Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about Taste of Tea — our teas, orders, shipping, returns and tea basics. Can't find your answer? Email support@tasteoftea.com.
About Taste of Tea
What is Taste of Tea?
Taste of Tea (tasteoftea.com) is a US online tea store with more than 2,400 teas and teaware items in stock from 45+ brands, including Harney & Sons, Piper and Leaf, Tea with Tae and August Uncommon. We carry black, green, white, oolong, pu-erh, rooibos, herbal and matcha teas, plus teapots, kettles, cups, infusers and matcha accessories.
Is Taste of Tea related to The Taste of Tea in Healdsburg, California?
No. Taste of Tea (tasteoftea.com) is an independent online tea store. We are not affiliated with The Taste of Tea restaurant and tea shop in Healdsburg, California.
Does Taste of Tea specialize in Japanese tea?
No. We sell every major type of tea from around the world. Japanese teas are one of our collections, alongside Chinese, Indian, Sri Lankan, Nepalese and other teas.
I got an order confirmation from a different tea store. Is that you?
Some stores have similar names. Taste of Tea emails come from tasteoftea.com. If your confirmation came from another store, please contact that store directly, or email support@tasteoftea.com if you're not sure.
Is the store open and taking orders?
Yes, we're open and shipping orders.
Do you have a physical store or in-person pickup?
No. Taste of Tea is an online-only store, so we don't have retail locations or in-person pickup.
Where do orders ship from?
All orders ship from within the United States.
How can I contact Taste of Tea?
Email us at support@tasteoftea.com, call +1 (772) 899-2626, or use our contact form. Please include your order number if your question is about an order.
Teas & Products
How many teas does Taste of Tea carry?
We have nearly 2,000 teas in stock and more than 2,400 teas and teaware items in total, from 45+ brands.
Which tea brands do you carry?
We carry 45+ brands, including Harney & Sons, Piper and Leaf, Tea with Tae, August Uncommon, Plum Deluxe and Zum Zum Tea, plus many small independent producers. You can browse every brand from the Brands menu.
What types of tea can I buy?
All major tea types: black tea, green tea, white tea, oolong, pu-erh, rooibos, herbal and fruit teas, matcha, chai, yerba mate, hojicha and purple tea. You can also shop by flavor, by origin (Darjeeling, Assam, Ceylon, Japanese, Chinese and more) and by format.
Do you sell loose leaf tea or tea bags?
Both. We offer more than 1,000 loose leaf teas, 300+ tea bag options, 200+ tea sachets and tea samplers for trying several teas at once.
Can I taste teas before buying?
We don't have a physical tasting room, but our tea samplers are an easy way to try several teas before choosing a larger package.
Do you have caffeine-free and decaf teas?
Yes. We have nearly 700 caffeine-free teas, including herbal, rooibos and fruit teas, and a selection of decaffeinated black and green teas.
Do you sell organic tea?
Yes. Nearly 500 teas in stock are certified organic.
Do you sell matcha and matcha accessories?
Yes. We carry matcha along with matcha bowls, whisks, tea scoops and complete matcha sets.
What teaware do you sell?
Teapots (including Japanese teapots and kyusu and glass teapots), kettles and electric kettles, tea cups, mugs, infuser mugs, tea infusers and strainers, travel mugs, tea canisters and serveware.
Do you have tea gift sets?
Yes. We have 150+ tea gift sets, plus tea samplers and teaware that make good gifts.
How much does tea cost at Taste of Tea?
Prices start at $1.99. Prices vary by brand, tea type and package size and are shown on each product page.
Do you offer gift cards?
Not at the moment.
Can you notify me when an item is back in stock?
Email support@tasteoftea.com with the name of the product and we'll let you know when it's available again.
Do you offer wholesale or bulk pricing?
We don't have wholesale accounts. For large orders, email support@tasteoftea.com.
Do your teas have health benefits?
Many of our teas are traditionally enjoyed as part of routines for relaxation, sleep or digestion, and you can browse them by benefit. We can't give medical advice, so please check with your doctor about any health condition. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Orders, Discounts & Payment
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept major credit and debit cards, Shop Pay and Apple Pay. All prices are in US dollars.
Do you have a discount for first-time customers?
Yes. Sign up for our emails through the pop-up on our site to get a welcome discount.
I forgot my discount code. What should I do?
Check your inbox and spam folder for our welcome email with your code. If you still can't find it, email support@tasteoftea.com.
Can I use more than one discount code?
Only one discount code can be applied per order.
Do you have a rewards program?
Yes. Learn how to join and earn rewards on our Rewards page.
Can I cancel or change my order?
Contact us within 20 minutes of placing your order at support@tasteoftea.com with your order number. After that, changes and cancellations are no longer guaranteed because processing may have started.
What happens if an item in my order is out of stock?
We cancel and refund the out-of-stock item(s), and the rest of your order ships as scheduled.
Shipping
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes. Standard shipping is free on all US orders over $99. For smaller orders and international orders, shipping costs are calculated at checkout.
How long does shipping take?
Orders are processed in 1–2 business days and ship Monday through Saturday. Within the US, standard shipping takes 3–5 business days and expedited shipping takes 1–3 business days.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship to many countries, but not all products can be shipped outside the United States. Available shipping options and costs are shown at checkout.
Do you ship to P.O. Boxes?
