FAQ

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1. About Our Tea

Unless otherwise stated our teas are not organically certified.
However, our teas grow in native wild or semi-wild high-mountain forests where ancient tea trees thrive naturally. They are tended by local communities with traditional methods often hundreds of years old. Due to the very nature of the biodiverse ecosystems where the tea trees thrive it is neither necessary nor incentivised to use fertilisers or pesticides.
Due to the age and sensitivity of ancient tea trees, chemical inputs would not only be unnecessary but potentially harmful to the long-term health of the forest. These trees have survived and flourished in their natural environment for centuries.
Formal organic certifications are often designed for large-scale farms and can be financially burdensome for artisanal producers.

Instead of relying solely on paperwork, we:

  • Visit tea gardens personally
  • Build direct relationships
  • Taste and evaluate at origin
  • Observe farming practices firsthand
We go out of our way to source directly to ensure our tea is pure. Ultimate, we let the taste of our teas speak for itself.

NO! they are not herbal teas. Quite simply it’s just tea, the only difference from regular tea is that they are from centuries old wild or semi-wild trees.

They are the same teas you already know such as green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong etc. from the same plant scientific name camellia sinensis. The only difference is their age and where they are grown.
Due to their age they are the size of trees. We stock majority from Ancient Trees (Gushu) however a few of our teas are from Big Trees (Dashu). We do not stock tea from younger aged tea plants.
Unlike plantation-grown bushes, our trees grow deep in mountain forests with rich biodiversity, where their roots reach far into the earth and absorbing minerals slowly. This gives the leaves a depth of complexity and energy that teas from younger plants simply cannot match.

Ancient Tree (Gushu) teas come from tea trees that are atleast hundred years old. Big tree (dashu) Tea are from tea trees that are just smaller than gushu tree aged between approximately 60-100 years old. All our teas come from either these classification of tea trees. Due to the nature of the deep roots of the tree, the slow growth they imapart cha qi. To learn more about tea read our blog here.

We source our teas directly from small growers and artisanal factories across Asia who share our deep respect for tea. Each tea is carefully chosen at its origin —in remote mountain regions — where we spend time with the producers, taste their teas, and learn their craft. Our focus is on taste and cha qi (the energy or spirit of the tea). We select only teas that are hand-picked, traditionally grown and processed, and free from pesticides or additives. Many of our teas come from ancient forests, where untouched biodiversity, clean mountain air, and deep-rooted trees naturally protect their purity.
For us, quality is not just about flavour, but also about story, tradition, and the energy a tea carries. Every tea we share is one we personally drink and wholeheartedly stand behind.
Cha Qi (茶气), literally means “tea energy,”it is the subtle life force of tea. Cha Qi is closely connected to the concept of Qi (气)—the vital energy believed to flow through all living things in Chinese culture.
Drinking tea with strong Cha Qi can create a range of experiences: warmth spreading through the body, a sense of calm and relaxation, heightened mental clarity, or even a gentle uplift in mood. These sensations are subtle, personal, and often hard to put into words, but they are central to the meditative and spiritual practices of tea across cultures.
The strength and character of Cha Qi depend on factors like the tea’s origin, the age of the trees, its growing environment, and the skill of the tea maker. Ultimately, Cha Qi is something to be felt rather than explained—a personal connection between you, the tea in the moment.
Our teas are carefully sourced from wild or semi-wild mountain forests, where ancient tea trees grow naturally without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. We work closely with traditional local communities who have cultivated and protected these trees for generations, supporting their livelihoods and preserving biodiversity. We go out of our way to source quality tea and our commitment also extends to ethical and sustainable practices.

2. How to Brew Tea

We recommend some teawares; a teapot, or atleast a strainer (metal or a disposable tea bag). We stock several tea accessories in our shop please view here.

There are several ways to brew tea depending on your setup and how involved you want to be. Explore the options below and if you’re limited on your setup browse our selections of teawares and accessories here to help you brew the perfect cup.

Method 1: Metal Strainer or Disposable Tea Bag Brewing Guide (Simplest)

Equipment Needed: 

  • Cup/Mug
  • Metal strainer or Disposable Tea Bag

Steps:

  1. Boil water – temperature specific to tea type.
  2. Measure 1–3 g tea (1 tsp).
  3. Pour water at the correct temperature over tea.
  4. Steep for recommended time and adjust time brewed based on color 
  5. Remove strainer to prevent over-steeping.
  6. Taste and adjust accordingly by adding more water if too strong and steep slightly longer if taste is too light.

Steeping Table

Tea Type Water Temperature Steeping Time
White tea 80–95 °C 3–5 min
Green tea 80–85 °C 2–3 min
Black tea 100 °C 4–5 min
Raw Pu’erh (Sheng) 85–100 °C 3–4 min
Ripe Pu’erh (Shou) 100 °C 3–5 min

Method 2. Teapot Brewing Guide (Most common method)

Equipment Needed:

  • Western teapot or Asian teapot with >200mL Capacity
  • tea cup/mug

Steps:

  1. Boil water – temperature specific to tea type.
  2. Measure 2–4 g tea per 200–500 mL water.
  3. Steep tea for recommended time (see table below).
  4. Add more water or steep slightly longer if taste is light.

