The Magic Cuppa
Our nation has earned a reputation for a
love of the tea leaf that very few
countries can compete with. Whether it’s
at home, at work, on the go or in the car,
without our daily dose even the simplest
tasks feel like Mount Everest on a fuzzy
Monday morning. With it, we are ready to
take on the world.
Even better, with thanks to extensive research, myths surrounding the nation’s favourite cuppa have been banished. Unwilling to listen too hard in the first place, rumours including our favourite pick-me-up de-hydrating us as well as increasing our caffeine intakes to dangerously dizzy heights, can now be forgotten.
The fluid we intake is just as important as the food we consume, affecting our bodies in just the same way. According to Dr. Gill Jenkins on BBC Radio Bristol's Saturday Surgery, tea is as hydrating as water and there are plenty of beneficial properties to our favourite daytime tipple.
Tea, whether green or black, contains flavonoids which prevent the ageing process. As well as antioxidants, thiamine gives the relaxant affect and caffeine keeps you alert. Caffeine and flavonoids are quite the miracle combination as they can reduce cardiovascular risk as well as the risk of heart disease and stroke. They can also reduce blood pressure and protect against cholesterol, improve brain function and provide a natural source of fluoride, protecting against tooth decay and gum disease.
Despite being a Chinese invention from over 5000 years ago, the British have certainly adopted this ancient tradition and made it their own. With a recommended dose of four cups of tea a day, we can continue happy in the knowledge that our habit is a healthy one. All to worry about now is whose turn it is to put the kettle on.
Useful links:
www.tea.co.uk
www.afternoontea.co.uk
To make a booking contact:
01225 444477 or book online: www.searcys.co.uk/thepumproom
By the time I left university I’d already done some travelling and had a bit of a travel bug. I also absolutely loved tea, so when I saw a job advert that said I could combine the two, it almost seemed too good to be true! It’s not quite as glamorous as it sounds because you do spend a lot of time in very remote locations on your own but it’s great if like me you enjoying visiting unusual places. The training program is quite intense and before you become a qualified tea taster, there’s a five-year course where you’ll be tasting anything from 100-300 cups of tea every single day, training your palette to differentiate between types of tea from different countries, then selecting the very best teas from particular regions.
I’ll never forget my trip to Taiwan where I met a farmer who grew Ulong tea and pineapples. We went to his house and he served us freshly plucked tea with thick chunks of pineapple – that was probably one of the most amazing experiences in the most beautiful setting that I’ve had through my job. Taiwan is the best region for growing Ulong tea, which is halfway between a green tea and a black tea; it’s part fermented and has an extraordinary flavour.
In our previous company, Nick and I soon realised there was a real opportunity to bring quality whole leaf teas onto the market. When we started out, we looked at the loose-leaf route but our ambitions were really to upgrade the quality of tea that the average person was drinking in cafés and restaurants and so making whole leaf tea convenient was quite important - when these places get busy, trying to weigh out the correct amount of tea would be too time consuming. So weighing out the tea and putting it into a convenient bag is where our mesh ‘tea temples’ came about.
I think whenever you think of quality tea previously in the UK you think of prestigious food halls such as Fortnum and Mason and Harrods where there’s 200 different kinds of tea which can be daunting for the average person. In the past we don’t feel there’s necessarily been a concerted effort to educate people about tea and so our approach is two-sided by trying to sell lots of quality tea and also to educate people in a friendly way - our motto is ‘No airs, no graces, just fine tea’ which really sums that ethos up I think.
Tea will unquestionably remain one of the great British traditions. More and more companies are springing up who are taking a different approach to it. I think the range of gourmet teas coming into the market can only be a good thing; when you look at America, they have an established range of gourmet teas in mainstream supermarkets. Over here the interest and excitement around tea is growing all the time and it’s great to see other companies out there who are all adding to what is already one of the nation’s favourite pastimes. For more information about Teapigs, including a list of local stockists, please call 020 8560 0312 or visit www.teapigs.co.uk
Must try:
Pu’erh Tuo Cha
Benefits:
In Chinese medicine, it is considered to be a high ‘Yin’ energy tea, giving it stabilising and grounding properties. It has a very distinct smell and taste, which is characteristically strong, rich and earthy. It is considered one of the most ‘medicinal’ of teas, especially good for the liver, spleen and digestive system, which is why it is a good tea to drink after meals. Pu’erh Tuo Cha has also been shown in a study to reduce the levels of lipids in the body if drunk on a regular basis, causing a positive effect on cholesterol and blood pressure.
They say: “We truly love this tea, not just because of the taste or even the fact that it comes in lovely little ‘cakes’, but because it has prevented a hangover on more than one occasion!”
T: 01179 090357
W: www.attictea.co.uk
Attic Tea are offering flavour readers a 15% discount when ordering online at www.attictea.co.uk when they quote FLAVOUR.
Must try:
Jasmine Pearls
Tasting notes:
This tea is incredibly tasty and aromatic with lovely floral notes of jasmine over the creamy, sweet flavour of the tea. Jasmine Pearls is handmade from high quality white tea – a lighter version of green tea that’s packed with heart-friendly antioxidants – and infused with real jasmine flowers.
