Tea & Wellness

"What water temperature? What gear do I need? Which tea should I even buy?!"

For a beginner, the world of tea can feel like a tidal wave of questions. Just when you decide to give it a try, you're overwhelmed.

Deep breath. As a long-time tea lover, I'm here to give you the most direct, no-fluff guide you'll ever need.

No mysterious rituals, no long-winded philosophy. Just straight answers to the real questions you have right now. Read this, and you'll be brewing in minutes. Let's go!

Q1: Do I really need a fancy tea set to start?

Nope! Absolutely not. Don't let the ceremony scare you away.

• The Minimalist: A mug or glass + tea leaves/tea bag. This is it. The easiest way to start. Just add a pinch of leaves (a small three-finger pinch is a good start), add hot water, wait a bit, and drink. This is perfect for Green Tea, Yellow Tea, floral teas, and most black tea bags.

• The Game-Changer: A Gongfu Gravity Steeper or an Infuser Mug. This is the MVP (Most Valuable Player) for beginners and costs less than a fancy dinner. It lets you brew, filter, and control the strength of your tea with zero fuss. It works for literally any type of tea. Highly recommended!

• The Future You: What about those cool little Gaiwans or Zisha clay pots? They're awesome, but they are absolutely not a requirement to start. Once you fall in love with tea, you'll naturally want to explore them. For now, just focus on the brew.

Q2: Okay, I'm sold. What tea should I actually buy?

Start with the crowd-pleasers: Black Tea and Green Tea. You almost can't go wrong here. They are the most popular and widely sold teas in the world for a reason—their flavors are generally very approachable and beloved by beginners and experts alike.

A few other fantastic choices for newcomers:

• Lightly Oxidized Oolongs (e.g., Tie Guan Yin, Taiwanese High Mountain): These are heavenly. They have a bright, fresh flavor with delicate floral or creamy notes. They're refreshing, not overpowering, and super beginner-friendly.

• Jasmine Tea: The aroma! It’s a floral party in a cup. It's an incredibly pleasant and easy-to-love tea with a very low barrier to entry.

⚠️ Enter with Caution: I'd suggest holding off on these until you've got a few brews under your belt:

• Raw Puerh (Sheng Puerh): Can be intensely bitter and astringent if not brewed correctly.

• Rock Oolong (Wuyi Yancha): The heavy roasted flavor can be an acquired taste.

• Ripe Puerh (Shou Puerh) & other Dark Teas (Hei Cha): The flavor profile is often very earthy, sometimes described as "medicinal," which can be a bit of a shock at first.

Q3: How hot should the water be? Does it really matter?

Yes, it matters! But it's simple. Just match the water to the tea.

• Delicate Teas (Green, Yellow, Silver Needle/White Peony White Tea): Go easy on them! They burn easily. Use water around 85°C / 185°F. A simple trick: boil your water, then let it sit for 2-3 minutes before pouring.

• Robust Teas (Oolongs, Black Tea): Crank up the heat! Use water just off the boil, around 95°C / 203°F. This high heat is needed to unlock their full aroma and flavor.

• The Tough Guys (Puerh, Aged White Tea, Dark Teas): Bring on the boil! Use a full, rolling boil at 100°C / 212°F. These teas are hardy and need the high temperature to open up properly.

• Floral Teas (like Jasmine): This depends on the tea base. Generally, 85-90°C (185-195°F) works perfectly.

Q4: How much tea leaf do I use? How long do I steep it? Will I poison myself if I brew it too long?

This is all about finding what you like. But here's a simple rule of thumb:

More leaf + Hotter water = Shorter brew time. Less leaf + Cooler water = Longer brew time.

The most important thing is to experiment!

• Too weak? Next time, steep it longer or add a bit more leaf.

• Too strong or bitter? Next time, steep it for less time or use less leaf.

Don't be trapped by rules. After a few tries, you'll find the perfect balance for your palate. Your taste buds are the ultimate judge.

And toxic? Not a chance. The worst that can happen is a bitter, sad-tasting cup of tea. Just pour it out and try again!

Q5: Where do I buy tea without getting ripped off?

When you're starting out, play it safe.

Start with reputable brands. Online stores like Yunnan Sourcing or, well, us at Teastart.com, are great places to begin. This ensures you get a stable, quality product and helps you build a baseline for what good tea tastes like.

• Yunnan Sourcing has a massive selection and is great for bulk buys at reasonable prices.

• For a more guided experience, that’s where we come in. At Teastart, we design tasting flights and gift sets specifically for beginners and connoisseurs to have a vertical tasting experience, helping you explore different flavor profiles without the guesswork. We specialize in Oolong tea to introduce you to a world of flavors.

Q6: How much should I buy? And what's a reasonable price?

The golden rule: Buy small, try many!

For any single type of tea, aim to buy a small package, around 50 - 100 grams (about 2-4 oz). This way, if you don't end up loving it, you haven't wasted much money. The goal is to taste a variety of teas to discover what you truly enjoy.

Your own palate is a million times more reliable than anyone else's recommendation!

For pricing, a 50g bag in the $10 - $30 range will get you a very solid, good-quality daily drinker. Be wary of anything that seems too cheap. With food and drink, you often get what you pay for, and quality and safety matter. You can always explore more expensive, high-grade teas later on.

Q7: Any other super-important, final advice?

Yes. The most important tip of all:

Relax! Enjoy the process! Don't let the rules tie you down!

You're drinking tea because you want something delicious, comforting, and enjoyable—it's not an exam!

• Water a few degrees off? It's fine!

• Steeped it a bit too long? Adjust next time!

• Using a "non-professional" mug? If it holds water, it works!

The more you drink and the more you compare, the more attuned your palate will become. Trust your own senses. If you think it tastes good, then it is good tea. Period.