About our tea:
All loose-leaf teas come from a tropical plant called Camellia Sinensis. Each kind of tea is differentiated by various ways of growing, picking, and processing, as well as the different regions it is grown in. For example, black and oolong teas are oxidized, while green teas are not. Most teas are pressed and rolled to create a desirable shape and size.
There are several health benefits of loose-leaf tea- it has a high concentration of antioxidants and nutrients, which are preserved even after processing. Bagged teas do not have as many of these health benefits as they are a byproduct of loose-leaf teas; they are essentially filled with tea dust, often put into bleached infusing bags that are glued together. The chances of ingesting large amounts of harmful product when drinking bagged tea is low, but not zero.
Loose-leaf tea is generally not mass produced nor industrially processed, which allows for an ethical market that supports small businesses around the world, including ours. It also promotes good quality products- our tea should taste fresh, and the different kinds will vary in strength and flavor subtleties. Some are floral, nutty, or even smokey. If made correctly, the aftertaste should be pleasant and lack any bitterness. Low-quality tea cannot have this guarantee.
About us:
Sundial Teas originated from a brick-and-mortar establishment in Killingworth, Connecticut, started by a couple named Tom and Ragna Goddard in 1976. The business ran out of an old barn in the woods, surrounded by English gardens, which is where the original name, Sundial Gardens & Tea, came from. We found them quite late in their journey, and joined them in their passion for collecting and sharing rare, high-quality tea. When the couple could no longer support the business, we realized that preserving the connections with growers and suppliers from around the world was of utmost importance, and without them, we could no longer share and enjoy the tea we'd been drinking for almost a decade- this is why our family took on the business. The selection we have on this website is all thanks to Tom and Ragna, and Sundial Gardens & Tea.