Saturday, March 24, 2012

Tuo Cha Pu-Erh


Pu-Erh Tea is one of China`s great treasures and has only recently been discovered in the West. It is unlike any other tea in the world, with its distinctive taste profile and richly coloured steep. Pu-Erh Tea production is highly regulated to ensure the utmost quality and authenticity. Only aged tea that comes from Yunnan province can be called Pu-Erh tea. These lovely miniature cakes of Pu-Erh are made in the “nest” or “bowl” style, (and this is the meaning of the word “tuo” which is used to describe the tea.)

Health benefits of Pu-Erh
Aids digestion and the breakdown of fats and oils. High level of Vitamin C which is soluble in water, and can be rapidly assimilated by the body. Several studies have shown that regular drinking of Pu-Erh tea aids digestion, and helps in weight-loss efforts by increasing the metabolism. May help lower cholesterol

Recommended steeping instructions: Each Tuo Cha Pu-Erh cake will infuse from one to three cups of tea as a single serving or in a small pot. Steep one cake for 3 to 4 minutes at a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius, and re-infuse to your own personal taste. 50 grams sells for nine dollars in stores and online. Also keep in mind there is free shipping if you spend 50 dollars or more anywhere within Canada and free shipping anywhere in the U.S. if you spend 75 dollars or more.Lastly don’t forget to keep you tea stored in a opaque jar with a sealed lid, out of direct sunlight.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Honey Sweet Black


This is the one of the finest Black Teas Teaopia has for sale on their tea wall. Lush, crisp and sweet notes, balanced by a refined and smooth flavour profile, are what characterize this unique Black Tea. The fully oxidized leaf is produced respectfully from special bushes grown on fresh water islands of Anhui province in East China. The unique climate and geographical location of these Tea bushes result in a rare and prestigious cup. The second you take your first sip, you can literally taste the quality. This Tea is an absolute must have for your Teaopia collection, and since it is available only in limited quantities, I suggest that you enjoy it soon before it’s sold out.

Teaopia recommends a level teaspoon of leaf per 8-ounce cup, steeped in water at 100 degrees Celcius for 3 to 4 minutes. I recommend you re-brew your leaves if you want a second cup, only if you don’t wait very long to do so. If you leave the tea leaves wet for to long they will go bad. Also note that you do not need any sugar or honey with this tea since it is phenomenal plain. It is a tea that you want to enjoy all the natural flavours. For 50 grams of the finest black tea you will ever drink costs $18 in all Teaopia locations. So try it out and tell me what you think? If this black tea doesn’t satisfy you than I don’t know what will!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Black Tea Knowledge with Apricot & Pumpkin Spice Tea

   Apricot
This is a delightful blend of Organic Black Tea with apricot bits, papaya, ginger, seabuckthorn peel and pomegranate flower petals. The subtle yet sweet taste of apricot makes this tea a pleasure to drink day or night. Is great served hot or iced, either way I like a little bit of ORGANIC AGAVE NECTAR from Teaopia. What is that you say learn more at; http://www.teaopia.ca/products2.cfm/ID/1664     
Pumpkin Spice For those who love the comforting and spicy flavours of pumpkin pie, this is the tea for you. This is the perfect blend of Organic Black Tea. With papaya, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, apple pieces, red pepper and safflower petals. Not only for fall anymore, you will want to drink this tea all year round. It is good at any time of the day and I prefer it served hot because the flavor difference is incredible as well as the smell. It is a very beautiful tea to look at because of all the different things in it and the colours, as you can clearly see in the picture.
Black Tea Knowledge
While Black Tea methods and varieties differ according to region, four basic steps are always followed: withering, rolling, oxidizing and firing. It is the firing and full oxidation of the leaves that distinguishes Black Tea from White, Green and Oolong Tea. Black teas are produced in almost all countries that grow tea, with the exception of Japan. The major Black tea nations are China, India, Sri Lanka, Africa and Indonesia. Teaopia's selection of premium loose leaf Black Tea is great for the tea connoisseur, beginner and health conscious consumer. The numerous health benefits of Black Tea will help you on your journey to overall health and wellness.
 

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Flowering Tea

Teaopia has a great selection of Flowering Tea. Their beautiful flowering teas are made from handpicked premium tea leaves, sewn together by artisans to form bundles of flowers. When infused in hot water, the slowly blooming flower unfolds into a rare and wonderful bouquet. It is amazing to watch this happen in front of your eyes. All flowering teas may be infused up to three times. Teaopia's selection of premium, hand crafted Flowering Tea is as beautiful to look at as it is to drink.

Morning Sunrise 
This beautiful flowering tea is fully hand produced with silver needle Green Tea leaves, a globe aramanth and jasmine flower. Watching this flowering tea bloom is reminiscent of a morning`s sunrise, it is actually spectacular.

Spring Rain
This exquisite flowering tea is fully produced by hand with silver needle Green Tea leaves, lily and a jasmine flower. This tea is as beautiful to look at as it is to drink. It has a very simple clean taste that goes well at any time of the day.

Butterfly
This exquisite flowering tea is fully produced by hand with silver needle Green Tea leaves, jasmine, lily, marigold and lemon essence. A tea that is as beautiful to look at as it is to drink.