Steeping Table

Tea Type Water Temperature Steeping Time
White tea 80–95 °C 2–5 min
Green tea 80–85 °C 1–3 min
Black tea 100 °C 4–5 min
Raw Pu’erh (Sheng) 85–100 °C 2–4 min
Ripe Pu’erh (Shou) 100 °C 3–5 min

Method 3 Gong Fu Brewing Guide (Traditional Chinese Style)

Equipment Needed:

  • Small Asian teapot or Gaiwan
  • Fairness pitcher
  • Tea cups

Steps:

  1. Boil water – temperature specific to tea type (see table below).
  2. Measure 3–5 g of tea (1–2 tsp).
  3. Flash rinse the tea – quickly pour water through tea into another vessel to prevent over-steeping.
  4. Warm all tea vessels – swill cups to warm, then discard first rinse.
  5. Brew by flash steep – 100–150 mL for 5–30 s, pour into fairness pitcher to serve.
  6. Repeat steeping, gradually increasing steep time as infusions lighten.

Tea Brewing Table

Tea Type Water Temperature
White tea 80–95 °C
Green tea 80–85 °C
Black tea 100 °C
Raw Pu’erh (Sheng) 85–100 °C
Ripe Pu’erh (Shou) 100 °C
If you’d like to learn more about “The Art of Brewing Tea” read our blog here.
  1. Insert your tool horizontally into the compressed teas edge or seam
  2. Lever gently wiggling to loosen leaves rather than breaking them
  3. Flash rinse quickly with boiling water to awaken and open tea leaves (especially important for aged teas)
  4. Dispose of the rinse water
  5. Brew using your preferred method—though multiple short infusions work best
If you’d like more comprehensive information about tea cakes, mini tea discs or balls read our blog here “A Guide to Compressed Tea”.
Mini tea balls and tea discs are in convenient servings of tea however they are slightly larger than single servings of tea which are usually around 2g. Depending on how many servings you require brew whole or break them apart with a tea knife or a small fruit knife then brew. Brewing whole is ideal for gongfu brewing with multiple short infusions or larger teapot brews.
If you’d like more information about tea cakes, mini tea discs or balls read our blog here “A Guide to Compressed Tea”.

3. Storage

To preserve the flavor and aroma, store your tea in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and strong odors. Most of our teas come in resealable packaging, designed to keep them fresh and convenient for everyday use.
Pu-erh & Sun-Dried Teas – These teas are unique because they can be aged, developing richer character over time. Ideally, they should be stored in breathable clay containers or kept in a cool, well-ventilated space. However for convenience you may store in our resealable packaging, simply opening it once in a while allowing the tea to breathe and age gently.

Tea doesn’t necessarily expire, however to ensure optimal taste, tea should be consumed within 3 years from the production date. Some teas, like Puerh or sun-dried teas, improve with age, developing deeper flavors over time under recommended storage conditions.

4. Ordering & Shipping

  • Standard shipping from Sydney
  • Dispatched from within 1-3 business days
  • Estimated delivery times: 3–7 business days
  • Flat rate shipping: $12 AUD
  • Free shipping for orders over $80 AUD
  • No International orders
  • Orders are processed within 1–3 business days
  • Cut-off times for same-day shipping (if applicable)
  • Tracking is provided for all orders
  • Customers will be notified via email when their order is shipped
  • Estimated delivery: 3–7 business days
  • Every order is handled with care to ensure your tea arrives fresh and intact

5. Returns and Refunds Policy

  • Refunds and exchanges are not available for change of mind
  • Exceptions may be made for exceptional circumstance
  • Requests must be made within 30 days of purchase
  • Replacements may be provided for damaged or defective items
  • Tea must be in saleable condition and not consumed
  • Please email [insert email] with photos and proof of damage
  • All returns will be inspected
  • Exchanges are not available for change of mind
  • Products must be returned in saleable condition
  • Items must be returned within 5 business days of acceptance of the refund
  • Refunds will be issued to the original payment method after the item is returned or the refund reason is accepted
  • Return shipping costs are discretionary

6. Ethics & Sustainability

Yes.
We source directly from small-scale growers and ethnic minority communities across remote mountain regions in Asia. Many of the families we work with have been custodians of their tea forests for generations.
By sourcing directly at origin, we:
  • Pay fair, negotiated prices to producers
  • Build long-term relationships rather than transactional buying
  • Support small, community-based production
  • Reduce unnecessary middlemen
Our goal is to source the best tea and we believe tea tastes best when shared.
Our teas grow in wild or semi-wild mountain forests, not industrial monoculture plantations.
This means:
  • No pesticides or chemical fertilisers
  • Deep-rooted trees that naturally resist pests
  • Biodiverse ecosystems where tea grows alongside native plants
  • Minimal soil disruption
Ancient tree tea is inherently sustainable because the trees have already stood for decades — often centuries — and continue producing without the need for replanting or heavy agricultural intervention.
Yes.
Many of the teas we source come from ethnic minority communities in regions such as northern Vietnam, Yunnan, and Laos. These communities are the traditional custodians of ancient tea forests.
When you purchase from Bhava Cha, you directly contribute to:
  • Rural livelihoods
  • Preservation of traditional tea-making knowledge
  • Economic alternatives to deforestation or migration
We believe sustainable tea must also mean sustainable communities.

7. Miscellaneous

Yes. Please follow our social media handles to keep posted on upcoming events.
Yes, We offer wholesale opportunities for retailers, cafes, and wellness businesses. Contact us to learn about pricing, minimum orders, and partnership options here.
Please view here.
Please view here.