September 6, 2024
Teacups and saucers have a long and fascinating history that is interwoven with the origin of tea and its journey across the globe. Tea was discovered in China around 2737 BCE and was originally drunk from small, handleless bowls. These bowls were used for many years and made from ceramic materials. The first proto-porcelain was introduced and used from 1600-1050 BCE. Improved techniques commenced around 25-220 CE and the porcelain we are familiar with today was pioneered during the Tang dynasty (618-907). These tea bowls remained in the East until the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) when they were exported to European consumers. Tea was consumed in China, Japan and other countries for hundreds of years before it was introduced to Europeans. In the 16th century, Portuguese and Dutch trading […]
September 2, 2024
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Black Tea! We’re excited to announce the latest addition to our Literary tea line – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Black Tea blend! Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (May 22, 1859 – July 7, 1930), a doctor and writer, was best known as the creator of the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes. For most people Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes are one in the same. In fact, I don’t think you can mention Doyle without conjuring up images of Sherlock Holmes, pipe in mouth, tartan plaid cape and deerstalker hat, investigating the most confounding of crimes. When we started to create this tea blend, we perused information about Doyle as well as details he wrote about Holmes. Since the mentioning of specific teas was not directly […]
July 18, 2024
So lavender is the hot “new” herb for 2024? Recorded data shows the use of lavender for healing properties, in perfumery and cooking back in 77AD! It’s popularity has never dwindled, however chefs, bakers, and baristas have elevated this aromatic herb to new culinary heights recently. For tea companies, the marriage of lavender with teas and other herbs is nothing new. Many of us have incorporated lavender into our tea blends for many years, as well as created culinary recipes with those blends. The first blend we created with lavender was an herbal concoction called Lavender Lace that we introduced in 1993. Lavender Lace The following year in 1994 we introduced Victorian Earl Grey which combines the ever popular Earl Grey with roses, […]
March 28, 2024
Earl Grey teas, traditionally, were blends comprised of varying black teas with Bergamot oil added to them. Today, any tea (green, white, herbal) that is sprayed with Bergamot oil is known as Earl Grey (such as our Emerald Green Earl Grey, Rooibos Earl Grey, etc). Every tea merchant carries an Earl Grey black tea blend, but they are all very different due to the variations in black teas used for the blend and the quality of the bergamot oil. Earl Grey is also used in a wide variety of recipes – check out our delicious Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies! If baking isn’t for you, Earl Grey pairs well with liquor too. Earl Grey Marteani Makes one 6 oz. cocktail Ingredients: 1 1/2 oz. gin 1/2 oz. lemon juice 3/4 […]
March 28, 2024
How to Brew the perfect cup of tea: Some things to keep in mind when brewing your tea: The quality of your water is extremely important! If you have any reason to doubt the purity of your tap water, we suggest that you use spring water. When tea brews the leaves will double in size – so make sure that you are using an infuser or filter that will allow the water to circulate around the leaves. Green, white and oolong teas prefer cooler water temperatures. We have recommended temperatures below. If you do not have a thermometer we recommend that you acquire one to insure that your tea does not become bitter from a hotter temperature. Black Tea Hot tea is best made by warming a teapot […]
March 28, 2024
The following information is a quick overview of the intricate process that creates high quality teas. Tea plantings begin from propagation (cutting or transplanted root branches) and clonal leaf cuttings. The new plants are raised in a nursery and are transplanted when they reach an average height of 6-8 inches, which takes roughly 6 months. These new tea bushes remain untouched for 2 years and obtain a height of 5-6 feet. At that time they are sheared down to a foot and pruned weekly to keep them at waist height (perfect for picking). These new bushes will not produce a commercial yield for 3-5 years depending on the growing conditions. Once the bushes have reached maturity tea processing begins. The process of creating teas depends exclusively on the […]