Tea Magazine
The Real
Issue 70
Caffeine
May/June 2012
Story
CELEBRATING TEA CULTURE www.TeaMag.com May/June 2012
Making
Memories
Tea Time with Children
Azores: Over the Rainbow
Exploring
Herbals
New Lipton速 Tea & Honey sweetened with honey
made from real tea leaves
Only 5 calories per serving. Find with Iced Tea Mixes.
Spring 2012
real fruit flavors Display until July 15, 2012
Teaware Trends
TMTM
Organic || Fair Fair Trade Trade || Garden Garden Direct Direct Organic Winner ofof 14 14 Awards Awards at at the the Winner Fall 2011 2011 North North American American Tea Tea Championship Championship Fall 1stPlace: Place:Jasmine JasmineYin YinHao Hao| |Jasmine JasminePearl Pearl| |Dong DongPian PianOolong Oolong| |Eastern EasternBeauty Beauty 1st | | (Bai Hao Premium) Sakura Black Ancient Golden Buds | | (Bai Hao Premium) Sakura Black Ancient Golden Buds KeemunRoyal RoyalReserve Reserve 2ndPlace: Place:Earl EarlGreen Green(Bergamot (BergamotOolong) Oolong)| |Keemun 2nd 3rdPlace: Place:Wuyi WuyiQirun Qirun| |Darjeeling DarjeelingEstate EstateSelect Select| |Yunnan YunnanBreakfast Breakfast| |Earl EarlGrey Grey| | 3rd MasalaChai Chai VanillaBlack Black| |Masala Vanilla
www.rishi-tea.com www.rishi-tea.com
There’s aa fresh fresh crop crop every every year. year. There’s
Sipand andsavor savornew newteas teasfrom fromaround aroundthe theworld. world.Explore Explorenew newproducts products Sip thatenhance enhancethe theexperience. experience.Celebrating Celebrating10 10years yearsas asthe thepremier premier that event for specialty tea, the 2012 World Tea Expo will be all new. event for specialty tea, the 2012 World Tea Expo will be all new. Joinus usand andfall fallfor forthe theleaf leafagain. again. Join
JUNE1-3, 1-3,2012 2012••LAS LASVEGAS VEGASCONVENTION CONVENTIONCENTER CENTER JUNE WWW.WORLDTEAEXPO.COM • (702) 253 1893 WWW.WORLDTEAEXPO.COM • (702) 253 1893
May/June 2012
Inside 8
Urasenke Tea Room A ceremonial teahouse for Washington D.C.
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20
Making Memories Give your kids a break
Couple of Mugs Trusty tea van travels English countryside
Editor’s Note . . . . . .6 Conscious Tea
Topical Tea . . . . . . .7 White Lion Founder Honored
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31
Punch can be a focal point for social gatherings
Unusual ingredients lure young drinkers
Wellness . . . . . . . 28 Wonderful Ginger Health Notes Herbal Remedies
Tastings . . . . . . . . 35
14
Tea Scene: Portland
Sommelier Secrets . . 34
This Northwest outpost is a tea lover’s haven
17
New Products . . . . 39 Essay . . . . . . . . . 48
The Buzz About Caffeine
23 Tea Punch
Modern Tea
37
The truth about tea and caffeine
Azores Take your family over the rainbow
Teaware Trends Global influence and midcentury modern
Hot days, cold tea
Gretchen Iler on chai
Tea is Sunshine, by James Norwood Pratt
Event Calendar Los Angeles International Tea Festival, Los Angeles, Calif. Aug. 11 In conjunction with Japanese American Museum Summer Festival Coffee & Tea Festival, Atlantic City, N.J. Nov. 3-4 New York show organizers expand to boardwalk
Cover: hildren need a break and tea time is both fun and special time together with a parent. Photos p8-10 courtesy of Urasenke Center, photographer Dan Chung. Photos p11 Jane Pettigrew. Photo of Gingerbread blend courtesy TeaSource. Photos 14-16 by Kathleen Finn. Photo p 19 Katrina Avila Munichiello. Photos p22 by Sherry Heck with styling by Michele Wimborough, Cakewalk Baking. Photos p23-26 Pearl Dexter and David Tavares Gorreana Tea Estate. Photos p27 courtesy Bigelow Tea. Photos p31-33 Julian Landa, styling by Cynthia Gold. Photo p35 Linnea Covington. Photo p48 Dan Bolton. Photos p13, 14 (Portland landscape), 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 30, 34 Fotolia.
