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Tea Buying Guide
Quick Tip: Start with what you want from your tea. For coffee-like depth, try Roasted Alishan Oolong. For calm focus, Uji Matcha. For evening comfort, Uji Hojicha (only 7mg caffeine). For exploring Taiwanese oolong, Alishan High Mountain is the benchmark. For an easy daily green tea, Himalayan Indian Green is clean and gentle at just $0.85/cup. Every tea we carry costs between $0.85–$2.00 per cup and re-steeps 3–7 times.
Every Living Roots tea is single origin, farm-direct, and traceable to the family that grew it. This guide will help you find the right tea for your palate, your ritual, and your curiosity.
What Are You Looking For?
Not sure where to start? Find your situation below.
"I want calm, focused energy without coffee jitters."
Matcha gives you steady caffeine plus L-theanine for focus. If you want something gentler, any of our Taiwanese oolongs deliver smooth energy you can sip all afternoon. Try our Uji Matcha
"I drink coffee. What tea won't bore me?"
Roasted Alishan Oolong has the body and depth that coffee drinkers appreciate — toasty, caramel, zero bitterness. It's the gateway tea for coffee people. Try our Roasted Alishan Oolong
"I want something light and calming for the evening."
Uji Hojicha is roasted for warmth but naturally very low in caffeine — about 7mg per cup versus 95mg in coffee. Perfect before bed. Try the Uji Hojicha
"I want to explore Taiwanese tea. Where do I start?"
Alishan High Mountain Oolong is Taiwan's benchmark tea — creamy, floral, easy to love. Once you have that, try Shan Lin Xi to see how altitude changes everything. Header over to the Taiwanese Heritage Starter
"I want something floral and delicate."
Pinglin Pouchong is Taiwan's lightest oolong — barely oxidized, all lily and orchid. It's like drinking a spring garden. Try Pinglin Pouchong Oolong
"I'm new to loose leaf. Will I mess it up?"
Impossible. Our oolongs are forgiving — a little extra steep time won't make them bitter. Start with Alishan: 5g in a mug, hot water, 3 minutes. That's it. Try the Alishan High Mountain Oolong
Side-by-Side Comparison
Every tea at a glance — flavor, caffeine, price per cup, and when to drink it.
| Tea | Flavor | Caffeine | Best For | $/Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alishan Oolong | Creamy, buttery, orchid | ●●●○ Med | Afternoon ritual, exploring oolong | ~$1.40 |
| Shan Lin Xi Oolong | Floral, mineral, silky | ●●●○ Med | Terroir comparison, experienced palate | ~$1.40 |
| Roasted Alishan | Caramel, toasty, honey | ●●●○ Med | Coffee drinkers, cooler weather | ~$1.40 |
| Pinglin Pouchong | Lily, orchid, honeysuckle | ●●○○ Low-Med | Floral tea lovers, gentle start | ~$2.00 |
| Uji Matcha | Umami, sweet, creamy | ●●●●● High | Morning focus, coffee replacement | ~$1.65 |
| Uji Hojicha | Caramel, chestnut, toasty | ●○○○ Very Low | Evening, bedtime, all-day sipping | ~$0.85 |
| Himalayan Green | Vegetal, sweet, clean | ●●●○ Med | Daily drinker, green tea fans | ~$0.85 |
Our Teas: The Full Guide
Alishan High Mountain Oolong — Taiwan
The tea that put Taiwan on the world map.
Grown above the clouds on Taiwan's most famous mountain range at 1,000–1,600 meters. Slow growth at altitude concentrates flavor into a creamy, buttery body with notes of gardenia and a gentle lingering sweetness. Lightly oxidized (~20%), ball-rolled, and hand-harvested from a multi-generational family estate.
Tasting notes: Buttery, orchid, gardenia, sweet finish
How to brew: 5g per 300ml at 90–95°C for 3–4 minutes (Western), or 5g per 120ml for 30 seconds (gongfu). Re-steeps 4–7 times, each infusion revealing new layers — the first is floral and light, middle steeps are richer and more buttery, later steeps develop a deeper, honeyed sweetness.
Pro Tip: Tasting Alishan and Shan Lin Xi side by side is the best way to understand how terroir shapes tea. Same island, different mountains, completely different character.
Cost per cup: ~$1.40 · Brews 15+ cups per 75g bag
Explore Alishan High Mountain Oolong
Shan Lin Xi High Mountain Oolong — Taiwan
Higher still, where the air thins and the tea transforms.
