Frequently Asked Questions
Teas & CBD
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What is tea and why are whole-leaf teas so special?
Teas are produced from the leaves and leaf buds of the Camellia Sinensis plant.
It is believed that the concept of brewing these leaves came about as early as around 2737 BC by ‘The Father of Tea’, Shen Nong. Over time, tea finally arrived in England, with records estimating tea being sold in London around 1658.
There are 2 types of manufacture for black tea: Orthodox (tea leaves rolled by hand or by machine) or CTC (cut-tear-curl, resulting in smaller particles for teabags). The former is ideal for loose-leaf or pyramid bag use due to infusion space and results in a full-bodied complex & flavoursome cup of tea. The latter has greater surface area due to the smaller leaf size resulting in a quicker brew but not with all the flavour. The whole-leaf Orthodox quality leaves used in our pyramid teabags provides both quality and convenience!
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Where are your teas from?
On a mission to include the best tasting teas in each of our blends, our tea leaves have been sourced from a wide range of unique tea estates, originating from countries like India, Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and Kenya.
All our teas are then hand-blended and packaged in the UK.
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Tippy what now?
Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe might sound like a rare exotic species of tropical bird but it’s actually part of the strict system of quality which defines the grading of tea leaves.
Tea grades range from high quality golden leaf tips to the lowest grade fannings or tea scrapings – essentially dust. We always make it really clear on our packaging which grade our tea leaves are so you can trust the quality.
Here is a quick guide to some of the different tea grades we use…
TGFOP = Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe. The highest proportion of tip, and the main grade in Darjeeling and Assam.
FBOP = Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe. Coarse broken leaves with some tips.
GFBOP = Golden Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe. Uneven leaves and few tips, using only the highest quality leaves in the GFBOP classification.
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Do green and black teas come from different plants?
No! Both black teas & green teas come from the same Camellia Sinensis plant. The difference in taste and appearance are attributable to their individual manufacturing processes. Black teas are oxidised, a process that turns the leaf from green to brown. Green teas are instead panned or steamed to kill the enzymes that allow oxidisation to take place. This results in their green appearance and unique flavour.
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Do I really need to use fresh water for each brew?
Yes, we recommend boiling fresh water each time (i.e. not reheating remaining water in the kettle). This is due to the increase in concentration of minerals present in water with each boil when water evaporates. Ideally if you have a water filter, we recommend boiling filtered water for the freshest tasting cuppa!
Because if it’s worth doing its worth doing right!
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Temperature and time?
We believe in brewing correctly and contrary to the “just add water” mentality there really is a correct way to make a proper cup of tea, depending on what type of tea you are drinking. The temperature of the water and length of time you allow the teabag to steep will bring out the best favours of individual teas and infusions.
So, revel in the moment, set a timer, be a tea geek (welcome to the club) – it’s worth it.
See packs for specific instructions.
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What is the difference between a tea and an infusion?
In order to be classified as a tea a blend must contain actual leaves or leaf buds from the Camellia Sinensis plant.
Infusions (or tisanes) are blends which are purely herbal or floral.
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Is your packaging plastic-free?
Yes! We have worked hard to combine high quality teas and infusions with environmentally conscious plastic-free packaging.
We love our tea, so much so that in the UK we consume around 100 million cups of tea a day! That’s almost 36 billion a year and an insane amount of tea bags being dunked and disposed off. Many traditional teabags contain plastic which not only leaks nano plastic particles into your drink but also makes them non recyclable or biodegradable leading to big plastic pollution problem.
Our pyramid teabags are 100% biodegradable and plastic free. Made from soilon – a plant based material derived from corn starch and using ultrasound rather than glue to attach the string and label they are easily compostable for a convenient cuppa with a clear conscience.
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What is CBD and why is it in my tea/herbal infusion?
CBD is Cannabidiol, one of many cannabinoids found in the hemp plant. It is a non-psychoactive compound that works on our inbuilt endocannabinoid system.
The human body is made up of a network of receptors called the endocannabinoid system. The system’s purpose is to ensure optimum health & balance in the body, but the stresses of modern living can leave its function depleted. Cannabinoids activate the receptors of the endocannabinoid system to assist with sleep, anxiety, pain, inflammation & immunity.
We’ve infused CBD into our teas and infusions to make this little-known compound accessible, tasty & easy to consume in day to day life.
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What form of CBD is used in JP’s teas/infusions?
Not all CBD is created equal. We only use the finest full-spectrum water soluble CBD and the benefits of this are twofold.
Full-spectrum
Full-spectrum CBD is also known as ‘whole plant’ as it also includes other original plant compounds such as non-intoxicating phytocannabinoids, terpenes and plant waxes. It is most popular due to its ‘entourage-effect’ which is the effect of all of the cannabinoids and terpenes working together in perfect synergy for a more powerful result.Water Soluble
We use a water-soluble CBD solution in order to ensure you get the maximum benefits in its most bioavailable form. Not only does using water-soluble CBD allow for it to infuse quickly and easily when brewed it also allows for much higher bioavailability than traditional forms. Most CBD products on the market are mixed with a carrier oil. We all know that water and oil don’t mix and because the human body is made up of 60% water the use of oils prevents maximum absorption. Using water soluble CBD allows for the maximum amount of CBD to enter the bloodstream making sure you get the full benefits. -
Will JP’s CBD teas and infusions get me high?
No. Drinking our CBD teas and infusion will not get you high. CBD doesn’t include any of the psychoactive compounds found in cannabis, ensuring you get all the well-being benefits whilst keeping your feet firmly on the ground.
The mind altering psychoactive compound in cannabis is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and our products contain no THC in line with the EU Regulations.
High tea with JP involves only your finest china and cucumber sandwiches cut into perfect finger sized portions!
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How many CBD teas/infusions can I enjoy in one day?
Each serving of JP’s CBD tea/infusion contains a generous 15mg of CBD. Our range of teas and infusions are designed to be enjoyed at different times of the day, each with a different focus. You might want to kick start your day with our Power Up tea and then wind down in the evening with Sleep Deep. Whilst you can’t overdose on CBD, everyone metabolises CBD differently so will require a different dose to achieve their required effect. We recommend starting with one cup and having a maximum of 3 cups a day.
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Can I travel with JP’s CBD teas/infusions?
CBD is legal in the EU but if you are planning to fly we would advise that you check with your airline as well as the legislation in the country you are flying to.
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Can anybody take CBD?
Our products are intended for those aged 18 or over. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or under medical supervision please consult your doctor before use.