SIP PURPOSEFULLY JOURNAL
A Journal of Refined Tea, Ritual, and Global Craft
Welcome to Sip Purposefully. Sip Purposefully is a curated space where information about premium quality, single estate and artisan teas will be shared. This journal is dedicated to exploring the art, culture, and craftsmanship behind the world’s most exceptional teas — from the hands that harvest them to the rituals that elevate them.
Whether you are a newcomer to the world of loose-leaf tea or a connoisseur who swoons over an aged Pu-erh cake, we hope there is something of value for you in the journal.
Category: Tea Education
Published: February 15, 2026
Reading Time: 12 minutes
Is It Tea or a Tisane? Understanding True Tea vs Herbal Infusions
By Renee S. Rubens
Founder & Tea Curator, Symphony of Leaves Tea Co.
A Journal of Refined Tea, Ritual, and Global Craft
Welcome to Sip Purposefully. Sip Purposefully is a curated space where information about premium quality, single estate and artisan teas will be shared. This journal is dedicated to exploring the art, culture, and craftsmanship behind the world’s most exceptional teas — from the hands that harvest them to the rituals that elevate them.
Whether you are a newcomer to the world of loose-leaf tea or a connoisseur who swoons over an aged Pu-erh cake, we hope there is something of value for you in the journal.
Category: Tea Education
Published: February 15, 2026
Reading Time: 12 minutes
Is It Tea or a Tisane? Understanding True Tea vs Herbal Infusions
By Renee S. Rubens
Founder & Tea Curator, Symphony of Leaves Tea Co.
Symphony of Leaves Tea Co luxury loose leaf tea presentation with porcelain cup and artisan tea tools
Is It Tea or a Tisane? Understanding True Tea vs Herbal Infusions | Symphony of Leaves Tea Co.
What is real tea? Learn the difference between true tea and herbal infusions, how Camellia sinensis defines tea, and why it matters for quality, flavor, and ritual.
What is the difference between tea and tisanes?
True tea comes exclusively from the Camellia sinensis plant, while a tisane is an herbal infusion made from flowers, herbs, fruits, roots, or spices that do not come from the tea plant. Examples of true tea include white, green, yellow, oolong, black, and pu-erh tea. Examples of tisanes include chamomile, rooibos, peppermint, and hibiscus.
This distinction matters because true tea contains naturally occurring caffeine, unique antioxidants such as catechins, and complex flavor compounds that develop through cultivation, terroir, and processing.
The question presented seems simple with an obvious answer – but the answer is more complicated than one might think.
I’m often asked whether I carry teas that can cure an ailment or act as a remedy for various conditions. Cue my gentle pause - my honest answer: I am not an herbalist.
While tea does carry a long and meaningful cultural relationship with wellness, what many people are seeking are herbs or botanicals, more accurately referred to as tisanes. Herbals and botanicals such as chamomile, rooibos, lavender, lemon verbena, peppermint, and yerba maté are commonly labeled as “tea.” The truth is, they aren’t tea at all.
Over time, the word tea has become a catch-all for nearly any beverage that’s steeped in hot water—but that’s not quite correct.
True tea comes exclusively from the Camellia sinensis plant. Everything else—while wonderful, aromatic, and often deeply soothing—lives in a different category entirely.
Why Camellia Sinensis is Unique?
Tea is singular among plants because of its extraordinary chemical complexity. The leaves of Camellia sinensis contain naturally occurring compounds including catechins, polyphenols, L-theanine, and caffeine—elements that interact to produce tea’s unmistakable balance of flavor, aroma, and physiological effect. Unlike herbal infusions, which may offer fragrance or flavor, true tea evolves through cultivation, climate, elevation, soil composition, and craftsmanship.
This is why tea expresses terroir in the same way as fine wine. A green tea grown in the misty mountains of Uji, Japan will taste profoundly different from a green tea grown in Zhejiang, China—even when processed using similar methods. The plant reflects its environment, and the cup becomes a sensory map of place, season, and human skill.
Symphony of Leaves Tea Co., is here to support the tea buying journey so that buyers know the difference between the two and why those differences matter. I promise that I am not the tea police. At Symphony of Leaves Tea Co. we believe that understanding what you’re drinking strengthens and deepens your tea-drinking experience or ritual. Let’s dig into what tea really is. Knowing where tea comes from, how it’s made, and what distinguishes true tea from herbal infusions allows you to sip with intention—and appreciation.
Let’s begin with the foundation – What is tea?
