education

Ginger | Zingiber officinale | Ginger is a flowering plant that originated in Southeast Asia and has been cultivated for its culinary and medicinal uses for thousands of years.

Join us on a journey to the source of our Pu’er and Dian Hong teas.

The Cha Siam Organic Tea Project in Northern Thailand embodies Rishi's commitment to biodiversity, where tea plants grow symbiotically with native jungle species to enhance the ecosystem and produce teas with rich, complex flavors. By supporting biodiverse, non-interventionist farming practices, Rishi ensures that every cup of tea reflects the natural environment it comes from.

Rishi Tea celebrates a decade of impact through its Direct Trade partnership with the Mae Taeng tea farmers of Northern Thailand. Rooted in a region where tea culture dates back centuries, Rishi’s collaboration has empowered communities to transition from traditional Miang tea production to thriving organic black tea farming. By revitalizing old tea forests, embracing sustainable practices, and enhancing biodiversity, Rishi has helped local farmers preserve their rich tea heritage while expanding their market reach. This partnership highlights the evolution of Thailand’s tea industry and brings the unique flavors of Mae Taeng's terroir to a global audience.

The Nishi family's expertly crafted, organic Vintage Matcha selection brings four unique cultivars—Saemidori, Kanayamidori, Asanoka, and Asatsuyu—aged for over a year to enhance umami depth and flavor complexity. 

At Rishi Tea & Botanicals we set our own progressive standards for ethical trade and direct sourcing. Like wine, many teas come from heritage gardens with a storied legacy. This is not like purchasing a bulk commodity on the international market. 

The kyusu is a traditional teapot ideal for brewing pure Japanese green teas. 

Gongfu Cha (literally, “Kung Fu Tea”) is a traditional Chinese term that refers to brewing tea with discipline and skill.

The process of cold-brewing steeps tea leaves slowly, using time rather than temperature to release flavors and catechins gently.

Learn how to prepare ceremonial matcha in the traditional style with Japanese tea master Ryo Iwamoto.

Brewing with a Gaiwan, the traditional Chinese tea brewing vessel, can seem intimidating, but with a little practice and following the right guidance, it is easy to master.

Regardless of the category of tea you would like to brew, many factors affect the flavor of the tea and overall tasting experience. Variables include brewing vessel, water temperature, steep time, dosage, and even quality of water!

When you use the correct water temperature it can open up a whole world of flavor that you never knew existed within tea.

The modern tea world recognizes six categories of tea: green, yellow, white, oolong, black, and dark (Pu'er). The main attribute by which a tea is put into one ...

Qi in the Chinese language represents the lifeforce energy or the breath of life. Cha Qi is an elusive term with a slightly intangible definition. The literal translation is “tea energy”.