Tea is the most consumed beverage worldwide after water.  People of every culture have consumed tea for the past 5, 000 years and have reported many health benefits.  There is also a social benefit to taking tea.  Tea elicits a calming effect and is conductive to contemplation and conversation.  So, whether you just need a break or want to share time with a friend, having a cup of tea can be a wonderful respite.

 OUR TEAS

 All our teas come in loose leaf form.  It does mean a little more work but the extra time is well worth the effort.  The biggest advantage of loose tea over tea bags is, the larger tea leaves retain more of the essential oils and chemicals (including polyphenols and flavonoids).  In turn, this creates a cup of tea with more character and body, which is also better for you.  Loose teas are also less expensive.  Even if a tea costs $100 per pound (and some do), it makes 200 cups of teas which equals 50¢ per cup.

 STEEPING CHART

Repeat infusions until the flavor of the tea is exhausted

BREWING HOT TEA

 Place loose tea in teapot or tea infuser which is placed in a teapot.  Pour hot water over tea leaves in teapot and allow tea to steep the appropriate time.  If using an infuser, remove and pour tea into cup.  If you have placed leaves in teapot without an infuser, pour tea into another teapot straining leaves as you pour, then serve.  You may keep your tea warm by placing a cozy over the teapot or placing the teapot over a tea warmer.  Never allow leaves to remain in the teapot – it makes the tea bitter.

 ICE TEA BREWING INSTRUCTIONS
(to make 1 liter/quart) 

 Place 5 teaspoons of tea into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea.  Steep for 5 minutes.  Fill serving pitcher one quarter with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the leaves. Finish filling the pitcher with cold water. Chill.  Garnish and sweeten to taste. A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to double the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water.

PROPER STORAGE

Light, heat and moisture affect the quality of the tea.  So to maintain freshness (very important to a good cup of tea), store tea leaves in an airtight container, such as a tin with a lid, in a dark, cool and dry place. 

BLACK TEAS

Black teas are made from leaves that have been spread out and left to wilt naturally, before being fired.  This oxidation process, also known as fermentation, distinguishes black teas from green. It produces a hearty deep rich flavor and amber brew.

Ceylon - Teas from Sri Lanka are still referred to as “Ceylons,” although the island reverted to its Sinhalese name in 1972.  While tea is produced year-round in this and all other districts of Sri Lanka, this high altitude valley gets only a six-week window of warm, dry, windy weather every spring that stimulates the leaf to grow the concentrated flavors required for a great Ceylon tea.  It has a light-liquoring, brisk, tangy flavor with hints of mandarin orange.  Also available in Decaf.

Assam - An Indian black tea with a robust, malty character that is well-suited to the addition of milk.  Also available in Organic.

Kenya - Kenya is known as the tea capital of the world, exporting more tea than anywhere else in the world including India, China and Sri Lanka.  Kenya Tea is an African tea which offers a strong, full-bodied choice for the traditional tea lover. Although not as well known as the many teas from India, it is a thoroughly refreshing change.

Darjeeling - Called the “champagne of black teas” because of its distinctive muscatel flavor.  Typically, the First Flush is the lightest and most flowery of the three Darjeeling harvests.  Ours is an outstanding 5-star second flush blend.  Also available in Organic.

Keemun - A delicate Chinese black tea, low in tannin with a unique yet indescribable flavor, with hints of smoky pine, orchid, cooked apple, and a rich, sweet taste.  Of all the black teas that China produces, Keemun is perhaps the most world-renowned though it has a relatively short history (1875). 

Nilgiri – Nilgiri means “Blue Mountains,” and is grown on a high plateau in south India which produces some of the world’s finest black teas.  It is light to medium-bodied like all high-grown teas, but with a taste and an inimitable fragrance like no other.  One of the few teas suited for any time of day or night, it has a mild aroma, smooth taste and deep golden color. Infinitely forgiving (they cannot be over-steeped and never become harsh-tasting), Nilgiri teas stand up to milk and sugar yet can be enjoyed for their own sweet sake without embellishment. This tea is used extensively in blending and makes an excellent iced tea.   Also available in Organic.