According to the globally respected and world leading botanical authority, Royal Botanic Gardens KEW https://www.kew.org/plants/tea-plant ”Tea plant (camellia sinensis) is an evergreen shrub with bright green, shiny leaves that are often hairy on their underside. The tea plants’ white, scented flowers occur either on their own or in clusters of two to four. The fruits of the tea plant are brownish-green and contain one to four spherical or flattened seeds.”
Camellia sinensis plant, is the scientific (botanical) name for the tea plant. It’s a single plant; often a small evergreen shrub or a small tree that hails from South Asia. For specificity, Camellia sinensis plant, var sinensis from China and Camella Sinensis var Assamica is typically produced in India.
What are the six types of TRUE tea:
Yes – white, green, yellow, oolong, black, pu-erh tea – are all from the same plant. What makes for the six different categories is terroir, when the teas are harvested and how they are processed.
The Role of Terroir in Tea
Terroir—the complete natural environment in which tea is grown—plays a defining role in the final character of the leaf. Elevation slows leaf growth, concentrating flavor compounds and producing greater aromatic complexity. Soil composition contributes mineral qualities, while fog and cloud cover protect delicate leaves from excessive sun exposure.
High mountain teas, such as those grown above 1,200 meters, are especially prized for their clarity, sweetness, and layered flavor structure. Cooler temperatures and slower growth cycles allow the plant to develop more nuanced chemical compounds.
These environmental conditions cannot be replicated artificially. This is why teas from revered growing regions such as Fujian, Yunnan, Uji, and Darjeeling carry both geographic and cultural significance.
What Is White Tea?
White tea is the least processed of all true teas, crafted from young buds and tender first leaves harvested during a brief window in early spring. These delicate leaves, often covered in fine silvery hairs, are selected before they fully open—contributing to white tea’s refined sweetness and soft, elegant texture.
Unlike other tea types, white tea undergoes no rolling or shaping. The leaves are simply withered and dried, preserving the plant’s natural purity and gentle character with minimal intervention.
Once steeped, white tea yields a pale yellow infusion with a subtle sweetness and lingering finish. It is ideal for either morning and evening rituals, as it generally contains less caffeine than other teas. Because of its delicacy, white tea should be steeped in water below 180°F to prevent over-extraction, which can introduce bitterness and diminish its naturally smooth, nuanced flavor.
Popular White Teas to Shop
Bai Mu Dan – Recognized as a premium tea from Fujian province, Bai Mu Dan has a more full-bodied taste than prized Silver Needle. Nonetheless it is still a highly favored white tea. One leaf shoot and two young buds, Bai Mudan tastes like honeysuckle and a slight nutty after taste. https://symphonyofleavestea.com/products/bai-mudan-loose-leaf-white-tea
Bai Long Xu – Both Bai Mu Dan & Silver Needle are grown in the Fujian province, Bai Long Xu, a full bodied white tea, is grown in Yunnan. https://symphonyofleavestea.com/products/bai-long-xu-loose-leaf-white-tea
What Is Green Tea?
The tea we’re asked about most frequently is green tea. Depending upon the desired outcome from the producer, green tea is either unoxidized or only slightly oxidized. After the camellia sinensis leaves are harvested, the producer either pan fries or steams the leaves to prevent the enzymes from further oxidization. This helps the tea retain its green color and grassy flavor profile. This step, known as “kill-green,” is essential in preserving the tea’s freshness. In China, producers typically pan-fire the leaves in large woks, imparting subtle toasted notes. In Japan, steaming is the preferred method, resulting in brighter vegetal flavors and deeper umami.
These regional differences reflect centuries of refinement and cultural preference. Each technique influences texture, aroma, and flavor, transforming the same plant into entirely different sensory experiences.
Green tea does contain caffeine. It’s rich in antioxidants called catechins and polyphenols.
Why does that matter?
Because the presence of catechins and polyphenols helps to neutralize free radicals. Green teas tend to be a daily go-to for many die-hard tea drinkers. In fact, renowned author & Certified Japanese Tea Instructor Oscar Brekell https://en.brekell.com/books says “Green tea is never boring if you're drinking high-quality tea.”
Recommended Japanese Green Teas for You to Purchase Now
Sencha Japanese green teas are steamed vs. pan fried. Sencha is a “go-to” everyday tea in Japan. Vibrant, grassy and umami are the characteristics that describe Sencha. Sencha - Japanese Loose Leaf Green Tea
Gyukoro -The highest grade - shade grown Japanese tea is a rich dark green leaves with an umami flavor. https://symphonyofleavestea.com/products/gyokuro
Powdered green teas – Matcha and Malcha - Matcha, an increasingly popular beverage amongst American Gen Z & Millennials is determined by provenance. Real matcha is grown and processed in Japan and the costs have increased exponentially during the past couple of years. Symphony of Leaves Tea Co. carries both authentic, (grown & processed) Matcha, and an alternative - Malcha, which is from Korea.
https://symphonyofleavestea.com/products/jeong-ritual-powdered-tea
What Is Yellow Tea?
