by 9 people |
ALL ABOUT TEA
TEA is:
- The second most popular drink in the world after water
- Across the globe, people consume over 3 billion cups of tea every single day!
- Tea gardens, like tea drinkers, are also found in many parts of the world, including Nepal, China, Burma (Myanmar), Kenya, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Cameroon, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Iran, Turkey, The United States, Vietnam, Cambodia, Korea, Malaysia, Tanzania, Thailand, Australia, New Guinea and Japan. (phew!)
- Although all tea comes from the same plant, there are hundreds of varieties of tea, each with their own distinct flavors, aromas and colors.
So if you've ever wondered about tea, and why it's been in the news so much lately, this lens is a good place to start. We're going to provide you with a list of resources to get you on your way to learning about tea. Hopefully you will come away with a heightened appreciation for this delicious beverage.
Please leave comments and suggestions and as always, feel free to contact us at info [at] thesimpleleaf [dot] com. We always love hearing from you. Thanks for stopping by.
In the interest of full disclosure, we run a tea company - The Simple Leaf.
GETTING STARTED WITH TEA
What is Tea?
The first and most important step on the road to tea discovery is to understand that all tea comes from the same evergreen plant - Camellia sinensis. So whether you're drinking black, white, green or oolong tea, they're all made from the leaf and buds of a Camellia bush. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise. That peppermint herbal tea you like? Sorry, but it's technically not a true tea. Neither are most of the herbal teas found in your supermarket. Read the ingredients carefully - if they don't actually contain a product of Camellia sinensis, they're not tea (they're called tisanes, actually, but I digress). TEA HISTORY 101
Find out about the origins of tea
The history of tea is quite fascinating. It's part fact, part legend, but all interesting. There's a lot to learn, so brew up a cup of tea, sit down, relax and enjoy these links.
- Legendary Origins of Tea
- Like so many things ancient, the history of tea is steeped in legend. No one really knows if any of these are true, but they are entertaining!
- Tea Spreads to the West
- While tea was flourishing as the beverage of choice in the far east, word about this remarkable drink still hadn't reached Europe. But all that changed in the 16th century.
- Tea Comes to India
- Why was the British Government desperate to find alternative sources of tea? And why in India?
- History of Tea in China
- An excellent overview of Chinese tea history from Wikipedia.
- The History of Tea
- The UK Tea Council's page on the history of tea.
- The Boston Tea Party
- Learn about the events that led to the famous Boston Tea Party.
- Wikipedia on The Boston Tea Party
- A great article on the Boston Tea Party.
- Tea's Arrival in Europe
- By James Norwood Pratt. James Norwood Pratt is one of the world's leading authorities on tea and tea lore.
ABOUT THE TEA PLANT
What's a Camellia anyway?
Google "tea plant" and you'll learn that tea comes from a plant called Camellia sinensis. That's a fancy Latin name for a plant species whose leaves are used to produce the second most consumed beverage in the world.
- A Simple Plant
- The Simple Leaf describes the tea plant. There's an interesting and little-known connection to Jesuit priests.
- Camellia sinensis on Wikipedia
- A nice Wikipedia entry on the tea plant. Note that "sinensis" means Chinese in Latin, indicating the origin of this plant.
- About Camellia sinensis
- The "Plant of the Week"
- Information from Kew Gardens on the uses, history and culture of tea.
- Tea is a shrub, grown for a hot drink made from its leaves. Tea is appreciated both for its stimulant properties and health benefits, and as the centre of social rituals such as the Japanese tea ceremony and British teatime.
TEA PHOTOS
Because seeing is believing
The latest photos of tea from the Flickr! community.
An escape to misty t...
Orchard Tea Garden
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Japanese Tea Garden...
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Petty Theft
Robbery In Progress
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automatically generated by Flickr
LEARNING ABOUT TEA
Sharpen up your knowledge of tea.
- The Simple Leaf - Learn About Tea
- Learn about the history of tea, how to buy it, how to store it, and much more.
- Wikipedia on Tea
- The wikipedia entry on Tea.
- United Kingdom Tea Council
- Lots of history and tea facts.
- Botany & history of the tea plant
- Learn all you ever wanted to know about the humble tea plant.
- Wikipedia on Catechins
- A great little article on catechins in tea.
- The Bramah Museum of Tea and Coffee
- If you're in Hong Kong, this is a must-see!
The Bramah Museum is the world's first museum devoted entirely to the history of tea and coffee. It tells the commercial and social 400 year old history of two of the world's most important commodities since their arrival in Europe from the Far East and Africa. - Please Explain Tea
- NYC Public radio segment in which tea expert visit and examine the history and culture of tea.
- Chinese Tea Ceremomy - A Primer
- A guide to the Chinese tea ceremony. If you're into that sort of thing.
- Fanpop - The Tea Spot
- The Fanpop tea spot. Lots of great tea links.
- The World Tea Expo, the largest trade-only conference in the world showcasing tea, tisanes, gifts and gourmet products. - Home
- The World Tea Expo, the largest trade-only conference in the world showcasing tea, tisanes, gifts and gourmet products., The World Tea Expo is the largest trade-only conference in the world showcasing tea and tea-related products.
- Behind The Cup - The Simple Leaf
- We conduct interviews with the good folks that work behind the scenes in the tea industry.
FOR TEA GEEKS
Science and stuff. About tea.
