🍵 Tea Guide & Reviews | Rafał's Chill Collection

⭐ Rafał's Current Favorites

🫖 English Breakfast

Strength

Strong

Best Time

Morning

Milk?

Yes

Steep Time

3-5 min

My go-to morning tea. Bold, reliable, and perfect with a splash of milk. It's like a warm hug that also wakes you up. The kind of tea that makes you feel like you could conquer the day (even if you're planning to avoid conquering anything).

Rafał's Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Perfect for contemplating why I don't want a traditional career while sitting by the window."

🌸 Earl Grey

Strength

Medium

Best Time

Afternoon

Milk?

Optional

Steep Time

3-4 min

The sophisticated choice. That bergamot oil gives it a fancy, floral vibe that makes you feel cultured. Perfect for afternoon breaks when you want to pretend you're a character in a period drama instead of someone avoiding emails.

Rafał's Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Makes me feel like I have my life together, even when I definitely don't."

🌿 Real Teas (From the Camellia Sinensis Plant)

🍃 Sencha

Caffeine

Medium

Water Temp

70-80°C

Steep Time

1-2 min

Origin

Japan

The classic Japanese green tea. Fresh, grassy, and surprisingly delicate. Don't oversteep or you'll get bitter regret instead of zen vibes. Perfect for pretending you're in a Japanese tea ceremony.

🌾 Genmaicha

Caffeine

Low

Water Temp

80-85°C

Steep Time

2-3 min

Origin

Japan

Green tea mixed with roasted rice! Sounds weird, tastes amazing. Nutty, toasty, and comforting. Known as "popcorn tea" because some rice kernels pop. It's like drinking a cozy hug.

Rafał's Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐

"My go-to when I want green tea but also want to feel like I'm snacking on something toasty."

🌱 Kukicha

Caffeine

Very Low

Water Temp

85-90°C

Steep Time

3-4 min

Origin

Japan

Made from tea plant stems and twigs! Yes, really. Smooth, mild, and naturally sweet. Great for evening because it's low in caffeine. It's like drinking the essence of a zen garden.

🧘 Da Hong Pao

Caffeine

Medium

Water Temp

95-100°C

Steep Time

3-5 min

Origin

China

"Big Red Robe" oolong tea. Complex, roasted flavor that changes with each sip. One of those teas that makes you feel like a sophisticated tea master, even if you're just winging it.

🌙 Tie Guan Yin

Caffeine

Medium

Water Temp

90-95°C

Steep Time

2-4 min

Origin

China

"Iron Goddess of Mercy" - what a name! This oolong is floral, smooth, and has this amazing lingering sweetness. Perfect for when you want to feel mystical and enlightened.

🫖 Lapsang Souchong

Caffeine

Medium

Water Temp

95-100°C

Steep Time

3-5 min

Origin

China

The campfire tea! Smoked over pine fires, so it tastes like you're drinking liquid barbecue. Divisive but unforgettable. Either you love it or you think someone set your tea on fire.

🌺 Herbal Infusions (Not Actually Tea!)

Plot twist: These aren't real teas! They're herbal infusions made from flowers, herbs, and spices. No Camellia sinensis plant involved, but they're still delicious and have their own superpowers.

🌺 Chamomile

Caffeine

None

Water Temp

100°C

Steep Time

5-7 min

Superpower

Sleepy

The ultimate chill "tea." Caffeine-free and naturally calming. Tastes like flowers in the best possible way. Perfect for evening wind-down or when you need to pretend to be productive while actually just relaxing.

🌿 Peppermint

Caffeine

None

Water Temp

100°C

Steep Time

5-7 min

Superpower

Fresh

Refreshing and cooling. Good for digestion and when you want something that tastes clean and minty. Like drinking a breath mint but in a good way.

🌹 Hibiscus

Caffeine

None

Water Temp

100°C

Steep Time

5-10 min

Superpower

Tart

Bright red, tart, and cranberry-like. High in vitamin C and antioxidants. Great hot or iced. It's like drinking liquid rubies that happen to be good for you.

🫚 Ginger Root

Caffeine

None

Water Temp

100°C

Steep Time

5-10 min

Superpower

Spicy

Warming, spicy, and great for digestion. Perfect when you're feeling under the weather or need something with kick. It's like a gentle slap that wakes up your whole system.

🫖 Rafał's Brewing Tips

Water Temperature Matters

Green teas get bitter with boiling water. Black teas love it hot. Herbals can handle the heat. When in doubt, let boiling water cool for a minute.

Don't Rush the Steep

Good tea takes time. Use it as an excuse to stare out the window and contemplate the meaning of life.

The Perfect Cup

There's no perfect cup. It's whatever makes you happy in that moment. Sometimes that's fancy loose leaf, sometimes it's a grocery store tea bag.

Japanese Teas Are Delicate

Sencha, genmaicha, kukicha - they all need cooler water and shorter steeps. Think gentle, not aggressive.

Oolongs Are Forgiving

Most oolongs can handle multiple steepings. Each round reveals different flavors - it's like having several teas in one!