- Polyphenol Antioxidant Ratings (AO): Many of our teas are tested at the Univ. of Guelph, in Ontario and rated with AO's of: High (7.5-10%), Very High (10-12.5%) or Ultra High (12.5+%) v.s. typical AO's of 5%-6% for store bought teas. These ratings are noted in the tea descriptions.

- Food safety & ethical programs: Our producer's teas conform to a variety of programs including: HACCP; GMP; Homeland Security's C-TPAT; ETP; Fair Trade; ISO 14001, and for our organic products certfications from USDA (NOP), Canada (CFIA-COR) and EU (OF&G).

- 1oz/30g of tea makes 15-30 cups: Our premium loose leaf teas can be infused more than once, (2-3 times).

- Useful comparisons by green tea type (unit=mg/100g):

BANCHA Tanin: 11.0 Caffeine: 2.0 Aminos: 19.7 Fiber: 19.5 Minerals: 5.5 Vitamins A: 7800iu B1: 0.25 B2: 1.40 B3: 5.4 C:150 E: N/A	GYOKURO Tanin: 10.0 Caffeine: 3.5 Aminos: 29.1 Fiber: 11.1 Minerals: 6.4 Vitamins A: 12000iu B1: 0.30 B2: 1.16 B3: 6.0 C: 110 E: N/A	HOUJICHA Tanin: 9.5 Caffeine: 1.9 Aminos: 18.2 Fiber: 18.7 Minerals: 5.5 Vitamins A: 6700iu B1: 0.10 B2: 0.82 B3: 5.6 C: 44 E: N/A
MATCHA Tanin: 10.0 Caffeine: 3.2 Amino Acid: 30.7 Fiber: 10.0 Minerals: 7.4 A: 16000iu B1: 0.60 B2: 1.35 B3: 4.0 C: 60 E: 28.2	SENCHA Tanin: 13.0 Caffeine: 2.3 Amino Acid: 24.0 Fiber: 10.6 Minerals: 5.4 A: 7200iu B1: 0.35 B2: 1.40 B3: 4.0 C: 250 E: 65.4	Click to see whats in green tea!

- Strainers: Are rather important parts of a teapot because they determine how well the tealeaves open up to get the most aroma, taste and color out during the brewing process. Strainer types also determine how easily a pot can be cleaned after use. Strainer types:

Obi-Ami A stainless mesh strainer is attached all over inside the wall of the pot.

Ita-Ami A stainless mesh board is attached to the inside of the pot at the exit of the water through the spout.

Sasame In order to preserve the delicate taste of green tea a mesh board was incorporated as part of the teapot. This new ceramic technology is best for Fukamushi-cha -- extra special steamed tea.

Kago Ami A removable stainless steel basket inside the teapot. Easy to use but it may limit room for the leaves to open up. Choose the pot with a wide opening. The wide basket gives the leaves more room to open up.