Introduction to Oolong Teas: complex semi-oxidized teas Oolong teas, or wulong as they were known, translates as Black Dragon and these teas account for around fourteen percent of Chinese tea production. Highly acclaimed in China, they are semi-fermented, in that the leaf is partially oxidised and therefore lye between green tea which is not oxidised […]
A research study by the University of Barcelona has found that many teabags are leaching billions of microplastic particles into our cups. This concern was reported by the BBC as far back as 19th September 2019. These particles are most readily absorbed by the mucus-forming cells in the gut and can pass into our blood-stream, […]
Afternoon Tea: What would you choose? Afternoon tea is one of those occasions that we all look forward to even if you are not an ardent tea lover. Is it the time to relax and have a soothing cup of tea that lifts you a little towards the end of the afternoon? Is it the […]
English Tea: some definitions. English tea is an ambiguous term. It has gained many quite different meanings over England\’s long association with tea. Here we try to provide you with some definitions. Only a few acres are under cultivation in England for growing tea and this is largely for novelty value as the climate in terms […]
Is English Breakfast tea the best breakfast tea in the world? Breakfast blend is such an important tea that every tea merchant offers it. However, many offer specifically an English Breakfast Tea. What makes this blend so special and how does it differ from Irish Breakfast, Scottish Breakfast, and indeed, what other single-origin teas could […]
Ceylon Black Tea: ‘the cup that cheers’. Sri Lanka has the perfect climate and conditions for the cultivation of tea. This explains why Ceylon black teas are amongst the world’s most exported teas.They are noted for being brisk and for their floral aroma and fruitiness. They appear clear and golden-red in the cup. Almost all Ceylon […]
White Tea: the sublime tea drinking experience. In the China Dynasty of Song (960-1279), white tea was revered. Chinese people used to ground the white leaves into a silvery powder. This was an inspiration for the Japanese tea ceremony “Cha No Yu” with Matcha. This method had been abandoned in China for several years now. […]
Why we only sell loose leaf tea We focus on the large leaf grades (OP and above) for these give a more all-round and balanced cup. These grades do not apply to China. Tea grades, especially from India and Sri Lanka are mainly determined by leaf size Large leaf teas have a smaller surface area […]
The Health Benefits of Japanese Green Tea: they have a formidable reputation. From the late nineteenth until the mid twentieth centuries Japan did produce some black tea but this ceased in the face of competition from new tea producing areas of the world. Originally, its tea making techniques and philosophy came from China but this has […]
The origins of the Japanese tea ceremony The custom of whisked tea was brought to Japan by Japanese Zen Buddhist monks studying in China and the Song fashion for whisked tea became enshrined as the method of preparation. It evolved during the 14-15th centuries and reached its apogee in the 16th century. The Japanese tea […]
