The Tea Glossary

Naturally occurring compounds found in all true teas (black, green, oolong, pu'erh) that help protect the body against oxidative stress. Black and green teas are particularly rich in antioxidants called catechins and theaflavins. At Palm Beach Teas, our commitment to quality sourcing ensures every cup delivers these natural benefits.

The scent of a brewed tea, which is one of the most distinctive indicators of quality. Loose-leaf teas offer significantly more aroma than bagged teas because the whole leaves retain their essential oils. From the floral fragrance of Jasmine Green Tea to the smoky depth of Lapsang Souchong, aroma is a central part of the Palm Beach Teas experience.

A full-bodied, malty black tea grown in the Assam region of northeastern India. Known for its bold flavor, deep amber color, and energizing character, Assam is a classic morning tea. Our Assam Black Tea is sourced with care to deliver the consistency and depth tea lovers expect, making it one of the most popular choices in our Black Tea Collection.

The most widely consumed tea in the world, black tea is fully oxidized, giving it a robust flavor, rich dark color, and a satisfying, lingering finish. It contains moderate caffeine and is packed with antioxidants. At Palm Beach Teas, our Black Tea Collection spans classic origins like Assam, Nilgiri, and China OP, to flavored blends like Berry Brûlée and Blackcurrant all available from $6.50.

A flavored black tea blending rich berry notes with a caramelized brûlée sweetness. This indulgent blend layers fruity brightness over a robust black tea base, creating a dessert-inspired cup that's satisfying without added sugar. One of our most popular flavored black teas.

A fruit-forward black tea featuring the tart, deep berry flavor of blackcurrant. The bold base of black tea balances the fruity notes, creating a well-rounded cup that's both refreshing and satisfying. A great choice for afternoon sipping, hot or iced.

Herbs, flowers, roots, and plant-based ingredients used in herbal and wellness teas. Our Herbal Tea Collection and Wellness Teas feature botanicals like chamomile, peppermint, rose petals, dandelion root, and ginger all selected for their flavor profiles and everyday wellness properties.

Our Boutique Tea Collection features special, limited-edition blends that go beyond our standard range. Think indulgent flavors like Vanilla Almond Soufflé and Summer Berry Peach — crafted for a premium, elevated tea experience. These teas are ideal as gifts or for moments when you want something extra special.

The process of steeping tea leaves in hot water to extract flavor, color, and beneficial compounds. Water temperature and steep time vary by tea type: green teas require cooler water (around 75–80°C) to avoid bitterness, while black and herbal teas can handle near-boiling water. For best results, always use fresh, filtered water and follow the specific guidelines for each blend.

Teas made from herbs, flowers, fruits, and botanicals not from the Camellia sinensis plant contain no caffeine naturally. Our entire Herbal Tea Collection and Rooibos Tea Collection are naturally caffeine-free, making them ideal for evening use, children, or anyone reducing caffeine intake without sacrificing flavor.

A spiced black tea blend rooted in South Asian tradition, typically combining robust black tea with warming spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, clove, ginger, and black pepper. Our Chai Black Tea delivers a bold, comforting cup that works beautifully on its own or with a splash of milk.

A calming, naturally caffeine-free blend that pairs the gentle floral sweetness of chamomile with the bright, citrusy lift of lemongrass. Traditionally enjoyed before sleep or during moments of rest, this tea is a staple in our Herbal Tea Collection and a crowd-pleasing introduction to herbal teas.

"OP" stands for Orange Pekoe a grading term referring to the size and quality of the leaf, not the flavor. China OP Black Tea features long, unbroken leaves that produce a clean, smooth, mellow cup. It's a classic option starting at $6.50 in our Black Tea Collection.

A brewing method where tea leaves are steeped in cold or room-temperature water for an extended period (4–12 hours). Cold brewing naturally produces a smoother, less astringent cup and is perfect for Florida's warm climate. Most teas in our collection especially green teas, oolong, and rooibos cold brew beautifully.

A wellness tea made from roasted dandelion root, traditionally used to support liver health and digestion. With a naturally earthy, slightly bitter flavor reminiscent of coffee, dandelion root tea is a caffeine-free alternative enjoyed by those seeking digestive support. Available in our Wellness Tea Collection at $15.50.

A cleansing herbal blend crafted to support the body's natural detox processes through a combination of herbs and botanicals. Naturally caffeine-free and designed for regular enjoyment, this is one of our most popular wellness-oriented blends in the Herbal Tea Collection.

A post-processing method unique to pu'erh tea where microbial activity transforms the leaves over time, deepening flavor and reducing bitterness. This process gives pu'erh its characteristic earthy, grounding profile and smooth body. Our Pu'erh Tea Collection including Chocolate Pu'erh and Chocolate & Strawberry Pu'erh showcases both classic and flavored fermented teas.

