Who:
We are a small family-run tea company based in Kunming, Yunnan, China, consisting of several humans under the supervision of 3 cats.
Coming from creative backgrounds and former careers in arts and design, Bitterleaf’s direction is informed by what we want to see and create, as opposed to simply running another tea shop. Our appreciation of tea spans across the process of sourcing, preparing, tasting, and feeling.
For us, tea is not just a drink, but a lifestyle and process that we find really damn relaxing. However, we prefer not to be burdened by dogmatic or rigid views on tea. We simply hope to enhance others’ experience in whatever way we can.
Although we tend to become restless from time to time, tea is a constant for us. We strive to do things our own way and differently than those around us, but there are also values that we consistently adhere to.
Our Teas and Teaware:
The teas and teaware we feature are the very same that we drink and use on a daily basis. Our biggest focus is on the tea and teaware in our backyard, which is primarily puer and other Yunnan teas, and Jianshui zitao pottery. We also have a thing for pottery from Jingdezhen and have spent considerable effort developing strong relationships with artists there.
Most of our teas are single region/garden teas, unless explicitly mentioned that they are blended.
In addition to being teas that we have personal attachment to, we try to be as transparent as possible about the source and background of our teas. Our priority is to work with farmers who employ responsible farming methods, care about their crops, and exhibit a high level of processing. Any other relevant information about a tea’s origin or storage is included in its product listing. We intend to be as direct as possible in our descriptions and with the information we provide, while keeping confusing jargon and BS to a minimum.
Like our teas, our teaware is also held to a high standard of quality. We focus largely on Jianashui zitao purple clay teaware, and unique pieces from the ceramics capital of China, Jingdezhen, as well as Yixing zisha teapots. We spend a lot of time making tea, and this process is much more enjoyable when there are pretty things to look at that also work well. We want you to be able to experience the same.
Every single piece of teaware that is sold through Bitterleaf is personally inspected and tested for cosmetic and functional defects. Any items that do not pass our own standards are not sold, or are noted and discounted. Please note that for certain pieces, especially those which are handmade, minor and discreet imperfections may exist. In all cases, these are generally unnoticeable, but if you have any concerns, please feel free to contact us.
We make every effort to accurately represent each piece of teaware in our shop, both in terms of colour and shape. If we receive a new batch of wares that is significantly different in colour or design (a common occurrence with ceramics), we will update the product pictures to accurately reflect this and make a note. We also note that some pieces, especially those that are handmade, can exhibit slight variations in colour and glaze. In less extreme cases this may not be shown in the photos.
As a result of our selection process and criteria for quality, many pieces may only be available in limited quantity. We also re-evaluate pieces from time to time and may decide to restock using a higher quality, which can be reflected in the price. We recommend checking back regularly, but if you have a request, feel free to let us know.
For more information about our operations and policies, please see our shipping information and refund policy, privacy policy and terms of service
