Tea Talk

June 20th is Father’s Day. I was lucky to have had a wonderful Dad who was always there for me. Unfortunately, my Dad passed away, but I enjoyed making his day special when he was alive. I always made my homemade cheesecake with cherry or blueberry topping. I bought him a hardcover book — he loved spy novels — and then we would enjoy a tea cocktail on the porch while we ate the cheesecake. He had two favorite cocktails: Absolut Vodka mixed with Cranberry Orange Black Tea, or, if he wanted something more tropical, he’d go for the Organic...

Last week I talked about how I love my tea filters/strainers and how the right equipment really can make a difference in how your tea tastes. So, without further ado, here are 3 more things that I think every tea drinker should have in their repertoire. Personal Tea Bags - I use these every day in my store to brew cups of tea for my customers and friends. They’re made of bio-degradable material and designed for a single-use (not reusable). You open the bag up, put in your tea, flip over the top flap (think old-time sandwich baggies), and then...

A few simple tools can make all the difference in how easy it is to brew loose leaf tea. These tools can also improve the flavor of your teas. Two of the oldest tools I NEVER use anymore are a spoon infuser with a snap-on lid and a small round two-piece infuser that you clamp together. These used to be main staples for brewing loose leaf teas, but better options have become available over the years. What I use now and LOVE are my basket strainers or infusers. They are so easy to use and clean. I currently have a...

Years ago, I was not a big fan of rooibos (pronounced "ROY-boss"). Initially, I didn't enjoy the taste in its original form, but rooibos tea has come a long way. It is the base for some lovely teas like "Organic Rejuvenate Rooibos." Organic Rejuvenate Rooibos is one of my custom-blends made just for us here at Uptown Tea Shop. An exclusive, if you will. Organic Rejuvenate Rooibos is an organic green rooibos with organic lemon myrtle and organic orange peel. It is absolutely delicious. I enjoy this tea frequently for both its flavor and health benefits. As a bonus, it...

Have you heard of Gunpowder Temple of Heaven Green Tea? There are various stories on how this tea got its unusual name. But I think I like this one the best. The grey-green balls are known as "zucha" or "pearl tea" to the Chinese. Many years ago, an Englishman whose business was to transport tea thought that they resembled gunpowder pellets, and the name stuck. In reality, the tiny pearls of this Gunpowder Temple of Heaven Green Tea are hand-rolled, leaf by leaf, and made of some of the finest quality Chinese green teas. Selected leaves and buds are rolled...