World Tea Expo – Update

Reporting live from The World Tea Expo… I have always wanted to say that! Even better than wanting to say those words is the fact that Tea Escapade’s attendance at The World Tea Expo is reality. For the last few months, I have waited eagerly for this infamous tea event that began on Saturday, May 2nd.

We arrived late Friday night and I anticpated walking on the exhibit floor the moment I stepped off the plane. Saturday morning, bright and early, I attended my first class – Comparative Origin Cupping taught by David De Candia. This skill building workshop lived up to my high expectations and then some. Don’t worry… there are definitely more details to come, as well as pictures.

The rest of the day was spent walking the exhibit floor. Pacing myself was critical as each tea vendor freely shared samples of both hot and cold brewed tea. After cupping numerous teas during the workshop, becoming tea logged, was eminent.

To quickly recap my World Tea Expo adventure for the day…

• Attendance at one of the skill building workshops.
• Visiting and chatting up numerous vendors, including, but not limited to, Teas Etc., Harney and Sons, Rishi Teas, Aiya, Kim Bees, and Hunan Tea Co., LTD.
• A delightful interview with Beth Johnston from Teas Etc. – coming soon.
• Unexpected meeting with one of our favorite bloggers – Tea Guy.

The World Tea Expo ended with the World Tea Championship, which I regrettably missed.  I admit, we attended Cirque de Soliel. The winners, however, will be published shortly.

That’s all for now!

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Organic Cinnamon Plum Tea

Happy New Year!!! I believe this is my first tea review for 2009 and I am excited. Sad, but true, the end of December 2008 and beginning of January 2009 was rough. Not only was I plagued with a head/sinus cold, both my hubby and step-son traded viruses. Drinking tea was wonderfully therapeutic, but writing about it was not. Now that everyone is healed, I’m back to my old tricks and ready to review. Today’s choice… Organic Cinnamon Plum Tea.

Composition: Organic cinnamon, organic Fair Trade Certified™ hibiscus, organic currants, organic licorice root, natural plum flavor.

Dry Visual: A medley of colors from golds to browns to reds to purples – absolutely beautiful to behold. 

Dry Aroma: A combination of both spicy and fruity, Organic Cinnamon Plum smells scrumptious!

Flavor: As the dry aroma suggests, Organic Cinnamon Plum has both a spicy and fruity quality. It is full-bodied with the taste of currant and plum dominating the brew as well as adding bitterness. (I’m sure the hibiscus acted as an accomplice, contributing to the bitterness as well.) Cinnamon is present adding a subtle yet sweet character to the tea. Not a lover of black licorice flavors, I was surprised by how well it was blended into Organic Cinnamon Plum. Its presence was known, but not overpowering.

I found it necessary to add a sweetener to Organic Cinnamon Plum – my choice was Sugar-In-The-Raw. After adding, the bitterness was completely eliminated illuminating the fruity nature of the blend. I found the currant and plum flavors enjoyable.

Liquor: A vibrant raspberry color.

Brewing: It is recommended that 1 tablespoon of Organic Cinnamon Plum is steeped for 5 minutes in boiling water. I steeped as recommended.

Manufacturer: Rishi Tea

Caffeine: No

As always, it is a wonderful experience to sample a new tea. If you have had an opportunity to taste Organic Cinnamon Plum, please stop by and share your thoughts.  Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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Ginger Pu-erh Tea

I’m back!!! Sadly, I was not on vacation, just swamped and unable to post this week. But happily, I have been drinking tons of tea and swapping with my tea swap partners. Nevertheless, after “much” vacillation over  which tea to resume  my reviews, I decided on Ginger Pu-erh. Don’t worry, I’m not so busy that I am duplicating a previous review on Ginger Pu-erh. I was just lucky enough to get my hands on yet another.

Instead of rambling on and on, I’ll start talking about my most recent Pu-erh experience.

 

Composition: Shu pu’erh tea blended with zesty orange peel and organic ginger.

Dry Visual: Very dark reddish brown twisted tea leaves with large orangy bits of dried orange peel and creamy bits of ginger. Thanks Ocean of Tea for the picture.

Dry Aroma: Ginger Pu-erh smells delicious! A bold ginger fragrance combined with the spicy earthiness characteristic of Pu-erh.

Flavor: Having tasted and reviewed Ginger Pu-erh by Rishi Teas, I had high expectations for this Ginger Pu-erh by Ocean of tea. For the record, I was not disappointed, Ginger Pu-erh by Ocean of Tea is delicious! The two distinct flavors – ginger and pu-erh create a unique tasting tea. First you get the taste of the pu-erh that is both earthy and smokey. This taste is what I love about pu-erh that you don’t find in other teas. Blended perfectly with the pu-erh is the taste of ginger – ginger with its spiciness adds character to Ginger Puerh. Ironically, I was unable to taste the orange when I tasted the Ginger Pu-erh by Rishi Teas; however, there is a faint hint of orange in this wonderful Ginger Pu-erh by Ocean of Tea. The blend of all three flavors – Pu-erh, ginger, and orange, make this Ginger Pu-erh quite complex.

Ginger Pu-erh is not bitter nor dry. However, it is a very robust tea which I love as well as pretty thick in the mouth.I was very impressed by the smoothness of this Ginger Pu-erh. Even as we speak, I am boiling water to make another cup.  

Liquor: A rich, dark, reddish-brown color.

Brewing Time: It is recommended that Ginger Pu-erh is steeped for 5 minutes. I steeped the recommended 5 minutes.

