Tea Junkie

I grew up on Lipton iced tea with lots of sugar, aka. sweet tea if you are from the South. After a three week visit to China, I have become a tea junkie. There's green teas, white teas, oolong teas, herbal infusions, and so much more. I am constantly on the lookout for great teas.

Check out my new Lens

The Pig and the Peacock

I've started a new lens called The Pig and the Peacock that highlights my and my sister's webstore, suitibaly named The Pig and the Peacock.

We've just posted a great tea and coffee gift basket, so please go check it out.

This Week's Recommendation

Every week I'll post a new tea to try

Mighty Leaf - Silver Jasmine Tea
I love the smell of jasmine, so to me, jasmine tea is a perfect blend of taste and scent. It has a nice natural sweetness.

Cool Tea Accessory of the Week

Accessories make tea time even more fun!

Enjoy your a perfect pot of tea every time. The Adagio Teas - UtiliTEA Kettle is an electric tea kettle that can heat to any temperature.

What Type of Tea Do You Like?

Help me focus on the teas you like and let me know what teas you want to see more of on Tea Junkie.

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My Favorite Teas

Yinzhen Silver Needle: A light white tea. The buds, covered with silvery hairs, are picked right when they fully develop and are ready to open. My absolute favorite.
Exotica Dragonwell Green: A good green tea with a flat broad leaf. Dragonwell's name comes from local legend about a spring, or well, that was a dragon's lair.
Green & White Fusion: A nice mix of green and white teas with a medium flavor. I keep a pitcher of this in the fridge all the time.
Moroccan Mint: A blend of green tea and spearmint and peppermint. A great mint tea.
8 Treasure Tea: A blend of eight ingredients - Chrysanthemums, Green Tea, Jujube, Chinese Wolfberries, Dragoneye fruit, Rock Sugar, Raisin, and Tremella. It has a slightly sweet flavor and is visually appealing as well. Hard to find, but worth it.
Scarlet Cloud: A light white tea with a hint of strawberry to the taste and a great strawberry scent.
Snowbud: A light white tea made from unprocessed leaves and buds, gathered and dried in the early days of spring.
White Monkey Green Tea: An aromatic green tea with great name made from young leaves and unopened buds that are carefully gathered and processed by hand. Legend has it that the name was given to the tea by monks who trained monkeys to help them pick the tea leaves from the high tea tops.
White Peony Tea: A medium flavored white tea made from tea buds collected and withered prior to opening. The bud is surrounded by the green leaves, and,when steeped, the leaves unfold resembling the petals of a peony blossom.
Rose of Suzhou: A beautiful display tea that opens up to show a rose surrounded by medium green tea leaves.
White Tangerine: A light white tea flavored with tangerine. One of my favorite flavored teas.
Green Tea Heaven: Sencha green tea with strawberries, raspberry, and rhubarb. This tea smells wonderful and has a nice fruity flavor.
Drum Mountain White Cloud: A light white tea, much like my favorite Silver Needle, but with a slight coconut flavor.
Song Yang White Tea: A light white tea with a sweet flavor.
Rose Silver Needle Tea: A light white tea with the scent of roses. This one really reminded me of the great teas I had in China.

Varieties of Tea

A good tea is like fine wine. There are many varieties to enjoy.

All tea comes from the plant Camellia sinensis. There are over 3000 varieties of tea each with its own specific characteristics. Much like wine is named after the region the grapes are grown, tea is also named after regions. Assam is named after the Assam region in India and Keemun is named after the Keemun region of China.

Black Tea
undergoes a full fermentation process composed of four basic steps - withering, rolling, fermenting, and firing (or drying). First, the plucked leaves are spread out to wither. The withered leaves are then rolled, in order to release the chemicals within the leaf that are essential to its final color and flavor. The rolled leaves are spread out once more to absorb oxygen, causing the leaves to turn from green to coppery red. Finally, the oxidized leaves are fired in order to stop fermentation, turning the leaf black. Black tea has the highest levels of caffeine with about 25-40mg per cup.

Green Tea
is often referred to as "unfermented" tea. The freshly picked leaves are allowed to dry, then are heat-treated to stop any fermentation. In China, traditional hand-making methods are still employed in many places. Green tea has about 15-20mg of caffeine per cup.