Lapsang Souchong  - A famous Chinese black tea immediately identified by its distinctive smoky taste produced by withering and drying the leaves over a slow firing of pine wood embers.

Apricot Tea – Apricot flowers and pieces of fruit combined  with 100% Nilgiri tea as the base.

Black Currant Tea - An English favorite.  Black zante currants and flowers combined  with 100% Nilgiri tea as the base. 

Chocolate - This is a premium black tea from China flavored with rich dark chocolate - a sugar-free treat that is sinfully delicious hot or cold.  Give our gourmet Chocolate Tea a try; you'll be pleasantly surprised by its superior taste.

Christmas Tea - A special seasonal blend of spices, fruits and nuts flavored with 100% Nilgiri tea as the base.

Cinnamon Apple - Black tea, cinnamon chips and apple pieces make this a great treat for fall.  Just like biting into a hot apple pie!

Cranberry Tea – Tangy cranberries with 100% Niligi tea as base.

Ginger Peach – Peach pieces, ginger root and ginger flavor combined with 100% Nilgiri tea as a base.  Makes an excellent iced tea.

Orange Spice - A very popular choice for chilly fall evenings made from black tea, orange peels and orange flavoring.

Peach Tea - Peach flowers combined  with 100% Nilgiri tea as the base.  Nilgiris brew  bright and brisk, and they are low in tannins with a neutral taste making it an excellent combination of flavor and  taste of real tea.  It makes an excellent iced tea.  

Raspberry Tea - Delicious sweet raspberries combined  with 100% Nilgiri tea as the base.

Strawberry Tea - Sweet strawberries combined  with 100% Nilgiri tea as the base.

CLASSIC TEA BLENDS

Choice teas blended together from the best growing areas in the world. These are the blends that have been well loved for years.

English Breakfast - A popular British morning blend containing a substantial amount of China black teas.  Also available in Organic.

Irish Breakfast - A full-flavored, complex, and pungent morning blend of Indian black teas, with hints of malt and citrus.

Earl Grey – The most popular blend in the world is a British tea given to the second Earl Grey, who visited China in 1830, by a Chinese mandarin.  It is composed of fine black teas flavored with oil of bergamot (pronounced BER-GA-MAWT), a small citrus fruit grown in the Mediterranean region. It is a great afternoon tea.  Also Earl Grey Vanilla.

Russian Caravan - Is not of Russian origin but is a blend brought back from eastern China by 19^th Russian tea traders by caravan.  The roundtrip journey took sixteen months, causing the tea to age a bit.  It is a well-rounded blend of China blacks, with a full, smooth, slightly smoky flavor.

OOLONG TEAS

Oolongs or “blue-green” teas are semi fermented and picked by hand during the spring and winter months in southeast China and Taiwan. They are low in caffeine.  And often are called “dragon teas” because of the unusual twisted leaves which look like dragons in the teapot.

Ti-Kwan-Yin - Translates as “Iron Goddess of Mercy”.  It is the most famous oolong tea grown in mainland China’s Fujian province. A “greener” style of oolong than Formosa tea, it has an exotic flavor with hints of orchid, herbs, nuts, and an undercurrent of melon and is easily recognized by its dark green color, large leaves, and unique crumpled appearance.

Pouchong - The most delicate tea produced in Taiwan (formerly known as Formosa, meaning "beautiful").  The least processed of these teas are termed pouchong. Characterized by large, wavy, dark-green leaves, it yields a light cup with delicate fragrance and a gentle, precociously sweet taste.

Pu-erh - Teas low in tannins and have a rich, unique earthy flavor able to handle multiple steepings without losing flavor. Scientific studies have shown Pu-erh teas to have many health benefits - it helps relieve indigestion, aids in the digestion of fatty foods, cleanses the blood, lowers cholesterol and triglycerides, helps with weight control and is also known to help hangovers.  It is also one of the few teas whose leaves age well.

