Everything you need to know about personalising your tea delivery
Opening a box of tea is a sensory event — the rustle of paper, the first glimpse of curled leaves. At tea.taxi, we took this further: a handwritten note that turns a delivery into a message. Whether you send a gift, surprise a friend, or remind yourself to slow down, the card says something that the leaves alone cannot. This page covers all you can do: note length, languages, the paper and ink we use, and how our digital gift cards complement the experience.
Handwritten notes are prepared with the same patience we bring to tea. You might include a brewing tip from Fang Ting’s oolong expertise, or a line about the misty gardens of Anxi where Tiě Guān Yīn (铁观音) leaves, dark and tightly curled, release a golden‑green liquor with the scent of orchid. Every note is written by hand on cream‑laid paper, and placed inside the box on top of the tea pouches — so the first thing the recipient feels is words, then the tea.
Imagine opening a delivery of Chen Hui Yi’s Bái Háo Yín Zhēn (白毫银针) — silvery buds that steep into a pale jade infusion, cool and honeyed on the tongue — and finding a card that says “For a quiet afternoon” in a familiar hand. That connection is what we aim for. Chen Hui Yi often remarks that Bái Háo Yín Zhēn pairs well with soft sentiments, like the morning mist over Fuding’s hills.
We write in Russian, English and Chinese as standard. The paper — cream‑laid 200 g/m² with a subtle tooth — mimics the texture of pressed tea‑cake wrappers, and the dark ink glides over it with a quiet confidence. The note arrives alongside the tea, so the dry aroma of leaves mingles with the fresh ink.
Gift cards are digital codes that never expire, redeemable on any of our ~50 Chinese teas — from the vegetal sweetness of Huang Shan Mao Feng to the earthy depth of a Bingdao shēng pu’er. You can buy one and add a handwritten note; the code travels electronically, while the card waits in an envelope, ready to be presented with a physical tea order. If you order tea too, the note goes inside that box.
For those who want to journey deeper, our constellation offers puerh.app, where you can study aged shēng pu’er with its old‑book camphor notes, and tea.school, which runs workshops and certifications. And if you’d like to talk about gifting ideas with other enthusiasts, tea.community is always open.
With that context, the questions below address every edge: how many characters fit, whether we do calligraphy, how subscriptions handle notes, and what to do if your message needs more space. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to send more than tea.
Common questions
Can I purchase a gift card for tea.taxi?
Yes, digital gift cards are available on our site. After purchase you receive a code by email to forward or print. The recipient applies it at checkout to any Chinese tea, from Lóngjǐng (龙井) to shēng pu’er from Bingdao. No expiry.
What denominations are available?
We offer gift cards from 500 ₽ to 10 000 ₽, in 500 ₽ steps. You select the exact amount during purchase. If you need a custom value, contact [email protected] and we will assist.
How long is a gift card valid?
Gift cards never expire. The balance remains in the recipient’s account indefinitely and can be used over multiple orders with no fees.
Can I add a handwritten note to my order?
Absolutely. At checkout you’ll see a ‘Handwritten note’ field. Enter your message and we will write it by hand on a card, placing it inside the delivery box on top of the tea pouches.
Is there a character limit for the note?
The field accepts up to 200 characters, spaces included. That gives room for a warm greeting, a short poem, or a brewing tip. If you need more space, email [email protected] to arrange a longer letter.
What languages can you write the note in?
Our standard languages are Russian, English, and Chinese. French, German and Spanish are possible upon request — mention the language in the note. For other languages, please email first and we’ll try to accommodate.
Do you offer calligraphy or bespoke handwriting styles?
No formal calligraphy. All notes are written in a neat, readable hand with dark ink on cream paper. If you need a slightly larger script, mention it and we’ll adapt within reason.
Can I include a note with a gift card purchase only?
Yes. When you buy a gift card you can add a handwritten note. The card is placed in an envelope for you to present. If you also order tea, the note travels inside that package.
Will the note be visible to the courier?
No. The handwritten card is sealed inside the delivery package, out of sight. The courier hands over the outer box without access to the note or the tea.
Can I request a specific tea master to write the note?
Our notes are written by the packing team, not by our tea masters. However, you can name a master in the message — for example, “Fang Ting suggests this Dà Hóng Páo (大红袍) for its roasted warmth” — and we will incorporate the line faithfully.
What if my message contains tea terms in Chinese characters or pinyin?
We can write in Chinese characters and pinyin. Include the exact text in the note field. Our Shanghai‑based team is familiar with tea names, so shēng pu’er from Lao Banzhang will be written correctly.
Can I add a note to a subscription order?
Yes. For recurring deliveries you can set a permanent note that ships with every order. Update it anytime in your account. Each note is freshly handwritten, never pre‑printed.
Is there an additional charge for the handwritten note?
No. The handwritten note is a complimentary service for all orders, including gift cards and subscriptions. There is no extra cost.
What kind of paper and ink is used?
We use cream‑laid 200 g/m² paper with black or dark blue archival ink. The paper has a subtle tooth, reminiscent of tea‑cake wrappers, giving a tactile quality that complements the feel of a well‑made tea packet.
Can I include a photo or a printed picture with the note?
At this time we cannot include external printed materials. The note is directly handwritten onto the card. If you wish to send a digital photo, email it separately and mention in the note to check the recipient’s inbox.
Still have questions?
We hope this page has made the process clear. If your question remains unanswered, or you want to arrange something custom — bulk gift cards for a company event, a note in a language not yet listed, or a longer letter — write to [email protected]. Our team usually replies within an hour during operating hours.
For a broader view of Chinese tea, tea.school runs online courses and workshops, while tea.community is home to thousands of drinkers sharing gift ideas and brewing tips. To learn how the teas themselves are made and aged, puerh.app offers deep dives into pu’er, and tea.travel arranges guided trips to the gardens that grow your favourite leaves.
Thank you for choosing tea.taxi. We look forward to helping you send more than tea — a note, a memory, a moment.