Oolong Tea
is generally referred to as "semi-fermented" tea and is principally manufactured in China and Taiwan. The leaves are wilted in direct sunlight, then shaken in bamboo baskets to lightly bruise the edges. Next, the leaves are spread out to dry until the surface of the leaf turns slightly yellow. Oolongs are always whole leaf teas, never broken by rolling. Oolong tea has about 15-30mg of caffeine per cup.

White Tea
is produced on a very limited scale in China and India. It is the least processed of its many varieties. The new tea buds are plucked before they open and simply allowed to dry. The curled-up buds have a silvery appearance and produce a pale and very delicate cup of tea. White tea has about 5-15mg of caffeine per cup.

Herbal Tea
is not actually tea. Herbal teas, or infusions, are packaged like tea and steeped in hot water but are not made from the camellia sinensis plant and therefore are not teas. Herbal teas are made of grasses, fruits, flowers, herbs, and many other botanicals.

Rooibos Tea
is technically not a tea, but a herbal infusion, because it is made from the Aspalathus linearis plant. Rooibos tea is naturally caffeine-free.

Shop for Tea

There is a lot of tea on the web. Don't let the length of the list deter you. Pick one randomly and try it out. Find your favorites. Enjoy the tea journey.
Updated alphabetized list!

Adagio Teas: Receive A Guide To Tea, an 88-page book on the history and enjoyment of tea free with your first Adagio Teas order of $19 or more.
Aris Springs Tea: Organic tea store that offers certified green tea, loose tea, herbal tea, black tea, white tea, rooibos tea, oolong tea and other natural & organic tea
Bamboo Tea House: We strive to make available good teas from all important tea producing regions, from Asia to Africa.
Basic Tea: Organic Loose Tea. New York's source for organic tea.
Bigelow Tea: Bigelow Tea has green tea, herbal tea, flavored teas, tea gifts, decaffeinated tea, iced teas, tea gift boxes, tea gift baskets, tea pots, recipes and more.
Blue Moon Tea: Gourmet tea shop, tea gift baskets, teapots, and tea accessories.
Ceylon Tea: Pure, Premium Mountain Grown Ceylon teas imported directly to North America from Sri Lanka (formerly known as Ceylon). Our high mountain-grown teas are clean, crisp, with no aftertaste. We carry both traditional teas (green, black, flavored, chai) as well as organically grown teas.
China Mist: At China Mist we believe you expect the highest of standards from the world's finest iced tea.
Culinary Teas: We have the largest selection of loose tea and tea accessories. From teapots and tea cups to Rare White Tea, We have it all including beautiful gift baskets and gift certificates that anyone would enjoy
Dean & Deluca: Shop our online selection of fine foods, kitchenware, cookbooks, gifts, seasonal products and recipes.
English Tea Store: English Tea Store - finest teas, teapots, and gift baskets
The Fragrant Leaf: Fine handcrafted full-leaf loose teas and artisan tea ware from Asia. Organic, green, oolong, white, black and herbal teas. Teapots and accessories.
G. H. Ford Tea: Each year we make some 30 to 50 select blends available. Among them are our traditional English Breakfast Tea, a soothing Russian Caravan Tea, a rare oolong tea, green gunpowder tea from China, and a flavorful Ceylon black tea, each packaged in our exclusive Tea Ball.
Generation Tea: Offers a variety selection of Chinese tea including Pu-erh, Oolong, Kosher, green, white, and organic.
Golden Moon Tea: Golden Moon is dedicated to the art of fine tea.
Green Tea Lovers: We sell a variety of green tea's of course, but also teapots and cups, filters, green tea extract, books and even green tea plants.
Harney & Sons Teas: Our teas are fresh, because of the quantity we distribute to hotels & gourmet stores. We guarantee you will always be pleased with our quality.
Imperial Tea Garden: Full selection of green tea, black tea, white tea and herbal Tea. Over 50 varieties of gourmet loose leaf tea.
In Pursuit of Tea: In Pursuit of Tea supplies the finest loose leaf and single estate teas from Asia and India. Purchase White Teas, Green Teas, Oolong Teas, Black Teas, Pu-erh Teas and Herbal Teas.
Japanese Green Tea Online: Green tea of the highest quality plus information on tea's many health benefits.
Jing Tea Shop: Jing Tea Shop was created to promote interest, and share the finest teas China has to offer with the concept that the product will be delivered from the world' s biggest tea market to your door.
Kasora Special Reserve Teas: Across the globe, wherever it is cultivated and grown, there are small amounts of tea that are so exceptional in quality, so exquisite in flavor, that they are generally never experienced by any but a privileged few. Kasora was created to bring these teas to the reach of the discriminating buyer.
Leaf Shop: 100% natural, hand packed, stunning leaf tea selection and infusions from Leaf. As seen and recommended in The Observer Food Monthly. Discover the satisfaction and simplicity of good quality leaf tea.
Mark T Wendell Tea Company: As one of this country's most prestigious tea importers, the Mark T. Wendell Tea Company has been providing fine teas to tea connoisseurs since 1904.