Flower Angel
This exquisite flowering tea is fully produced by hand with silver needle Green Tea leaves, jasmine, marigold, globe amaranth and blueberry essence. A tea that is as beautiful to look at as it is to drink. In fact it is extremely beautiful to look at and makes a great centerpiece for any occasion. Don’t forget it tastes as good as it looks.

Teaopia’s Flowering Tea Gift Set comes with a beautiful glass teapot, glass warmer, tea light and 4 flowering teas. Each flowering tea is made from handpicked premium Green Tea leaves. Remember each flower may be infused up to three times. This set is perfect way to cheer any lady today. Why buy her flowers when you can get flowering tea, That Looks good, Smells good and Tastes good.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Matcha Tea Knowledge

Matcha is a fine powdered Green Tea that plays a prominent role in the history of tea culture. It is believed that Matcha was brought to Japan in 1191 A.D. by a Zen Buddhist monk named Eisai. Once Buddhist monks were introduced to Matcha they began to use the beverage to keep them focused and relaxed during long periods of meditation. We now know that the amino acid L-Theanine, found almost exclusively in the Camellia sinensis plant (tea), is responsible for relaxing the body while at the same time stimulating brain waves keeping us alert. Teaopia’s direct trade Matcha comes from the Uji, Kyoto region of Japan, which is considered the birthplace of Japanese Green Tea and one of the most famous Matcha producing regions in the world. This variety of Green Tea is unique because the leaves are grown under diffused sunlight for 20-30 days prior to harvesting, which increases its chlorophyll content. Our Matcha is created from the finest shade grown tea leaves, which are steamed, dried and then removed of all stems and veins. The dried leaves, referred to as “tencha”, are then stone ground into a powder creating the final product, Matcha. Since you are actually ingesting the whole Green Tea leaf when drinking Matcha, you receive the full health benefits that tea has to offer, in fact approximately 10x more than an infusion of Green Tea leaves.

Matcha is the fastest growing health drink today because of its high antioxidant count and numerous health benefits. To get the most out of this incredible Green Tea, make Matcha part of your daily routine by adding it to smoothies, yogurt, baking, shakes and of course traditionally prepared.

A telltale sign of a superior quality Matcha is its luminescent green colour, which is directly related to its chlorophyll content. Teaopia’s Matcha is bright green with a sweet, fresh taste, signifying that it is of the highest quality. All our grades and flavours of Matcha are beautifully packaged in sealed 30 gram tins, which make them ideal for storage and travel.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Matcha

Teaopia sells two different types of Matcha green tea, one is called Superior and the other is called Pinnacle. Teaopia`s Superior grade Matcha has a mellow and fresh taste. This Matcha is ideal for those who are new to the art of Matcha drinking and is great for adding to smoothies, sprinkling on yogurt, on vanilla ice cream, in cereal and of course traditionally prepared. Teaopia’s Superior Matcha is packaged in a sealed 30g tin. Teaopia`s Pinnacle grade Matcha is hand-picked from the top two varieties of Matcha trees by only skilled hands, which ensures that the leaves are accurately sorted. Although this is a slow process, hand picking produces tea of the highest quality. Teaopia’s Pinnacle Matcha has a sweet and fresh flavour that Green Tea drinkers will love. Our Pinnacle Matcha is packaged in a sealed 30g tin.

My favorite drink is a Matcha green tea latte iced with soy vanilla milk and a shot of vanilla flavoring. In order to make it you need 1 gram of Matcha, put it in a bowl with approximately 8oz of hot water, than whisk the Matcha for about 30 seconds to break it down. After that add your vanilla flavoring or any that you like and whisk again. After that poor it into a martini shaker full of ice and add any type of milk you like (chocolate, soy, 1%, etc..). Shake it hard and drink away! This is a beautiful creation that is very nutritious no matter how you make it due to the extremely high amounts of antioxidants.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Honey Vanilla, Rock Sugar & Fireside Smores Tea

Honey Vanilla

A heavenly combination of Oolong Tea, hazelnut brittle, vanilla bits, and marigold flower petals. This dessert like tea is perfect for any occasion and is sure to please any palate. I tend to drink it after breakfast and usually only put a little bit of Teaopia rock sugar, this is no ordinary sugar it is German Rock Cane Sugar. It’s is a delicious and natural way to sweeten your tea.

German Rock Cane Sugar has all the nutrients of cane sugar since it does not go through the same process as refined sugar. This unprocessed, pure sugar doesn’t alter the flavour of your tea and gives it a natural sweetness. For best results add the sugar to your tea leaves as they are infusing to ensure that the sugar fully dissolves. Teaopia sells two different size jars the smaller one contains 200 grams and sells for $6. The larger jar contains 500 grams and sells for $15. Teaopia also sells a sugar stick, it is an elegant way of sweetening your tea. Rock candy sugar sticks are made from crystalized pure sugar on a wooden stick. It sells for only $1.

Fireside Smores Tea

Love S`Mores? Teaopia loves it so much that they them so much so they made it into a tea! A delectable combination of Black Tea, Oolong Tea, Pai Mu Tan White Tea, Mini Marshmallows, Cocoa Peel, Chocolate Drops, Hazelnut Brittle, Pomegranate Flower Blossoms and Marigold Flower Petals. Indulge in this delicious tea. Make it into a steamed tea latte for an over the top, guilt free treat! Approx 80 grams in the tin and sells for $15, this tea is so good they are almost sold out at all locations.