They say:
“We were thrilled to win so many awards in our first year. We’re passionate about our teas and go to a lot of trouble to source the best. You really can taste the difference – and it’s good for you!” W: www.cantonteaco.com
T: 0845 5195575
Free £5 voucherwhen spending £5 or more from www.cantonteaco.com Enter code FLAVOUR with your order.
Must try:
Matcha
Method:
To create Matcha, hand-picked leaves are carefully stripped of their veins and then ground into a super-fine powder using special granite mills. It can take an hour to grind 30g so Matcha is very exclusive and very special. The process creates a very fine powder, which completely dissolves when well whisked meaning the whole leaf is drunk. With the correct equipment it’s easy to prepare and delightful to drink.
Benefits:
Matcha not only lowers cholesterol, elevates mood, boosts metabolism and helps fight against heart disease, but its mild, smooth, fruity notes make it a pleasure to sip.
They say:
“Our organic Matcha Hikari is one of the most popular Matcha teas in Japan. You use very little at a time and apart from making delicious tea, Matcha can be used for cooking, baking and making tasty hot and cold drinks.”
T: 01761 239162
W: www.cupoftea.uk.com
Receive a 10% discount* throughout July and August when ordering online at www.cupoftea.uk.com. Enter code FLAVOUR10 when ordering.
Must try:
The Muse How it’s made:
Green Tea is usually referred to as 'nonfermented' or 'semi-fermented' tea. The freshly plucked leaves of the Camelia Sinensis plant are rushed from the fields to the first drying process, during which they are placed in thin layers on bamboo trays and left for a few hours to dry in the sun and warm air. Green tea is then heat treated and twisted into balls and left to dry before being separated by sifting and graded. It is at this stage that the green tea can be blended with flowers, fruit and spices for different flavours and textures.
They say:
“ While there is tea there is hope.”
W: www.sherstontea.com
Must try:
Glenburn Darjeeling First Flush, March 2010
Background:
The freshest cuppa in Bristol! But only until the second flush arrives in mid July. As it is so fresh the antioxidants are in abundance and the health benefits are enhanced. Darjeeling is considered to be the Champagne of teas and this is truly one of the best from the region. The benefits of Glenburn are not only to your health and taste buds, but also to your mind and soul as Glenburn, and their sister estate Khongea in Assam, have a great welfare program that ensures the health and education of the 1000s of families that live and work on the estates.
They say:
“The climate, altitude and terroir of Darjeeling give rise to a brew that is bright in the cup with a spring green infusion and a light, fruity, almost citrusy nose.”
T: 0117 946 6144
W: www.papajis.co.uk
T: 01225 461634
W: www.sallylunns.co.uk
T: 01249 782206
W: www.manorhousehotel.co.uk
T: 01225 443000
W: www.janeausten.co.uk
T: 01225 334402
W: www.teahouseemporium.co.uk
T: 01747 870 812
W: www.utterlysexycafe.co.uk
T: 01179 293939
W: www.bostonteaparty.co.uk
Even better, with thanks to extensive research, myths surrounding the nation’s favourite cuppa have been banished. Unwilling to listen too hard in the first place, rumours including our favourite pick-me-up de-hydrating us as well as increasing our caffeine intakes to dangerously dizzy heights, can now be forgotten.
The fluid we intake is just as important as the food we consume, affecting our bodies in just the same way. According to Dr. Gill Jenkins on BBC Radio Bristol's Saturday Surgery, tea is as hydrating as water and there are plenty of beneficial properties to our favourite daytime tipple.
Tea, whether green or black, contains flavonoids which prevent the ageing process. As well as antioxidants, thiamine gives the relaxant affect and caffeine keeps you alert. Caffeine and flavonoids are quite the miracle combination as they can reduce cardiovascular risk as well as the risk of heart disease and stroke. They can also reduce blood pressure and protect against cholesterol, improve brain function and provide a natural source of fluoride, protecting against tooth decay and gum disease.
Despite being a Chinese invention from over 5000 years ago, the British have certainly adopted this ancient tradition and made it their own. With a recommended dose of four cups of tea a day, we can continue happy in the knowledge that our habit is a healthy one. All to worry about now is whose turn it is to put the kettle on.