Mighty Leaf: Mighty Leaf Tea Company is your source for Organic and Herbal Teas from Around the World.
MiTea: MITEA is dedicated to the ancient art of tea. MITEA directly imports rare and limited production single estate teas, harvested from remote regions of China, Japan, Sri Lanka and the Himalayas. Our teas utilize organic, biodynamic, fair-trade and wild grown production techniques.
Numi Tea: All of our organic teas and teasans offer the real taste of tea by hand-blending organic whole leaf teas, fresh pure herbs, and real fruits without using oils, flavorings or tea dust.
Peets Coffee & Tea: The most unique and flavorful offerings produced by small-lot tea growers the world over.
Portsmouth Tea: Sellers of the finest tea and teaware in the world. Rooibus, Black, Green, Red, White, Chai, Fruit, Herbal, and Oolong teas.
Villeroy and Boch, ForLife, Yixing, Frieling, Just Leaves, Chantal teaware.
Rare Tea Company: Chosen for their flavour and purity, and available to buy online, these high quality loose leaf teas are especially rich in antioxidants.
Red Square Tea: Red Square Tea and Gifts
Republic of Tea: The leading purveyor of premium tea
Revolution Tea: Tea, Premium Tea, Black Tea, Green Tea, White Teas, Organic Tea, Herbal Teas, Loose Leaf Tea, Decaf Tea, Revolution Tea Bag, Pyramid Tea Bag, Tea Pots, Gifts.
Rishi Tea: The finest garden direct teas of each season.
Samboya Tea: All our teas are harvested from private tea gardens in Assam and Darjeeling with proprietary methods to process the leaves - Part of a tradition now spawning over four generations of the growers family.
Samovar Tea: Tea from around the world.
SerendipiTea: In its simplicity, tea educates. Drink it any way that pleases you, but first drink it pure and unadulterated. Each region has its own distinct taste, aroma and leaf. SerendipiTea will proudly bear the names of the original estates. Enjoy the palatable and aromatic adventure of tea.
Seven Cups Tea: Direct from the world's most famous tea farms, the best organic green, black, white, oolong and pu-erh teas at unbeatable prices.
The Simple Leaf: We offer premium loose leaf tea. We don't think tea buying should be complicated. We simplify the process of buying premium loose leaf tea. The Simple Leaf. Tea. Uncomplicated.
Special Teas: We invite you to browse this site to learn about the fascinating world of fine teas, and to shop our carefully selected assortment of top teas and tea accessories from around the world.
Tahitian Noni: A delicate balance of sweetness and old-world spices unite to create this wonderful chai tea with intriguing overtones. Delicately blended to enhance the natural antioxidant properties of the noni leaf, Tahitea Spiced Chai Tea offers an enchanting taste experience.
Tao of Tea: Welcome to the fastest growing specialty tea brand. Award wining Tea Growers, Teaware manufacturers, Teahouses.
Tazo Tea: Tazo's extensive and exotic variety of filterbags, full-leaf, tea lattes, and iced and juiced bottled teas are found internationally in more than 7,500 Starbucks stores, as well as restaurants, cafes, resorts, grocery, specialty and natural food stores.
Tea Chai Te: Based in Portland, Oregon, we offer over 80 varieties of black tea, green tea, oolong tea, chai tea, herbal tea, yerba mate, teapots, teacups, infusers and tea strainers.
Tea Emporium: Fine loose leaf teas
The Tea Farm: We offer a variety of teas for purchase online plus teaware and other speciality items.
Tea Junky: Discount Teas with Free Shipping
Tea Laden: Tea Laden, Inc. purchases small quantities of loose tea from direct importers, never wholesalers. This ensures that all of our patrons receive the freshest high quality possible. You will always find the highest quality fine loose tea when you shop with us.
The Tea Spot: Experience the art of organic Loose Leaves. We combine fresh, flavorful ingredients - full-leaf teas meticulously harvested from the best estates - with ageless customs to produce sensational flavors and aromas.
Tea Spring: TeaSpring sells fine Chinese tea at great prices. Our main categories of Chinese tea are Green Tea, Black Tea, Oolong Tea, White Tea and Herbal Tea. Our teas are guaranteed fresh as we ship them directly to you from Asia.
The Tea Tree: Gourmet Ceylon Tea shop
TeaCuppa: TeaCuppa is an online tea store dedicated in providing you with quality Chinese teas. We are a group of Chinese tea experts (not masters or sifu) who are eager to share with you our selection of teas.
Teance Fine Teas: The mission of Teance is to develop the tea drinking culture in the West and introduce the connoissuership of teas in the Far East that has developed over two thousand years.
Teavana: Over 100 kinds of Fresh Tea, Beautiful Teapots
Totally TEA-riffic: Premium quality loose leaf tea, tea bags, teapots, tea accessories and gift
ideas.
Tzu The: EGCG rich green teas products and unique accessories
Verve Trading: Verve Trading is a boutique importer and marketer of gourmet brands. YOu have to buy this one at the store, but the store locator helps you find one. Look for Kowa in the May 2006 issue of Food & Wine.
White Heron Tea: White Heron Tea is Organic Certified by NHDAMF and is a Fair Trade Licensed Tea Partner. We offer a diverse selection of Organic and Fair Trade loose teas and fine teaware.