Any tea blend where natural flavors, fruits, flowers, or spices are added to a base tea to create unique taste profiles. Palm Beach Teas specializes in thoughtfully flavored blends across every category from Pineapple Coconut Black Tea to Lemon Ginger Green Tea ensuring bold, satisfying character in every cup.

A minimally oxidized tea made from Camellia sinensis leaves, giving it a fresh, grassy, or vegetal flavor and a light to medium body. Green tea retains high levels of catechins (a type of antioxidant) and contains less caffeine than black tea. Our Green Tea Collection features six blends including South Pacific Green Tea, Jasmine Leaf, and Apple & Fig Green Tea all brewed best with water around 75–80°C.

A warming wellness tea made from real ginger root, celebrated across cultures for its digestive and anti-inflammatory properties. Our Traditional Ginger Tea is part of the Wellness Tea Collection, available at $14.00, and is ideal for cold days, post-meal sipping, or anytime you need a spicy, grounding lift.

Also called a "tisane," herbal tea is not made from the Camellia sinensis plant but from a blend of herbs, flowers, fruits, spices, and botanicals. All herbal teas are naturally caffeine-free, making them perfect for all-day and evening drinking. Our Herbal Tea Collection includes Chamomile Lemongrass, Peppermint, Raspberry Rose Petal, and more all starting from $6.50.

A South African plant closely related to rooibos, honeybush (Cyclopia species) produces a naturally sweet, mildly floral, caffeine-free tea. It has a smoother, lighter flavor than rooibos with a hint of honey. Several blends in our Rooibos Tea Collection including Honey Vanilla Honeybush and Hot Cider Honeybush are honeybush-based.

A device used to hold loose-leaf tea leaves while steeping, allowing water to flow through and extract flavor without leaves ending up in your cup. Common types include mesh balls, basket infusers, and silicone infusers. Palm Beach Teas carries several infuser style including the Silver Sliding Infuser and Mesh Tea Ball in our Teaware & Infusers Collection.

Tea brewed hot and poured over ice, or cold-brewed over several hours for a naturally smooth, refreshing drink. In West Palm Beach's warm climate, iced tea is a year-round staple. Most teas in our collection especially green, black, and rooibos blends make exceptional iced teas.

A classic scented green tea where fragrant jasmine blossoms are layered with green tea leaves during drying, infusing the leaves with a delicate floral aroma. The result is a smooth, aromatic cup that balances floral elegance with the clean freshness of green tea. One of our most beloved blends in the Green Tea Collection.

A distinctive Chinese black tea where leaves are dried over pine wood fires, imparting a bold, smoky character that sets it apart from all other teas. Lapsang Souchong is beloved by coffee drinkers and adventurous tea lovers alike. Our version delivers a rich, campfire-like depth while remaining smooth and accessible.

Tea sold as whole or large-cut leaves rather than in pre-portioned bags. Loose leaf tea offers significantly fuller flavor, richer aroma, and higher quality than bagged tea because the leaves have room to fully expand during steeping, releasing their complete profile. Every tea at Palm Beach Teas is loose leaf, starting from $6.50.

A powdered form of shade-grown Japanese green tea, whisked into hot water rather than steeped. Matcha has an umami-rich, creamy flavor and higher caffeine content than regular green tea. While our collection focuses on loose leaf green teas, matcha-inspired flavors and preparation methods are a natural companion to the teas in our Green Tea Collection.

A citrus-kissed green tea where the bright sweetness of mandarin orange lifts the natural freshness of the tea leaves without overpowering them. This lightly sweet, aromatic blend is approachable for beginners and refreshing served iced a standout in our Green Tea Collection.

A partially oxidized tea that sits between green tea (unoxidized) and black tea (fully oxidized), giving it a complex, layered flavor profile that can range from light and floral to rich and toasty. Oolong is prized for its depth and nuance. Our Oolong Tea Collection features four blends Cinnamon Apple, Orange Blossom, Hazelnut Vanilla, and Cinnamon Orange each crafted for modern palates.

A grading designation for black tea leaves, referring to long, unbroken whole leaves that produce a clean, smooth cup. Despite the name, Orange Pekoe has no orange flavor it refers to the leaf size and quality. Our China OP Black Tea is a prime example of this classic grade.

The chemical process where tea leaves are exposed to oxygen after being plucked and rolled, causing them to darken and develop complex flavors. The degree of oxidation determines the type of tea: none (green), partial (oolong), or full (black). Pu'erh undergoes a unique fermentation process that goes beyond standard oxidation.

