Tealyra Lychee Black Dragon Pearls Tea

Black dragon pearls are whole black tea leaves that have been hand-rolled into tight, round balls. When you steep them, the pearls slowly unfurl and expand dramatically — it's actually quite beautiful to watch, especially in a glass teapot. Tealyra's version adds a light lychee flavoring to the traditional black dragon pearl, giving it a subtle fruity sweetness on top of a bold, malty black tea base.

Reviewers consistently report getting 2-3 good resteeps from each pearl, with some pushing it to 3 before the flavor fades. The flavor evolves with each steep — the first is boldest with the most lychee aroma, while subsequent steeps become mellower and smoother. Many people actually prefer the second steep. This resteeping capability is a real value add — one pearl can essentially be your tea supply for an entire day.

Be honest with yourself about what you want. If you're looking for a strong, unmistakable lychee flavor — like a lychee juice or lychee candy experience — this isn't it. The lychee is subtle and plays second fiddle to the bold black tea. Also, one reviewer found the lychee notes perfume-like and unpleasant, so if you're sensitive to floral or fruity aromatics in tea, you might want to start with a smaller quantity. For everyone else — especially those who want a quality black tea with just a hint of fruit — this is a solid choice.

No — this is actually a common concern with lychee-flavored teas, and reviewers specifically note that Tealyra's version avoids the soapy taste or mouthfeel that plagues some competitors. The lychee here is clean and subtle. That said, one reviewer did describe the lychee as somewhat perfume-like, so if you're very sensitive to floral notes, be aware that individual perceptions vary.

The biggest mistake with dragon pearls is throwing them away after one steep — these Tealyra pearls are good for 2-3 rebrews, and you're leaving a lot of flavor (and value) on the table if you only steep once. Other common mistakes: using boiling water straight from the kettle (let it cool 30 seconds), steeping too long which can bring out bitterness, and using too many pearls — these are potent, so one pearl per cup is usually plenty. The high potency catches some people off guard.

Longer than you'd expect. Because each individual pearl is potent enough for a full cup — and can be resteeped 2-3 times — you're getting multiple servings from each pearl. Reviewers highlight the longevity of the bag as a value point. If you drink one pearl per day (resteeping throughout the day), a 220g bag should last well over a month, making the per-cup cost quite reasonable for a specialty loose leaf tea.

For Tealyra's dragon pearls specifically, the brewing process is simple: use one pearl per cup with water just off the boil (around 200-210°F). Steep for 3-5 minutes depending on how strong you like it. The beauty of these pearls is the built-in portion control — one pearl per cup, no measuring needed. After your first steep, don't throw the pearl away. It can be resteeped 2-3 times with good flavor retention. Enthusiasts can also brew these gongfu-style with shorter steeps and more leaf for a more concentrated experience.

Dragon pearls are actually the easiest loose leaf tea to brew because there's no measuring involved — just drop one pearl per cup. Use hot water just off the boil (200-210°F) and steep for 3-5 minutes. You can use an infuser basket, a gaiwan, or even just drop the pearl directly into a large mug and drink around it. The large leaves won't break apart like smaller loose leaf teas, so straining is easy. After your first cup, rebrew the same pearl 2-3 more times.

These dragon pearls work surprisingly well as iced tea. You have two options: hot brew and ice (steep one pearl in a small amount of hot water for 3-4 minutes, then pour over ice) or cold brew (drop 2-3 pearls into a pitcher of cold water and refrigerate overnight). Reviewers specifically mention this tea works well cold. The lychee notes actually come through nicely chilled, and the smooth, non-bitter character of this tea means it won't turn astringent when iced.

While you can use any black tea for milk tea, these dragon pearls aren't the most cost-effective choice for that purpose. Their subtle lychee flavor and nuanced taste tend to get lost under milk. If you do want to try it, steep one pearl for a full 5 minutes to get a strong base, then add your milk. But honestly, the bold malty flavor and delicate lychee notes are best appreciated on their own — you'd be paying for complexity that milk would cover up.

Yes, and tea enthusiasts will appreciate this option. The large, whole leaves that unfurl from the pearls are well-suited to gongfu-style brewing with shorter steeps and a higher leaf-to-water ratio. This method lets you experience the flavor evolution more distinctly across multiple infusions. Reviewers note that the tea rewards proper brewing technique, which makes gongfu a natural fit if you have a gaiwan or small teapot.

Yes — this is actually an unexpected use case that reviewers have validated. Some buyers specifically use Tealyra's Lychee Dragon Pearls as a kombucha base, and they report it works well. The bold black tea provides a strong foundation for fermentation, and the subtle lychee can add an interesting flavor dimension to the final brew. Just keep in mind that the lychee flavor is mild, so it won't dominate your kombucha.

Absolutely — dragon pearls are one of the most beginner-friendly loose leaf teas you can buy. There's no measuring involved (one pearl per cup), the pearls are forgiving if you oversteep slightly, and watching them unfurl is a fun introduction to loose leaf tea. If you brew it too strong, just rebrew the same pearl with fresh water for a mellower second cup. The visual experience alone makes it a great gateway from tea bags to loose leaf.

