FALL 2022 | GARDEN TO CUP EDITION tastingteaclub
2 PAGE 5 SUSTAINABILITY causesdavid’s PAGE 3 GTCEXPERIENCEINTRODUCTIONLUXURIOUSTEASTHISAUTUMN PAGE 13 TASTING 101 wheelflavour PAGE 22 TEA X ACTIVITY PAIRINGS FOR FALL SPEND YOUR FALL DISCOVERING GARDEN TO CUP TEAS contents PAGE 32 ABOUT US why we do what we do PAGE 27 TEA 101 tea types PAGE 12 TASTING 101 STEP BY STEP PAGE 15 TEA TASTING CLUB NEXT EXCLUSIVILEVELTEA PAGE 16 TEA MENU time somefortea
teas and we’re SO thrilled to have you join us on this adventure! From the
INTRODUCTION
luxuriousexperiencegtc teas harvest luxury line Garden to Cup search leaf Cederberg mountains in Africa to Eastern Coast of Taiwan, world
the
teas is exclusively selected by our passionate Tea Experts. We are on a worldwide
of
through the teas we bring directly to you. Our
this autumn Through sustainable sourcing and partnering with tea growing communities around the world, we celebrate their
this fall, you can travel the
one brew at a time! Stay cozy, The DT Team 3
South
for crafted, single-origin loose
FALL4TEATEASCODE :
20% off ALL LOOSE
Offer valid online only at DAVIDsTEA from August 15, 2022 to November 15, 2022 only. Get 20% off regular-priced loose leaf tea only. Must enter code FALL4TEA at checkout in order to receive discount. Cannot be combined with on-going promotions or promo codes. Offer valid one time only per customer. While supplies last, quantities are limited. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Not valid on previous purchases. This offer is subject to change, alteration or termination by DAVIDsTEA at its sole discretion at any time and without notice. LEAF
5 SUSTAINABILTY
causesdavid’s
6 SUSTAINABILTY There is no DAVIDsTEA without a healthy planet. Our team’s decisions are fuelled by our desire to make the world a better place. Since we opened our doors in 2008, we’ve been rooted in eco-friendly decisions. Here’s how we’re moving forward and innovating the ways we package, sell and grow tea for our community! →
7 SUSTAINABILTY it tastes better to sip responsiblesomething As always, we make sure our tea is ETHICAL & SUSTAINABLE Can tea be fair? Yes! Our decision-making is fuelled by our goal to positively impact the tea industry throughout our supply chain. From tea workers to farmers and their families, we want everyone involved to benefit from safe, fair and equal working conditions. We consciously choose partners to ensure our ingredients check all the flavour boxes and our commitment to ethical sourcing. Through collaborations with the Ethical Tea Partnership and Fair Trade Certified TM , we’re able to protect and care for our tea community and the environments in which our tea is produced. → 01
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8 SUSTAINABILTY
our achoicespackagingmakedifference
COMPOSTABLE & REGENERATIVE PACKAGING is our absolute priority Through our current environment-friendly packaging, we aim to lead the tea industry by example. We acknowledge that packaging and shipping can be incredibly wasteful. That’s why we’re working hard to reduce shipping waste thanks to bulk packaging and compostable mailers. We have a commitment to launch more compostable packaging in 2022 and to continue to reduce waste anywhere we can. Our emphasis on conscious choices sets us apart and keeps us growing from plastic-free & biodegradable sachets to recyclable packaging, we’re not stopping there. This year, we’re committed to transitioning our company to a fully recyclable and compostable offering. →
9 Click here to learn more about our sustainability efforts. SUSTAINABILTY we ofwithconnectacommunitytealovers We bring people into the world of tea and CARE FOR OUR COMMUNITY around the globe Our communi tea is everything to us and we’ve got your back. Always and forever. Tea brings people together from all walks of life—different backgrounds, tastes and experiences, we welcome and appreciate everyone. From where we operate to where we source, we promise to continue prioritizing diversity & inclusion, access to opportunity & equal representation, and mental & physical health. We use the connections we make for positive change in our communities and around the world. → 03
101tasting
10 TASTING 101
SNIFF Inhale the vibrant aromas of the tea leaves, infusions and liquor.
Tasting involves three basic steps:
11 TASTING 101 SEE Notice the colour, intensity and shape of the dry leaves, steeped tea leaves (infusion) and steeped tea (liquor).