About Tea

History of tea at Stash Tea: Tea has been around for thousands of years and has a rich history full of ceremony and legend.
White Tea info on Wikipedia: White tea, made from new growth, is the least processed of the tea varieties and contains the highest levels of polyphenols. White tea has the lowest level of caffeine.
Green Tea info on Wikipedia: Green tea is made from more mature tea leaves than white tea and is goes through more processing.
Boston Tea Party: What would a tea lens be without the most famous tea event in history

Everything You Wanted to Know About Green Tea

Benefits of drinking green tea

GreenTeaInformation.org: Green tea has many benefits on our health. This site provides free information on green tea, its various benefits and how we can use green tea to improve our health.

Display Teas

As great to look at as they are to drink

There is a group of teas that most people do not know about - display teas. Display teas are hand sewn tea leaves that open in "flowers" as they steep.

Some of my favorites display teas are:
Jasmine Blossom
Rose of Suzhou
Flower Craft, the Brocade
Midnight Jasmine Bloom

Tea Bricks

Another type of tea that many people are not familiar with is the tea brick, or compressed tea. Tea bricks are, as the name implies, blocks of whole or finely ground tea leaves that have been packed in molds and pressed into a block. Some blocks are simple round disks or flat rectangles, while others are more decorative.

Tea bricks originated early in China's tea history during the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD). Teas bricks were preferred for trade prior to the 19th century since they more compact than loose leaf tea and were also less susceptible to damage during transit. Tea bricks were even used as a form of currency throughout China, Tibet, Mongolia, and Central Asia and as a food source in Central Asia and Tibet.

Pu-erh is the most common tea type sold as bricks on the market today. Some are aged, like wine, and improve with age. To brew, you just break or shave off a teaspoon of the brick and brew. Some tea bricks to try are:

Green Beencha Meeghai, 1997
Gold Bud Meeghai, 1999
Horse Pu-erh, 2002
China Black Tea Brick
Green Tea Brick

(Image from Wikipedia)

Tea on TV

Tea's making it to the big time now!

Tea on the Superbowl
The biggest commercial day of the year is tomorrow - the Superbowl. Watch for the Snapple Green Tea ad. I imagine that it will be the first ever green tea ad in Superbowl history. Green tea is moving up in the world!

Read about it here.

Tea on the History Channel
Today on the History Channel, Modern Marvels is about Tea. It's on as I type, so if you missed it, it will be on again at 7:00pm eastern time. I'll let you know next time it's schedule to air.

Update - The Modern Marvels Tea episode will be airing agian Saturday, March 17 at 11:00 am Central Time.

