Every person cherishes something particular in a simple act of enjoying a cup of tea. There are several principles which are associated with tea though. These principles originated from Japanese Tea Ceremony.

Wa (harmony) is the important principle of Japanese tea drinking. Social harmony is one of the highly valued principles in Japan. Through tea ceremony harmony is achieved by the host and guests. The participants pay attention to details and work together to make that special cup of tea.

Kei (respect) is a major quality in Confucian philosophy.  Etiquette of tea is crucial in Japanese Tea Ceremony, and it is achieved by following the indirect rules. There is a certain structure in the way the host chooses the tools and prepares tea and in the way the guests enjoy drinking tea.

Sei (purity) is perceived as inner quality of tea. But it is achieved through rituals aimed at external purity; the host and the guests wash their hands and the host cleanses all the tea gears. Sugar is not put in tea deliberately, so the purity of tea is kept.

Jaku (tranquility),  is achieved not just through peaceful state of mind.  In this concept, tranquility means finding the state of calmness through taking a natural path.

At Ekoleaf we appreciate the wisdom and principles associated with tea that has been collected through generations. We also have our own philosophy of tea drinking. Simply put, we believe that tea drinking can enrich our lives and enhance the quality of the present moment. Whether tea is enjoyed in solitude or together with our loved ones, there is much more to the cup of tea than one could describe.  A cup of tea brings you closer to your loved ones, and makes you feel at peace with yourself.

Wondering why you should buy organic tea? Here are several aspects of drinking organic tea. Every cup of tea invites you to a cultural adventure since different kinds of tea come from all over the world. The taste and aroma of organic tea delivers an unparalleled experience.  Every cup of tea also brings an amazing feeling of tranquility. When tea is enjoyed with your family and friends, it brings a feel of togetherness and intimacy. Drinking tea also provides countless health benefits. When you buy Certified Organic you express a consideration for our planet Earth and its delicate system, since organic teas are grown in chemicals and pesticides free environment. Not only you contribute to more sustainable farming practices by buying organic, you also promote your own health and well-being. It is important for your health to choose organic, since only organic teas and tisanes will benefit you the most.

Matcha tea recently has become very popular. If you haven’t tried it yet you will definitely want to try it after reading about its benefits! There are number of reputable online stores where you can buy matcha tea.

First of all, matcha tea is just an explosion of antioxidants! Matcha has about ten times more antioxidants than a regular green tea. Matcha green tea is grown in the shade, then it’s grounded into green tea powder. As a result when you drink matcha tea you are consuming the tea leafs themselves with all the minerals, vitamins, fiber and antioxidants . Matcha is known for helping you to burn more calories, for its detoxifying effects and for the long-lasting energy that it gives you without caffeine crashes that you would normally have when drinking coffee. There are many variations of drinking matcha. You could prepare matcha with hot water only or could also add some milk. The well-known green tea lattes offered at most of the cafes are prepared with milk only without adding any water. How you want to drink it will depend on your personal taste. Enjoy a nice cup of organic matcha tea while ripping all the benefits!

Similar to Green tea, Black tea is prepared from the leaves of Camellia sinensis plant. However one major difference is that the leaves are dried and fully fermented which results in rich strong taste, aroma and color. Black tea has a history of thousands of years. It has been enjoyed in different countries all over the world.

The following are the black tea health benefits which make this beverage irreplaceable in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Recent studies suggest a number of benefits of drinking Black tea. It is believed that Black tea drinkers have lower risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke: by reducing “bad” cholesterol Black tea components help to sustain healthy blood vessels. Secondly, research shows that Black tea neutralizes germs such as the ones that cause pneumonia, herpes, diarrhea, cystitis. Thirdly, Black tea is high in magnesium which is crucial for sustaining strong bones and healthy teeth. Another important characteristic of Black tea is that it contains caffeine, which helps most of the people to feel awake and energized in the morning. At the same time, the amount of caffeine is lower than in coffee which makes Black tea, along with all other benefits, a truly healthy beverage.