March 28, 2024

Caffeine & Decaf Tea Information

Decaffeinated Tea Information Co2 process: Super critical carbon dioxide (co2) uses highly pressurized carbon dioxide, the gas that adds bubbles to mineral water, to dissolve caffeine from tea leaves. At pressure of 250-350 times atmospheric pressure, co2 takes on the density of a liquid and the viscosity of a gas, which makes an efficient solvent. In its pressurized state, co2 is pumped into a sealed chamber containing tea, where it is allowed to circulate to remove the caffeine. From there it is pumped into a washing vessel where water or activated charcoal is used to separate the caffeine from the co2. The purified co2 is recirculated into the pressurized chamber. This process is repeated until the appropriate amount of caffeine has been removed. The major advantages are that […]
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
March 28, 2024

A Tea Taster’s Glossary

Have you ever wondered what some of the terms mean that are used to describe the taste of your favorite teas?  Below is a glossary to help you navigate the world of tea tasting. AROMA The odor of the tea liquor and the infused leaf, is also called nose or fragrance. A complex aroma is often described as a bouquet. ASTRINGENT The dry, puckering quality of the liquor caused by tannins in the tea. This feeling is refreshing and invigorating. BITE A taste that is lively and brisk. BODY The tactile sensation of weight and substance of the liquor experienced in the mouth. The impression of viscosity is not due solely to the amount of soluble solids, but is accentuated by flavor and pungency. In black teas, full […]
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
March 28, 2024

Basic Tea Information & Brewing Times

TEA BASICS Everything you need to know to begin your journey into the wonderful world of tea! The word tea comes from the Chinese local Amoy dialect word t’e (pronounced “tay”). In Cantonese it became ch’a (pronounced “chah”)  Legend places the introduction of tea drinking to the reign of Emperor Shen Nung about 2737 BC. The first history book (and handbook) of tea was written in 780 AD, called The Ch’a Ching, by Lu Yu. The most widely consumed beverage in the world next to water, tea can be served hot or iced at any time and for any occasion. In the late 1700’s the United States protested high taxes and staged many protests (like the Boston Tea Party). This resulted in tea losing popularity in the US […]
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
May 3, 2021
New Tea Drinker

8 Things I Wish I Knew as a New Tea Drinker

I was a New Tea Drinker When I began working at Simpson & Vail I was a new tea drinker and my knowledge of tea began and ended at the instant iced sweet “tea” mix you buy from the grocery store. Do they even still make that? Needless to say my knowledge on the subject was just about none. Now, I am nowhere near an expert, but I’ve had the privilege of tasting a variety of teas from around the world and even been able to create a whole collection of tea blends (National Park Tea Collection). It still fascinates me how much there is to learn about tea and how much dedication goes into the process of loose tea! Here are a few simple tips I wish […]
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
June 25, 2018

Easy ways to make Cold Brew Tea

You’ve probably heard of cold brew coffee, but have you tried cold brewed tea yet? Enjoy cold brew teas this summer as a refreshing option to your usual iced tea brewing method.  Cold brewing is easy: Simply add your tea leaves to a jar or container, fill with cold water and refrigerate.  Then strain out the leaves and enjoy!For more detailed directions:  You’ll need to use more tea than when brewing hot. Place a 1 ounce iced teabag or 1 ounce of loose tea in a 1/2 gallon container. Fill with water, secure the lid and refrigerate 6-10 hours.  Pull the teabag out of the water (or strain out the tea leaves).  Pour the cold brewed tea in a tall glass, add water if needed, and enjoy. Like […]
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
April 2, 2018

Maya Angelou joins our literary tea line!

Creating a tea blend to honor an inspiring and influential woman Poet, Author, Dancer, Actor, Singer, Activist, Teacher … Maya Angelou was a true Renaissance Woman.  Born Marguerite Johnson, Dr. Maya Angelou has inspired millions around the globe.  Her honest, witty, insightful books and her uplifting poetry and prose give us a fresh way to look at the world around us. Her numerous speeches, writings and interviews offer us the gift of her intelligence and grace to carry with us throughout our years.  In a May 28, 2014 interview Dr. Angelou said “What I really want to do is be a representative of my race.  The human race.  I have a chance to show how kind we can be.  How intelligent and generous we can be.  I have […]
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
March 7, 2018

Unique and Delicious Teas from Bitaco Tea in Colombia

Freshly picked and blended in Colombia In October 2017 we were pleased to have Santiago and Andres from Bitaco Tea visit us in Brookfield.  Besides putting a face to the voice on the phone, it was fantastic to hear more about their history and operations.  Bitaco Tea is an offshoot of a very well known branded teabag tea Te Hindu.  After many years, and much success, in the teabag market they decided to cultivate a new market with orthodox teas.  Knowing much about teabag production but not enough about orthodox processing and organic growing methods, they set out to hire some of the best in the tea world to consult with them on their new venture.  The results have been outstanding and every tea shipment we get from […]
Do you like it?0
2 Read more
January 7, 2017

Matcha Tea – What to know

It’s National Hot Tea Month and I don’t think we can have a discussion about tea without highlighting the hottest tea trend right now  Matcha green tea. Matcha is a powdered green tea grown in Japan and used in the famous Japanese tea ceremony.  It is also made in small quantities in other countries such as China and Vietnam, although tea producers in these countries use a different leaf than in Japan. Today this lovely tea is consumed in a variety of ways.  It is prepared in the traditional manner, made into lattes and other beverages and is added to smoothies, cakes, cookies and more as an ingredient in baking. Production Matcha is grown in the same way as Gyokuro tea.  When new shoots on the tea bush produce […]
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
June 20, 2016

An Intro to The Eight Limbs of Yoga

In honor of International Yoga Day (June 21st) we offer this brief introduction to the practice of yoga, the eight limbs of yoga. When people think of yoga, they associate the practice with the physical movement of the body in a variety of poses.  This, however, is only one aspect of yoga.  Yoga is about a way of life, a road-map (if you will) of how to live your life.  In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali details the steps one should take to enrich their lives and reach enlightenment.  He describes the eight limbs of yoga.  The physical movement of the body in postures is actually called Asanas and is the 3rd limb. The first two limbs are Yama and Niyama and correspond to our approach to the world […]
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
June 6, 2016

Testing your knowledge of Iced Teas!

How much do you know about Iced Tea?  June is National Iced Tea Month so we’re celebrating with specials on a variety of iced tea blends throughout the month.  Test your iced tea knowledge below! 1) Iced tea became popular in: 1904, 1875, 1776, 1935 1904 at the Louisiana Exposition (St. Louis Fair) click here to read our blog on the origins of Iced Tea. 2) Iced tea was introduced to the masses by: Sir Thomas Lipton, Martha Washington, Richard Blechynden, Betsy Ross Richard Blechynden – click here to read our blog about Iced Teas 3) Of the tea drunk in the US, iced tea accounts for: 25%, 50%, 73%, 85% Currently 85% of all tea consumed in the US is Iced Tea according to the Tea Association […]
Do you like it?0
0 Read more
Load more