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May/June 2012
Tea Magazine
3
modern tea
Making the
Tea of the Future with Unusual Ingredients By Linnea Covington Contributing Editor
Y
es, those are little red lips mixed in with that pile of black tea, and tiny chocolate chips too. The tea I’m looking at is called Read My Lips and is one of about 150 unique blends produced by DavidsTea, a Montreal-based company that favors whimsical additions into their blends to add flavor and make their tea stand out. In this case, the lips give the beverage extra sweetness that melds with chocolate and mellows the Chinese black tea into a dessert-like drink touted as a dessert replacement. It’s good and so unlike any tea I have seen before — and, it’s just the beginning.
Gingerbread Orange from TeaSource is made with almonds, pistachios, coriander, peppercorns, orange peel, and rooibos. 12
Tea Magazine
“We are serious about some things like our sourcing and quality,” said Sarah Segal, president of DavidsTea. “But we have fun with the naming and giving the teas personality.” This new take on the ancient drink comes at a time when many people see tea in three main ways: For British people, drunk by older folk, and as health drink. These stereotypes are leading many companies to reformulate their blends and marketing to lure younger people into a hot, steamy cup. “Our most important goal is to have a tea for every taste,’ said Segal, who at 28-years-old fits the new demographic of tea drinkers. “We have been inspired by a lot of different places and a lot of different things, and just like ice cream and chocolate companies, we like using the whole ingredients.” Some of the ingredients popping up in tea today include cacao nibs, peppercorn, various nuts, seeds, coffee beans, and hefty chunks of dried fruits from papaya and passionfruit to strawberry
May/June 2012
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and pineapple. Tea leaves have been mixed with flavors for centuries, but where an old-school enhanced tea would have essence of citrus and maybe a spattering of tiny dried fruit pieces, today’s blends feature combinations that would baffle Oriental masters who focus was solely on the tea. Tastes change. Younger people today lean more toward energy drinks, coffee and Jolt soda for their caffeine kick. These innovations may bring people back to tea. “It tends to be a great vehicle to ease people gently into the world of tea,” said Mary Lou Heiss, author of various books on tea including The Story of Tea: A Cultural History and Drinking Guide. “Flavored teas are good when done well, but when it’s done badly, they turn it into candy or a hot soft drink.” tips At Heiss’ shop Tea Trekker in Northampton, Mass., she and Maya Tea’s Manash Shah her husband Robert lean away recommends looking for from muddling up their tea with teas that aren’t weighed ingredients like the ones used down with large chunks at David’s, but the proprietress of fruit. “We have to be said they have slowly adopted careful about the addition a few into the mix after people of ingredients that are there kept asking about it. Chocolate just to pretty up the tea, proved a big one, and the not give it flavor,” he said, couple worked hard at finding adding that just because a balance with cacao nibs and you might see the pieces chocolate essence to create the of fruit, doesn’t mean it will taste like it. Choose Bonfire blend. Other teas get interesting teas where the a spattering of flavor like their tea leaves dominate the seasonal spring Mad Hatter, blend. That way you are which combines raspberry, getting quality tea with a strawberry, apricot, rose, and little flavor added in, not the lavender, or Sleighride, a tea that opposite. incorporates pink peppercorn and forest fruits. On the more wild side, Mighty Leaf produces a series of chocolate teas including their Mayan Chocolate Truffle tisane, which, chock full of chocolate chips, and dried chilies, apples and strawberries, tastes just like instant, spicy hot cocoa. With rich Pu’erh leaves, cacao nibs and pieces of tried citrus peel, their Mocha Truffle Pu’erh leans more toward a traditional blend with this modern kick. How these combinations come to be is another twist in the tale of giving tea a facelift. “I like to look at flavor combinations that I taste in a meal or cocktail,” said Manash Shah, owner of Maya Tea in Arizona. For example, the inspiration behind his vanilla mint green tea came from feeling sick in Seattle and www.TeaMag.com
getting a cup of Moroccan mint and a lemon cookie from a little French café. “I felt so much better after that and I wanted to recreate that flavor pairing.” The same sort of thing happened with his spicy pear and vanilla spice, which respectively came from a baked pear dessert and snickerdoodle cookie. “I think the young people will start there [with teas like the spicy pear],” said Shah. “The difference between the younger generation and the older generation is that they care about food. And how does it play in the tea world? Well, they are expecting more and that’s awesome.”