Black tea is a great morning choice, and these dragon pearls are particularly well-suited for it. The medium caffeine content gives you a steady energy boost — less intense than coffee but enough to wake you up. What makes these pearls especially practical for morning use is the resteeping: brew your first strong cup to start your day, then rebrew the same pearl mid-morning and again in the afternoon for progressively mellower, lower-caffeine cups. Reviewers specifically mention using them this way — one pearl lasting all day.

This lychee black tea works well as a morning tea thanks to its medium caffeine level — enough to give you a nice lift without the jitteriness of coffee. Because each pearl can be resteeped 2-3 times, many people brew their first strong cup in the morning, then rebrew the same pearl throughout the afternoon as the flavor and caffeine both mellow. It's also surprisingly good as an iced tea base when cold brewed, and some reviewers even use it as a base for kombucha brewing.

Here's how to brew Tealyra's Lychee Dragon Pearls: 1) Boil fresh water and let it cool for about 30 seconds (aim for 200-210°F). 2) Drop one pearl into your cup or infuser. 3) Pour the hot water over the pearl and watch it slowly unfurl — it's genuinely fun to watch, especially in a clear mug. 4) Steep for 3-5 minutes. 5) Remove the pearl or strain, and enjoy. 6) Save the pearl — it's good for 2-3 more steeps throughout the day. Each rebrew will be slightly mellower and less caffeinated.

You don't actually want to boil the tea itself — just boil the water, then pour it over the pearl and let it steep. For these Lychee Dragon Pearls, 3-5 minutes is the sweet spot for the first steep. Going too long can make it slightly bitter. The good news is that these pearls are pretty forgiving, especially compared to green teas. If you're resteeping (which you should — they're good for 2-3 rounds), you can add an extra minute or two to each subsequent steep.

Tealyra lists this as a medium caffeine tea. Black teas generally contain around 40-70mg of caffeine per cup, and dragon pearls tend to sit comfortably in that range. One useful feature of this tea is that because you can rebrew each pearl 2-3 times, your later steeps will have progressively less caffeine — so your morning cup gives you energy while your afternoon rebrew won't keep you up at night.

Yes, black tea can definitely help you stay alert. Tealyra's dragon pearls have medium caffeine — enough for a solid morning pick-me-up. One thing reviewers appreciate about this particular tea is the caffeine control: the first steep gives you the strongest caffeine hit, while rebrews have progressively less. So you can drink the first steep to wake up and rebrew later without worrying about it interfering with your sleep.

Five benefits relevant to tea drinkers considering these Lychee Dragon Pearls: 1) Sustained energy — the medium caffeine gives a gentler boost than coffee without the crash. 2) Antioxidants — black tea is rich in polyphenols. 3) Hydration — despite the caffeine, tea is a net positive for hydration. 4) Mental focus — L-theanine in tea promotes calm alertness. 5) Ritual and relaxation — watching a dragon pearl slowly unfurl and savoring the lychee aroma is genuinely calming. That last one might sound fluffy, but reviewers consistently mention the visual experience as part of why they love this tea.

With Tealyra's Lychee Dragon Pearls, you honestly might not need to add anything — the lychee flavoring adds a natural sweetness that makes it enjoyable on its own. But if you want to experiment: a small spoon of honey complements the lychee notes nicely, and these pearls also make a great iced tea. One tip from reviewers: don't oversteep, as that can bring out bitterness that masks the more delicate flavors. And try the second steep — many people find the mellowed flavor on the rebrew is actually their favorite.

Drinking black tea daily is a common practice worldwide and is generally considered safe for most adults. Black tea provides antioxidants, a moderate caffeine boost, and can be part of a healthy routine. With Tealyra's dragon pearls specifically, the medium caffeine level makes them well-suited for daily drinking — strong enough for a morning ritual but not so caffeinated that daily consumption becomes a concern. The resteeping capability also means one pearl can serve as your tea for an entire day.

Among true teas (from Camellia sinensis), matcha typically has the highest caffeine per serving since you're consuming the whole leaf. Among brewed teas, black teas generally have more caffeine than green or white teas, though it varies significantly by specific tea. Tealyra's Lychee Dragon Pearls are classified as medium caffeine — a solid middle ground. If you're specifically seeking maximum caffeine, you might want a pure Assam or a matcha. If you want balanced energy without overdoing it, these pearls hit a comfortable spot.

Both are healthy in different ways. Green tea is often cited for higher catechin content, while black tea has more theaflavins from oxidation. In practice, the health differences are modest, and the best tea is the one you'll actually drink consistently. If you enjoy bold, malty flavors with a hint of fruit, a black tea like these Lychee Dragon Pearls may be a better daily habit for you than a green tea you don't enjoy — consistency matters more than marginal antioxidant differences.

No — black tea has significantly less caffeine than coffee. A typical cup of coffee has 95-200mg of caffeine, while black tea like these Lychee Dragon Pearls has medium caffeine, generally in the 40-70mg range per cup. That's roughly half to a third of a coffee. Many people switch to black tea specifically because they want a gentler energy boost without the coffee crash, and the resteeping capability of dragon pearls means you can stretch that caffeine out across the whole day.

Not really — 47mg is a moderate amount, roughly what you'd get from a cup of black tea like these dragon pearls. For context, a cup of coffee has about 95-200mg. Most adults can comfortably consume 400mg of caffeine per day, so at 47mg you'd need to drink 8+ cups before hitting that limit. It's enough to give you a noticeable boost in alertness without the jitters that coffee can cause.