tea tasting club SUMMER 2022 | GARDEN TO CUP EDITION
contents PAGE 3 INTRODUCTION
DISCOVER THE WORLD'S GREATEST TEA GARDENS PAGE 5 SUSTAINABILITY
PAGE 12 TASTING 101
david’s causes
STEP BY STEP
PAGE 13 TASTING 101
PAGE 15 TEA TASTING CLUB
flavour wheel
NEXT LEVEL EXCLUSIVITEA
PAGE 16 TEA MENU
PAGE 22 TEA 101
LET'S GET TO THE TEA
tea types
PAGE 27 ABOUT US
why we do what we do 2
INTRODUCTION
discover the world’s greatest tea gardens Travel the world with our premium line of Garden to Cup loose leaf teas. Thanks to an extensive worldwide search of expertly crafted single-origin teas, our Tea Experts have curated this selection of rare reserve teas perfect for exploring the world right from your backyard. With love, The DT Family
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20% off ALL LOOSE LEAF TEAS
CODE :
SUMMER22
Offer valid online only at DAVIDsTEA from April 6, 2022 to July 6, 2022 only. Get 20% off regular-priced loose leaf tea only. Must enter code SUMMER22 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 changes, alteration or termination by DAVIDsTEA at its sole discretion at any time and without notice.
SUSTAINABILTY
david’s causes
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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!
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SUSTAINABILTY
01 it tastes better to sip something responsible 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 CertifiedTM, we’re able to protect and care for our tea community and the environments in which our tea is produced. →
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SUSTAINABILTY
02 our packaging choices make a difference 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.
As of January 2022, our Garden to Cup subscription is 100% compostable. And we’re transitioning our tea packaging to compostable whenever possible.
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. Expect us to launch more compostable packaging this year!
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SUSTAINABILTY
03 we connect with a community of tea lovers We bring people into the world of tea and CARE FOR OUR COMMUNITY around the globe Our communitea is everything to us and we 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. →
Click here to learn more about our sustainability efforts.
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TASTING 101
tasting 101
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TASTING 101
Tasting involves three basic steps: SEE Notice the colour, intensity and shape of the dry leaves, steeped tea leaves (infusion) and steeped tea (liquor).
SNIFF Inhale the vibrant aromas of the tea leaves, infusions and 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.
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TASTING 101
step by step Tasting is a very subjective experience, so draw from your memories and focus on what comes to your mind when describing the tea.
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Look at the dry tea leaves. What colours are they? Are they shiny or matte? Are they rolled, flat or twisted? What do you smell?
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Time’s 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?
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Prepare your tea according to its steeping instructions.
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?
TASTING 101
flavour wheel
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!
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TASTING 101
As you continue to develop your palate, it will become easier to identify which flavours you perceive.
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TEA TASTING CLUB
NEW TEAS & SEASONAL FAVES
next-level exclusivitea 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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TEA MENU
let’s get to the tea 16
TEA MENU
Oolong Tea
Low Caffeine
ORGANIC
golden lily ORIGIN
Chiang Rai province in Northern Thailand
OUR TASTING NOTES TEA EXPERT TIP Re-steep this low oxidized oolong and notice how the flavour develops. We notice the creamier notes on 2nd and 3rd infusion.
Creamy and floral notes with hints of vanilla, sweet pea and apricot.
BEHIND THE TEA
A rare and unique tea from Thailand— TEA PAIRING
we’re lucky to carry this delicate & dreamy
Highlight the delicate sweetness of this creamy oolong with buttery or almond pastries like an almond croissant. If you prefer savoury, browned butter fish or scallops will highlight the inherent sweetness in both the seafood and the tea.
tea. Each cup supports sustainability efforts for more wholesome sources of income for the marginalized people of Northern Thailand. Tea only started being planted there around the 1960s—a very young terroir considering China has been growing teas for over 2200 years. This beautiful, hand-picked tea is a labour of love! It is meticulously rolled over 36
TEA RECOMMENDATIONS
times to lock in the flavours.
Guangzhou Milk Oolong, Jasmine Oolong, Cinnamon Oolong
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TEA MENU
Black Tea
High Caffeine
golden spiral ORIGIN
Nan Dao He garden in Yunnan, China
OUR TASTING NOTES
Velvety black tea with notes of roasted TEA EXPERT TIP This gentle tea steeps well “grandpa style”: put the leaves directly in your cup and add water as desired. No infuser needed! You can also do short infusions and resteep this gentle tea.
cacao and malt with hints of dark cherry.
BEHIND THE TEA
Golden Spiral, an exquisite and velvety Dian Hong, comes from the tea garden named Nan Dao He, located in the vicinity of Pu’Erh City in Yunnan
TEA PAIRING To highlight the light hints of dark cherry, pair it with a black forest cake or a baked treat with dried fruit. This smooth and velvety black tea has very little astringency, so we prefer not to pair it with anything too buttery.
Province. Dian Hong is characterized by its fine buds and golden tips. You’ll notice the lack of astringency and smooth texture which is a sought-after quality in black teas from Yunnan.
TEA RECOMMENDATIONS Organic Nepal Black, Honey Black, Orange Pekoe
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TEA MENU
Green Tea
High Caffeine
gyokuro yamashiro ORIGIN
Kagoshima, Japan
OUR TASTING NOTES TEA EXPERT TIP We prefer steeping this exquisite green tea in very low temperature water, try 65°C, with a shorter steeping time– only 1.5 to 2 minutes to taste all the umami notes present.
Richly oceanic and grassy umami flavour with nutty notes of roasted chestnuts and buttered popcorn.
