Choosing tea as a gift

Most of us know someone who loves a good cup of tea. A box of teas they have not tried yet makes a thoughtful present.

Starting with the main kinds of tea

All true tea comes from one plant, Camellia sinensis. How the leaves are processed gives the different kinds.

Black tea is fully oxidised. Assam, Darjeeling, Ceylon and Kenyan teas are black teas. So are English Breakfast and Earl Grey blends.

Green tea is not oxidised at all. Sencha and Gunpowder are two well-known green teas. White tea is the simplest of all, made from young buds and leaves that are simply gathered and dried. Oolong and dark teas such as Pu Erh add more variety for someone who likes to explore.

Adding something caffeine-free

Herbal and fruit infusions do not come from the tea plant. They are made from herbs, flowers, fruit, roots or seeds.

Many are naturally caffeine-free, including rooibos, chamomile and liquorice. A few do contain caffeine, such as yerba mate and blends with guarana. A mix of the two is a kind choice for someone who likes a cup in the evening.

Choosing for someone who is pregnant

The NHS advises no more than 200mg of caffeine a day in pregnancy. A cup of black or green tea has about 75mg.

The NHS also suggests no more than four cups of herbal tea a day in pregnancy. It advises avoiding herbal teas that contain liquorice root. So for an expectant friend, a gift of caffeine-free infusions without liquorice root fits well. Check the ingredients on each pack.

Including a brewing note

A short card with brewing tips helps someone enjoy an unfamiliar tea. The UK Tea and Infusions Association suggests water at 90 to 98°C for black tea and around 80°C for green tea. Herbal and fruit infusions are made with freshly boiled water.

Brewing times vary from about two minutes for a Japanese Sencha to five for an Oolong. One tea bag or one rounded teaspoon of loose tea per cup is the usual measure. For each tea, the pack has its own brewing instructions.

Keeping it fresh

Store tea in a cool, dry place. Keep it away from strongly flavoured or perfumed foods, which it can pick up. In a hamper, that means packing tea away from anything strongly scented.

Thinking about where it comes from

Tea is grown in around three dozen countries, from China and India to Kenya and Argentina. Much of it is plucked by hand, usually just the top two leaves and a bud. If the person you are buying for cares about fair pay for growers, look for the FAIRTRADE Mark on the pack.