Tea

I really enjoy my job, and find all aspects of it fascinating, as  I slowly get more and more responsibilities.  But due to another bad bout of allergies ( I honestly need to stop sleeping with my windows open at this time of year in Michigan), today I called in sick. To help fight the headache and the allergies, I am turning to Shincha. I am not sure why that connection sticks in my mind,

Tisane Information: Leaf Type:  Rooibos Where to Buy:  Compass Teas Tea Description: This naturally Caffeine Free blend is sure to be a favorite! Amazing hot or iced, it is highly recommended.  Taster’s Review: This Sunset Pineapple Tisane from Compass Teas is not currently available on their website, I hope that it is only a case of being temporarily sold-out.  I hope that this is not a tisane that has been discontinued by Compass Teas because this is one of the better pineapple flavored teas/tisanes that I’ve had! Pineapple is one of my favorite fruits, moreover, it’s one of my favorite juices.  I swear by pineapple juice when I’m feeling under the weather, because I’ve found that it is VERY effective at reducing mucus.  Pineapple has a enzyme that helps break down proteins which is essentially what mucus is.  I really don’t drink a lot of fruit juice except for pineapple … and that’s something that I keep in the pantry at all times for when those “under the weather” times arrive. The flavor of this green rooibos tisane is sweet and pineapple-y, but what I like is that it isn’t a candy-sweet pineapple taste.  It tastes more like a true pineapple flavor.  The combination of the fruity-tasting green rooibos and the pineapple gives the pineapple flavor a softer, smoother taste.  It isn’t sharp or tarty … it’s sweet without tasting overly sweet. This is just so easy to drink.  It tastes amazing iced! The post Sunset Pineapple Tisane from Compass Teas appeared first on SororiTea Sisters.

As you expand your tea palate, one of the most useful things you can do is to record your impressions when you taste a tea. For one,

Awhile back I posted some info about a very Asian style of teapot: the Kyusu. I have also written about a distinctive style of clay teapot from the Yixing area of China. But others abound. They speak of hundreds, and possibly thousands, of years of craftsmanship building up and being preserved as an object of delight to tea drinkers today.Read the rest of the article on The English Tea Store Blog.Thai tea set as seen on Facebook© 2013 A.C. Cargill photos and text

Awhile back I posted some info about a very Asian style of teapot: the Kyusu. I have also written about a distinctive style of clay teapot from the Yixing area of China. But others abound. They speak of hundreds, and possibly thousands, of years of craftsmanship building up and being preserved as an object of […]

The World Tea Expo has come and gone, but I am still reveling in my memories of all of the wonderful people I met and the tea I slurped.  I had a Japanese puerh for the first time, met with fellow bloggers who I have “known” for years and finally met in person, and was able to sit in on what I consider to be an epic and groundbreaking gathering – the first meeting of The United States League of Tea Growers.  Fifty-eight people were in attendance, ranging from growers to retailers to consultants.  Led by Nigel Melican (Teacraft) and Jason MacDonald (FiLoLi Farms), the gathering was to gauge interest in U.S.-grown tea and begin the conversation that will organize the growers.   Here’s a little background on the U.S. tea-growing scene: Tea is currently grown in the following states: California, Hawaii, Alabama, Mississippi, Washington, Michigan, Oregon, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina There are 30+ tea gardens in Hawaii alone Tea was first grown commercially in the U.S. in 1890 in South Carolina There are more and more small tea farms growing in non-traditional regions.  The United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia are a few that have recently entered the niche tea market.  A trend to localism (buying from local farmers), a booming tea market here in the U.S., and a distrust of foreign markets have created the “perfect storm” for U.S. farmers.  Projected tea sales in the U.S. alone are expected to reach $15 billion by 2014 and our tea growers have the opportunity to make a splash with high-end teas, diverse tea offerings (geography alone being a major player), and exclusivity due to smaller batches being created.  All in all, tea growers have an excellent chance to be competitive with world markets in the category of artisan teas.   The meeting felt pretty epic to this tea nerd!  The excitement of being a fly on the wall for that first meeting still has not worn off.  It will be interesting to re-examine how the US tea-growing industry will have morphed and changed over the next 5-10 years.  I will be examining ways I, as a retailer, can support the industry and I encourage tea drinkers to do the same!  The post U.S.-grown tea appeared first on T Ching.

If you are anything like me, there are always teas that you would like to try, or have sampled once or twice and have always meant to go back to. Here are five such teas that I would like to explore some more: 1 Yellow Tea – This is a more unusual type of tea, and […]

This Spring 2012 tea is from Lishan, otherwise known as Pear Mountain. The main thing I love about T-Oolong Tea is that they have quality oolongs at accessible prices, especially important for teas with a reputation as esteemed as Lishan. I don’t mind paying top dollar for top quality, but I find few things as disappointing as paying a premium price for a tea that has a premium name but is actually pretty average. So I find companies whose pricing I trust and stick with them, like these guys. The leaves are yellow and green and surprisingly dull rather than vibrant with the pleasant sheen I like to see on high mountain oolongs. I steep at 180° for 2.5 minutes. The cup is creamy and oily, coating the mouth and leaving a lingering mineral flavour. Overall, it’s not particularly exciting, but it’s satisfying, a great everyday oolong. My 3-minute second steep is less oily and coating, but it’s more interesting. The mineral flavour is stronger now, accented with notes of steamed spinach and a hit of acidity. My third and fourth steeps are similar to the second, leading gently into the mild, simple fifth steep. I doubt this tea will stick in my memory for long; it just doesn’t stand out overmuch. It was, as always from T-Oolong Tea, quite satisfying.

Tea plantation images from around the world, including Japan, India, Africa, Australia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and more.

Here's one of the more offbeat tea commercials loosed on the public. For more on the (dubious?) connection between tea and boobs see this brief post I wrote a few years ago. Tea Guy Speaks Amazon Store