It's All About Tea — caffeine

Some teas perk you up; others settle you down. That difference mainly comes down to three things in the leaf: caffeine (which drives alertness), L-theanine (which supports calm focus), and polyphenols (which shape bitterness/astringency and body). How much of each you taste and feel depends on the plant's cultivar, growing conditions, harvest season, plucking standard, and what happens after harvest (fixing, oxidation, roasting, fermentation, aging), as well as how you brew your tea leaves.

We'll break down what caffeine, theanine, and polyphenols actually are, how they act in the body, and how they interact with each other. We will explore how farming and processing influence these compounds and why brewing style matters. And by the end of this journey, you should have a better understanding of how to pick teas that lean "more lift" or "more calm", plus a few brewing adjustments to nudge the experience where you want it. (Read more)

The heart of tea's diversity lies in its countless varieties, each contributing its taste, aroma, and flavor to the world of tea. The major varieties, Camellia Sinensis and Camellia Assamica, are well-known in the tea community for the wide array of tea flavors and textures they give birth to. However, beyond these popular varieties exists a realm of lesser known species that play a crucial role in the rich and varied world of tea.

This article aims to explore the depth of tea varieties, from the renowned to the rare. We'll dive into each variety's history, characteristics, and unique qualities, offering a comprehensive look at the plants that create our beloved beverage. At the same time, we hope to contribute to a better understanding of the tea plant and create a more vibrant and detailed representation of the rich world of flavors, aromas, and tastes induced by the vast array of tea varieties out there. (Read More)

Today, we're touching on an ever-present subject in the world of tea. 

There's one question that regularly appears in Path of Cha's mailbox, probably more often than any other: Which type of tea contains the most / least caffeine?

If you have asked yourself (or others) about this, then go on reading. This blog post is for you! (you guessed it, it is more complex than naming one tea for each category). (Read More)