GREEN TEAS

 A growing body of evidence indicates the tannins in green tea are naturally-occurring flavonoids which have strong antioxidant properties.  Research suggests that antioxidant-rich foods may play a role in reducing the risk of certain cancers, heart disease and stroke.

Gunpowder - A tightly rolled green tea with a bittersweet and slightly smoky taste. The name is derived from the characteristic of the leaves, which resemble old-fashioned gunpowder.  It is a highly processed tea, with long periods of rolling followed by extensive grading for size, shape, and density.  Because Gunpowder is denser than other teas, only one or two teaspoons is all that is required for a teapot.

Moroccan Mint - Upon entering a home or place of business in Morocco, one is automatically given a glass of tea.  Moroccan Mint tea is very refreshing and aromatic – Moroccan mint with green tea as a base.  It is a superb drink hot or iced. Try it Moroccan style, sweetened with sugar.

Dragon Well - Also known as Lung Ching or Longjing, is famous for its beautiful green color and elegant shape.  Its mild toasted flavor is reminiscent of pistachio nuts.

Jasmine – Jasmine has an intoxicating aroma and a bright cup with a clean, sharp flavor. Fragrant blossoms are picked and mixed with the green tea according to traditional tea scenting techniques. It is said to reduce nervous tension, decrease saturated fat in the body and increase circulation.  Also available in Organic.

Gyokuro - Gyokuro, "pearl dew" or "precious dewdrop" is considered the finest green tea on the planet.  It has a deep green color and mellow, sweet taste which is the result of a special labor-intensive growing process. This process makes for a very fresh-tasting, full-flavored brew which is unmatched by any other green tea.  A great afternoon tea.

Sencha - A classic Japanese green tea with a sweet aroma, lime-green color and lively flavor, reminiscent of cut grass and ocean air.  It has a high Vitamin C content.  Also available in Decaf and Organic.

Cherry Sencha - Sweet dried cherries combine with our classic Japanese Sencha tea for a sweet, aromatic tea.  A must try.

Genmaicha  - One of Japan’s most unique teas, Genmai Cha means “roasted rice tea”.  Genmaicha is a traditional blend of roasted rice grains with a base of fine Japanese green tea (Sencha). It began with Japanese peasants who blended roasted rice with tea in an effort to stretch their supply of tea when it was barely affordable. The roasted, partially puffed rice gives the tea a toasty, malty flavor that is smooth and refreshing with a satisfying aroma.  It is much lower in caffeine then most green teas.

WHITE TEAS

White Teas are rare tea treasures, harvested for only a brief period each spring.  White tea isn't rolled or steamed, but simply aired dried in natural sunlight, which preserves more of its antioxidant properties, about three times as much as green tea. Because the tea leaves are bigger, lighter and more delicate than other teas, use more leaves per cup than with other teas.

Silver Needle - A white tea from China, it is among the most revered and classified as the rarest of all Chinese teas.  It is produced in the Fuding and Zhenhe districts of the Fujian province.  This specially prized high grown tea is plucked only during the few days of early spring right before the leaf opens. The white, downy buds are quickly steamed and dried resulting in a low caffeine tea with leaves that resemble silver rain as it dances on the water. The result is a tea which is sweet and delicate with a clean, airy fragrance.  Also available in Organic.

 Pomegrante Bai Mu Dan (White Peony) – Bai Mu Dan (sometimes spelled Pai Mu Tan) is a white tea from the Fijian Province of China, a grade down from Silver Needle.  This flavor blend incorporates the bud and two leaves which should be covered with a fine, silvery-white down and is then mixed with pomegranate peels and flavor, and safflowers.

CHAI TEA

Chai Tea is basically a black tea brewed with selected spices and milk.  Blending different ingredients in varying proportions changes the flavor and brewing methods may vary.  See Steeping Chart above for recipe.