At 1,200–1,800 meters, the air is thinner, nights are colder, and the tea develops a brightness that Alishan can't replicate. Silky, almost creamy texture with crisp floral aromatics and a fruity, mineral complexity. If Alishan is warm and inviting, Shan Lin Xi is electric and elegant. Light oxidation (~18%) preserves the fresh, high-altitude character.
Tasting notes: Floral, mineral, silky, fruity
How to brew: 5g per 300ml at 90–95°C for 3–4 minutes (Western), or 5g per 120ml for 30 seconds (gongfu). Re-steeps 5–7 times. The middle steeps are often the best.
Cost per cup: ~$1.40 · Brews 15+ cups per 75g bag
Roasted Alishan Oolong — Taiwan
The coffee drinker's gateway tea.
Same farm, same leaves as our Alishan — then slowly baked over low heat for hours. The roasting transforms floral sweetness into toasty depth with notes of caramel, roasted nuts, and honey. Fuller body, lower acidity, gentle on the stomach. Complex and comforting, this tea actually improves with age.
Tasting notes: Caramel, roasted nuts, honey, toasty
How to brew: 5g per 300ml at 95°C for 3–5 minutes. Higher temps bring out the roast character. Re-steeps 5–8 times — gets sweeter as you go.
Did You Know? Roasted Alishan starts as the same high mountain oolong as our regular Alishan. After standard processing, the finished tea is slowly baked over low heat for several hours, transforming the floral sweetness into toasty depth through Maillard reactions — the same chemistry that makes bread crusts and caramelized sugar delicious.
Cost per cup: ~$1.40 · Brews 15+ cups per 75g bag
Explore Roasted Alishan Oolong
Pinglin Pouchong Oolong — Taiwan
Taiwan's most delicate oolong — barely twisted, all flower.
From the lush valleys just outside Taipei, pouchong is Taiwan's lightest oolong — only about 12% oxidized, with long, gently twisted leaves that unfurl into something ethereal. Lily, orchid, honeysuckle, and a clean sweetness that lingers like morning mist. If you love floral teas or want a gentler alternative to green tea, this is where to start.
Tasting notes: Lily, orchid, honeysuckle, clean sweetness
How to brew: 3g per 200ml at 85–90°C for 2–3 minutes. Cooler water preserves the delicate florals. Re-steeps 3–5 times.
Note: Pinglin Pouchong comes in a 19g pouch — smaller than our other oolongs because it's meant as a tasting experience. If you fall in love with it (many people do), the Taiwanese Heritage Collection includes a full set.
Cost per cup: ~$2.00 · 19g pouch, perfect for sampling
Uji Matcha — Japan
Ceremonial grade from a 16th-generation tea house.
Uji's misty river valleys have produced Japan's finest matcha for over 800 years. Shade-grown for 20+ days to boost chlorophyll and L-theanine, hand-picked, then stone-ground on traditional granite mills. Vibrant green, savory umami, gentle sweetness, velvety smooth. Because you consume the whole leaf, you get the full spectrum of caffeine plus L-theanine — calm, focused energy without the crash.
Tasting notes: Umami, sweet, vegetal, creamy
How to brew (traditional): 2g sifted into a bowl, add 70ml at 80°C, whisk with a chasen until frothy.
How to brew (latte): 2g whisked with 30ml hot water, top with 150ml steamed milk.
Pro Tip: Sift your matcha before whisking. Those small clumps dissolve poorly and leave gritty bits in your cup. A fine mesh strainer and 10 seconds of effort makes a noticeable difference in texture.
Cost per cup: ~$1.65 · 30g tin makes ~15 servings
Uji Hojicha — Japan
Warm, toasty, practically zero caffeine. Your evening tea.
Japanese green tea leaves roasted at high temperature until reddish-brown. The roasting strips away bitterness and most caffeine (~7mg per cup — less than a piece of dark chocolate), leaving a warm, toasted aroma with mellow notes of caramel, chestnut, and light smoke. In Japan, hojicha is traditionally served after meals, in the evening, and even to children. This is the tea you reach for when you want comfort without stimulation.
Tasting notes: Caramel, chestnut, toasty, light smoke
How to brew: 2g per 180ml at 85–90°C for 60 seconds. Re-steep once for a lighter, more aromatic second cup. Also works beautifully as a hojicha latte with steamed milk.
Cost per cup: ~$0.85 · 35g bag makes ~17 cups
Himalayan Indian Green — India
Clean mountain air, gentle on the stomach, naturally energizing.
