Piper, our fictional human field explorer

Meet Piper · Coffee Intelligence Agency field explorer

Find a tea you will enjoy

Piper is your discovery guide. Pick a type of tea, then open a bag to see what is inside.

Available to order now.

Skip to the teas

Tea basics

  • Hello, tea

    Hello, I’m Piper. No entrance exam here, just a cup and a little curiosity. Start with the basics, or open a tea story when you feel like exploring.

  • One plant, many teas

    True tea comes from Camellia sinensis. White, green, yellow, oolong, black and pu-erh develop their differences through how the leaves are processed after picking.

  • And what is herbal tea?

    Herbal and fruit infusions, also called tisanes, come from other plants. They may use leaves, roots, bark, seeds, flowers or fruit. Some blends also include true tea, so check the ingredients rather than assuming what a name means.

Tea stories (optional)

Tea as shared know-how

In UNESCO’s account, tea is knowledge as much as a plant: how plantations are managed, how leaves are picked, manually processed, drunk and shared. UNESCO recognised that body of know-how in 2022.

The way of tea, and powdered tea arriving

In Japan the word chado means the way of tea, and the Urasenke Foundation names its principles as harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. The same page tells us that for a long time tea in Japan belonged to the court and to Buddhist ceremonies, and that Eisai introduced tea in powdered form on his return from study in China. If you enjoy whisked powdered tea, this is one chapter in the story of powdered tea in Japan.

A cup that says you are welcome

In Azerbaijan and Türkiye tea is not just refreshment, it is hospitality. UNESCO’s description speaks of a practice that shows welcome, marks important moments in people’s lives, and belongs to daily life across society. The tea is served freshly brewed and hot, in pear-shaped cups. Tea as a way of showing welcome.

Black

Green tea

Herbal tea

Matcha and hojicha

More teas to explore

Gear for brewing

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  • Universal Glass Tea Infuser

    A glass tea infuser with a multi-functional lid, for brewing loose leaf tea. At Teabloom, use code SatiricalCoffee10 for 10% off. Cannot be combined with other promotions.

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  • Venice Double Wall Tea Mug

    A double wall tea mug that comes with an infuser, a white lid and a coaster. The retailer lists it at 15 oz (430 ml). At Teabloom, use code SatiricalCoffee10 for 10% off. Cannot be combined with other promotions.

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  • Formosa Multi-Brew Tea Maker

    A glass multi-brew tea maker, listed by the retailer with its tea pitchers. At Teabloom, use code SatiricalCoffee10 for 10% off. Cannot be combined with other promotions.

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Ask the Tea library

Choose a question or type your own. Answers come from reviewed educational sources. Please leave out personal, payment and order details.