Modern Teas to Try Movie Night DAvIDSTEA
While adding toasted rice to green tea is a tried and true method, this one goes further and actually puts fluffy bits of popcorn in it as well as enhancing the flavor with maple and apple.
orange Chocolate Green Tea REvOLUTION TEA
Orange and chocolate taste great in candy and in this blend of sencha tea, cacao nibs, ginger, and orange essence, it also works beautifully.
Jamaican Red Rooibos RISHI TEA
Many tisanes get spruced up with fruit, but this organic blend incorporates a bit of clove into the sweet schizandra berries, passion fruit, mango, and tart Jamaican flowers.
Mocha Truffle Pu’erh MIGHTY LEAF
With a mild dash of cacao nibs and citrus, these rich and prestigious tea leaves get a chocolate shop zest while maintaining the integrity of the brew.
Cherry Almond Black STASH TEA
This dessert tea gets a sweet kick from dried cherries and nutty almond essence.
May/June 2012
Tea Magazine
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New Products
Compiled by Jobina Miller, teamag@teamag.com
Lemon Tea Vodka BELvEDERE vODKA
WWW. BELvEDEREvODKA.COM
Belvedere Lemon Tea vodka will soon become an afternoon delight for summer cocktail connoisseurs. Lemon Tea is distilled with eight exceptional ingredients including black & green teas, ginger, chamomile, lemongrass, honey and lemon; resulting in a refreshing and vibrant vodka. A simple addition of iced tea or lemonade turns a Belvedere Lemon Tea into a delectable cocktail for poolside lounging or beach party. $29.99/ 750ML
S d Bell Tea BEST INTERNATIONAL
WWW.BESTINTERNATIONALTEA.COM
Best International Tea of Elizabeth, N.J. has recently been appointed the exclusive North American importer of S.D. Bell Tea from Belfast, Northern Ireland. For the first time in its rich 124-year history S.D. Bell’s full line of traditional English teas will now be available to the American public. Breakfast Tea is sold in collectible tins and cartons of loose tea as well as tea bags. It has been described as creamy, buttery and smooth, with a polished taste that evokes both elegance and comfort in the same cup. $7.95/125G
Boku Super Matcha Green Tea BOKU INTERNATIONAL
WWW.BOKUGREENTEA.COM
organic Hibiscus Flower Tea SWANSON HEALTH PRODUCTS
New Boku Super Matcha Green Tea is a proprietary, “whole leaf” powered blend of 100% USDA organic green teas from a microclimate region in Japan. It’s completely nonGMO, grown entirely without pesticides, and tested to ensure no contamination with fluoride, radiation, bacteria or heavy metals. Super Matcha Green Tea blend is one of the world’s most potent natural sources of antioxidants, immune boosting flavanols, and catechins (EGCG). Boku selects only the finest organic Japanese ceremonial and traditional whole leaf Matcha resulting in a regal, full-bodied, richly organic and balanced flavor experience. $34.95/1.06 Oz
WWW.SWANSONvITAMINS.COM
Swanson Organic Hibiscus Flower Tea can be brewed hot or cold. It is packaged in tea bags that are staple-free, non-bleached and made from recycled materials. This USDA Certified Organic tea has a fruity, tangy flavor, and is quickly becoming a Swanson customer favorite. An industry leader in bringing vitamins directly to consumers at the lowest prices possible, Swanson Health Products, headquartered in Fargo, ND, offers the highest quality vitamins, supplements and natural health care products and is Good Manufacturing Practices certified. Swanson Health Products goes a step beyond its competitors by offering extensive guarantees. $4.49/20 TEABAGS
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Help Tea PHARMADUS
WWW.HELPSTEAS.PHARMADUS.COM
HELPS Teas is a new health tea brand for tea lovers. These teas are versatile with a product line specifically for adults that includes Breathe, a minty mix of natural herbs such as eucalyptus leaves and thyme meant to support your immune system and normalize respiratory functions; Organic R&R, a soothing and relaxing combination of lemon balm and passion flower; Organic Green Tea Leaves, a mix of green tea leaves and spearmint infused with antioxidants. Other teas include: For Low Sugar Diets, Make It Easy, and Just for Her. Teas for children include Little Tummies and formulations for Rehydration Diets and Dreams taste good either hot or cold. $4.99/20 TEA BAGS May/June 2012