It covers everything from processing tea to the Boston Tea Party to the Opium Wars (bet you didn't know that was about the tea trade imbalance) to the good old Lipton iced tea of my childhood.

I'm going to buy a copy of the DVD for myself.

Tea Tips

Whole tea leaves provide the best flavor. Tea bags are typically the leaf particles that break off when tea leaves are processed.
Black teas taste best when prepared with boiling water, and steeped for five minutes. Use one teaspoon of leaves per cup of water.
Green and white teas taste best when prepared with water that is about 180F and steeped for three minutes. Use one teaspoon per cup of water.
Switch from soda to tea to save the caloric equivalent of 15+ pounds a year. 150 calories per soda x 365 days a year / 3500 calories a pound = 15.6 pounds

Tea and Health

Green Tea and Cancer: Green Tea's Cancer-fighting Allure Becomes More Potent
Green Tea and Alzheimer's: Chemical in green tea may fight Alzheimer's
Green Tea and Leukemia: Mayo Clinic Researchers Discover Green Tea Component Helps Kill Leukemia Cells
Green Tea and Allergies: Green Tea May Fight Allergies
White Tea Better than Green Tea: White Tea Beats Green Tea In Fighting Germs
Tea Consumption and Ovarian Cancer Risk: Women who drank less than one cup daily but more than none reduced their risk of ovarian cancer
Green Tea and Breast Cancer: Drinking green tea may prevent breast cancer
Green Tea and Weight Loss: Green tea has thermogenic properties
Green Tea Consumption and Cognitive Function: Study shows the association between green tea consumption and cognitive function in humans
Tea Drinking and Bone Mineral Density in Older Women: Tea drinking may protect against osteoporosis in older women
Green Tea Could Be Good for Your Skin, Study Finds: Drinking tea is not the only way to get its benefits. There may be benefits of green tea in the skin products.
Tea components contributed to minimizing tumor development in mouse model: Tea components contributed to minimizing tumor development in mouse model

Tea in the News

Tea is in the news every day. Here are some of the top stories from the last couple months.

