I’m Ellis Brewer, and I write about tea — the health claims, the brewing methods, the history, and the stuff most tea sites won’t tell you because it doesn’t sell well.
How I Got Here
My tea obsession started about four years ago with a $6 bag of loose leaf oolong from an Asian grocery store. I was trying to cut back on coffee and figured tea was tea. That first gongfu session — tiny clay pot, way too many leaves, water that was probably too hot — was objectively terrible. But something about the process hooked me.
Within a few months I’d gone from “tea is tea” to owning three gaiwans, a kitchen scale accurate to 0.1 grams, and a growing collection of pu-erh that my partner politely refers to as “your tea problem.” I started reading everything I could find — academic papers on catechins, centuries-old Chinese processing manuals, Japanese sencha cultivation guides, the actual pharmacology behind herbal remedies that get passed around as folk wisdom.
The more I read, the more I noticed how much tea content online was either marketing copy for supplement companies or vague health claims repeated without sources. Someone would write “green tea boosts your metabolism” and a hundred other sites would parrot it without ever checking whether the underlying study used reasonable doses or was funded by a tea brand. That’s what made me start writing.
What This Site Is
Artisan Tea Brews is where I publish what I’ve learned. Every article starts with a question I’ve actually had — or one that keeps showing up in forums and search results without a straight answer. I do the research, read the studies, compare the claims to the evidence, and write up what I find.
Some things about how I approach this:
- I cite specific research. When I say a tea has anti-inflammatory properties, I’ll point you to the study. When the evidence is weak or preliminary, I’ll say that too.
- I actually brew the teas I write about. If I’m covering oolong brewing methods, it’s because I’ve spent time with those methods. If I recommend a temperature range, it’s one I’ve tested.
- I don’t sell tea or supplements. This site exists to provide useful information. I’m not trying to convince you to buy a product. When I do include links to products, I’ll always tell you.
- I’ll update articles when I’m wrong. Tea research evolves, and I’d rather correct a mistake than leave bad information up because it gets traffic.
Editorial Standards
Every article on this site goes through a consistent process: I identify a specific question worth answering, research it using peer-reviewed studies and established references where available, test any brewing or preparation claims myself, and write it up in language that doesn’t require a chemistry degree to follow.
I don’t publish content I haven’t personally reviewed and verified. Health-related articles, especially anything involving pregnancy, medications, or chronic conditions, include clear notes about consulting healthcare providers — because I’m a tea researcher, not a doctor.
What I Cover
The site focuses on topics where I think I can actually add something useful:
- Health & wellness — separating what the research supports from what’s just marketing (like whether tea causes constipation)
- Brewing methods — practical guides from someone who’s made every mistake (including proper gongfu technique)
- Tea history — the real stories behind what’s in your cup (starting with where it all began)
- Safety & special considerations — honest answers for situations where getting it right matters (like herbal teas during pregnancy)
How This Site Is Funded
I believe in being upfront about this. Running a website costs money — hosting, domain registration, the time it takes to research and write properly. This site may include affiliate links to products I mention, and if you purchase through those links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I also may run advertising in the future.
None of this influences what I write. I won’t recommend something I haven’t used or researched, and I won’t soften my opinion on a product because there’s an affiliate link attached. If something isn’t good, I’ll say so — or just not write about it at all.
Get in Touch
I’m always happy to hear from readers — whether you’ve got a question about an article, spotted something that needs correcting, or just want to talk tea. You can reach me through the contact page.
Thanks for reading. I hope something here helps you make a better cup. — Ellis