Producer

Leaf House Tea, a Tallahassee-area business, offers organically grown black tea and green tea, each made exclusively from the tea plant Camellia sinensis. First domesticated in ancient China, C. sinensis is the leaf used for making oolong, pu'er, white, green, and black teas. This remarkable plant now has a happy home in our local tea garden.

We started our journey in tea craft because we love tea and wanted to drink more of it! We also wanted tea that's not contaminated with heavy metals or the residues of pesticides and herbicides. We farm in the organic tradition, which is a lot of work, but we think it's good practice for our planet and makes a superior cup of tea. We also appreciate that farm-fresh tea retains health-promoting compounds such as antioxidants derived from plant polyphenols.

We are the first producer in Florida to farm, manufacture, and distribute teas made from Camellia sinensis. And please note: the tea camellia plant is not widely grown in the US, so unless indicated otherwise by the seller, other black or green teas sold at the RHOM are imported from foreign sources.

FAQs about our tea garden and tea products

What kind of tea do you make? We make black tea and green tea, and we're always working on new types of tea for the market. The difference between teas is how we process the Camellia sinensis leaves after harvest. For instance, black tea (top image) is what we obtain from tea leaves that we oxidize for long durations, while green emerges from very brief oxidation. Oxidation makes tea leaf black, tea liquor (the part you drink) reddish-brown, and tea flavor robust and earthy. Our green tea, in contrast, evokes vegetal and fruity qualities from the leaf while having a bright golden or light-green liquor. The sensory experiences with these two teas are very different and usually chosen according to the tea drinker's mood or the setting. Which tea appeals to you? Sample our teas and find out!

How are your teas different from herbal teas? "Tea" is a widely used word nowadays but correctly applies to beverages made from C. sinensis. In contrast, herbal teas are from plant species that are very different from tea camellia.

Are your teas handmade? Yes! We make our teas using small-batch methods adapted from traditional principles of tea craft developed long ago in China, India, and other tea cultures.

Do you use synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers? No, no, and no. We are 100% committed to growing our tea in the organic tradition. Any fertilizers we purchase are OMRI-certified organic, and we make our composts with materials sourced within Leon County.

Do your teas contain caffeine? Yes. The tea plant naturally produces caffeine as a defense against insect herbivores. And because our teas are very fresh, they'll have a bit more caffeine than most store-bought teas, often past their storage prime. You can reduce caffeine levels by using fewer tea leaves or shortening how long you steep your tea.

Are your teas bagged or whole-leaf? Our teas are unbagged and whole-leaf. We prefer drinking whole-leaf tea because it allows experimenting with the amount of tea you steep per serving. With bagged tea, in contrast, you're stuck with the amount of tea in the bag. To properly brew loose-leaf, you only need a heat-resistant cup or teapot to hold the tea leaf and hot water. Observe the leaf expand and unfurl in the water, and when the tea is ready to drink, strain off the liquor into a second cup or a small pitcher. Adjust your technique from one tea session to the next, and you'll soon find the perfect steeping conditions.

Are there any added ingredients to your tea? No. Naturally grown and traditionally processed tea camellia is a treasure and needs no help from flavorings, herbals, or other ingredients.

How should I store the tea? We provide a zipper-seal packet for storing your teas. You can also transfer your tea to an airtight tin or glass jar, and always keep your tea in a cool, dark place.

Can I drink your teas without adding sugar? Absolutely! Our teas have an exotic sweetness that added sugars would mask. However, if you like Southern-style sweet black tea, try it. Green tea is best without added sweeteners.