Selection Tips

Know More About
Chinese Tea

Know More About
Western Tea

Know More About
Teaware

Know More About
Essential Oil

Chinese Tea

History of Chinese Tea Culture

China was the first country to discover and cultivate the tea plant. Tea has been an important part of Chinese culture for millennia, and China is often referred to as the ‘home of tea’. According to legend, tea was discovered by the legendary Chinese emperor and herbalist, Shennong – during a walk in the forest he stopped to boil some water when leaves from a nearby tea plant fell into the cauldron. Shennong subsequently used tea as a medicinal herb to treat a wide range of ailments. The use of tea as a beverage dates back to the Western Zhou period (1046–771 BCE). Tea was already in widespread use by the Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE), when it was sold commercially. During the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) tea was drunk by Chinese nobles and monks. Tea also became an important part of Buddhist culture – it was often drunk during chanting rituals. The history of tea is documented in The Classic of Tea , China’s first authoritative work on tea cultivation and consumption. It was written by the Tang dynasty writer Lu Yu, an orphan who was adopted by a monk. During his childhood at the monastery Lu Yu learned about Buddhist teachings and tea culture. After almost 30 years of studying and visiting China’s most famous tea plantations, he documented his findings in The Classic of Tea , which he completed in 780 CE. The book covers the origins and types of tea and describes how tea is cultivated and brewed. It consists of ten chapters (Origin of tea, Tea tools, Manufacture, Tea Wares, Brewing, Drinking tea, Anecdotes, Tea-producing regions, Omissions, and Diagrams). It is often referred to as the ‘Tea Bible’ and has been translated into many languages. The history of tea in China dates back thousands of years and is an integral part of Chinese culture. China has hundreds of varieties of tea – more than any other country in the world. Tea cultivation flourished during the Song dynasty (960–1279), when tea plantations could be found all across China. Varieties included Wuyi rock tea, Longjing tea from Hangzhou and Jianzhou tea. The famous Song dynasty poets Su Shi and Wang Anshi were both tea connoisseurs, as was the Emperor Huizong of Song, who wrote the Treatise on Tea and played a major role in promoting the production of tea, which quickly became an essential beverage for ordinary people. During the Ming dynasty people mainly drank loose tea and started to brew tea in teapots. The Qing dynasty Emperor Qianlong, China’s longest reigning emperor who lived to the age of 89, when once asked how the empire could do a day without its emperor, he replied, ‘how can the emperor do a single day without his tea’. Teahouses quickly became a part of Chinese culture, and tea was often served at theatrical performances and other cultural events and festivals. Throughout history, tea has been an essential part of Chinese culture. It has also been proven to have many beneficial health effects and is the second most widely consumed drink after water.

Six Types of Chinese Tea

White Tea – Shoumei, Bai Mudan

The history of white tea dates back over 1000 years to the Song dynasty. It originates from Fujian province and is known for its delicate flavour and natural aroma. Major cultivation regions include Fuding, Zhenghe and Jianyang. White tea undergoes very light fermentation during the withering process before being dried. It has numerous health benefits, including flushing out toxins from the body and relieving toothache.

Green Tea – Longjing, Jasmine

Green tea is a non-fermented tea that produces a clear green infusion. After harvesting, the leaves are heated, rolled and dried. Green tea has the longest history of all tea varieties – Song dynasty records indicate that the leaves were heated by steaming. It was first cultivated in China before being introduced to Japan. Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces are the major cultivation regions. Green tea is rich in polyphenols, amino acids and vitamin C and has antioxidant properties.

Yellow Tea – Junshan Yinzhen

Yellow tea is produced in a similar way to green tea, but with an added step of being encased and steamed. This gives the leaves a slightly yellow colour and it is known for its delicate mellow flavour. Records of yellow tea date back over four hundred years to the Ming dynasty. Yellow tea is mainly produced in Sichuan, Hunan and Hubei provinces. It helps to aid digestion, kill bacteria and reduce inflammation.

Oolong Tea – Tie Guan Yin, Da Hong Pao, Baiyaqilan Oolong Tea

Oolong is a partially-fermented tea with a rich flavour and orchid-like aroma. The production process involves six steps – air drying, cooling, tossing, frying, rolling and drying. Oolong tea possesses the processing methodologies of both green and black tea. It has a refreshing aftertaste and helps to protect against ageing and tooth decay.