Yellow tea is not simply a tea—it is a legacy of imperial craftsmanship, where time, restraint, and mastery converge to produce one of the rarest and most elegant infusions in the world. Yellow tea is rare - primarily due to how labor intensive the process of slow oxidization is. Called “Sealed yellowing” the 3-4 day process for production contributes to its rarity. Sealed yellowing creates yellow tea’s signature smooth, rounded, lightly sweet profile.
Shop Rare Yellow Tea - Please contact us directly for special orders renee.rubens@symphonyofleavestea.com
What Is Oolong Tea?
Sitting between green and black teas is oolong. This partial oxidation of oolong tea can range from 8%-85% depending upon the desired output of the producer. The range contributes to the varied tastes that one can experience when drinking oolong. Oolong tea production is among the most technically demanding of all tea styles. Producers carefully bruise the edges of the leaves to initiate controlled oxidation while preserving the center of the leaf. This delicate balance creates layered flavors that can range from floral and creamy to roasted and mineral-rich.
Each step—from withering and oxidation to rolling and roasting—requires deep expertise. The result is a tea that offers remarkable depth and evolution across multiple steepings.
Recommended Oolongs to Buy
Imperial Ruby Red Oolong A classic Chinese oolong tea with a storied and fanciful history. Rich, roasted and with a deep flavor. Imperial Ruby Red Robe - Loose Leaf Oolong Tea | Symphony of Leaves
Thai Oolong - Our Thai oolong loose leaf tea is procured from a small tea garden of only 110 acres located in the foothills of the rich forest of Banchang, Mae Tang district of Chiang Mai, Thailand. With limited production, this producer is globally known for specializing in producing high quality organic tea. https://symphonyofleavestea.com/products/thai-oolong-loose-leaf-tea
What Is Black Tea?
Discover our masterfully crafted loose leaf black teas, from around the world. Each full-bodied black tea offers rich, malty depth and complex flavor notes. Tea is more than the second most consumed beverage in the world. It’s legacy and culture in a cup.
Two Must Black Teas to Purchase Now
Lapsang Souchong - a truly unique tea from the Tongmu region. After processing, this tea is slightly smoked over pine. Lapsang Souchong
Loose leaf black tea in a scooper with a smoky background, with green leaves alongside
Silk Road Black Breakfast Tea - The quintessential breakfast tea has been sourced from the Republic of Georgia. Sourced from the lush Imereti region in western Georgia—where tea cultivation dates back to the 19th century—this exceptional tea represents the renaissance of Georgian tea culture Silk Road Black Breakfast - Loose Leaf Tea | Symphony of Leaves
What is Pu-erh Tea?
From Yunnan’s misty mountains to your cup—experience the centuries-old journey of puer. Aged by time, honored by culture— puer tells the story of tradition, fermentation, and the earth itself. From the mist-shrouded mountains of Yunnan, Pu’erh tea emerges as one of the world’s most treasured expressions of terroir and time. Crafted from ancient tea trees whose roots plunge deep into mineral-rich soil, Pu’erh carries a legacy that spans dynasties and trade routes, once prized along the fabled Tea Horse Road.
What distinguishes Pu’erh from all other teas is its ability to age and evolve over years— even decades. During this time, microbial activity transforms the chemical composition of the leaf, softening bitterness and deepening complexity.
Much like fine wine, aged Pu’erh becomes smoother, richer, and more valuable over time. Collectors and connoisseurs prize well-aged Pu’erh for its rarity, depth, and historical significance. Each cup offers a living connection to time, place, and tradition.
Loose leaf shu puerh in a white cup, placed on strips of brown leather
Purchase Shu Puerh - Pu'erh Tea - Make Lasting Connections | Premium Aged Tea | Symphony of Leaves
Understanding the difference between true tea and herbal infusions transforms the act of drinking tea into a deeper, more intentional experience. Tea is not simply a beverage—it is an agricultural product, a cultural artifact, and a reflection of centuries of refinement.
When you drink true tea, you are tasting the result of geography, climate, craftsmanship, and time.
#SipPurposefully
Renee S. Rubens
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Author Bio
Renee S. Rubens is the Founder of Symphony of Leaves Tea Co., a luxury tea company sourcing exceptional loose leaf teas from artisan growers across the world. Her work focuses on tea provenance, terroir, and elevating tea into ritual.