Our teas embark on a journey from the world's most distinguished tea terroirs—from the misty heights of Darjeeling's Himalayan slopes to the ancient forest gardens of China's Yunnan province. We source directly from Japanese family farms cultivating rare gyokuro, Sri Lankan highland estates known for exceptional Ceylon, and pristine organic gardens in Taiwan crafting exquisite oolongs. Each origin imparts its distinctive character—what tea connoisseurs call "the taste of place"—shaped by unique soil compositions, microclimates, and generations of artisanal expertise. We meticulously document each tea's provenance, allowing you to trace your cup's journey from specific garden to your teapot.

We treat shipping with the same care we apply to our teas, employing oxygen-barrier packaging to preserve freshness during transit. Orders over $50 qualify for complimentary shipping within the continental U.S., typically arriving within 2-4 business days. International deliveries reach most destinations within 7-14 days, with exact timeframes provided at checkout. For the tea enthusiasts who can't wait, we offer expedited shipping options. Every package is sealed immediately after weighing to lock in essential oils and aromas—because we believe the journey from our door to yours shouldn't compromise a single note of flavor.

Tea leaves are storytellers—but their tales fade when improperly stored. To preserve their narrative, keep your Dowoki teas in our airtight containers away from their five enemies: light, heat, moisture, air, and strong odors. Store in a cool, dark cupboard rather than glass jars or refrigerators (which introduce damaging moisture). Green and white teas are particularly delicate, best consumed within six months, while properly stored oolongs, blacks, and pu-erhs may continue developing character for years. Think of tea storage as creating a small sanctuary where time stands still, allowing each leaf to maintain its distinctive voice until the moment you're ready to listen.

Tea preparation is a delicate dance between water temperature, timing, and proportion. For delicate whites and greens, we recommend water at 175°F (80°C) with a 2-3 minute steeping time—too hot, and you'll scorch the leaves, releasing bitter compounds that eclipse their subtle sweetness. Robust black teas flourish at 205°F (96°C) for 3-5 minutes, while oolongs reveal their complexity at 190°F (88°C) for 3-4 minutes. Our detailed brewing guides accompany each tea, but we encourage experimentation—your personal preference is the ultimate guide. Remember, good tea is patient—multiple infusions often reveal new dimensions of flavor, with some oolongs capable of up to seven steepings, each telling a different chapter of the same story.

Ethical sourcing forms the bedrock of our collection—over 80% of our teas are certified organic, and we're working diligently toward 100%. Beyond formal certifications, we prioritize direct relationships with growers who embrace sustainable methods, whether they carry official designations or practice traditional cultivation techniques that predate modern certification. Our fair trade commitments extend beyond minimum standards; we pay premium prices that reflect true artisanal value and reinvest in community development programs at origin. Each season, we personally visit key gardens to ensure our partners maintain environmental stewardship and worker welfare—because exceptional tea can only flourish when both the land and its caretakers thrive in harmony.

We believe tea is one of life's most thoughtful gifts—a daily ritual that nourishes both body and spirit. Our curated gift collections span from introductory samplers for curious beginners to rare single-origin treasures for connoisseurs. Each gift arrives in our signature packaging with personalized notes and brewing guides. Our Tea Journey subscription delivers seasonal selections to your recipient's door monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly, each accompanied by origin stories and tasting notes. For corporate clients, we craft custom tea programs with branded packaging. Gift wrapping uses handmade lokta paper from Nepal, supporting sustainable papermaking traditions while creating a presentation as mindful as the tea within.

While we primarily celebrate tea for its sensory pleasures, the wellness benefits are profound companions to the experience. Our unblended, pure teas contain natural polyphenols and antioxidants that research suggests may support heart health, enhance cognitive function, and contribute to cellular wellbeing. Different varieties offer distinct profiles—green teas with their catechin content, whites with their minimal processing preserving natural compounds, oolongs with their unique polyphenol composition, and blacks with their theaflavins. The ritual itself offers mindfulness benefits, creating moments of calm in our rushed world. However, we emphasize that tea complements rather than replaces medical care—it's part of a balanced approach to wellbeing that has sustained cultures for millennia.

We partner with discerning cafés, restaurants, hotels, and specialty retailers who share our passion for exceptional tea experiences. Our wholesale program provides not just premium products but comprehensive support—staff training, brewing equipment consultation, menu development, and seasonal rotation recommendations. We've designed flexible minimum order requirements to accommodate boutique establishments, with scaling advantages for larger operations. Unlike conventional wholesale suppliers, we maintain the same harvest-dated specificity and origin transparency in our wholesale offerings as our retail selection—because we believe your customers deserve to know the full provenance of their cup. Wholesale inquiries receive dedicated attention from our partnership team, who will craft a tea program aligned with your unique brand identity.

We stand behind the quality of every tea leaf we offer with our Happiness Guarantee. If you're not completely satisfied with your purchase, please contact us within 30 days, and we'll make it right—whether through replacement, store credit, or refund. While we cannot accept returns of opened tea for food safety reasons, we will gladly address any concerns about flavor, freshness, or quality. For teaware and accessories, we accept returns of unused items in original packaging within 30 days, with return shipping covered for defective items. Our goal isn't merely customer satisfaction but genuine delight—because we believe every Dowoki experience should leave you eager for your next cup.