A unique category of aged, fermented tea from China's Yunnan Province. Pu'erh undergoes microbial fermentation that develops its signature earthy, deep, and grounding flavor smooth without bitterness. It's often described as having a coffee-like richness that makes it popular with coffee lovers exploring tea. Our Pu'erh Collection features classic, chocolate, and chocolate-strawberry blends, all starting at $7.00.

A bright, refreshing herbal tea made from pure peppermint leaves. Naturally caffeine-free, peppermint tea is prized for its cooling menthol flavor and is commonly enjoyed after meals to support digestion, or as a refreshing midday pick-me-up. One of the most beloved single-herb teas in our Herbal Tea Collection, starting at $6.50.

Loose-leaf tea sourced from reputable, quality-conscious growers and carefully selected for flavor, freshness, and consistency. At Palm Beach Teas, "premium" means working with trusted artisan growers worldwide, ensuring that every blend from our collection delivers a satisfying, repeatable cup whether it's your first or your hundredth.

A naturally caffeine-free herbal tea made from the needle-like leaves of the Aspalathus linearis plant, native to South Africa's Western Cape. Rooibos (meaning "red bush") has a naturally sweet, nutty, and slightly vanilla-like flavor with low tannins and no bitterness. Our Rooibos Collection includes Caramel Macchiato, Honey Vanilla Honeybush, and Hot Cider Honeybush all indulgent, comforting blends.

The practice of using the same tea leaves for multiple infusions, each yielding slightly different flavor notes. High-quality loose leaf teas especially pu'erh, oolong, and certain black teas can be steeped 2–4 times. Re-steeping is both economical and a great way to explore the full flavor arc of a tea.

The act of submerging tea leaves in hot water for a set period to extract flavor, color, and beneficial compounds. Steeping time, water temperature, and the ratio of leaves to water all affect the final cup. As a general rule: green teas steep 2–3 minutes, black teas 3–5 minutes, herbal teas 5–7 minutes, and pu'erh adjusts to personal preference.

A smooth, refreshing green tea blend inspired by island botanicals, offering a clean, grassy finish with subtle tropical character. This coastal-inspired blend is ideal for daily sipping and embodies the relaxed, sun-drenched spirit of the Palm Beach lifestyle.

A premium boutique blend featuring lush summer berry and ripe peach flavors sweet, vibrant, and refreshing. Part of our limited Boutique Tea Collection, this blend is perfect for gifting or treating yourself to something extra special. Available at $10.00.

Naturally occurring polyphenol compounds in tea leaves that contribute to astringency (the dry, puckering sensation in the mouth). Black teas have the highest tannin content; green and oolong teas are lower; herbal teas and rooibos are very low or tannin-free. If you find black tea too astringent, adding milk or reducing steeping time softens the effect significantly.

The cups, pots, infusers, strainers, and accessories used to brew and enjoy tea. Quality teaware enhances the brewing experience and allows loose-leaf teas to express their full flavor. Palm Beach Teas carries a curated Teaware & Infusers Collection including glass teapots, ceramic pots, infuser balls, tea sets, and a matcha whisk with prices from $5.98 to $132.00.

The technically correct term for what is commonly called "herbal tea." A tisane is any infusion made from plant material other than the Camellia sinensis tea plan including herbs, flowers, roots, fruits, and bark. All blends in our Herbal Tea Collection and Wellness Tea Collection are technically tisanes, yet deliver the same comforting ritual as traditional tea.

A smooth, aromatic black tea blended with natural Madagascar vanilla one of the world's finest vanilla varieties, known for its rich, creamy, floral scent. This blend softens the boldness of black tea with a warm, comforting sweetness that makes it one of our most approachable offerings, perfect for newcomers to loose-leaf tea.

A premium boutique blend evoking the indulgent dessert experience of a warm vanilla almond soufflé. Rich, creamy, and gently sweet, this is one of our most gift-worthy blends available at $10.00 in the Boutique Tea Collection.

A category of functional teas designed with specific health goals in mind, using herbs, roots, and botanicals with traditional wellness associations. Our Wellness Tea Collection includes Traditional Ginger Tea, Dandelion Root Tea, and Herb Substitutional Tea all crafted for intentional, mindful daily routines. Prices range from $14.00–$35.00.

One of the most important variables in brewing tea correctly. Using water that's too hot for delicate teas like green tea results in bitterness; water that's too cool for black tea produces a flat, weak cup. General guide: Green Tea 75–80°C · Oolong Tea 85–90°C · Black Tea 95–100°C · Herbal & Rooibos 100°C · Pu'erh 95–100°C.