Masala Chai - In India, “chai” is the word for tea, and “masala” means a mixture of spices. So Masala Chai is a blend of India teas with cinnamon, ginger, cardamon, cloves and pepper brewed with milk and sugar to taste.  The result is a spicy, sweet, and milky tea.

HERBAL AND FRUIT INFUSIONS

Healthy drinks without caffeine. These terrific ‘teas’ are unbelievably delicious and can be enjoyed hot or cold. 

Herbal infusions or tisanes do not contain any real tea leaf. They can be derived from a single ingredient or a blend of flowers, herbs, spices, fruits, berries and other plants. Herbal “teas” have soothing, uplifting and medicinal qualities that are caffeine free.

Hibiscus - A deep red infusion similar to grenadine with a taste close to tangy lemonade. It is enriched with Vitamin C.

Rose Petals - Long celebrated for their beauty and aroma, Rose Petals produce a soft pinkish infusion with a subtle flowery aroma and lightly sweet taste.  It has a calming and relaxing effect on the body and mind. Try adding just a few petals to other teas when you desire the aroma of fresh blossoms.

Peppermint - Peppermint makes a minty, refreshing drink that is highly satisfying whether hot or cold. A native of the Mediterranean, peppermint leaves continue to be revered as a distinctive natural herb used to brew a caffeine-free beverage with a refreshingly light aroma. It is soothing to the digestive system, promotes clear thinking and is said to cure a hangover.

Lavender - Known for its sharp, perfumy smell, it is used in bathing, cooking, baking and aromatherapy. As a tea, it is too strong to drink by itself but when blended with tea or other drinkable herbs, it makes a wonderfully invigorating beverage. When blending lavender with tea, start with about 5% of the total volume and add as desired to taste.

Rooibos - At the turn of the 20th Century, explorers trekking through the remote mountains of South Africa were introduced to Rooibos, an herb the locals had been enjoying as “red tea” for generations. The flavor is more similar to black tea than any other herb tea and like black tea goes through a fermentation process which turns the leaves from a green to a red color.  This gives it a slightly sweet note with a deep body.  Just like green tea, recent studies have found Rooibos is full of polyphenols and flavonoids, which help to protect the body from free radical damage. It also contains zinc and alpha hydroxy acids, which promote healthy skin.

Cranberry Orange Rooibos - A wonderful herbal blend with Rooibos as the base, cranberries, orange peels and hibiscus.  Delicious hot or cold.

Honey Bush - A naturally sweet, mellow and deep red herb that has been cultivated by the indigenous people of South Africa for hundreds of years and makes a superb iced tea or a soothing, delicious hot herbal infusion. It has many of the same health benefits as Rooibos - packed with Vitamin C, potassium, calcium and magnesium, isoflavones and coumestans.  It contains about 0.01 percent caffeine and virtually no tannins.  Recent research shows it may alleviate menopausal symptoms in women, prevent cancerous tumors, relieve colic in babies, repair sun damage, aid digestion and even stimulate milk production in nursing mothers.

Fruit Tisanes

Blends of dried fruit make a delicious summer cooler or a winter time reminder of summer. Fruit tisanes are a refreshing and thirst quenching drink that is not overly sweet and have the added benefit that these ‘teas’ contain Vitamin C - a healthy drink that tastes GREAT!  Try adding a bit of sugar to enhance and intensify the natural flavor. For a frozen treat - get popsicle forms and freeze lightly sweetened tisanes, kids will love it and so will you!

Berry Bunch - This blend of dried berries makes a delicious summer cooler or a winter time reminder of summer. Fruit tisanes are a refreshing and thirst quenching drink that is not overly sweet and have the added benefit that these ‘teas’ contain Vitamin C - a healthy drink that tastes GREAT! Try adding a bit of sugar to enhance and intensify the natural flavor.

Cranberry - Cranberries (vaccinium oxycoccos) have a tangy, refreshing taste that is high in Vitamin C.  Nineteenth century German chemists have researched and defined many of the Cranberry's valuable health benefits.  It makes a wonderful no caffeine beverage on its own hot or cold, or in combination with other teas or herbs.