Question
Where are your teapots made (for example, are they made in China?)

Answer
Thank you for your Query and your interest in our teapots! Our teapots are made in a variety of locations to include the USA, Japan, Portugal, China, and Germany. Please note our safety information below that applies to every piece of Sipware that we feature:

The Republic of Tea tableware (called Sipware) is thoroughly examined and accredited by a globally recognized product safety testing organization before the goods are permitted to leave the factory in the country of origin. Tableware (Sipware) is in compliance with all safety, regulatory and government standards including tests for safe harbor levels of lead and cadmium. Further, all The Republic of Tea tableware (Sipware) meets The U.S. Food and Drug Administration national requirements before it is sold in the United States; in accordance with California Proposition 65.

Best Sip by Sip regards,
The Minister of Sipware

Question
Greetings!

I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your tea. Your blends are quite exquisite and I always enjoy trying different ones to increase my tea palatte. There is nothing finer than drinking several cups of tea while reading a good book!

Thank you again!

Answer
Dear Citizen Richardson,
Thank you for taking the time to share your comments with us. It is very evident you have experienced TeaMind and the real journey of tea!

We invite you to enjoy many more cups with us!
The Minister of Tea

Question
My husband and I first found your teas at Jungle Jims in Cincinnati, OH, and decided to try something new, after reading many labels we went with good hope red and orange blossom white. Now we drink a lot of tea. :) Want to say the year of the tiger is wonderful and I'm sad that the fair trade blueberry black is limited edition. Your Cardamon Cinnamon seems to be clearing my sinuses right now, lol. I'd like to just complement you on your great teas and opening a new world of red, green, white, black, oolong, and herbal teas to us, haven't tried one that we haven't liked yet.

Answer
Dear Citizen,
How wonderful it is to hear from our Citizens, especially when we receive an email such as yours! We appreciate your taking the time to write. We invite you to continue to enjoy our teas and check our website often at www.republicoftea.com for new teas such as our newest Hibiscus Teas...there are five teas in this line and reviews from our Citizens so far have been very good!

We hope you continue to celebrate TeaMind with us!

The Minister of Tea

Question
I'm looking for a smokey flovor black tea. Can you give a suggestion?

Answer
Thank you for your Query. Yes, we feature LAPSANG SOUCHONG BLACK TEA. Tea leaves are hand-picked and smoked over pinewood embers. Some of our Citizens have even reported they smoke their salmon in this what we also call our "Tea of Mystery."

You are invited to visit our website at www.republicoftea.com and enter the name of the tea in the Search Box to view and order. You may also phone our Customer Service Department at 1.800.711.8768 to place an order.

Best Sip by Sip regards,
The Minister of Supply

Question
Guess what? I received your catalogue and have been
devouring it for about 2 weeks trying to figure out what
I should order.

Well, I see that one lady loved the tea bag with her
catalogue that came to her. I will bet you a dollar that
my postman took the tea bag in my catalogue. Smile!

Any way, I must get busy and order as your teas
have me drooling. I do not drink coffee anymore due
to my heart, and I love teas. I do not know what they
are doing to tea anymore, but, I am not happy with any
of the tea that I purchase. The tea does not taste as
good as it did 5 years ago. And I love tea.

I am downhearted as I wanted a iron tea pot, but,
see that it cannot be used on my stove top. I would
love to make a whole pot and just sip it all day.

Well, must get busy and make an order. Your
catalogue is just beautiful

Sincerely from a tea lover and a customer from now
on. janet

Answer
Dear Citizen Marsh,

We rejoice when we receive letters such as yours! Thanks for taking the time to write and thanks for all of your humbling comments!

As you become a Citizen of The Republic of Tea, we invite you to discover the virtues of truly good tea. To embark upon a journey of health, awareness and sip by sip living. We think you will enjoy discovering the clarity of thought that we call TeaMind.

No matter what variety you choose, you will discover that tea is an affordable luxury. Our quest is focused on providing superior quality products--teas that are created in a garden rather than a laboratory. The Republic's palate is smooth and refined, focusing on subtle, natural and complex tastes.

