiwan in the 1980s made in a many flavors with large chewy balls or “pearls” of tapioca
(the “bubbles” at the bottom of the cup, which come in gray-black or beige-white). The teas are offered in a milky version, made of tea, milk and 
a flavored powder, poured into a glass with ice and tapioca balls; and a “frozen” version made with tea, fresh fruit, simple syrup, ice
and tapioca balls.
What's the difference between a tea kettle and a teapot?
Use a kettle to boil water, but a pot to brew tea.
What is a tea cozy?
A tea cozy is a fabric cover which is placed over a teapot in order to prevent heat loss.
A cozy is primarily useful if you make several cups at a time and want the extra tea to remain hot in the pot until you're ready to drink it.
Cozies come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most are designed simply to cover the entire pot, handle and spout.
Some, however, are made with openings and elastic so that they cover only the body of the teapot, leaving the handle and spout 
exposed so that you needn't remove the cozy in order to pour the tea.
Note: ceramic handles tend to become very hot when the pot is kept warm in this fashion; be careful!
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