Knowledge
The Best Chinese Teas, Ranked by a Guy From Yunnan
I sell Chinese tea for a living and grew up drinking it. Here are the ones actually worth your money, sorted by who you are and how you already drink.
Gongfu Tea, Without the Gatekeeping
Gongfu tea sounds intimidating, but it's really just a small gaiwan, a lot of leaves, and very short steeps. Here's how to do it at home without the ceremony theater.
9 Iced Tea Recipes With Real Loose Leaf (No Sugar Needed)
Nine ways to make iced tea from real loose-leaf tea, not powder or syrup. Cold brew, jasmine, a no-milk iced latte, and more, each with a simple ratio.
Chinese Black Tea Isn't What You Think (Start With Dianhong)
In China, "black tea" means something else entirely. Here's what Chinese black tea actually is, and why Dianhong from Yunnan is the one to start with.
Tieguanyin: China's Iron Goddess Oolong, Explained
Tieguanyin is the rolled oolong from Anxi that smells like orchids and keeps giving for eight steeps. What it is, why it comes in two roast styles, and how to brew it properly.
What Is a Gaiwan? The Only Teaware I Travel With
The gaiwan is the one piece of teaware I actually travel with. Here's what it is, how to hold one without burning your fingers, and how to brew almost any tea in it.
How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea (With or Without Any Equipment)
Everything you need to brew loose leaf tea at home: how much leaf per cup, the right water temperature and steep time for each type, and how to fix it when it comes out bitter.
Sheng vs. Shou Pu-erh: The Difference, Explained Simply
Raw or ripe? One is sun-dried and ages for decades. The other is pile-fermented in about two months. Here's what actually separates sheng and shou pu-erh — and which one to drink first.
Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea: A Guide From the Source
Longjing is China's most famous green tea — and the one people most often ruin with boiling water. Here's what it is, why West Lake matters, how to brew it, and how to spot a fake.
Does Jasmine Tea Have Caffeine? (Yes — Here's How Much)
The flowers are caffeine-free, but the tea underneath isn't. Here's how much caffeine is really in your jasmine tea, and how to adjust it without losing the flavor.
Can You Drink Tea While Fasting? (Yes, Plain Tea Is Fine)
Plain, unsweetened tea has almost no calories — so it won't break a fast. What breaks it is everything people put in it. Here's the rule, tea by tea.
How much Caffeine is in Tea?
Tea, the world's second most popular beverage after water, offers a diverse range of caffeine levels depending on the variety. In this blog, Borntea will introduce the caffeine content in different teas and how it compared to coffee can help you choose the right brew to suit your personal needs and preferences.
Complete Guide to Cold-brew Tea
Cold brew tea, explained: the ratios, the steep times, how much caffeine it really has, and how it differs from iced tea. Plus the fastest way to make it.
Complete Guide to Black Tea
Black tea is fully oxidised tea, and in China it is called red tea, not black. What the seven main types actually taste like, how much caffeine is in a cup, and how to brew it without bitterness.