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Tea Buying Guide
Not Sure Where to Start?
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.
Start here
What Are You Looking For?
Tell us what matters to you, and we'll point you to the right tea.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
Taiwanese Heritage Collection →
"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.
Pinglin Pouchong Oolong →
"I'm new to loose leaf. Will I mess it up?"
Hard to mess up. 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.
Alishan High Mountain Oolong →
Our Collection
Every Tea We Carry
Taiwan · Alishan
High Mountain Oolong
Elevation: 1,000–1,600m
Oxidation: ~20%
Caffeine: Moderate
Steeps: 4–7
Alishan High Mountain Oolong
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, ball-rolled, and hand-harvested from a multi-generational family estate.
Buttery
Orchid
Gardenia
Sweet finish
Brew: 5g per 300ml · 90–95°C · 3–4 min Western, or 5g per 120ml · 30s gongfu.
Re-steep: 4–7 infusions, each revealing new layers.
~$1.40/cup · Brews 15+ cups per bag
Re-steep: 4–7 infusions, each revealing new layers.
Taiwan · Shan Lin Xi
High Mountain Oolong
Elevation: 1,200–1,800m
Oxidation: ~18%
Caffeine: Moderate
Steeps: 5–7
Shan Lin Xi High Mountain Oolong
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.
Floral
Mineral
Silky
Fruity
Brew: 5g per 300ml · 90–95°C · 3–4 min Western, or 5g per 120ml · 30s gongfu.
Re-steep: 5–7 infusions. Middle steeps are often the best.
~$1.40/cup · Brews 15+ cups per bag
Re-steep: 5–7 infusions. Middle steeps are often the best.
Taiwan · Alishan
Roasted Oolong
Elevation: 1,000–1,600m
Oxidation: ~25% + roast
Caffeine: Moderate
Steeps: 5–8
Roasted Alishan Oolong
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.
Caramel
Roasted nuts
Honey
Toasty
Brew: 5g per 300ml · 95°C · 3–5 min. Higher temps bring out the roast character.
Re-steep: 5–8 infusions. Gets sweeter as you go.
~$1.40/cup · Brews 15+ cups per bag
Re-steep: 5–8 infusions. Gets sweeter as you go.
Taiwan
Roasted Oolong
Cultivar: Tsui Yu (#13)
Oxidation: Medium + roast
Caffeine: Moderate
Steeps: 4–6
Roasted Tsui Yu Jade Oolong
Taiwan's jade cultivar, slow-roasted to perfection.
Tsui Yu (Jade #13) is a uniquely Taiwanese cultivar prized for its distinctive character. Slow roasting deepens the natural sweetness and adds layers of warmth. A smooth, rich cup with a clean finish that's different from Alishan — worth exploring if you enjoy roasted oolongs.
Warm
Sweet
Smooth
Rich
Brew: 5g per 300ml · 95°C · 3–5 min.
Re-steep: 4–6 infusions.
~$1.40/cup · Brews 15+ cups per bag
Re-steep: 4–6 infusions.
Taiwan · Pinglin
Light Oolong
Elevation: 300–800m
Oxidation: ~12%
Caffeine: Low–Moderate
Steeps: 3–5
Pinglin Pouchong Oolong
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.
Lily
Orchid
Honeysuckle
Clean
Brew: 3g per 200ml · 85–90°C · 2–3 min. Cooler water preserves the florals.
Re-steep: 3–5 infusions.
~$2.00/cup · 19g pouch, perfect for sampling
Re-steep: 3–5 infusions.
Japan · Uji, Kyoto
Matcha (Stone-Ground)
Cultivation: Shade-grown 20+ days
Grade: Ceremonial
Caffeine: High
Steeps: 1 (whole leaf consumed)
Uji Matcha
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 to boost chlorophyll and L-theanine, hand-picked, then stone-ground on traditional granite mills. Because you consume the whole leaf, you get the full spectrum of caffeine plus L-theanine — calm, focused energy without the crash.
Umami
Sweet
Vegetal
Creamy
Traditional: 2g sifted into bowl · 70ml at 80°C · whisk with chasen until frothy.
Latte: 2g · 30ml hot water whisked · top with 150ml steamed milk.
~$1.65/cup · 30g tin makes ~15 servings
Latte: 2g · 30ml hot water whisked · top with 150ml steamed milk.
Japan · Uji, Kyoto
Roasted Green Tea
Roast: High-temperature fired
Caffeine: Very Low (~7mg)
Steeps: 2–3
Uji Hojicha
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.
Caramel
Chestnut
Toasty
Light smoke
Brew: 2g per 180ml · 85–90°C · 60 seconds.
Re-steep: 2nd infusion is lighter, more aromatic. Great as a hojicha latte.
~$0.85/cup · 35g bag makes ~17 cups
Re-steep: 2nd infusion is lighter, more aromatic. Great as a hojicha latte.
India · Himalayas
Green Tea
Elevation: Moderate altitude
Processing: Minimally oxidized
Caffeine: Moderate
Steeps: 2–3
Himalayan Indian Green
Clean mountain air, gentle on the stomach, naturally energizing.
From a historic estate reviving traditional cultivation from Meghalaya, India. 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 — the kind of green tea you can drink all day.
Vegetal
Sweet
Clean
Fresh
Brew: 3g per 200ml · 80°C · 2–3 min. Don't use boiling water — it scalds green tea.
Re-steep: 2–3 infusions.
~$0.85/cup · Great daily drinker at an accessible price
Re-steep: 2–3 infusions.
At a glance
Side-by-Side Comparison
Every tea at a glance — flavor, caffeine, price per cup, and when to drink it.
| Tea | Flavor Profile | 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 |
| Tsui Yu Jade | Warm, sweet, smooth | Med | Roasted oolong fans, daily drinker | ~$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 | V. Low | Evening, bedtime, all-day sipping | ~$0.85 |
| Himalayan Green | Vegetal, sweet, clean | Med | Daily drinker, green tea fans | ~$0.85 |
How to brew
Two Ways to Brew Loose Leaf
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
Familiar, simple, one cup at a time. Use this if you're new to loose leaf.
Dose: 3–5g of tea (about 1 tablespoon)
Water: 200–300ml, temperature per tea type
Time: 2–4 minutes first steep
Re-steep: Add 30–60 seconds each time
Gear: Any mug + a strainer. That's it.
Gongfu Style
More tea, less water, shorter steeps. Multiple infusions reveal how the flavor evolves.
Dose: 5–6g of tea
Water: 100–150ml (gaiwan or small teapot)
Time: 20–30 seconds first steep
Re-steep: Add 5–10 seconds each round
Gear: Gaiwan, small cups, fair pitcher (optional)
On the horizon
Coming Soon
Arriving 2026
Darjeeling 2nd Flush
From one of Darjeeling's legendary estates — whole leaf, FTGFOP grade. 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, small batch.
Common questions
Frequently Asked
How many cups does each bag make?
Our 75g oolong bags brew 15–20+ cups depending on how strong you like it and how many times you re-steep. 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 are typically made from 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 often $0.85 to $2.00 — comparable to or less than 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.
What's the difference between matcha and hojicha?
Both are Japanese teas from Uji, but 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.
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.
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.
