How I review teas, vendors and teaware
Every review on this site follows the same basic rules, so you know what's behind a recommendation.
How I buy#
I buy the teas and teaware I review with my own money. If a vendor ever sends me something for free, I'll say so clearly at the top of the review, and it doesn't change what I write.
How I brew#
- Gongfu first. Most teas are brewed in a 100–120 ml porcelain gaiwan, using the parameters in my gongfu brewing chart as a starting point.
- At least two sessions. One session can mislead: water, leaf amount or mood can change a cup. Every tea gets two sessions minimum, often more.
- Side by side when possible. Comparing a tea with a similar one says far more than tasting it alone.
- Adjusted, then judged. If a tea tastes off, I change leaf, time or temperature before blaming the tea.
- Same water every time: filtered water, so differences come from the leaf.
What I look at in a tea#
| What | What I'm checking |
|---|---|
| Aroma | Dry leaf, the lid, the empty cup |
| Taste | Clarity, balance, how bitterness behaves |
| Texture | Thin or thick, smooth or rough |
| Aftertaste | Length, sweetness returning in the throat (hui gan) |
| Stamina | How many good steeps, and how the tea changes |
| Value | Is it worth the price, compared with similar teas? |
I don't use star ratings. Numbers make teas look more comparable than they are. Instead, each review says clearly who a tea is for and whether I'd buy it again.
How I review vendors#
I look at the teas themselves, but also at what surrounds them: honest descriptions (year, region, processing), samples, packaging, shipping to Europe, and how the shop handles problems. A vendor is recommended only after several orders.
How I review teaware#
I use each gaiwan, teapot or kettle in regular sessions for at least a few weeks before writing about it: how it holds, pours, drips, cleans and feels after daily use.
Affiliate links#
Right now this site has no affiliate links. If it ever adds them, buying through one may earn a small commission at no cost to you. It will never decide what I recommend: I link to shops I already buy from, not the other way around. Details in the affiliate disclosure.
Updates and corrections#
Teas sell out, prices change and I change my mind. Reviews are updated when that happens, with the date at the top. If you spot a mistake, please tell me.