Tea Talk

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...

Wow! Mother's Day is May 9th, and it'll be here before we know it! There's something special in celebrating all our moms and grandmas for all the love, support, inspiration, dedication, and care they've poured into us. We all know there's not enough money in the world to compensate them for the job they do. Some days it's just plain hard work being a mom! I always enjoyed showering my Mom and Grandma with things they loved. Beautiful flowers from our favorite local nursery, chocolate - dark for Mom and white for Grandma, books for Mom as she was an...

I don't know about you, but my days start early and are jam-packed with family, business, dogs, and activities. I can't imagine how I would manage to get through the day without my teas. In the morning, I look forward to my first cup of tea. It sets the tone for my whole day. I rotate between a nice, smooth cup of black tea-like Imperial Breakfast, a blend of Darjeeling, Keemun, and Assam. If I'm feeling I need more of a pick-me-up, I'll head toward Breakfast Cuppa or Organic Rise and Shine. Breakfast Cuppa has Ceylon black tea with roasted...