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Teas From South Asia

Asian black teas are among the most popular black teas in the world. First flush Darjeeling is known as the “Champagne of Tea” for its delicate floral notes and peach flavor. It represents the unique terroir of the high Himalayas – loose leaf Asian tea at its finest.

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What is Garden
Direct Tea?

Garden Direct is a carefully curated selection of single-origin teas sourced from the most esteemed growers. They are packaged freshly made at origin and air freighted to us immediately so we can celebrate and share these most cherished teas during the primer producing seasons. Each tea tells a story and invites you to share in our Garden Direct connections.

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Reviews

What Rishi Tea Drinkers
Are Saying

"This is by far the best Earl Grey tea I have had. I drink a lot of tea and only drink Rishi Earl Grey. You will love the flavor. "

—Marshall

Earl Grey Supreme

Rich | Citrusy | Floral

"I don't believe there is a better green tea you can get in a bag. The evidence is in the bright, even, grassy green color this tea makes."

—JD

Matcha Super Green

Sweet | Smooth | Umami

"I love this tea - the richness of it is amazing, and it relaxes me with the ginger and turmeric. Such a winner :)"

—Kayla

Turmeric Ginger

Spicy | Zesty | Fragrant

"This tea is absolutely amazing! I feel immediate uplifting effects after consuming. Rishi has the best quality tea that I have found on any shelf thus far."

—Tia

Blueberry Hibiscus

Vibrant | Tart | Luscious

"This is seriously the BEST chai concentrate out there. It's incredible and has such a great spice. I'll never go back to another brand."

—Courtney

Masala Chai Concentrate

Spicy | Rich | Fragrant

"This is my first tasting of oolong tea and I'm in love! It's flavor is delicate yet robust and floral. Absolutely delicious, my new favorite tea."

—Amber

Iron Goddess of Mercy

Roasty | Dried Fruit | Smooth

"Delicious and satisfying. It's delicate enough to drink without doctoring but also bold enough to hold up to cream and honey. An absolute delight."

—Star

Golden Yunnan

Malty | Jammy | Mellow

Experience the Himalayas with Asian Black Teas

Many of our loose leaf Asian teas are small batch, limited edition Garden Direct and represent the truest expression of the unique terroir of the Himalayas. Each peak and valley of the majestic mountain range contains its own microclimate that affects the tea's aroma and flavor differently. At Rishi Tea & Botanicals, we work closely with small artisanal tea producers to find exceptional teas that are unlike any other and our botanical teas from South Asia are also sourced in the same meticulous way. Each batch is tested to ensure maximum flavor and fragrance. 

How to Use/Brew Loose Leaf Asian Tea

Loose leaf teas give you the freedom to experiment and discover your ideal brewing method. We recommend using a Gaiwan or Gongfu teapot or tea cupping set, which allows you to infuse the leaves several times. Many South Asian black teas do not need to be decanted or rinsed first, and our South Asian botanical teas can be steeped for up to ten minutes, depending on your preference. The ginger tea is especially zesty and enlivening. 

FAQs

Darjeeling loose leaf Asian black teas are famous for their delicate floral aromas and flavors that evoke ripe stone fruit on a summer's day. They are very nuanced and perfectly represent the terroir of the Himalayas, akin to how Champagne elegantly embodies the Champagne region of France (minus the alcohol).

First flush refers to the very first bloom of the harvest, when the youngest tea buds are just starting to ripen after winter. Teas picked during this time are considered some of the best teas of the whole season because the tender first-flush buds brew light and bright teas with high floral, citrusy, or delicate stone fruit notes, while Second Flush teas will exhibit a ripe and coppery, juicy, nectar-like presence. 

At Rishi Tea, we use only high-quality tea leaves opposed to ‘dust-grade’ tea found in traditional tea bags, and our tea sachets are entirely plant-based and biodegradable. Loose leaf tea in this case is simply a matter of preference and convenience, as our tea sachets offer the same high-quality experience as our loose leaf offerings.

Education Increases a Tea’s Value

The world of tea is complex. From understanding the nuances of South Asian black teas to figuring out the correct way to make a cup of matcha, there’s a lot to explore. Rishi Tea believes tea education increases the appreciation and experience of tea. Understanding where a tea comes from and who grew it creates a connection between you and the hardworking people who produced it – forming sustainable partnerships based on mutual respect.