Citrus Juice, Vitamin C Give Staying Power To Green Tea Antioxidants - November 14, 2007: A study found that citrus juices enable more of green tea's unique antioxidants to remain after simulated digestion, making the pairing even healthier than previously thought.
Green tea component might fight sepsis - Novenber 9, 2007: A U.S. study suggested a component of green tea might be useful in treating severe sepsis -- an abnormal immune system response to a bacterial infection.
Green Tea May Halve Prostate Cancer Risk - October 12, 2007: Drinking five cups of green tea a day may reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 48 per cent, reports a new study from Japan.
Of All the Tea In China "Puer" is the Hottest - October 2, 2007: In this booming economy, the latest investment fad has everything to do with the price of tea in China.
Green Tea Boosts Production Of Detox Enzymes, Rendering Cancerous Chemicals Harmless - August 12, 2007: Concentrated chemicals derived from green tea dramatically boosted production of a group of key detoxification enzymes in people with low levels of these beneficial proteins, according to researchers at Arizona Cancer Center.
Green Tea Holds Promise As New Treatment For Inflammatory Skin Diseases - August 7, 2007: Green tea could hold promise as a new treatment for skin disorders such as psoriasis and dandruff, Medical College of Georgia researchers say.
Canada Approves Labeling of Health Claims on Tea - May 29, 2007: Health Canada's Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) has deemed tea to be a natural health product and has officially recognized tea for its role in maintaining good health. After a period of extensive review, the NHPD has approved three health claims for tea.
Green Tea Suppresses Inflammatory Autoimmune Response - April 19, 2007: A compound found in green tea appears to reduce the inflammatory responses associated with autoimmune diseases, say researchers from the Medical College of Georgia in the journal Autoimmunity.
Green tea 'may keep HIV at bay' - March 29, 2007: Scientists found a component called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) prevents HIV from binding to immune system cells by getting there first.
Up Close and Edible: Green Tea - March 23, 2007: Green tea is one of the most popular beverages to hit the U.S. market in the last decade.
Green Tea May Fight Lung Cancer - March 12, 2007: Green tea may fight lung cancer and could inspire the creation of new lung cancer drugs, scientists report.
Milk Eliminates Cardiovascular Health Benefits Of Tea, Researchers Warn - January 9, 2007: Research published online in the European Heart Journal has found that the protective effect that tea has on the cardiovascular system is totally wiped out by adding milk.
Green tea keeps the bacteria away - January 17, 2007: A cup of green tea contains up to 200mg of catechins, whose biological activity has been mainly attributed to its antioxidant activity.
Green tea shown to prolong life in Japanese study - September 12, 2006: A study of more than 40,000 men and women in Japan has found that those who drink a lot of green tea live longer, researchers said on Tuesday.
Miami Herald - August 3, 2006: White-tea drinkers shell out extra green
Reuters - July 7, 2006: Drinking tea may stave off bile stones and cancer
Business Wire - June 30, 2006: TeaForHealth's Dr. Lee to Present Scientific Evidence Supporting Green Tea as a Medicinal Beverage Against Human Cancer at UICC World Cancer Congress in Washington, D.C.
PR Web - June 19, 2006: A Cup of Green Tea Per Day May Help Keep Skin Cancer Away
UPI - June 7, 2006: Green tea 'Asian paradox' needs more study
Fox News - May 25, 2006: Green Tea Blocks HIV in Test Tubes
Annals of Internal Medicine - April 18, 2006: The Relationship between Green Tea Intake and Type 2 Diabetes in Japanese Adults
DailyIndia.com - April 11,2006: Green Tea Health Benefits
DocGuide.com - April 10, 2006: Increased Dietary Flavonoids May Reduce Ovarian Cancer Risk: Presented at AACR
News Leader - April 5, 2006: Steeped in subtlety
Toronto Sun - April 3, 2006: Tea inhibits Alzheimer's
Newswire - April 1, 2006: Higher Intakes of Tea and Milk May Reduce Risk of AML in Women
The Johns Hopkins Newsletter - March 31, 2006: Miracle foods: just how amazing are they?
Science, Engineering & Technology News - March 30, 2006: Canadian scientists claim that drinking tea regularly may protect our brains from degenerative diseases.
The Times and Democrat - March 22, 2006: TEA: Hot or iced, sweetened or un-, flavored or not, it's the 'pause that refreshes'
The State - March 22, 2006: Tasty teas becoming boiling hot in popularity
United Press International - March 21, 2006: Cancer sufferers back green tea tests
MSNBC.com - March 21, 2006: Drink up: White tea is good for you - really!
Pak Tribune - March 16, 2006: Anti-Cancer Compound in Green Tea Identified
NowToronto.com - March 16, 2006: Teapot cancer tonic? New study will tell us if tasty green tea can head off the big C
Business Week - March 7,2006: High Time for Tea in America
MyDNA.com News - March 1, 2006: Does green tea fight cancer?
Green Tea May Do Wonders for the Brain - February 17, 2006: Elders who drink green tea regularly may have sharper minds than those who don't drink green tea.
Green Tea Compounds Beat Obstructive Sleep Apnea-related Brain Deficits, Study Shows - May 16, 2008: Chemicals found in green tea may be able to stave off the cognitive deficits that occur with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a new study published in the second issue for May of the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Tea Rooms, Tea Houses, and Tea Themed Restaurants

Try a tea themed resaurant or have high tea sometime

My favorite tea restaurant is the Green Tea Room in Beijing. The entrance to the Green Tea Room is a large white unmarked door. We entered and found several unique bench-like tables that could seat 6-8 and one large communal table in the center of the room with about 30 wood chairs with 10 foot tall seat backs. There was a table with a large chair at the head of the table made from red silk roses and a loveseat made from green feathers.

There was a great sand filled gas fireplace and that gave the illusion that the fire was coming from the sand. The bathrooms were unique but the completely mirrored stalls were a bit unnerving.

The ceiling was covered in tree branches with lights woven throughout (shown in the picture).

The tea list was huge and full of one of a kind tea flavors. The food was amazing in both presentation and taste. We had green tea sorbet for dessert that was served on a platter with dry ice steaming over the edges.

I can't find a link to it, but if you ever get to Beijing, you have to check it out.

The best resource I have found to locate tea rooms is the Tea Map Tea Room Directory. The site allows you to search for tea rooms by state and zip code.