Yes, via USPS only. Other carriers are not available for P.O. Box addresses.
Will my order arrive in one package?
Not always. Items in your order ship from different locations in the United States, so they may arrive in separate packages, sometimes on different days.
I only received part of my order. Is the rest coming?
Most likely yes. Items from different brands ship separately and can arrive on different days. If an item still hasn't arrived after its expected delivery time, email support@tasteoftea.com with your order number.
How do I track my order?
Once your order ships, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with a tracking link. Tracking can take 24–48 hours to update. You can also check your order on our Track Your Order page.
My tracking shows my package going the wrong way. What should I do?
Carrier routing detours happen, and packages usually still arrive. If tracking hasn't updated for several days, email support@tasteoftea.com with your order number.
What if I entered the wrong shipping address?
Email support@tasteoftea.com right away, within 20 minutes of placing your order if possible. If a package is returned because of an incorrect or undeliverable address, we can reship it at your expense or issue store credit for the items (shipping fees excluded).
What if my package is lost?
Email support@tasteoftea.com with your order number and we will help.
Returns & Refunds
Can I return tea?
For safety and freshness reasons, tea purchases are not eligible for return or refund.
What if my order arrives damaged, incomplete or incorrect?
Contact us within 5 days of delivery at support@tasteoftea.com with clear photos of the product and packaging and a short description of the issue. Once verified, we will send a replacement or offer store credit.
Can I return teaware?
Yes. Unused teaware and accessories can be returned within 30 days of delivery in their original packaging and condition. Return shipping is paid by the customer unless the item was incorrect or damaged. See our refund policy for details.
Do you give refunds?
Refunds are issued for items we cancel, such as out-of-stock items. For damaged, incomplete or incorrect orders we send a replacement or offer store credit.
Tea Basics
What water temperature should I use for different teas?
As a guide: green tea 160–180°F, white tea 170–185°F, oolong 185–205°F, black tea 200–212°F, and herbal teas and rooibos 212°F (boiling).
How long should I steep tea?
Typically green tea 2–3 minutes, white and oolong tea 3–5 minutes, black tea 3–5 minutes, and herbal teas and rooibos 5–7 minutes. Check the package for the tea you bought, and steep longer for a stronger cup.
How much loose leaf tea should I use?
A good starting point is about 1 teaspoon (2–3 grams) of loose leaf tea per 8 oz of water. Use a little more for large, fluffy leaves.
How do I brew loose leaf tea without an infuser?
Steep the leaves directly in a cup or teapot, then pour the tea through a fine strainer or sieve.
Which teas have caffeine?
All teas from the Camellia sinensis plant contain caffeine: black, green, white, oolong, pu-erh and matcha. Herbal teas and rooibos are naturally caffeine-free, except yerba mate and guayusa. More about caffeine in herbal tea.
How much caffeine is in a cup of tea?
It varies widely, but roughly per 8 oz cup: black tea 40–70 mg, oolong 30–50 mg, green tea 20–45 mg and white tea 15–30 mg. Matcha usually has more caffeine than regular green tea because you drink the whole powdered leaf.
What's the difference between decaf and caffeine-free tea?
Decaf tea has had most of its caffeine removed, but small traces remain. Caffeine-free teas, like most herbal teas and rooibos, contain no caffeine naturally.
Loose leaf or tea bags — which is better?
Loose leaf tea usually uses larger leaf pieces with room to expand, which gives a fuller flavor and allows several steeps. Tea bags are quicker and more convenient. We carry both.
How do I make cold brew tea?
Add about 1–2 teaspoons of loose leaf tea per 8 oz of cold water, refrigerate for 6–12 hours, then strain.
How many tea bags do I need for a gallon of iced tea?
About 8–10 regular tea bags per gallon. See our full guide.
Does tea expire?
Dry tea doesn't spoil quickly when kept dry, but it slowly loses flavor and aroma over time, so it's best enjoyed by its best-by date. Read more.
How should I store tea?
Keep tea in an airtight container away from light, heat, moisture and strong odors. Loose leaf tea stays freshest in an opaque tin or canister in a cool, dry cupboard.
How many grams are in 16 oz of tea?
16 oz is about 454 grams, which is 1 pound.
How do I make matcha?
Sift about 1–2 grams (½–1 teaspoon) of matcha into a bowl, add about 2 oz of water at around 175°F, and whisk in a quick zigzag motion until frothy.
What's the difference between ceremonial and culinary matcha?
Ceremonial matcha is finer and smoother, made for drinking with water. Culinary matcha has a stronger, more robust flavor and is made for lattes, smoothies and baking. More about matcha grades.
What is oolong tea?
Oolong is a partially oxidized tea that falls between green and black tea in flavor, ranging from light and floral to dark and roasted.
What is Earl Grey?
Earl Grey is black tea flavored with bergamot, a citrus fruit. Shop Earl Grey tea.
What is orange pekoe?
Orange pekoe is a grade of black tea leaf, not a flavor. It describes whole, unbroken leaves of a certain size.
What is chai?
Chai is tea blended with warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and cloves, often brewed with milk. Shop chai tea.
What's a good tea for the morning?
Black teas like English Breakfast, Assam and Earl Grey, or matcha, are popular morning choices because they contain caffeine.
What's a good tea for the evening?
Caffeine-free options like chamomile, rooibos and peppermint are popular in the evening.
