Products

What is Tea?

Tea is an aromatic beverage traditionally created by infusing leaves of the tea bush (Camellia sinensis) with hot water. Occasionally tea leaves are blended with other herbs and spices to create unique and flavorful beverages. Tea is one of the most consumed beverages in the world and is enjoyed for its pleasurable taste and stimulating effects, as well as health benefits.

A Brief History of Tea

While herbal infusions date back as early as 7000 BC, the brewing of the tea leaf can be traced back to 2000 BC in China. By the Tang Dynasty in the 7th century tea had spread to Korea and Japan. In the 16th century the Portuguese returned to Europe with tea leaves from explorations in China. The late 1800s brought cultivation of the tea plant to India, Sri Lanka and other Asian and African locations. Despite being once considered a luxury beverage, tea is now consumed daily in many countries around the world.

Health Benefits of Tea

Tea has been an important part of Chinese medicine for 5000 years. In recent years, and on a continuing basis, the medical community has published reports on the positive effects of tea for health and well-being. For a summary of substantiated findings for teas from the “tea bush”, including black, green, oolong, white and Pu- Erh, please visit our Learn page.

Our Teas

Our teas are chosen to deliver delicious and accessible flavors for a great economic value. We cater our teas and teaware to the restaurant and café environment, bearing in mind the often hectic atmospheres where water temperature and steep times may vary. After a rigorous tasting process; we import our teas from superior sources, and we are then able to provide premium products to our over 400 clients.

Ancient Herbals

Ancient Herbal Teas from Armenia originate in antiquity, with the tradition and science beginning 7000 years ago. In keeping with the restaurant industry’s increased interest in original foods, ethnic culinary techniques, healthful balanced meals, and ecologically pure foods, MEM Tea has begun importing wildcrafted herbals teas from their native lands. Please see our Herbal Teas section for our Ancient Herbals selections.

For more information on types of tea, dosing instructions and preparation, and suggested recipes, please visit our Learn page.