Japanese Tea Ceremony

A brief overview of the Japanese Tea Ceremony

The Japanese tea ceremony is a traditional ritual. A skilled practitioner and served to a small group of guests. Cha-no-yu refers to a single ceremony or ritual, and sado or chado refers to the study or doctrine of tea ceremony. The Japanese tea ceremony uses matcha, or powdered green tea, which is unfermented tea from the Camellia Sinensis plant. The study of tea ceremony takes many years and often lasts a lifetime.

In the 16th century, Sen no Rikyu, the most well-known historical figure in the Japanese tea ceremony, introduced the concept of ichi-go ichi-e, which is translated as "one time, one meeting". Ichi-go ichi-ea is the belief that each meeting should be treasured, because it can never be reproduced. His teachings of harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility are still central to tea ceremony today.

Tea equipment is called dogu and a wide range of dogu are necessary for even basic tea ceremonies. The most important tools are the chakin, fukusa, ladle, tana,tea bowls, tea caddy, and tea scoop. The chakin is a rectangular, white cloth used for cleaning the tea bowl. The fukusa is a silk colth used to clean the tea scoop and the tea caddy (called a natsume). The ladle is made from bamboo and is used to transfer the water to and from the pot. The tana refers to all types of wooden or bamboo furniture used in the preparation of tea. Tea bowls are available in a wide range of sizes and styles, and different styles are used for thick and thin tea. Tea caddies come in two basic styles, the natsume and the cha-ire. The natsume is short with a flat lid and rounded bottom, and is usually made of lacquered or untreated wood. The cha-ire is usually ceramic. Tea scoops are carved from a single piece of bamboo and are used to scoop tea from the tea caddy into the tea bowl. Tea whisks are carved from a single piece of bamboo.

The tea ceremony involves the preparation and serving of tea to a guest or guests. Conversation is kept to a minimum. Guests relax and enjoy the atmosphere created by the sounds of the water and fire, the smell of the incense and tea, and the beauty and simplicity of the tea house.

After all the guests have had their tea, the host cleans the utensils. The guest of honor will request that the host allow the guests to examine the utensils. The host then collects the tools and the guests leave the tea house.

(Image from Wikipedia)

British High Tea

A brief overview of British High Tea

The afternoon tea idea began around the mid 1700's as a way to ward off the hunger before dinner. This tradition led John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich to make his famous innovation of putting meats or other fillings between two pieces of bread. The Tea Sandwich was born.

Today it is more elegant and with high taxation, extremely expensive. (During my visit to London, we had afternoon tea, or high tea, at a cost of about $60 (US) each.)

High tea is served around 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Tea sandwiches are common, but traditional British High Teas might include Welsh Rabbit, Scotch Woodcock and other meat and fish dishes. Also, puddings, cakes, crumpets and scones served with jellies, marmalades and spreads of various kinds.

The tradition of afternoon tea offers a break in the day, a chance for conversation, relaxation and a good cup of tea. It has also become a less expensive way to entertain friends and customers.

(Image from WhatsCookingAmerica)

Cooking with Tea

Tea is not just for drinking

Tea Smoked Salmon with Wasabi Latkes: An easy salmon dish
Scallops Poached in Chamomile Tea: Easy poached scallops
Green Tea Sorbet: A simple dessert
Green Tea Cakes: Green tea flavored petit fours
Poached Tilapia with Chamomile Tea Butter Sauce: A simple, satisfying tilapia
Asian Tea Eggs: Marbled eggs hard boiled in aromatic tea
Grilled Green Tea Chicken and Peaches: A fresh chicken lunch dish
Tangerine Tea Mousse with Honey and Cream: A simple tea infused mousse

Tea for Skin Care

Many skin care products are adding green tea to their ingredients

Replenix Green Tea Products: Replenix is a patent-pending formulation composed of 90% polyphenol isolates, derived from green tea with potent antioxidant properties, to assist in minimizing free-radical induced sun damage.
iHealth Tree: A variety of green tea skin care products.
Healio Health: Green Tea Purifying Facial Mask
Green Tea Lovers: Skin care products from Grren Tea Lovers
Drugstore.com: derma e Retinol and Green Tea Advanced Renewal Creme
MotherNature.com: Tea Time Green Tea Moisturizer
Walgreens.com: Cool Moisture Lotion with Cucumber and Green Tea
Beauty Rose: Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Honey Drops Body Cream
Web Vitamins.com: Aloe & Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer
StrawberryNet: Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Skincare Purifying 3 in 1 (Cleanser/ Toner/ Exfoliant)