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Matcha tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, which is the same plant green, white, Oolong and black tea.

We have been sourcing premium teas and herbs for our Valued Customers for 32 years since our founding in 1989.

WhatCha talking about? Tea, of course! Have you ever noticed that some cultures don’t refer to tea as tea but call it cha or chai? Why is that and how did we start calling it tea?

Our customers often ask us, “When does my tea expire?” Because tea leaves are a dried product, they do not technically have an expiration date, however, once you open the packet, we recommend that you drink your tea sooner rather than later.

The lush tea fields of China’s An Hui province flourish, surrounded by craggy mountains that seem to stretch skyward into the clouds. When the wind blows, the damp mountain air carries the aroma of sweet spring rain and vegetation...

Dragons. Explosives. Eyebrows. What do these seemingly unconnected and wildly off-topic concepts have to do with your cup of tea? The answer may surprise you. Every time you order your favorite Chinese green teas, you might be mentioning them by name.

You may have heard of cold brew, but have you ever heard of a tea being steeped over ice? No hot water is required to make a refreshing ice-cold cup of Japanese green tea with the Kōridashi method.

Did you know that tea-producing countries in Africa, such as Kenya and Rwanda, grow almost a third of the world's tea supply? Because most of the world’s tea is grown in Asia, Africa is often overlooked in conversations about tea production.

Recently, our tea buyer Tanya and I had the privilege to visit Kagoshima to see where the tea is grown. Japan’s Kagoshima prefecture is located on the Osumi peninsula, in the south of the island Kyushu.

Earl Grey is one of the most iconic tea blends in the world, but who was Earl Grey?

From the very beginning, Upton Tea Imports has been proud to offer quality tea education in our Upton Tea Quarterly catalog to accompany our premium tea selection.

From the very beginning, Upton Tea Imports has been proud to offer quality tea education in our Upton Tea Quarterly catalog to accompany our premium tea selection.

As the weather grows colder and the days grow shorter, Autumn is the perfect time of year to enjoy the warmth and comfort of tea.

Over the centuries the teapot, which is the dearest companion of any serious tea drinker, has been forged from a variety of different materials including stone, metal, ceramics (both porous and glazed) and, perhaps most famously, porcelain.

This popular Hong Kong street beverage traditionally features a strong, broken-leaf Ceylon black tea that produces a thick mouth feel and a brisk orange color. Enjoyed hot or over ice, this decadent and highly caffeinated cup is a delightful weekend treat for tea lovers with a sweet tooth.

A Unique German Tea Tradition: The Ostfriesentee Ceremony

From the very beginning, Upton Tea Imports has been proud to offer quality tea education in our Upton Tea Quarterly catalog to accompany our premium tea selection.

What is it about Moroccan Mint tea that makes it the perfect beverage for a hot day? Beloved for its cooling properties with refreshing Gunpowder green tea and crisp peppermint, some say that if you drink it hot on a summer day, it will still cool you down.

The Japanese tea ceremony, otherwise known as Chanoyu, is the artistic ritual preparation of Matcha green tea, a time-honored tradition originally created by Zen Buddhist monks centuries ago.

As summer draws to a close, the crisp autumn air begins to make its presence known. As daylight hours lessen, we prepare for the onset of a new season. Despite the impending chill, it is essential to savor life's simple joys.

How would you like to meet a real-life tea master?

The next time you reach for your morning cuppa, consider giving Yerba Maté a turn in your weekly rotation of breakfast beverages. Known to be coffee’s herbal substitute, Yerba Maté has it all, including an ancient history, traditions, and wonderful benefits.

In this exciting installment, trace the development of the influential Dutch East India Company which reigned over Asian-European trade for over a century to its eventual decline. Why did the key trade holdings gained by the Dutch Republic overseas collapse?

At the beginning of this week’s installment, we find France and England, ancient rivals with a feud fueled by trade tensions, at war once more at the end of seventeenth century. Trade’s dramatic effect on England’s power meant that they could raise money without increasing taxation, positively influenced by the prosperity of trade.

With the British taking over for the Dutch as the next influential trade power, success and prosperity is inevitable, but profitability does not always lead to peace.

John Law’s Scheme to Catapult France to the Forefront

Pu-Erh is an iconic tea with a fascinating history, from the old tea horse road where the beverage originated in the 6th century.

The best leaf plucking for optimal flavor and mouthfeel is widely regarded as a set of two leaves and a bud, often referred to as a fine plucking.

When John Law plied his financial wizardry in eighteenth century France, dissolving the national debt and creating fortunes for anyone who invested in his scheme, the rest of Europe looked on in envy. Known as the Mississippi Bubble, Law’s complex manipulations of shares and dividends would eventually destroy the entire banking system that he helped establish.

Every year when the weather grows cooler and the nights grow longer, tea drinkers around the world cherish a warm cup of tea. You could add cream and sugar or lemon to enhance your autumn cuppa, but what better way to add brightness to your morning routine than a touch of honey to remind you of spring?

The way the leaf is processed is the main factor in determining what type of tea the freshly plucked leaves will become.

While many types of tea are grown in China’s Yunnan province, perhaps the most iconic and unique is Pu-Erh tea, an ancient and culturally significant beverage with an incredible history, grown nowhere else in the world.

We see it on the news, while shopping, and even at the doctor's office. It pops up everywhere. Collectively, we are learning the importance of having a wellness routine and its impact on living a healthy life.

Honey — we all know it, love it, and use it. This mere sweetener, existing in your cupboard, is capable of making many a fine cup of tea delightful and many baked goods delectable.

Oolong tea, a beloved favorite ranging in flavorful versatility thanks to many methods of processing and oxidation levels, has a rich history spanning from legends to thriving traditions to your own personal cup.

The most anticipated time of the year in the tea industry is first flush Darjeeling season.

One of our favorite estates we have visited is the Somerset Estate, located in the Nuwara Eliya district of Sri Lanka.

From the very beginning, Upton Tea Imports has been proud to offer quality tea education in our Upton Tea Quarterly catalog to accompany our premium tea selection.

When you hear the words “high tea,” what images fill your mind? Decorative bone china tea cups with colorful floral designs? Meticulously arranged displays of little frosted cakes and scones? Or perhaps, dainty crustless finger sandwiches served on silver trays decorated with doilies?

Take a moment of respite from a long day with a cup of tea.

The gaiwan is perhaps the most traditional vessel used to prepare tea, dating back centuries to China's Ming Dynasty.

A refreshingly delicious, iced tea drink - perfect for summer!

Hosting a tea party can appear intimidating when first considering the amount of time, work, and etiquette involved. But don't worry, we are here to simplify the process and provide guidance on which teas and food to use, where to find them, and how to serve so that you can focus on enjoying a wonderful time with your guests.

Our Bulang Mountain Pu-Erh tea cakes are a unique offering reminiscent of the beginnings of Pu-Erh tea itself.

We couldn’t believe how fortunate we were. As a Tea Consultant, I was excited because Japan is home to the finest green tea in the world. As a tea drinker, it also felt personal.

Let’s explore the beautiful south coast of Japan and the prefecture of Shizuoka. Renowned for its outstanding green tea, this prefecture is referred to as the “green tea capital.” What makes the green teas of Shizuoka so unique? The answer lies in its distinctive location, climate, and heritage.

Miyazaki prefecture, known for its mountains and picturesque coastal climate, is located on the island of Kyushu. Mountainous areas are perfect for camellia sinensis “terraced,” sloping upward on steep hillsides.

Have you ever met a tea pet? You may have spotted these little clay figurines in your tea travels and been curious about these tiny tea companions.