BEHIND THE TEA
We love this complex and rich green tea TEA PAIRING Bring out the umami by pairing this exquisite green tea with sushi. Not a fan? Try it with fresh buttery popcorn on your next movie night.
because it’s a perfect example of a high grade Japanese tea. Gyokuro, which means jade dew, refers to the tea type. Plants are shaded 6-7 weeks prior to plucking, which slows the process of photosynthesis and increases L-theanine production (a unique amino
TEA RECOMMENDATIONS Organic Japanese Sencha, Organic Korean Sejak, Genmaicha
acid in tea). This reduces astringency in the cup and highlights the rich umami flavour in the tea.
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TEA MENU
Oolong Tea
Medium Caffeine
jasmine oolong ORIGIN
Nantou, Taiwan
OUR TASTING NOTES TEA EXPERT TIP Steep this tea in a glass teapot without an infuser and watch the leaves slowly unfurl. When the time’s up, decant into a second pot or directly into your waiting cups.
Creamy and refreshing with a lightly floral jasmine note.
BEHIND THE TEA
This scented tea is done in-house by a family who has been perfecting this
TEA PAIRING This dreamy lightly scented jasmine oolong deserves a match made in heaven. Pair with airy and light angel food cake or vanilla chiffon cake. Looking for something savoury? Try a fragrant rice dish, like steamed rice or very lightly seasoned seafood fried rice.
craft over four generations. The fragrant oolong base is a Jin Shuan cultivar (the same cultivar as Organic Golden Lily) which is know for creamy taste. The flowers are picked before dusk before being carefully blended with the tea at nightfall. The scenting occurs throughout the night as the flowers bloom and fill the space with their alluring fragrance. This process is
TEA RECOMMENDATIONS Organic Jasmine Black Pearls, Organic Golden Lily, Butterfly Jasmine
repeated until the tea has the perfect balance between tea flavour and floral scent.
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TEA MENU
White Tea
Low Caffeine
ORGANIC
royal white peony ORIGIN
Nanping city, Fujian province in China
TEA EXPERT TIP Though often people steep white teas with a cooler water temperature, we like to brew this one at 90°C/195°F (or even slightly hotter) and steep for a full 5 minutes.
OUR TASTING NOTES
This cup of fresh air is cool, creamy and delicate with an aroma of garden-picked snow peas.
BEHIND THE TEA TEA PAIRING
This tea comes from a small family-
Highlight the bright and crisp flavour of our Royal White Peony with a light green salad with crisp snow peas or a few tangy green grapes. For a sweet pairing, try a pear tart.
owned organic tea garden in China’s Fujian province. The tea garden is located south of Wuyi Mountain in Fujian province, China, the birthplace of white tea. Only the early spring leaves are used, one bud and one leaf. White tea is one of the purest
TEA RECOMMENDATIONS
forms of tea, the process is simple but
Bai Hao Yin Zhen, Organic Zen Pearls, Organic Nepal White
hard to master. The withering process is long and gradual, which naturally gives way to slight oxidation of the leaves.
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TEA 101
tea types
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.
1-2 PERFECT SPOONS
475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER
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90°C (195°F)
3-5 MIN
TEA 101
Green Tea Celebrated around 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.
1-2 PERFECT SPOONS
475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER
JAPANESE GREEN TEA 80°C (175°F)
2-4 MIN
CHINESE & FLAVOURED GREEN TEA 85°C (185°F)
Matcha Matcha powder is made from finely ground green tea leaves and can taste anywhere from grassy to sweet & creamy. That means that with every sip, you’re consuming all the benefits of the full leaf.
MATCHA 2-3 MATCHA SPOONS
475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER
SWEETENED MATCHA 5-6 MATCHA SPOONS
MATCHA 75°C (170°F) SWEETENED MATCHA 85°C (185°F)
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TEA 101
Oolong Tea Are they black or are they green? Oolong teas are somewhere in between. The most labour-intensive tea type, these floral to fruity, sweet and toasty teas are repeatedly rolled or twisted to manipulate the degree of oxidation, bringing out all the wonderful complex flavours.
1-2 PERFECT SPOONS
475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER
90°C (195°F)
4-5 MIN
Black Tea A classic choice first thing in the morning or for an afternoon pick-me-up. Flavours range from fruity and floral to rich and malty with hints of honey.
1-2 PERFECT SPOONS
475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER
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95°C (200°F)
3-5 MIN
TEA 101
Pu’erh Tea Used to serve with food and aid digestion for centuries, pu’erh is a rarity that is sought after by tea collectors. Deep, complex and known for its signature earthiness.
1-2 PERFECT SPOONS
475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER
95°C (200°F)
4-5 MIN
Maté & Guayusa For a lasting, jitter-free boost of energy, these South American herbs contain a unique combination of caffeine and other naturally energizing compounds.
1-2 PERFECT SPOONS
475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER
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95°C (200°F)
3-5 MIN
TEA 101
Rooibos A South African plant known for its hydrating effects, rooibos is also loved for its naturally sweet taste and caffeine-free status.
1-2 PERFECT SPOONS
475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER
95°C (200°F)
4-5 MIN
Herbal Tea Ranging from herbal and aromatic to sweet, floral and fruity, herbal infusions are made using anything from herbs and spices to fruits and nuts.
1-2 PERFECT SPOONS
475 ML (16 OZ) OF WATER
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95°C (200°F)
5+ MIN
ABOUT US
why we do what we do WHO IS DAVIDsTEA?
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 time.
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