TEA WHILE YOU WORK

Teas while you work BY ANTHEA BROCKBANK WWW.BRACKENDALETEA.COM

MY NAME IS ANTHEA AND I AM A TEA-AHOLIC!

My husband and I took on an online loose-leaf tea sales business six months ago. I have learned so much, mostly about tea but also about the Lord’s faithfulness, so why not grab a cup of your favourite brew and come join me as I share some of what I have learned.

Firstly, did you know that Tea comes from just one plant? Camellia sinensis gives us Black, Green, White, Oolong and Pu-erh tea just by the way the leaves are processed. Black tea is the most common and accounts for 80% of the tea consumed in the West. Green Tea undergoes an additional early drying stage to halt oxidization to preserve its green, leafy appearance and inhibit the development of caffeine. Oolong is a traditional Chinese tea that is partially oxidized. It is more complex in taste than Green but not as strong as Black. Pu-erh is a ‘matured’ tea from Yunnan in China and has an amazing flavour. White tea is the least processed of them all. The leaves are often simply plucked and then gently dried.

Camellia sinensis can grow in most climates but prefers a tropical climate and in these conditions the best tea is produced. The plant was first discovered in China and was spread throughout Asia by monks who drank tea for both medicinal and spiritual purposes. In the 1600s the plants were spread further afield to countries such as India, Sri Lanka and Kenya to keep up the demand for black tea for the British and Dutch empires.

Since these humble beginnings, tea has become a part of billions of people’s daily lives around the world, with over 3 billion tonnes of tea produced for consumption each year.

Varieties, Grades and Blends are terms you will hear when talking tea. Variety is the different forms the tea leaf can take after processing – Black, White, Green, Pu-erh, Oolong. Tea grades are used to differentiate between leaf size and shape as well as where on the plant the leaf was plucked. You may have heard some of the following terms - Tippy, Golden, Flowery, Finest, Broken, Orange Pekoe to name but a few. These are all ‘grades of tea’. Most tea companies have a tea called Orange Pekoe, which is confusing because it actually refers to a ‘grade of tea’ and not a variety or blend.

A ‘blend’ is simply a mix of two or more types of tea, or other ingredients, to produce a desired taste. For instance, English Breakfast is a blend and is probably the most well-known.

WE HAVE OVER 40 LUXURY LOOSE-LEAF TEAS AND TISANES

It is generally a mix of three teas from different countries – be that northern India, Sri Lanka, Kenya or China. It is an Aussie favourite as it has good colour, pretty aroma, good strength and looks good with milk. Beyond English Breakfast there are many beautiful teas worth trying. Earl Grey, Chai, Jasmine Tea, Afternoon Teas, Tisanes (herbal teas) - the list goes on and on.

Tisanes (Herbal Teas) are popular these days and these are herbal or fruit infusions. Tisanes do not actually contain the leaf of the tea plant, but they are often enjoyed in the same way as tea. A huge variety of herbs, flowers, fruit, roots and barks are used as ingredients. By blending these natural ingredients Tisanes are used for health and healing purposes in many cultures. Tisanes are also popular as a naturally ‘caffeine-free’ hot tea-like drink.

Rooibos, which literally translates ‘red bush” is a bushy plant native to South Africa. It is naturally caffeine-free and starts out a succulent shade of green then turns an earthy red colour once processed. This plant is treated in a similar way to the tea plant. You can also get the unoxidized rooibos tea, referred to as green rooibos, although it is much less common. Speaking of ‘caffeine’ - tea contains caffeine, even decaffeinated tea contains caffeine! A word to the wise - if you are sensitive to it, a good ‘quality’ tea will keep you as wide awake as coffee. Best to stick to the Herbal Tea if you are really sensitive.

At Brackendale Tea Co, Tea isn’t just our business, it has become my passion. We have over 40 luxury loose-leaf Teas and Tisanes. Our supplier uses only the cream of the crop from the world’s top 10% producers - true luxury teas. They are delicious, ethically produced and not available on supermarket shelves.

It really is a matter of taste and what ‘you like’, will pretty much determine what sort of tea you ‘feel’ you want at any time of the day or night. There is so much information out there about how to make the ‘perfect’ cup of tea. At Brackendale we say ‘you are the boss of your cup. You make it how it looks and tastes right for you’. A rule of thumb is 1 teaspoon of tea leaves per cup. Freshly boiled water poured over the leaves and brew from anywhere between 2 to 7 minutes. If you like it strong then add more tea leaves, do not lengthen the brewing time as this can cause bitterness.

On the next page you will see some of my very favourite teas, but really, there are so many more I could mention. I haven’t even told you how the Lord fitted into it all. A story to be shared over another cup, some other time perhaps. I hope I have whetted your appetite to come and learn more about our beautiful range at Brackendale Tea Co www.brackendaletea.com

by Anthea Brockbank

WWW.BRACKENDALETEA.COM

Favourite Teas

A FEW OF ANTHEA’S FAVOURITE TEAS FROM THE BRACKENDALE RANGE

Cream Earl Grey

This blend is the founding reason the Brackendale Tea Co started. A superb Earl Grey mellowed with a delicious creamy taste, this blend has converted the most adamant "just plain tea thanks" people to a whole new world of tea consumption.

Organic Stormy Night

One of our biggest sellers - Organic Stormy Night is a naturally caffeine free, very visual bend, but it's more than just a pretty face. A herbal symphony with delicious mint notes and hints of peach and spice. The chamomile rounds out the flavour perfectly with a lovely cleansing finish.

Taj Mahal Chai

If you like a little spice, then try one of our gorgeous Chai’s. Black Tea or Rooibos are the base and added spices of ginger, cardamom, pepper and vanilla (to name but a few) make these the most wonderful cup and take you straight to the streets of India

Oh My Goodness Darjeeling

Afternoon conjures classic Darjeeling and we have the best. Oh My Goodness Darjeeling really does take you to a whole different place. Its grade is Finest Tippy, Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe and truly, it is worth every cent when enjoyed at leisure of an afternoon.

Scottish Caramel Pu-erh

If you want to be divinely different then try our Scottish Caramel Pu-erh. It is smooth and sweet with deep notes of caramel, toffee and almond mixed with the heady flavour of the matured Pu-erh. Truly heaven in a cup for any time of the day.

Green Oasis

Green tea can be quite bitter, and this is generally due to incorrect brewing. With our Greens you can get a couple (3 to 4) refills and it will still have amazing flavour. My favourite is the Green Oasis with its subtle sweetness of vanilla and sweet, tart flavour of quince.

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