From a historic estate reviving traditional cultivation in the Indian Himalayas. Cool mist and clean mountain air produce delicate leaves with subtle vegetal sweetness. Minimally processed to preserve the fresh, green character. Lighter than our oolongs, with a clean finish that doesn't linger — the kind of green tea you can drink all day. Direct trade from farmers we visit.
Tasting notes: Vegetal, sweet, clean, fresh
How to brew: 3g per 200ml at 80°C for 2–3 minutes. Don't use boiling water — it scalds green tea and creates bitterness. Re-steeps 2–3 times.
Cost per cup: ~$0.85 · Great daily drinker at an accessible price
How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea
You don't need special equipment. A mug and hot water will get you 90% of the way there. But if you want to go deeper, gongfu-style brewing unlocks more complexity from the same leaves.
Western Style (Simple)
Use this if you're new to loose leaf or just want a single cup.
- Dose: 3–5g of tea (about 1 tablespoon for oolongs)
- Water: 200–300ml at the right temperature for the tea type
- Steep: 2–4 minutes for the first infusion
- Re-steep: Add 30–60 seconds each time
- Gear: Any mug plus a strainer. That's it.
Gongfu Style (Multiple Infusions)
More tea, less water, shorter steeps. Each infusion reveals a different layer of flavor.
- Dose: 5–6g of tea
- Water: 100–150ml in a gaiwan or small teapot
- Steep: 20–30 seconds for the first infusion
- Re-steep: Add 5–10 seconds each round
- Gear: Gaiwan, small cups, fair pitcher (optional)
Pro Tip: Our oolongs are forgiving. If you steep a little too long, they won't turn bitter like some green teas. Start with Western style, and if you enjoy the tea, try gongfu to see what else the leaves can do.
Coming Soon: Darjeeling 2nd Flush
We're always sourcing. Our next release is Darjeeling 2nd Flush — whole leaf, FTGFOP grade, from one of Darjeeling's legendary estates. Second flush is celebrated for its fuller body and warm muscatel character with honeyed stone fruit and gentle florals. The tea that made generations fall in love with Indian black tea. Limited release, arriving 2026.
Tea Buying Guide FAQ
How many cups does each bag make?
Our 75g oolong bags brew 15–20+ cups depending on strength and re-steeping. With gongfu brewing, you'll get even more. Matcha (30g) makes about 15 servings. Hojicha (35g) makes about 17 cups.
Can I re-steep the leaves?
Yes — that's one of the best things about quality loose leaf. Our oolongs handle 4–7 steeps, and each infusion tastes different. The first is light and floral, middle steeps are richer, and later ones develop a deeper sweetness. You're getting far more value than a single-use teabag.
Why is loose leaf tea more expensive than supermarket tea?
Supermarket teabags use dust and fannings — the broken bits left after whole leaf processing. Our teas are whole leaf, hand-harvested, single origin, and traceable to specific farms. When you factor in multiple steeps, the cost per cup is $0.85 to $2.00 — often comparable to a teabag, with dramatically better flavor.
What's the difference between oolong and green tea?
Oxidation level. Green tea is unoxidized (0%), oolong is partially oxidized (12–80%), and black tea is fully oxidized. Our Taiwanese oolongs sit at the lighter end (12–25%), closer to green tea but with more body and complexity. Oolong is often the sweet spot for people who find green tea too grassy and black tea too strong.
Which tea has the least caffeine?
Uji Hojicha, by a wide margin. The roasting process reduces caffeine to roughly 7mg per cup — less than a piece of dark chocolate. It's traditionally served in Japan after dinner and even to children.
How should I store my tea?
Keep it sealed in the original resealable pouch, in a cool, dark place away from strong odors. Oolong and hojicha stay fresh for 12–18 months. Matcha is more delicate — refrigerate after opening and use within 4–6 weeks for the best color and flavor.
What's the difference between matcha and hojicha?
Both are Japanese teas from Uji, but they're completely different experiences. Matcha is shade-grown, stone-ground green tea — bright, umami-rich, higher caffeine. Hojicha is roasted until brown — warm, toasty, naturally sweet, very low caffeine. Matcha is your morning focus tea; hojicha is your evening comfort tea.
Do I need special equipment?
No. A mug and a strainer are all you need for Western-style brewing. If you want to explore gongfu-style brewing (shorter steeps, more infusions), a gaiwan is ideal — we carry the Modern Celestial Gaiwan which works perfectly for our oolongs.
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