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Artisanal Pu∙erh Tea Blends
Williamson Silver Loose Tea Caddies
Numi Tea
www.numitea.com
Numi Organic Tea, the world’s first company to offer a complete line of Pu-erh (POOH-er) teas for the national US Market, is introducing five new exotic Pu-erh blends to their already remarkable line of organic tea. This March 2012 the Pu-erh collection, which already includes Emperor’s and Chocolate teas, will expand to include five unique, new flavors: Coconut, Cardamom, Basil Mint, Jasmine and Ginger. Pu-erh is an ancient healing tea picked from 500-year-old organic wild tea trees in Yunnan, China. Unlike traditional teas, Pu-erh undergoes a unique 60-day fermentation process resulting in a bold flavor with hints of malt and an abundance of healthy antioxidants. Pu-erh can be compressed into bricks and aged, like fine wine, for months, years or even decades. This increases its value, health benefits and premium taste. In addition, studies in China and France show that Pu-erh can also reduce cholesterol, improve digestion and metabolism, and can aid and support healthy weight loss. As more and more consumers discover Pu-erh teas and their excellent health benefits, the word is spreading. $7.99/40G
Mark T. Wendell Tea Company
www.marktwendell.com
Available in seven varieties (including Kenyan Green, Traditional Afternoon and Fine Earl Grey), these classic silver loose tea caddies from Williamson Tea are some of the finest teas grown in Kenya and India. Williamson’s experience in growing and blending fine teas sets them apart from other brands. The climate at their Kenyan tea estates is ideally suited, with morning sun and frequent rainfall. Many of these tea selections are grown using sustainable farming methods, ensuring proper working conditions and fair wages, earning Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance certification. Imported from Great Britain by Mark T. Wendell Tea Company. $12/3.5 oz
CREATIVTEA Possibiliteas
www.Possibiliteas.co
Possibiliteas, a thoughtful trilogy of organic master-blended teas were developed for the creative mind. Launched in Dec. 2011 by literary agent Regina Brooks, Possibiliteas is the manifestation of the moment when creativity transforms into action. Regina was looking for a way her clients - writers, artists and other professionals - could gain clarity and productivity in the creative process. She discovered a custom-blend of three core loose leaf tea recipes that support the mind and body and led to an enhanced ability to put the imagination to work. CREATIVTEA is an inspired blend, a muse in a cup. Ingredients: Chamomile calms the body and centers the mind. Lavender and lemongrass add frangrant intoxication while soothing hops helps locate the still point of focus and insight. $5/.55oz; $12/2oz
Sunset Spice
Monumental Spiced Chai
Red Rose
www.redrosetea.com
Venerable Red Rose Tea, an iconoic brand, did extensive consumer research and taste testing in their own homes to better understand their customer’s natural tea drinking environment. Consumer’s suggestions were then incorporated into the development of Red Rose Sunset Spice Tea. Rich layers of orange notes, cinnamon and a touch of cardamom give this Ceylon tea its signature taste and aroma. Sunset Spice has a balance of spices and citrus. Red Rose Sunset Spice Tea is also the perfect ingredient for hot cider or an ideal complement to a crème brûlée. A cider recipe can be found on the Red Rose Tea website. $3.75/40 teabags 40
Tea Magazine
5 Sparrows
www.5sparrowsbrand.com