SIP If you want to do it like the pros, take a loud sip of tea, swirl it in your mouth then swallow. Notice the taste, flavours and feeling in your mouth.
Tasting is a very subjective experience, so draw from your memories and focus on what comes to your mind when describing the tea. Prepare your tea according to its steeping instructions. Look at the dry tea leaves. What colours are they? Are they shiny or matte? Are they rolled, flat or twisted? What do you Time’ssmell?up!
Remove the steeped tea leaves and check ‘em out. Have they unfurled? Does the colour vary from the dry leaf? What about the smell? Assess the tea. What colour is the liquor? Is it clear or cloudy? What does it smell like? Have a sip and savour the tea. What does the taste and flavour remind you of? Is it sweet, salty, sour, or umami? Does it feel light or heavy on your tongue? Is the sensation smooth or astringent?
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12 TASTING 101 step by step
wheelflavour
13 TASTING 101
Don’t know what you’re tasting? Cue the Tea Flavour Wheel. Use it to help you pin down the flavour notes that are making your taste buds dance! →
14 TASTING 101 As you continue to develop your palate, it will become easier to identify which flavours you perceive.
15 TEA TASTING CLUB exclusivinext-leveltea JOIN OUR TEA TASTING CLUB FACEBOOK GROUP NOW! Did you know your subscription comes with tons of curated, gotta-read content from the pros? Enjoy unique tea recipes and so much more. Join our exclusive Facebook group to chat with thousands of fellow tea lovers, swap tips and tricks, and discover brand new ways to brew your blends. Convinced? Click here to join the club!
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teasomefortime
TEA EXPERT TIP
Play
An exquisitely rich tea—discover a refined combination of sweet wild honey & earthy notes, punctuated with a rich & nutty aroma of hazelnuts & almonds. Rooibos BEHIND THE TEA
TEA
17 TEA MENU wild rooibosgrown
This complex tea is extremely generous. Re-steep this rooibos and experience its full range of flavour! ORIGIN Wupperthal, South Africa OUR TASTING NOTES
YOU’LL ALSO LOVE • Organic ChamomileCalming • Organic Hojicha • Organic Earl Grey Rooibos
This naturally sweet and nutty rooibos is foraged by Izak, a local shepherd in the foothills of the Cederberg mountains, and processed by Johan. When we first tasted this tea we were captivated by its unique qualities. This wild rooibos grows in its natural terroir, free from manipulation, giving it an incredibly unique character. Did you know? We partnered with Johan to build a South African Homework Facility in hopes of providing a safe space for the children of tea farmers to Caffeine-freestudy!PAIRING on the naturally nutty notes of this tea by pairing with a medley of roasted nuts or a grilled cheese with mild cheddar.
TEA
Medium
dumplings. YOU’LL ALSO LOVE • Organic Japanese Sencha • Organic YamashiroGyokuro • Organic Silk Dragon Jasmine
ORIGIN Suizhou in Hubei province, China OUR TASTING NOTES
TEA EXPERT TIP We love steeping a more concentrated version of this tea in a small teacup or gaiwan, a traditional Chinese tea brewing vessel.
Fresh and energizing with a flavour that’s easy to love, this classic Chinese green tea is a delicious way to wake up in the morning. Say hello to your new daily ritual no matter the season, with fresh, blanched greens and crisp notes of water chestnut. Green Tea BEHIND THE TEA We bring to you the ultimate easy drinking, every day green tea. And it’s organic!