We invite you to enjoy many cups with us, Sip by Sip!

The Minister of Tea

Question
What are the health benefits of Double Green Matcha tea. I would like to buy it.

Thank you Lois

Answer
Thank you for your interest in our DOUBLE GREEN MATCHA TEA! One of the major health benefits of matcha green tea is the high concentration of antioxidants while also providing trace minerals and vitamins (A,B-complex, C, E & K). These compounds also offer protection against many kinds of cancer, help prevent cardiovascular disease and slow the aging process. They also reduce harmful cholesterol in the blood, stabilize blood sugar levels, help reduce high blood pressure and enhance the resistance of the body to many toxins.

We invite you to enjoy many cups with us!

Best Sip by Sip regards,
The Minister of Health

Question
I had a delicious Thai tea in a Thai restaurant recently. The tea was orange in color, slightly fruity, flowery, slightly sweet, with a lovely warm undertone (vanilla or caramel?). I asked the waitress and all she could say was that it was brought in from Boston and was called "Thai Tea". I would love to find this tea. Do you have this in your collection? Thank you for your help.

Answer
Thank you for your Query. We have a Thai Tea Recipe you may wish to try. Alas, we have no idea about the tea from Boston, however, we suggest you use any of our premium black teas to try this recipe for your sipping pleasure.

THAI TEA
2/3 cup tea leaves (WuyiOolong would be good, Golden Yunnan or any of our premium black teas)
1-2/3 c water
½ c sugar
1-1/2 cup evaporated milk (12 oz can)
Bring water to a boil in the pot. When the water begins to boil, remove the pot from the heat to stop the boiling and then add the tea leaves, stirring to moisten them. Don’t boil the tea or use a tea ball--let the leaves fully infuse for 4 minutes. After brewing, strain the tea thru a filter or fine mesh strainer and into a pitcher. Add sweetener and stir to dissolve. Put tea in the refrigerator for few hours to cool. When serving, pour tea over ice, leaving about ¼ of glass empty on top. Slowly pour the milk to top off the glass and so that the layers stay distinct. You can experiment with the milk and sugar levels for your own taste.

Enjoy Sip by Sip!
The Minister of Preparation

Question
Can you please tell me how you take care of iron tea pots ? How is rust managed ? Can you tell me some of the benefits of using one as well ?
Thanks,
Kathy

Answer
Thank you for your Queries.

Proper care of a cast iron teapot will afford you a lifetime of use. After each use, allow pot to cool completely before cleaning. Rinse and gently clean pot, cover and infuse thoroughly with warm water only. Do not use soaps or detergents. Wipe the outside dry with a clean cloth while the pot is still warm. Invert the pot to air dry before replacing infuser and lid. Avoid contact with salt and oils. Due to the iron content of the teapot, we recommend the use of a trivet to protect table linens and surfaces.

In the unlikely event of rust, the pot can still be used. Rust from the teapot is non-toxic and perfectly safe. In fact, many Japanese tea connoisseurs actually prefer the taste of tea from a rusted iron teapot!

If rust bothers you, clean the rusted area with a soft brush, then fill the pot with used tea leaves and boiling water. Allow to sit for 20 minutes, discard and rinse. Tannic acid in the tea reacts with the rust and forms a natural seal, helping to prevent the reoccurrence of rust.

The benefits of using a cast iron teapot is that they are extremely durable and will last for generations! They have an excellent ability to retain heat. Made of specially purified cast iron, they are a symbol of strength and unity.

Please note, the iron teapot is not suitable for stovetop use.

Best Sip by Sip regards,
The Minister of Sipware

Question
Are your tea bags round?

Answer
Thank you for your Query. Yes, our tea bags are round, free from chemicals, environmentally friendly without tags or strings!

Best Sip by Sip regards,
The Minister of Information

Question
I just wanted to thank you guys for making such great products! Also, being so up front about the Gluten-free teas make life easier! Once again, Thanks!

Answer
We hope you will enjoy many cups with us!

The Minister of Tea