- International Society of Tea Science
- International Society of Tea Science (ISTS) is a premier institution which promotes researches in Tea Science, Tea Technology and Tea Industry. It has built a number of information linkages with various International Tea Research Institutes having their base in countries like Russia, China, Japan, Sri Lanka et al.
- Chemistry & Applications of Green Tea
- Green tea (Thea sinensis), a time-honored drink in Japan for more than 1,000 years, is used medicinally and as refreshment after meals. Recent studies suggest a correlation between the natural antioxidants found in green tea and overall good health. This exciting new text explores the many useful properties of green tea that have been scientifically investigated. This book offers the latest information on the chemistry, metabolism, and various other aspects of tea polyphenols and their applications.
- The Latest Tea Research from the USDA
- This is from the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture.
PUBLICATIONS ON TEA
A few good periodicals about tea
- Tea and Coffee Trade Journal
- A good magazine for news about the tea (and coffee) industry. Tailored towards industry practitioners.
- Tea Auction Reports
- Updated auction prices, news and more.
THE LATEST TEA NEWS
Retrieved from Google News
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byDELICIOUS TEA RECIPES
Yummy things to do with tea
Who says tea is boring? Here are a few ways you can spice it up! Oh, and did you know you can cook with tea as well?
- Cold Infused Iced Tea
- Make crystal-clear cold infused iced tea. It doesn't get any easier than this! Our favorite way to brew iced tea, bar none.
- Classic Ginger Iced Tea
- Wonderfully refreshing!
- Cranberry Vodka Iced Tea
- Need I say more?
- The Classic Chai
- No, it's not a chai tea latte. It's chai, the way it was meant to be prepared.
Incidentally, chai means tea, so don't say chai tea. Please. - Sugar-tea smoked duck breasts
- Yummm....
- Alton Brown's Perfect Cup of Tea
- From my favorite Food TV show - Good Eats
- Lemon Iced Tea
- From the popular Cooking for Engineers site. Unfortunately they use Lipton tea bags. Replace with loose leaf tea, and....you get the idea! It's just better with loose tea.
- 5 Ways to Eat Your Tea
- Interested in cooking with tea? Yes, it's not only for drinking! Try out one or more of these fun recipes.
THE LATEST FROM OUR TEA SHOP
Now Brewing at The Simple Leaf!
The latest news and announcements from our tea shop. We keep this feed very current, so this is a great way to keep tabs on all the latest teas, sales and other newsworthy items.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byOUR TEA BLOG
Tea. Uncomplicated
Here are some of the latest posts from our blog - Tea. Uncomplicated.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand bySHOPPING FOR TEA ACCESORIES
Awesome tools to brew tea with
When it comes to brewing tea, the right accessory can make all the difference. We've never been ones for pomp and ceremony - we like our tea quick and easy (but delicious). We've selected a few accessories that we think you might enjoy.
- The Ceylon Iced Tea Jug @ The Simple Leaf
- Designed by C. Jorgensen, the Ceylon iced tea jug from Bodum AG combines fashion with functionality and pure tea flavor. Now iced tea can achieve the same degree of balance and flavor as the finest hot tea. Slender enough to fit into the shelf of the refrigerator, the 51oz (1.5 liter) Ceylon Ice Tea Jug lets you spoon loose tea into a narrow compartment, pour a half cup of boiling water over the leaves, then fill the jug with cold tap water and store overnight in the refrigerator. It's also great for making Cold Infused Iced Tea. For greater chill, add ice. Dishwasher safe and easy to handle.
- Yo Yo Tea Infuser Mug @ The Simple Leaf
- Tea for one! Take one to the office, keep one at home. This will definitely be your cup of tea: rich tasting tea made from tea leaves, not those dreadful tea bags, with an infuser that's not only super easy to use but also to clean. Each and every cup of tea deserves to be brewed the right way - with swirling tea leaves. Designed by C. Jorgensen. Note that this mug has a capacity of 10.5 ounces, but the brewing guidelines on our teas are based on a 6 ounce cup. So please adjust quantities of tea as necessary.
- Marcel Glass Tea Press @ The Simple Leaf
- The quirky Marcel is a chunky modern shape and generous funnel-shaped spout. The teapot has stainless steel infusers and use the plunger press system to guarantee a better tasting cup of tea. Both come in hardwearing and heat-resistant borosilicate glass set off with stainless steel lids. All parts are dishwasher proof.
- Bodum Pavina Tea Glasses
- Pavina keeps hot tea hot and iced tea, well...iced. The walls of each vessel are crafted from two layers of clear glass, creating an optical illusion that makes it seem like the liquid is suspended inside. Softening the look, Pavina's shapes feature smooth, rounded silhouettes. The inner wall also curves slightly away from the outer wall for a touch of understated elegance.
Use Pavina to serve anything from minty iced mojitos to hot cocoa to...well, tea of course.
TEA BOOKS
From amazon.com
Japanese Tea Culture: Art, History and Practice
Amazon Price: $195.00 (as of 12/23/2009) 
A History Of The World In Six Glasses
Amazon Price: $16.50 (as of 12/23/2009)
The Way of Tea: The Sublime Art of Oriental Tea Drinking
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 12/23/2009)
The Book of Tea: The Classic Work on the Japanese Tea Ceremony and the Value of Beauty
Amazon Price: $17.05 (as of 12/23/2009)
TEA DVDs
Tea on DVD
Eat a Bowl of Tea
Amazon Price: (as of 12/23/2009)
The Tea Party (Collection) - Illuminations
Amazon Price: $13.49 (as of 12/23/2009)
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