ORGANIC emerald jade
Replicate the
or complement
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This special tea grows in a family-owned organic garden in the Dahong and Tongbai Mountain in Suizhou prefecture in Hubei province. This family garden was founded 20 years ago. The founder’s mother was a tea-picker and his dad used to sell tea in a streetcar. After his parents got married, they opened up a tea shop, where he spent his childhood years. Because of his love for tea, and life-long experience, he decided to set-up his own tea garden with the idea of protecting old handcrafting tea practices of Suizhou. Caffeine PAIRING existing flavour notes of this tea by pairing with sauteed green beans with water chestnuts them by pairing with vegetable
• Irish
TEA PAIRING Make the most of this ultimate breakfast tea by pairing with a smoked salmon bagel. If you prefer a rich breakfast, pair with a sweet dessert crepe that will balance the woody aspect and bring out the subtle honey notes of this tea. ALSO LOVE Breakfast David’s Breakfast Blend Zomba Pearls
tinderetkenyan
• Organic
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A rare tea from the Tinderet Estate in the highlands of Kenya. Connoisseurs enjoy this robust black tea with rich notes of malt, walnut and dark woods offset by a honey sweetness. Perfect for after a good meal. Black Tea
TEA EXPERT TIP Think of this as an espresso shot! Serve it with milk for cortado vibes. ORIGIN Tinderet Estate in Kenya OUR TASTING NOTES
YOU’LL
• Organic
BEHIND THE TEA From the Tinderet Estate in Kenya comes this bold and rich single-origin tea. The superb quality of these leaves is a result of the cool mornings and evenings in the majestic highlands of Kenya’s Rift Valley. This CTC (cut, tear, curl) style steeps an extra dark brew with characteristic earthy and woody notes of the African terroir.High Caffeine
• Organic YamashiroGyokuro
YOU’LL
TEA PAIRING To bring out the umami quality of matcha, pair with sushi. This will help highlight the inherent sweetness of raw fish. If you are looking to offset the vegetal, grassy notes try milk chocolate. ALSO LOVE Grand Cru Matcha Matcha
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matsumatcha EXPERT TIP Whisk 2 Perfect Matcha Spoons in 6 oz of water for frothy goodness. ORIGIN Nishio in Aichi, Japan OUR TASTING NOTES
•
Vivid and grassy, this bright green matcha stands up to its matsu name, which translates to “pine tree.” Hailing from Nishio, Japan, this is our top choice for everyday matcha. It’s great on its own, as a latte or in smoothies. Plus, it makes the best digestif, thanks to its palate cleansing and refreshing qualities. Medium Caffeine
TEA
• Ceremonial
This fresh, grassy tea has a lively vegetal flavour and all the aroma of a Japanese tea garden—plus it can hold its own when mixed into lattes, milkshakes, cookies and more. Matcha BEHIND THE TEA
blackhoney
High Caffeine
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YOU’LL ALSO LOVE • Organic Nepal Black • Organic Jasmine
TEA EXPERT TIP Steep in a smaller teapot, no milk required for this one. ORIGIN Eastern Coast, Taiwan OUR TASTING NOTES From a small garden on the east coast of Taiwan, this hand plucked, gold-tipped fullbodied black tea has a sweet and lingering taste of honey in every sip. Black Tea BEHIND THE TEA With Taiwan’s ultra limited black tea production, we are extremely lucky to carry this rare tea. Hand plucked and hand-rolled, this small-batch tea has a lovely, twisted leaf style. Similar to the lingering sweetness that you’d find in an Oriental Beauty, the leaves develop that honey-sweet character thanks to Jacobiasca formosana
.
TEA PAIRING Our sweet and complex Honey Black tea is the perfect companion to an ultra creamy brie-style cheese. This luxurious match is decadent, smooth and has a lingering dainty sweetness. Black
Pearls • Orange Pekoe
22 TEA X ACTIVITY PAIRINGS FOR FALL spend your teastogardendiscoveringfallcup
23 TEA X ACTIVITY PAIRINGS FOR FALL Once the leaves start to change colour, there’s no better time to hit up the apple orchard. But even on the sunniest days, that chilly autumn breeze can get the best of you. Brew a cup of Honey Black to keep you warm. Each sip has a lingering, sweet taste of honey, so if you’re filling your bag with Honeycrisp apples, this one’s for you. honey black BLACK TEA apple picking
trick-or - treating If you’re bringing the kids door to door on Halloween, it can get chilly. But with a cozy mug of Matcha Matsu, you can stay warm and have a treat of your own. It has a lively, grassy taste and works perfectly in lattes or even desserts. Plus, there’s some caffeine in there to keep you on your toes until the kids are ready to hit the hay!