Manufacturer: Ocean of Tea

Caffeine: Yes

If you have enjoyed a cup of Ginger Pu-erh by Ocean of Tea, stop by and share your experience. Mine was absolutely wonderful! Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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Black Friday Tea Specials

We shouldn’t have to wait until Thanksgiving day to appreciate our friends and family. However, now that the day is upon us, please take time to enjoy one another. Relinquish your stress, lay down your problems and spend the day remembering your blessings. I know I am thankful for the roof over our heads, the clothes we wear every day, the fact that we have plenty to eat and drink. I am thankful that we are healthy emotionally, physically, and mentally. I am thankful that both my husband and I are employed. I continually count myself blessed to be surrounded by family today.

As you prepare for Black Friday, I encourage you to spend wisely. In years passed I used to shop until I dropped; but I am older and wiser now. I have found greater enjoyment giving to those in need. This year, I challenge you to take the opportunity to find and bless those less fortunate than yourself.

Here are a few specials that will enable you to share your love of tea, be a blessing to others, and spare your pocketbook!

Yogic Chai

On Black Friday check out Yogic Chai where you can purchase any of their tea blends for 40% off! Visit their website at http://www.yogicchai.com for the 40% discount coupon code to be used only on Friday. This will be their last Yogic Chai Maha (huge in Sanskrit) Sale offer for the rest of the year.

Rishi Teas

Rishi’s One Day Web Sales are back! Check out their website daily, Black Friday included, to discover the daily special.

The most recent special… Ancient Emerald Lily (Organic, Fair Trade tea) 1/4 lb  on sale for $18 regularly $30 (also available in 1oz, 1/2 lb and 1lb). One Day Sale items will be updated daily until the New Year! 

Culinary Teas

Save 10% on any purchase by using the special Coupon Code: T4Y3KJ. Don’t delay, the sale ends on December 1, 2008.

Zhi Teas

One sample that you place in your shopping cart will be free with every order. You will be charged $3.50 for any additional samples placed in your cart with the same order.  Remember, there are no special conditions, just remember to choose a sample from the pull-down menu while you are shopping.

Dragonwater

Get $5 off orders of $25 or more. Discount appears in your shopping cart. Additionally, you save 20% on everything in the store, including sale items. 

The Simple Leaf

Want to update your old teapot? Need last minute gift ideas? Or do you just want to stock up on your favorite loose teas? From now until Sunday, you can get 33.3% off your entire order. And remember, shipping is always free for orders over $75. To redeem your coupon, enter code thanksgiving when you checkout. Limit one coupon per customer.

This promotion not only makes Black Friday fun, but does not end until Sunday, November 30 at midnight.

TeaGschwendner

TeaGschwendner is having their “Biggest Sale of the Year” with 20% off everything online. Enter promotion code BIGSALE at checkout. Another sale that begins on Black Friday, but extends until December 5, 2008. TeaGschwendner offers free shipping on orders over $35.

Hope you enjoy Thanksgiving and take advantage of these Black Friday Specials. Don’t forget to return and share some of the great deals you received! Until then… Happy Tea Drinking! 

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Black Friday Tea Specials

Due to technical issues, this post has been re-posted above.

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Ginger Pu-erh Tea

Over the weekend I had two firsts… I tried Rishi Tea for the first time and I enjoyed a cuppa flavored Pu-erh. Earlier this year, I purchased by my first pu-erh. It was a great experience that had me instantly hooked. However, I have learned a great deal more about Pu-erh since then. Particularly, I learned by reading other websites like Ancient Tea Horse Road and A Tea Addict’s Journal where I discovered a new world or should I say sub-category of tea lovers… those who are dedicated to the study, tasting, and writing about Pu-erh.

Composition: Organic Fair Trade Certified Yunnan Pu-er tea leaves, Organic ginger, and Organic orange peel.

Dry Visual: Very dark reddish brown twisted tea leaves with large orangy bits of dried orange peel and creamy bits of ginger. Thanks Rishi Teas for the picture.

Dry Aroma: Ginger Pu-erh smells delicious! A bold ginger fragrance combined with a spicy earthiness.

Flavor: Ginger Pu-erh is delicious! The two distinct flavors – ginger and puerh create very complex tasting tea. First you get the taste of the puerh that is both earthy and smokey. This taste is what I love about Pu-erh that you don’t find in other teas. Blended perfectly with the pu-erh is the taste of ginger – ginger with its exotic spiciness adds character to Ginger Puerh. Personally, I cannot taste the orange – perhaps after another cup I will discern the subtle nature of the orange bits. I’ve had four already. Together, the two flavors produce a unique tea blend.

Ginger Pu-erh is not bitter nor dry. However, it is a very robust tea which I love as well as pretty thick in the mouth. Even the second infusion yields the same hearty flavor as the first. 

Liquor: A rich, dark, reddish-brown color. Almost like jeweltones.

Brewing Time: It is recommended that Ginger Pu-erh is steeped for 5 -6 minutes. I steeped the recommended 5 minutes.

Manufacturer: Rishi Teas

Caffeine: Yes.

Rishi Teas?

According to their website, Rishi Tea began in 1997 when Joshua Kaiser, founder and tea buyer, recognized that the traditional handcrafted teas he grew so fond of during his travels in Asia were rarely available elsewhere. Joshua felt that North American consumers would embrace artisan tea as they did single origin coffee and fine varietal wine if they were given access to it at reasonable prices.  Joshua enlisted longtime friend Benjamin Harrison as a partner. The Rishi team began to import and market premium teas, botanical blends and teaware from origins frequented by Joshua. Today, the Rishi team has grown into a passionate group of tea lovers who serve as guides for our customer into the world of premium tea.

If you have had a chance to enjoy a cup of Ginger Pu-erh, please stop by and share your experience. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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