Taking Tea Culture Out of The Box

Clean refreshment that nurtures and restores is how we view our fine teas. Enjoying tea should be simple, and it is not one size fits all. Brew and enjoy in a way that suits your taste, lifestyle, and mood. Steep for 3 minutes, or add extra tea leaves to your batch and steep for 30 seconds. Add crushed ginger root, mint or orange peels to create your own blends at home…and above all, take the time to enjoy these specially cultivated tea leaves. We encourage you to create your very own tea ritual, for your pleasure and your health. The journey of tea is complex, the enjoyment of tea does not have to be. 

All tea is made from the same plant, the Camellia Sinensis. Quite like wine, tea leaf varietals have developed in different geographic locations. Varietals' unique characteristics are the result of their human influences, soil composition, and their environments.

Along with processing, oxidation plays a key role in each tea’s composition. The amount of oxidation the leaf is allowed to undergo determines what kind of tea you will get. More oxidation produces dark-colored black and pu-erh teas. Less oxygen results in white and green teas.

Before tea can be processed, it must, of course, be picked. Typically, only the bud and two small leaves are plucked from the plants to ensure the best tasting tea.

Withering is particularly important for white, oolong, black and pu-erh teas. After picking, the leaves are laid out to dry on bamboo trays or in large indoor areas where heated air is forced over them if the climate is too cool to heat the leaves naturally. This process reduces water content and makes the leaves pliable enough to be rolled. In the case of green teas, leaves are often steamed, baked, or pan-fried instead of, or immediately after, being withered briefly. Steaming, pan frying, or baking arrests oxidation of the leaves so that they remain green.

Hand-rolling is a time-honored technique reserved for the finest teas, ensuring exceptional quality and depth of flavor. While modern machines are often used for efficiency, hand-rolling remains the gold standard, gently breaking down the leaf’s cell structure to release essential oils and juices. This process enhances oxidation, creating a beautifully complex and nuanced taste. Bumblebee teas are proudly hand-rolled, preserving this artisanal craft to bring you a truly elevated tea experience.

Oxidation is the natural chemical process that is observed by looking at a dried tea leaf’s color. The lighter or greener the leaf, the less oxidized it is. Black teas are often macerated during the oxidation process, allowing all parts of the tea leaves to be exposed to air and fully darkened.

Tea is finally dried evenly, without burning the leaves, in large ovens or drying machines to complete oxidation and finish the tea’s production.