Where do we source our teas?

Our company tells the story of the historic teas, coffees, and toddies that our founding fathers and mothers consumed in the 1700s. Like wine, tea has a taste/terroir that is specific to the region it is grown. We try to source our products as close to the original regions and provinces as we can to help recreate the correct flavor profiles. That means our teas come from China and India. In the mid 1700s and early 1800s tea was only exported to the west from China. Korea, Japan and Taiwan (then Formosa) did not trade with the west. India tea production began in the mid 1800s after the English “stole” the secret of tea from the Chinese.

While tea is grown commercially in South Carolina by the Bigelow Corporation, they do not sell those teas in bulk to other blenders/manufacturers. North Carolina and Mississippi have a couple of small tea growers, but those operations have not reached the maturity to distribute their teas. 

Where do we source our cacao?

We source our cacao shells from a small chocolate and cacao co-op in Peru.  They offer certified organic and sustainably sourced cacao products from small farmers in the Ucayali, Junin and Cusco regions. The cacao is processed in San Martin and Cusco.  

Is our tea gluten-free?

Since we are not a certified gluten-free facility, we can not guarantee our products are completely gluten-free. Tea by nature may have come in contact with some form of gluten, which is something that we would have to track all the way down to the harvesting of the product itself.

Do you sell caffeine-free tea?

We do! You can explore them here. All of our Colonial Remedies (Peppermint, Ginger, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Cinnamon, and Lavender) teas are Caffeine-free, as well as our Red Chai, Hibiscus Mint, Elderberry, Peppermint, and Hibiscus.

We also offer Cacao, Cacao Cinnamon, Cacao Mint, Cacao Citrus, and Cacao Chai. Although these blends do not contain caffeine, they do have a different type of stimulant called Theobromine in them.

What is the caffeine content of a tea bag?

Roughly speaking, the caffeine content for our black teas are approximately 1.8% of weight. Our tea bags weigh approximately 2.2 grams each. This aligns with the standard basis of black teas (40 to 70 milligrams per cup).  

If you use a cup smaller or larger than 8 oz, actual results may vary. 

How to use a tea brick:

The brick is intended as a display piece though you can use it to brew tea (more on that below).  It should last for several years as a display piece as long as it is not exposed to direct moisture.  

We say that all tea has a three year shelf life if kept out of direct sunlight, not exposed to moisture, and kept in normal room temperatures (this is why we sell our teas in tins!).

If you want to consume the tea in the tea brick, it makes a lovely smooth cup of tea, although it does take a bit of determination to break it apart. Our suggestion is to shave one of the edges with a sharp knife. A teaspoon per 6 to 8 oz cup of water should do the trick!

What type of black tea brick is sold?

Our tea bricks originate from China; while they are a basic black tea, we find it brews a smooth cup similar to an Oolong. Of note, if you are familiar with Puerh or dark fermented teas that often come in a hardened disk or brick format, this tea brick is not fermented.  

Its decorative nature could lead to it being treated as a beautiful conversation piece, but the tea is drinkable.  If you choose to do so, carefully shave off a corner or edge with a sharp knife.  We shave ours over parchment paper to capture the tea.  You will find the shavings similar to the fannings found in some teabags.  Capture enough for a cup of tea (roughly a teaspoon or 2 to 3 grams, depending on how much tea you are making and size of cup). Brew in 205 degree (F) water for 4-5 minutes.  It is stout enough to drink with milk. 

Is our tea organic or pesticide-free?

We’re delighted to inform you that about half of our teas are sourced from certified organic suppliers. While our warehouse isn’t certified organic, which prevents us from labeling our products as such, we ensure that all our teas meet stringent safety standards. For our non-organic items, we have Certificates of Analysis to confirm that they are free from toxins and comply with all FDA regulations.

Are our teabags environmentally friendly?

We are happy to let you know our teabags are all natural, non-GMO, fully biodegradable within 21 days, and are perfectly safe for you and for nature.

Our teabags do not contain plastics. The material is a plant based paper made from the sugar cane plant.

What do I do if my billing address is incorrect?

Once your payment has been processed and you receive a confirmation email, rest assured that the billing address will not impact your order. Additionally, the recipient of your order will not be charged.

How long do orders take to fulfill?

Our warehouse operates Monday through Friday and is fully equipped to fulfill your orders. Typically, orders placed will be processed and shipped the next business day. Please note that orders placed on weekends will be fulfilled on Monday, and those placed on holidays may experience delays based on order volume. If you are ordering around the holidays, we kindly ask that you allow extra time for order fulfillment and potential postal delays.

Who is Oliver?

Oliver is someone who enjoys a good story.  He loves a great cup of tea and learning about the story behind the tea. Oliver respects history but he doesn’t let history limit him.  He wants to provide the best tea in beautiful packaging to honor the history of the product.  He also loves experimenting with flavors and blends to create new products that help people create new stories!  

Was he a real person or based on a real person?  

No; the name comes from a simple background and is marketing based. Oliver, because it sounds English...who are famous for their love of tea, and Pluff, because our company was founded and operates in the lowcountry of SC. Pluff mud is the quicksand like material that is left in marshes after the tide goes out. So the name Oliver Pluff is reminiscent of both tea and the south.

How do I keep my tea fresh?

Typically any airtight and opaque container works best (a Tupperware container even works)!

• Air-Tight Container: Store tea in an air-tight container to prevent exposure to air, which can cause the tea to lose its flavor and aroma.
• Avoid Light: Keep tea away from direct sunlight or strong artificial light, as UV rays can degrade the tea leaves and affect their flavor.
• Cool and Dry: Store tea in a cool, dry place. Avoid areas with high humidity or fluctuating temperatures, such as near the stove or in the refrigerator.
• Avoid Odors: Tea leaves can absorb odors from their surroundings, so store them away from strong-smelling foods or spices.

How do you pronounce Bohea? 

From a text by William Ukers in his book 'All About Tea' (vol.1, 1935)- on page 42, he offers the following pronunciation: 

"There were two pronunciations originally, bo (long o) hay or the 'less wrong' boo-heee.  The Dutch misheard the Chinese describe the tea as from the Wuyi Mountain in China.  Where the Chinese were saying Wuyi, the Dutch called it Bohea."  

Does the blackberry flavor that you use contain soy lecithin? 

Our coffee and tea flavors are kosher, vegan, gluten-free, and contain no allergens; however, our warehouse can not claim that we are an allergen free facility.

How many cups of tea does the Boston Tea Party Collection make?

We typically recommend 2-3 grams of tea per 8 oz of water. However, everyone has a personal preference, so an avid tea drinker may prefer a stronger cuppa. That being said, each test tube holds about 9-15 grams of tea and should brew approx. 3-4 cups of tea per test tube. 

Are your Iced Tea and Sun Teas sweetened?

The iced and sun teas are unsweetened; you'll need to add your own sugar to sweeten!  The Ceylon tea comes in an approximately one ounce tea bag without sugar or other additives and brews one gallon. If you'd like a stronger tea, you can experiment a little by using less water during the brewing process.

Who manufactures our accessories?

• Mugs: Deenen Mugs

• Shirts: Comfort Colors or Avery Lane

• Teapots: Price and Kensington (or Rayware group or Typhoon)

• Tea Towels: Avery Lane