Where to Begin Your Tea Journey
Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed standing in front of a wall of tea jars, taking in all the aromas and names? Every day in our shop in Laguna Beach, someone looks at our shelves and says, “I don’t even know where to start.” We love that moment because it means they're curious.
If you’ve ever thought tea was bitter or boring, this guide will change your mind. It’s a common misconception that often comes from a lack of understanding about what tea truly is and how to prepare it properly.
After water, tea is the most popular beverage in the world, and there’s a simple reason for its enduring appeal: wherever you go, people are reaching for a cup to wake up, relax, or simply take a breath
For my sister, Kavita, and me, tea is personal. We opened Tea & Turmeric, the only loose leaf tea & spice shop in Orange County, to share what tea gave our family: a way to care for our bodies, slow down, and create small daily rituals that feel like home.
This guide is for you if you're new to tea or just want to reconnect with the basics. We’ll cover what true tea is, how it’s different from herbal blends, how to brew it, and the many wellness benefits it can offer your body and your day.
Finding Calm Focus: Tea for a Southern California Lifestyle
The fast-paced lifestyle of Orange County often leaves us searching for a reason to pause. Even in a place as beautiful as Laguna Beach, people come into our shop looking for a moment of calm. Tea is a wonderful way to find that moment and can have a tangible impact on your well-being.
We see this transformative power every day. Just last week, a customer who hadn't slept well in weeks came into our shop. She was looking for something to help her unwind in the evenings, but without caffeine.
We talked with her and suggested a calming herbal blend we created with ingredients like dried cinnamon and fennel. She returned a few days later with a smile, telling us it was the first full night of sleep she had enjoyed in a long time.
Another customer, feeling drained from work, wanted to move away from the "sharp edge of coffee." We suggested our Mango Peach Green Tea. A week later, he stopped by to pick up more and shared how it had become his afternoon ritual, helping him feel focused without feeling wired.
This experience of finding a sense of "calm focus" is a direct result of green tea’s unique chemical composition. Beyond its caffeine content, green tea is known to contain the amino acid L-theanine.
Research has found that this compound can promote relaxation without causing drowsiness, and when combined with caffeine, it can enhance cognitive function and improve mood. This combination provides a sustained, gentle lift that can feel very different from the jittery effect of coffee.
A Global Journey: The History of Loose Leaf Tea
Tea has a rich history that stretches back thousands of years. It’s a journey that connects ancient traditions to our modern world. In ancient China, where tea was first discovered, it was seen as a medicinal drink before it became a daily ritual. From there, it made its way across Asia and eventually into Europe, where it became a social sensation.
The history of tea is complex. It helped shape major trade routes, fueled global empires, and even sparked events like the Boston Tea Party. The first tea estate in India was established in Assam in 1837, and the British became avid tea drinkers, establishing large-scale plantations there.
For me, the story of tea became real when I was studying Ayurveda in Kerala, a southern state in India. I had the chance to visit a tea plantation and remember standing on those hills, surrounded by rows of bright green tea bushes.
I watched skilled hands pick the leaves with such care and intention. It changed my perspective forever. When I look at our wall of tea jars at our shop in Laguna Beach, I see more than just dried leaves; I see that journey, those hands, and the deep respect that goes into every blend we share.
One Plant, Many Teas: The Camellia sinensis Secret
Here’s a fact you might not realize: all true teas, white, green, oolong, and black tea, come from the exact same plant. Any tea that naturally contains caffeine comes from the plant known as Camellia sinensis. The remarkable diversity you find in your cup is a result of one simple truth: the same tea leaf can become any of these different types of tea, depending entirely on how the leaves are processed after being picked.
A Simple Guide to True Tea: White, Green, Oolong & Black
Here is a simple, straightforward guide to the main types of true tea, so you can get to know them and feel confident choosing your next cup.
• White Tea: Made from the youngest, most tender buds of the tea plant. It is the least processed of all true teas, resulting in a light, sweet, and delicate flavor with the least amount of caffeine. It feels like a quiet morning in a cup. At our shop, people love our White Peony for its soft, floral notes or our Ginger Pear for a touch of fruit and spice.
• Green Tea: Created by either pan-frying or steaming the leaves to prevent oxidation, which is why it retains its bright color and refreshing character. The flavor can range from grassy and nutty to smooth and clean. If you've ever had bitter green tea, it was most likely brewed incorrectly with water that was too hot or steeped for too long. Green tea is rich in antioxidants that support your heart, brain, and metabolism. Our most popular green teas include Mango Peach for a fruity, uplifting cup and Lychee Rose for an elegant floral experience.
