Is the sample really free?
Yes — the tea is free. You pay shipping only, calculated by region at checkout. One sample box per account per quarter, no auto-renewal, no subscription trap.
How much tea is in each sample?
5g per variety, four varieties — 20g total. Enough for two full gongfu sessions per tea, or four western brews. A taste, not a daily supply.
How fresh are these?
Picked late March to mid-April 2026 in Fuding, packed at origin, shipped to us in May. You're drinking them within months of harvest.
Can I buy more if I like one?
Yes. Each product page links to full-size tins at shop.thetea.app. We don't stock retail quantities on tea.gratis — this site is for discovery only.
What if I'm new to white tea entirely?
Start with Bai Mu Dan — it's the most forgiving and gives the clearest picture of the cultivar. The white tea primer on tea.school walks through brewing step by step.
Why only Fuding? What about Yunnan or Zhenghe whites?
Each quarterly box has a single regional focus so you can taste comparatively. Yunnan moonlight whites are on the roadmap for a later drop.
Will Silver Needle taste better in a year?
No — Silver Needle peaks fresh, in the first 12 months. Gong Mei and Shou Mei are the aging candidates in this box.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, to most countries — shipping cost and customs notes are calculated transparently before checkout. See the shipping page for the full list.