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Zhi exists to create moments to Pause, Reflect, Connect. In a world where technology and social media could be barriers to connection, it is often the case that meaningful relationships can be formed that were otherwise less likely. We love that!

Take our fondness for Instagram for instance. Here, tea lovers from all over the world can share beautiful pictures of tea and be connected despite language barriers. A beautiful picture indeed says 1000 words. We love seeing your @zhitea time!

On Twitter, Zhi Tea is able to connect with tea lovers in every time zone. Here, we’re able to answer your questions, have tea chats, and share tea quotes. Reading your #zhitea tweets makes us smile daily.

Love Pinterest? We do too! Browse our curated boards of seasonal inspiration, global tea culture, and easy to make tea recipes. Zhi’s passion for beauty, connection, and tea is expressed here as well. Join us! We love to see what you pin too.

Sign up to follow us on your favorite social media site before the holiday season. We’ll be sharing seasonal specials throughout the year and we want you to enjoy all the great moments. Thanks again for making Zhi Tea part of your love, your life. We love being connected in every possible way! Please say hello however you like best.

Our tearoom is in a flurry of delight! Kettles are whistling, tea cups clinking, tea leaves curling and unfurling.

This is a usual state of affairs at Zhi Tea, but today, it’s in response to a very special gift. Zhi Tea has been named a “Best of Austin” establishment by the Austin Chronicle. Yee haw!

Every year, the Austin Chronicle allows their readers to vote on their favorite local icons ranging from ‘Best Boot Scuffed Dancefloor’ to ‘Best Barbecue.’ They also invite their team of critics to pick their ultimate finds in categories like ‘Arts & Culture’ and ‘Recreation.’ Being chosen in any category is a true honor as it is an opportunity to feel the local love.

This year, Zhi Tea was included in the Food Section of the Critics’ Picks. Our category: “Best Way to Take Back the Tea Party.” We love the clever nod to current events as yes, we do want to take back tea from any possible stigma. Zhi Tea was founded on the effort to elevate tea culture in America.  Tea is amazing! Tea parties rule! Our passion for ultra premium organic tea is an opportunity to ‘be’ the tea culture. We pledge to keep Austin weird by staying enthused and appreciative of all our tea-freaks and tea-nerds, and sourcing the very best tea from around the world for them.

Many congratulations to the Austin Chronicle as well. This was their ultra special 25th Anniversary edition of their “Best of Austin” awards. And again, many thanks to everyone in Austin who makes this city such a great place to work, eat, live. And of course, drink tea.

Hello, tea lovers!

Can you feel it?

That sense that something new and amazing is going to come into your life?

A certain whisper of intuition to let your spirit know that a new found joy is on the horizon?

If so, are you ready??

Say ‘yes!’ to our new organic signature: Rooibos Provence.

Smooth, sensual rooibos takes a fruity turn in this caffeine free herbal blend. Juicy black currants give this tea a burst of berry. Elderberries bring their signature taste to the table too, so if you love them in jellies, jams and pies, you’ll love them here as well.  Rose petals and lavender offer amazing floral aromatics but don’t spend too much time on the tongue.  Mmmm. Breathe deep!

We love all our teas here at Zhi, that is a fact; but it has been awhile since a rooibos blend of this calibur has graced our tea room. While rooibos has a tendency to be nutty and savory, in this blend, we experience this tea as sweeter and more fruity than usual. Sound like your cup of tea?

Our superstar rooibos has been Sweet Desert Delight up until this point, and we wonder: will Rooibos Provence take center stage? Only time will tell. Try some today and let us know!

Good day, tea lovers!

Needing a boost in your tea routine?

Let us help you fall in love again with a brand new tea combo.

This Monday Mashup combines two of our favorite organic Zhi Teas: the romantic Cherry Sencha and feminine Jasmine Green.

Take a deep breath…and get ready. You may never be the same.

To make your lovely cup of iced tea, scoop 1 tsp of Cherry Sencha and 1 tsp of Jasmine Green into your Perfect Tea Maker. Then, pour 6 oz of hot water over the dry leaves. Take a big breath and relax. Steep for 3 minutes. Be sure to breathe in the incredible aromatics of this green tea combination.

While its steeping, find a large cup and fill with ice. When the timer goes off, pour another 6 oz of cold water into the tea maker. Dispense your steeped tea into your cup, over the ice. Stir to chill and combine. Take another deep breath…now sigh. Your iced tea is ready to enjoy.

What other kinds of green tea combinations should we try?

Fun in the sun!

Here in Texas, we know how to beat the heat. Organic iced tea, y’all!

This year, we are loving our new tea, Lemon Blush, in pretty pitchers with plenty of ice.

Our Lemon Blush can be considered a take on a pink lemonade. This new caffeine free herbal tea has tons of zesty lemon myrtle to give it a citrus zing. Then, we blended it with organic hibiscus flower to make a lovely crimson color. It’s slightly sweet on its own, or feel free to embellish with a splash of simple syrup or honey.

This summer, we’d be honored to see #zhitea at your picnics, potlucks, and pool parties. Please tag us in your tweets and Instagram pics! Always organic, always enjoyable over iced. What is your favorite iced Zhi Tea?

Green!

The color of spring. Have you caught a glimpse of the oncoming season? Here in Texas, we’ve seen hints of winter’s end earlier than most of our tea loving friends across the country.

To celebrate, we’re drinking even more green tea than before. Here, we’d like to invite you to enjoy one with us: Gyokuro.

Gyokuro is a rare green tea from Japan. Not to be confused with sencha, gyokoru has its own harvesting, processing, and steeping methods which yield a distinctly different cup. The name “gyokuro” means “jade dew,” referring to the pale, whispy green color of the infusion.

If you like the grassy notes of sencha, you’ll love gyokuro. Before being harvested, gyokuro tea leaves are shielded from the sun for at least two weeks. This step heightens the naturally occurring photosynthesis of the plant. Here, the levels of both l-theanine and caffeine increases and there’s plenty of reasons to celebrate that effect! Plus, it gives gyokuro a distinct aroma and a slightly sweeter flavor from this covering process too.

Steep this delicate green tea at a lower temperature than most, and for less time. Experiment to find your perfect steep. Get lucky!