Black Tea – Kungfu Black Tea, Jin Jun Mei

Black tea is a fully-fermented tea that originates from the mountains around Wuyishan in Fujian province. The leaves are withered, rolled and fermented before being dried, pan fired and baked. Chemical reactions that take place during the production process reduce the amount of polyphenols by 90%, but produce other compounds that are beneficial to health such as thearubigins and theaflavins. The fermentation process also creates a rich aroma. Black tea helps to aid digestion and has a number of other health benefits.

Post-fermented Tea – Pu’er tea

Post-fermented tea has a rich, lasting aroma. The leaves are withered, rolled, shaped, re-rolled and dried before consumption. The main cultivated provinces of post-fermented tea include Yunnan, Sichuan, Guangxi and Hunan provinces. Black tea helps to reduce blood cholesterol, prevent hardening of the arteries and promote weight loss.

Health Benefits of Tea

Tea helps to boost mental alertness and contains over 20 different substances that are beneficial to health. Tea helps to expel toxins, improve eyesight, promote dental health, relieve nasal congestion, aid digestion, and prevent constipation.

The Art of Tea

Tea leaves, water, tea ware, heat, people, atmosphere are the 6 key elements in the art of tea.

Choosing the Right Water for your Tea

For best results, use mountain spring water from pristine, natural sources. If spring water is not available, use mineral water. The minerals in the water produce a sweet, delicate infusion. You can also use distilled water, which does not interfere with the tea’s flavour. Avoid using tap water, as it contains chlorine that may affect the tea’s flavour.

History of Herbal Teas

Herbal teas are made by infusing natural herbs into alcohols, beverage and coffee etc. They are becoming increasingly popular due to their numerous health benefits. According to the scientific definition, herbs are seed-bearing plants that do not have a woody stem. As an everyday term, however, herbs include all fragrant plants used for culinary, medicinal or cosmetic purposes. Herbal tea has been used for medicinal purposes for many centuries. After chewing on the leaves, flowers and stems to check that the herb was edible, doctors would infuse the herb in hot water and research its medicinal properties. In Europe, these herbal infusions were called tea until the tea plant Camellia sinensis was introduced from Asia, after which they became known as ‘herbal teas’. Despite a long history of being used for medicinal purposes, herbal tea did not become a popular beverage until two to three hundred years ago. After gaining popularity in France, it quickly spread to the rest of Europe as well as Japan, the US and China. Herbal teas are made using the same herbs as medicinal teas, but feature a number of additional ingredients to enhance the colour and flavour.

Different Types of Herbal Tea

Rose

Rose tea is made from dried rose petals. It produces a sweet, refreshing aroma – properties which were noted by the famous Ming dynasty physician Lu He. Rose petals have been used for numerous purposes throughout history – the Ottoman Turks used the plant to make desserts, and the Persians used it to make rose water.

Fruity Tea

Fruity tea is a blend of dried fruits, flower petals and herbs. Fruity tea is high in antioxidants and vitamin C which is good for health and keep the immune system strong. With the dried fruit inside, fruity tea is very refreshing and energy-boosting, which is ideal to drink in the morning and daytime.

Linden

Linden tea helps to relieve anxiety and prevent insomnia. European children used to play under linden leave, which is a place means for relaxation and finding happiness. Linden tea is typically served after dinner and helps to promote digestion and boost metabolism. It also has numerous other health benefits.

Rosemary

Rosemary is one of the most commonly used herbs. it symbolizes fidelity and is often worn by the bride at weddings in western culture. The Romans regarded it as sacred, and it was used to make a scented perfume for Saint Elisabeth of Hungary. Except for using rosemary in making tea, rosemary is also used for culinary purposes, essential oils and decorating gardens. The herb derives its name from a legend in which Mary sheltered the baby Jesus under a rosemary bush, a smell of morning forest.

Lavender

Lavender is one of the world’s most beloved herbs, it is known for its fragrant aroma and upright purple flowers that resemble wheat. It is native to the Mediterranean and thrives in dry climates such as Provence in the south of France. Lavender derives its name from the Latin ‘lavare’, meaning ‘to wash’ – the Romans used the herb to scent bath water.

Chamomile

Chamomile was often prescribed by doctors in Ancient Greece. It was also revered by the ancient Egyptians, who dedicated the herb to the sun god Ra. Chamomile tea is one of the popular herbal teas in Europe now, the herb is often used to enhance beer flavor.