matcha matsu MATCHA
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25 TEA X ACTIVITY PAIRINGS FOR FALL at home cozy days BLACK TEA kenyan tinderet When the temperature drops, there’s nothing better than snuggling up in your favourite sweater. But when the days start getting shorter and the skies are grey, it can be hard to be motivated to do, well, anything. Steep yourself some Organic Emerald Jade and let the energizing green tea wash over you to keep you going all autumn long. If you prefer a black tea, try out the Kenyan Tinderet—stay warm and alert thanks to the high caffeine level in this one! ORGANIC emerald jade GREEN TEA
26 TEA X ACTIVITY PAIRINGS FOR FALL theadmiringfallfoliage Autumn has to be one of the most beautiful seasons of the year. Everything has a warm glow from the orange, red and yellow shades on the leaves. Unfortunately, that warm glow won’t actually keep you warm! If you want to admire all the fall foliage, why not steep a rich mug of Wild Grown Rooibos? The combo of sweet wild honey and earthy, nutty notes can warm up your walk. Take some mixed nuts with you and they’ll pair perfectly together, too. wild rooibosgrown ROOIBOS
White Tea Ranging between floral, delicate and sweet, white tea is the least processed form of tea and is as close to the living tea bush as you can get. 475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER 90°C (195°F) 3-5 MINPERFECT1-2 SPOONS
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typestea
28 TEA 101 Green CelebratedTeaaround the world for its many benefits, green tea is a great motivator for healthy living. From grassy, umami and almost buttery to vegetal and nutty-ish, green tea leaves are pan-fired or steamed before being dried to lock in their flavour and green colour. JAPANESE GREEN TEA 80°C 85°CGREENCHINESE(175°F)&FLAVOUREDTEA(185°F) 475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER 2-4 MINPERFECT1-2 SPOONS MatchaMatchapowder is made from finely ground green tea leaves and can taste anywhere from grassy to sweet and creamy. That means with every sip, you’re consuming all the benefits of the full leaf. UNSWEETENED MATCHA 75°C SWEETENED(170°F) MATCHA 85°C (185°F) 475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER UNSWEETENED MATCHA 2-3 PERFECT MATCHA SWEETENEDSPOONS MATCHA 5-6 PERFECT MATCHA SPOONS
29 TEA 101 Black Tea A classic choice first thing in the morning or as an afternoon pick-me-up. Flavours range from fruity and floral to rich and malty with subtle hints of honey. 475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER 95°C (200°F) 3-5 MINPERFECT1-2 SPOONS 475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER 90°C (195°F) 4-5 MINPERFECT1-2 SPOONS Are they black or are they green? Oolong teas are somewhere in between. The most labour-intensive tea type, these floral, fruity, sweet and toasty teas are repeatedly rolled or twisted to manipulate the degree of oxidation, bringing out all their wonderful complexOolongflavours. Tea
30 TEA 101 Used to serve alongside food and as a digestive aid for centuries, pu’erh is a rarity that is sought after by tea collectors. Deep, complex and primarily known for its signature Pu’erhearthiness.Tea 475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER 95°C (200°F) 4-5 MINPERFECT1-2 SPOONS For a lasting, jitter-free boost of energy, these herbs contain a unique combination of caffeine and other naturally energizing compounds. Maté, Guayusa & Yaupon 475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER 95°C (200°F) 3-5 MINPERFECT1-2 SPOONS
31 TEA 101 RooibosASouthAfrican plant known for its hydrating effects, rooibos is loved for its naturally sweet taste and caffeine free status. 475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER 95°C (200°F) 4-5 MINPERFECT1-2 SPOONS Herbal Tea 475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER 95°C (200°F) 5+ MIN Ranging from herbal and aromatic to sweet, floral and fruity, herbal infusions are made using anything from herbs and spices to fruits and nuts. PERFECT1-2 SPOONS
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ABOUT US why we do what we do WHO IS DAVID s TEA?
In a nutshell, we love loose leaf tea. We started as a small family of tea lovers, and our tea love has been growing ever since. We’d even go as far as to say we’re tea-obsessed. For us, it’s all about using the whole tea leaf for full flavour. Sometimes, we’ll even add more full-size ingredients for a tasting experience that goes above and beyond your expectations. From black to herbal to matcha and everything in between, we wake up each and every day wanting to make the best tea in the world.
HANDPICKED WITH LOVE A warm and comforting tea can help soothe most ailments, and we hope that these teas make your day brighter and shinier one sip at a DAVIDsTEAtime.is a non-Indigenous brand and company operating and living on largely unceded Indigenous lands. This booklet was conceptualized and designed in Montréal (Tiohtià:ke). To learn more about the land upon which we operate, please visit our Steep Thoughts blog.