My Tea Break

Rediscovering Tea around the world

Tag Archives: black tea


by

Jubilee Tea Blend by The East India Company

This year is the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II to mark 60 years of the Queen’s reign in. Several celebrations will be held across the UK during the first week of June of 2012.  In honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, The East India Company created a special and rare Tea blend created in honor of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, the Jubilee Tea blend.

This Tea propagated over nearly 60 years from a Tea bush planted in 1954 by HRH Prince Philip during a state visit to Sri Lanka. In 1954 the Queen was escorted on a state trip to Sri Lanka by her husband Prince Philip. Prince Philip was invited to visit the Pedro Estate Tea Plantation in Nuwara Eliya. To commemorate his visit to the estate HRH Prince Philip was given the opportunity to plant his own Tea bush, which subsequently flourished. Over the last 57 years cuttings taken from this very special bush have been propagated on the estate resulting in an exclusive royal Tea area.

We had the pleasure to taste a sample of this fine Ceylon Black Tea which has a delicate aroma and the infusion results in a bright golden liquor with a rich, smooth and creamy taste and a slight hint of sweetness. It can be drunk black but can also be taken with milk. Perfect for an afternoon Tea!

The Jubilee Tea blend is a limited edition available from April 17th (pre-order now available) and will be sold exclusively by the East India Company website or from its flagship store in Mayfair (7-8 Conduit Street, W1S 2XF, London).

If you have the chance it is worth trying this amazing Tea.

Happy Tea Break.

Tania


by 2 Comments

Pairing Tea and Chocolate

Have you tried pairing a good Tea with the right chocolate? It can be a match made in heaven…

It takes a bit of experiment to match the right Tea and Chocolate and it’s all about personal taste. Your best bet is to start with lighter flavoured chocolates and end with a more bittersweet chocolate. The darker the chocolate the more tannins it will have and this will often overshadow the Tea’s tannins on the palate. I prefer to pair White Tea or Teas with a sweet and floral aftertaste with bitter chocolates and vice-versa.

Here are some of my favourite brands:

  • Denegro is a chocolate artisan in Portugal with exquisite chocolates. They sell a box of 5 bonbons with creamy Tea infused: Earl Grey, Jasmine, Green Tea, Red fruits and mint.
  • Vosgues Haut – Chocolates have several great candy bars: Cherry Rooibos (African rooibos tea + dried Michigan cherries + 45% cacao deep milk chocolate); Matcha Green Tea (41% deep milk chocolate Tea infused with Japanese matcha green Tea). Sanctuary T shop in NYC organised a Chocolate & Tea pairing events with Vosgues Chocolat. (They also have a chocolate and bacon bar – It is worth a try!)
  • William Curley is a UK based Patissier Chocolatier based in Richmond and Belgravia. Tea Smith, London, usually organises a Tea & Chocolate Tasting event. The jasmine truffles are unbelievable…
And the best news is that this is also healthy. A Penn study suggests that pairing Tea and Chocolate can be beneficial for hearth health. Dr. Penny Kris-Etherton, distinguished professor of nutrition and lead author of the review, says, “Since tea, without milk or sugar, contains no calories, it’s an ideal way to add antioxidant flavonoids to your diet without increasing your weight. Having a chocolate cookie that also contains fruit and nuts along with the Tea, if consumed in moderation, can be a heart healthy snack.”
Nowadays you also have some Tea flavoured chocolates but we will keep that topic for another post as Chocolate is something that both myself and Mariana enjoy talking about. :)
Happy Tea Break. 
Tania


by 2 Comments

Turkish Tea – Çay

It is hard to think of the Grand Bazaar or social gatherings  in Turkey without the presence of Tea. 

Offering Tea to guests is the most common ritual of the Turkish hospitality. Whether you are visiting a friend or just negotiating a handbag or a carpet at the Grand Bazaar you will always be welcomed with Tea.

Turkish Tea, usually called Çay, is similar to Black Tea and is strong and full-bodied. Also known as Rize Tea, this Tea is produced in the Rize province on the Black Sea Coast. Often you also get served “Elma Cay”, a sweet apple Tea. Note that the majority of Turks put a lot of sugar in their Tea.

Turks prepare Tea using a double Tea pot. Water is boiled in the lower pot and the Tea is steeped in the top one. This method allows each person to drink the Tea as they desire: strong and steeped, or light with lots of water added. Tea is then served very hot in small glass cups in the shape of a tulip, with a coloured base.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I visited Turkey in August 2008 with my good friend Joana and was amazed because you are constantly being served Tea. It is the national hot drink of Turkey and you often see the locals relaxing drinking Tea and smoking narghile.

Happy Tea Break!

Tania

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 42 other followers