• Oolong Tea: Often described as the "rosé of tea," oolongs are partially oxidized, somewhere between green and black teas. This unique process gives them incredible layers of flavor—you might find floral, roasted, or buttery notes, sometimes all in the same cup! Oolongs are great for multiple steeps. The flavor changes with each pour, which is one of my favorite things about them. Try our smooth and creamy Milky Oolong or the complex, fruity notes of our Peachy Keen Oolong. Oolong supports digestion and metabolism and is perfect when you want something satisfying and layered
• Black Tea: This is what most people in the Western world picture when they think of tea. It's bold, full-bodied, and comforting. The leaves are fully oxidized after being picked. It has the most caffeine of the true teas—about half the caffeine and acidity of a cup of coffee. Black tea is wonderful with a splash of milk to balance its brisk flavor. At our Laguna Beach tea shop, our Grandma's Pink Masala Chai is a top seller, known for its warm, spiced character. We also carry Pu-erh, a fermented black tea that’s earthy and smooth, amazing for gut health.
Herbal Blends: The Ritual without the Caffeine
As we mentioned, herbal blends are a little different. They aren’t from the tea plant at all! Though we call them "teas," they are made from herbs, flowers, fruits, and spices. Since they don’t contain Camellia sinensis leaves, they are naturally caffeine-free.
We blend rooibos and lavender in our sleep teas, peppermint and ginger for digestion, and hibiscus and rose for something bright and energizing. Herbal blends are perfect when you want the comforting ritual of a warm cup without the caffeine.
Brewing the Perfect Cup: The Secret to Amazing Flavor
Now that you know what tea actually is, let's talk about brewing it properly. One of the most common mistakes I see is using water that’s too hot or steeping the tea too long. Every tea has its own sweet spot, but here are some easy rules.
| Tea Type | Water Temperature/Timing | Steeping Time |
|---|---|---|
| White & Green | Let water cool for 3-4 minutes after boiling | 2-3 minutes |
| Black & Oolong | Boiling water is perfect | 3-5 minutes |
| Herbal Blends | Boiling water is perfect | 5-10 minutes (or longer) |
If any tea you make tastes bitter, it's usually because your water temperature was too hot, you steeped it too long, or you used too many tea leaves or a combination of these. Take a moment to watch your leaves open, smell the steam, and notice how the color deepens. This is what transforms tea from just a drink into a daily ritual.
Your Tea & Wellness Questions, Answered
We get many questions in our Orange County shop every day. We compiled some of the most common ones and have answered them here.
I'm trying to cut back on coffee. What's the difference in caffeine?
Coffee has about twice the caffeine and acidity of black tea. On average, an eight-ounce cup of black tea contains about 40 mg of caffeine, green tea has 30 mg, and white tea has the least at about 15 mg.
I've heard tea has health benefits. Is that true?
Tea, especially green tea, is rich in antioxidants that help prevent cell damage and support your body. My background in holistic health and Ayurveda has shown me that tea is a fundamental part of a wellness-focused lifestyle.
How do I make my own iced tea at home?
It's easier than you might think! Simply follow the brewing instructions for your desired tea. Put your loose leaf tea into a filter or infuser, pour freshly boiled water over it, and let it steep. Afterward, simply add cold water and ice cubes.
How many calories are in a cup of tea?
True tea from the Camellia sinensis plant has virtually no calories, with an eight-ounce serving containing no more than two calories.
Final Thoughts on Tea & Wellness
The next time you make a cup of tea, take a few seconds to really enjoy it. Think about its rich history. Look at the leaves, smell the aroma, and notice how the water changes. In the fast-paced world of Orange County, these five quiet minutes can reset your whole day.
Every customer who walks into our shop brings their own story. That connection is why we opened our shop in the first place. I love to say, "Tea time is me time." Let it be a moment just for you. #TeaTimeIsMeTime
If you are local to Southern California, we would love to see you at our shop in Laguna Beach. You can smell our unique tea blends, ask questions, and find a blend that feels like it was made just for you. If you are farther away, you can explore our full collection of loose leaf teas and spices online at teaandturmeric.com.
P.S. This blog post is based on an episode of my podcast, "The Tea on Wellness." You can listen to the full episode and find more wellness tips and stories wherever you get your podcasts!
