Cooking Guides & Tips
Why We Only Carry Loose Leaf Tea
When it comes to tea, we like to let it all hang out. Loose leaf tea has big advantages over bagged blends — from flavor to freshness to full-on tea joy. Here’s why we’re all in. In order to go through the mechanical process of being packaged into bags, tea leaves must be cut into small pieces so they can move through the machinery. Just like ground spices, these tea leaves become stale more quickly and lose flavor faster than if they are left whole. But Really, What's in the Bag? Well ... stems, stalks, and a whole lot of dust.The process of crushing or cutting the tea leaves can also reduce the amount of good-for-you natural compounds that are the reason many people choose to start drinking tea in the first place. Sourcing loose, whole-leaf teas allows us to keep an eye on the quality of our teas, and pass on a product that we’re proud of. When tea isn’t cut finely and hidden away in a bag, everyone can see, smell, and taste the difference. Loosen Up Already! Loose leaf tea means that you have more control over your brewing experience. Some people like very strong tea, some prefer light and mild tea. With teabags you’re stuck with pre-measured amounts, but with loose leaf you can adjust to your perfect cup. How To: Loose Leaf Made Easy If you want to stick with teabags, cool. But ditching them is easier than you think. Every pouch of our loose-leaf tea includes simple brewing instructions — right on the label — so you’ll know exactly how much to use and how long to steep. Whether you're a first-time sipper or a daily tea devotee, we’ve got the tools to help, including our staff-favorite heat-and-steep kettle for the perfect cup and a soothing daily ritual. Ready to brew? Check out our favorite brewing wares!
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What Is True Tea?
Tea isn’t just a drink — it’s an experience, a journey, a never-ending exploration of flavor. At Colorful Tea Co. we’re here to make that journey fun, delicious, and totally approachable. This week, we’re diving into the classics: the true teas. But what exactly is a true tea? Black, green, and oolong, as well as white teas and pu’er, are known as “true teas” and all come from the same plant — Camellia sinensis. The differences in color, taste, and character come from when the leaves are harvested, how they're dried and processed, and where they're grown. A Rainbow of Flavors Each tea has its own unique taste, aroma, and brewing method. One of the biggest factors in how a tea develops its character is oxidation — the process of exposing tea leaves to air as they dry. The more oxidized the tea, the deeper its flavor and the hotter the water you’ll need to brew it just right. From bold and malty black teas to delicate white teas, here’s a quick look at the most common types, ranked from most to least oxidized: ☕ Black Tea: fully oxidized, rich, and robust 🌿 Oolong Tea: partially oxidized, floral and complex 🍃 Green Tea: lightly oxidized, fresh, and grassy 🌸 White Tea: minimally processed, delicate, and subtle 🫖 Pu’er Tea: fermented and aged, earthy and deep Black Tea You know it, you love it, it's the most well-recognized and user-friendly tea. Black tea is heavily oxidized, evident in the deep color of its dried leaves and the rich, dark hue of the brewed tea — almost resembling coffee. Expect a strong flavor (think malty, earthy, fruity, and smoky!) along with astringency, which is the quality that makes your mouth feel dry when you sip it. Black teas to steep, sip, and savor: Keemun and Assam. Oolong Tea Lighter than black tea and brewing up a golden or yellow color, Oolong is less common than green or black tea, and falls right between them in terms of oxidation. Oolongs have the sunniest and sweetest flavors of all the teas, with floral, haylike, nutty, and buttery notes. Oolong tea to steep, sip, and savor: Magnolia Oolong Green Tea With very light oxidation, these teas are milder and are steeped at lower temperatures for shorter amounts of time, brewing in shades of pale yellow and green. Green tea flavors lean vegetal, brothy, oceanic, and grassy. While it tends to be the most divisive of all the teas, it's all about perfecting the brew method, and we're here to convert the naysayers. Green teas to steep, sip, and savor: Nepalese Green and Rwandan Green
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Frozen Tea Treats 🧊🍹
Tea lovers, rejoice! While a steaming cup of tea is perfect for cozy moments, there’s a world of cool, refreshing tea treats waiting to be explored. This summer, beat the heat with some creative and delicious frozen tea delights. From tea pops to slushies, these treats are sure to inspire you to think outside the teapot. Frozen Tea Ice Cubes Frozen tea ice cubes are a versatile and chic way to keep your beverages cold without watering them down. They’re perfect for iced tea, lemonade, or even cocktails. Ingredients: Your favorite brewed tea Fresh herbs, fruit, or edible flowers (optional) Instructions: Brew your tea and let it cool. Pour the tea into ice cube trays. For an extra touch of elegance, add a small piece of fruit, herb, or edible flower to each compartment. Freeze until solid. Use the tea ice cubes in your drinks to keep them cool and flavorful. Tea Slushie Turn your iced tea into the best slushie with just a few simple steps. Ingredients: Strongly brewed iced tea Sweetener to taste Ice Fresh fruit (optional) Instructions: Brew a strong batch of iced tea and let it cool completely. Sweeten the tea to your preference. In a blender, combine the cooled tea with a generous amount of ice. For added flavor and texture, you can also add fresh fruit like berries or peaches. Blend until you achieve a slushie consistency. Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately! Tea Pops Tea pops are a fun and refreshing way to enjoy your favorite tea flavors. They are easy to make and perfect for a hot day. Ingredients: Your favorite brewed tea (green tea, herbal tea, chai, etc.) Sweetener (honey, agave, sugar) to taste Fresh fruit or herbs (optional) Instructions: Brew a strong batch of your favorite tea and let it cool. Sweeten the tea to your taste. You can also add milk, fresh fruit slices, or herbs like mint or basil for an extra flavor boost. Pour the tea into popsicle molds or dixie cups. Freeze for at least 4 hours or until solid (if using dixie cups, insert popsicle sticks after about two hours). Enjoy your tea pops straight from the freezer! Looking for tea pop inspiration? Check out these recipes: Tea can be so much more than a hot beverage. These frozen tea treats are not only refreshing but also a fantastic way to enjoy your favorite tea flavors in a whole new form. And remember, these treats are highly customizable! Add a splash of juice, a twist of citrus, or a handful of your favorite berries to create something truly unique. So, grab your favorite teas, get creative, and have some fun.
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DIY Chai
10 min
The teas from India are legendary, and the warm aroma of simmering spices will instantly transport you there. The beauty of this DIY Chai is that you can customize it in so many ways to suit your taste. Traditional chai spices include cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, pepper and clove but don’t stop there. We’ve tried everything from star anise and fennel, to coriander and orange peel with great success. The spice possibilities are endless. We keep our bestsellers, Classic Chai and Roast Chai, on hand year round. You can also switch up the proportion of spices and tea to highlight one or the other.
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