The term 'Bohea Teas' has a long history. It refers to some of the first black teas brought to Europe to be traded in the 17th Century.
Bohea tea was the catch all term used by European merchants and traders to cover all black teas including Oolongs and Lapsang Souchong, and is thought to originate from the word Wuyi, referring to the Wuyi Mountains, Fujian, China. Over time as the demand for teas in Europe developed and types of tea became known by the distinct terms we know today such as Oolong, Bohea Tea fell out of usage. If you do hear it now, it tends to be in relation to the teas from Wuyi such as our Big Red Robe. Bohea or Wuyi teas are some of the most highly prized teas in the world. They are sometimes referred to as Rock Tea (or Yancha), because of their difficult mountainous growing conditions.
When we decided to set up Bohea Teas in Manchester and specialise in premium loose leaf tea, and herbal infusions, we thought it would be nice to give a nod to some of the fist teas Europeans would ever have tasted. The teas that sparked the desire and demand loose tea in the West, helping it to become the most popular beverage in the world.
Of course we don't just sell teas from Wuyi. We have a wonderful and carefully crafted selection of green tea, oolong, black tea, white tea, jasmine tea and herbal teas and tisanes from Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka, India and the rest of the world