Lemon Balm/Melissa

The great 11th-century Arab physician Avicenna once wrote than lemon balm tea ‘makes the heart merry’. The herb derives its name from the Greek word for honeybee (melissa) due its lemon-like fragrance that attracts swarms of honeybees. Lemon balm can be used as herbal tea, enhance beer flavor and make aperitifs. It helps to promote digestion and prevent digestive disorders.

Verbena

Verbena was introduced to Europe in the 17th Century by the Spanish from the origin South America. It has a refreshing, lemon-scented aroma and was first used to make essential oils. Verbena increases alertness, aids digestion and helps to alleviate nausea. The leaves can also be chopped and added to cakes, fruit puddings and apple jelly.

What is Herbal Tea?

Records of herbal tea date back to the ancient Sumerians and Egyptians, who lived along the Euphrates. Herbal teas are made by infusing the dried stems, leaves, flowers and other parts of edible plants.

Teaware

Teaware is essential for tea enjoyment. Choosing correct teaware will enhance the quality of tea; choosing elegant style of teaware will enrich the quality of lifestyle. No matter you are enjoying tea personally or with your beloved during tea gathering, enjoying tea with high quality teaware is a taste of lifestyle.

Salley's Garden Teaware Collection

Salley’s Garden Signature Collection

This is the signature teaware collection of Salley’s Garden. The pattern was designed by a French painter. With the iconic Monalisa pattern together with peonies and florets, the whole pattern represents Romance, Wealth and Purity.

Hong Kong Classic: Victoria Harbour Collection

This teaware collection was designed by one of Hong Kong’s most reowned young ceramic artist. The artist uses the realist Chinese painting technique “Gongbi” to recreate the buildings along Victoria Harbour from half a century ago. These include elegant paintings of landmark buildings in Central Hong Kong island, as well as the former Kowloon Railway Station. This tea set features classical landscapes of Victoria Harbour as seen from the Kowloon Clock Tower. Delve into Hong Kong fascinating history with this elegant teaware collection…

Deluxe Mini Mug Collection

Pairs of mini tea cup with different color combination and floral pattern in the cup, which represents nobleness and elegance. This mini tea set series is suitable as a wedding gift for couples, wishing them happiness forever.

Classic English Rose Teaware Collection

Rose is a symbol of love and romance. This teaware collection is with classic English Rose pattern which is good for expressing your love to your beloved, family and friends.

Elegant Singing Birds Teaware Collection

This teaware collection is with the picture of elegant singing birds in the garden. With the elegant picture on the teaware, you can imagine yourself enjoying the tea moment in a fruitful and peaceful garden.

Difference Between Fine Bone China and Ceramic

Fine bone china is made by adding herbivore bone powder to porcelain clay and firing it twice at high temperature and low temperature glaze. Due to the bone powder, fine bone china product is stronger and more durable than standard ceramic products. Fine bone china teaware products are also more white in color, with lighter and transparent outcome when compared with standard ceramic teaware products.

Natural Essential Oil Collection

100% Natural and Pure Essential Oil from France Unique Formula for Different Physical and Emotional Conditions Formulated by Internationally accredited Professional Aromatherapist Free of Parabens No Artificial Fragrances Suitable for Vegan Emphasis on Environmental Sustainability

Five Unique Essential Oil Formulas

Refreshing

Essential Blends: Peppermint, Rosemary, Lemongrass, Mandarin, Vetiver, Lemon, Eucalyptus Best Applied: Morning

Enjoying

Essential Blends: Neroli, Petitgrain, Sweet Orange, Tea Tree, Ylang Ylang, Elemi, Rose Absolute Best Applied: At Work

Relaxing

Essential Blends: Lavender, Frankincense, Bergamot, Petitgrain, Ylang Ylang, Elemi, Rose Geranium Best Applied: After Lunch

Grounding

Essential Blends: Cedarwood, Rosewood, Vetiver, Basil, Cypress, Ylang Ylang, Frankincense, Patchouli Best Applied: After Work

Sleeping

Essential Blends: Lavender, Lavadin, Roman Chamomile, Frankincense, Bergamot, Neroli, Sandalwood Best Applied: Evening

Health Benefits of Essential Oil

Salley’s Garden essential oil blends use carefully selected essential oils which are effective for particular health conditions. The blends are designed to complement each other, creating synergy to increase their effectiveness. All 5 body oil formulas contain six premium quality natural base oils, which are rich in minerals including Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, D, E, antioxidants. Suitable for different skin types.

Guideline for Usage (Essential Oil Blends)

Guideline for Usage (Natural Body Oils)