Gourmet café product purveyor, 5 Sparrows™, has introduced the first-ever line of naturally-sweetened, sugar-free chocolate, white chocolate and chai mixes to the market. Sugar-Free Monumental Spiced Chai is blended spices, organic black tea and Stevia. The company says chai should be Zen in a cup, and this instant, sugar-free, stevia-sweetened Monumental Spiced Chai powder provides just that. Mellow spices and a delicious tea flavor give depth to a creamy, sweetness as it mixes effortlessly with milk or water. $9/10 oz. May/June 2012
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Emma Lea’s Family Cookbook EMMA LEA BOOKS
WWW.EMMALEABOOKS.COM
Chaicoffski Brewer CHAICOFFSKI
WWW.CHAICOFFSKI.COM.AU
Enjoy full-flavoured tea in 30 seconds without the bitterness says inventor Ian Bersten of Sydney, Australia. Quicksteeps™ steeps and then filters tea or coffee instead of the reverse, to more closely imitate the way that tasters brew. The new Quicksteeps™ Turbofilter TM follows the contours of the mug or pot and is not suspended - it rests on the base creating turbulence and swirling the water through the leaves or grinds. Uses large leaf tea or fannings. The 60 micron stainless steel mesh filter is dishwasher safe, fits cups and mugs. $20
Family tea time is more fun when the kitchen activities are shared with all ages and children learn the secrets of their favorite recipes. Emma Lea’s Family Cookbook is a collection of more than a hundred recipes, featuring those printed in the Emma Lea storybooks and monthly Family Tea Times newsletter. There are unique tea concoctions like Apple Pie Tea, CranberryChai Cooler, Jelly Jar Tea and fresh fruit recipes like Strawberry Flowers and Baked Banana Boats. Other recipes were created to accompany nursery rhyme themes like Turkey In The Straw, Black Bird Pie and Pat-A-Cakes. $16.95
organic & Fairtrade Certified Tea Bags RISHI TEA
WWW.RISHI-TEA.COM
Rishi Tea, a leading international purveyor of organic and Fairtrade Certified™ loose-leaf teas, has introduced its first line of specialty tea bags. The innovative knit-mesh filter bag impart a level of flavor, aroma and body, which standard paper or silky tea bags cannot match, according to the company. The new filter mesh material is made from plant-based resources and yields a far greater extraction ratio and infusion quality than any other tea bag. Paper and even fine mesh silky bag materials are too tightly woven and act as a barrier to the tealeaves’ infusion. Rishi said that a looser weave was needed to improve the overall tea bag experience in restaurants and foodservice at a cost per bag that meets or beats the current silky tea bag brands. Each organic tea bag is individually sealed in printed overwrap to maintain optimum freshness.
The World’s Special Tea: A History of Tea for Children THE WORLD’S SPECIAL TEA WWW.AGIFTOFTEA.COM
Written by Jo Johnson and Joya Powell this work refers to the historical events that led to the creation of tea enjoyment as we know it today. Complete with dated timelines, it tells the story of tea in a fun way depicting how tea and drinking tea connects world cultures. The story is written in rhyme scheme that young children (ages 3-7 years) can appreciate. The World’s Special Tea encourages the reader to create their own piece of history by having their own tea party. $15 + S/H
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May/June 2012
Red Pyramid Shape Jug Kettle KALORIK
WWW.KALORIK.COM
Serve your tea in style with this cordless kettle that is sure to complement any kitchen. A 1500-watt heating element with a high-capacity special design heats quickly. Auto-off tracks the internal temperature and shuts the kettle off when it reaches a boil. The body’s hand-coated coloring on stainless steel has been triple-processed for a refined finish and added durability. The handle combines strength and will always be cool to touch. The heating element is impact bonded to a flat stainless steel cover to shield it from water and maximize heat transfer. The flat base ensures fast and easy cleaning inside the kettle. Capacity: 58 fl. oz. /1.7 liters. $79.99 Tea Magazine
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