Useful links:
www.tea.co.uk
www.afternoontea.co.uk
A Time Old Tradition
Anna, 7th Duchess of Bedford, is reputed to have invented the idea of afternoon tea in the early 1800s. She conceived the idea of having tea around 4pm in the afternoon to ward off the hunger pangs between lunch and dinner. Some time earlier, the Earl of Sandwich had the idea of putting a filling between two slices of bread. These habits soon became good reason for social gatherings, and started a trend that is still very much a part of British life. Nowhere is this tradition enjoyed more than right on our very doorsteps. Take in afternoon tea in Bath’s genteel Georgian Pump Room accompanied by the Pump Room Trio and let the staff transport you to a bygone era of modishness and social intrigue. You can even sample four different type of Pommery Champagne accompanied by the usual delights of an afternoon tea.To make a booking contact:
01225 444477 or book online: www.searcys.co.uk/thepumproom
Tales from a Tea Taster
I’m a trained tea taster and I’ve been doing that for 8 or 9 years. I used to work for a large tea company who sent me all over the world learning about tea. During my trips I realised that there was a real opportunity in the UK to raise the standard of the tea we drink, which has been significantly lowered since teabag came in. I was visiting all these other countries and seeing the amazing teas that they were drinking and had to conclude that despite the resources to source produce from all over the globe, we’re really not drinking the best that’s available to us.By the time I left university I’d already done some travelling and had a bit of a travel bug. I also absolutely loved tea, so when I saw a job advert that said I could combine the two, it almost seemed too good to be true! It’s not quite as glamorous as it sounds because you do spend a lot of time in very remote locations on your own but it’s great if like me you enjoying visiting unusual places. The training program is quite intense and before you become a qualified tea taster, there’s a five-year course where you’ll be tasting anything from 100-300 cups of tea every single day, training your palette to differentiate between types of tea from different countries, then selecting the very best teas from particular regions.
I’ll never forget my trip to Taiwan where I met a farmer who grew Ulong tea and pineapples. We went to his house and he served us freshly plucked tea with thick chunks of pineapple – that was probably one of the most amazing experiences in the most beautiful setting that I’ve had through my job. Taiwan is the best region for growing Ulong tea, which is halfway between a green tea and a black tea; it’s part fermented and has an extraordinary flavour.
In our previous company, Nick and I soon realised there was a real opportunity to bring quality whole leaf teas onto the market. When we started out, we looked at the loose-leaf route but our ambitions were really to upgrade the quality of tea that the average person was drinking in cafés and restaurants and so making whole leaf tea convenient was quite important - when these places get busy, trying to weigh out the correct amount of tea would be too time consuming. So weighing out the tea and putting it into a convenient bag is where our mesh ‘tea temples’ came about.
I think whenever you think of quality tea previously in the UK you think of prestigious food halls such as Fortnum and Mason and Harrods where there’s 200 different kinds of tea which can be daunting for the average person. In the past we don’t feel there’s necessarily been a concerted effort to educate people about tea and so our approach is two-sided by trying to sell lots of quality tea and also to educate people in a friendly way - our motto is ‘No airs, no graces, just fine tea’ which really sums that ethos up I think.
Tea will unquestionably remain one of the great British traditions. More and more companies are springing up who are taking a different approach to it. I think the range of gourmet teas coming into the market can only be a good thing; when you look at America, they have an established range of gourmet teas in mainstream supermarkets. Over here the interest and excitement around tea is growing all the time and it’s great to see other companies out there who are all adding to what is already one of the nation’s favourite pastimes. For more information about Teapigs, including a list of local stockists, please call 020 8560 0312 or visit www.teapigs.co.uk
Attic Tea
Attic Tea has been promoting tea as a tonic for the mind, body and soul since it was founded in 2006. Encouraging Chinese tea to be enjoyed as a positive addition to life, Attic Tea’s aim is to open the gateway to the world of Chinese tea, showing that it has so much more to offer than just being a refreshing drink.Must try:
Pu’erh Tuo Cha
Benefits:
In Chinese medicine, it is considered to be a high ‘Yin’ energy tea, giving it stabilising and grounding properties. It has a very distinct smell and taste, which is characteristically strong, rich and earthy. It is considered one of the most ‘medicinal’ of teas, especially good for the liver, spleen and digestive system, which is why it is a good tea to drink after meals. Pu’erh Tuo Cha has also been shown in a study to reduce the levels of lipids in the body if drunk on a regular basis, causing a positive effect on cholesterol and blood pressure.
They say: “We truly love this tea, not just because of the taste or even the fact that it comes in lovely little ‘cakes’, but because it has prevented a hangover on more than one occasion!”
T: 01179 090357
W: www.attictea.co.uk
Attic Tea are offering flavour readers a 15% discount when ordering online at www.attictea.co.uk when they quote FLAVOUR.
Canton Tea Co
Canton Tea Co is a specialist supplier of high quality Chinese tea and teaware founded in 2008 by Jennifer Wood. Canton Tea Co sells over 30 healthy and delicious whole leaf teas online, all sourced direct by expert buyers based in China and Taiwan. All Canton Tea Co teas are made using traditional artisan farming and production methods; the tea leaves are handpicked and rolled today just as they have been for the past 2000 years. Canton Tea Co won 6 awards at the recent Great Taste Awards including 3 Gold Stars for its Jasmine Pearls.Must try:
Jasmine Pearls
Tasting notes:
This tea is incredibly tasty and aromatic with lovely floral notes of jasmine over the creamy, sweet flavour of the tea. Jasmine Pearls is handmade from high quality white tea – a lighter version of green tea that’s packed with heart-friendly antioxidants – and infused with real jasmine flowers.
They say:
“We were thrilled to win so many awards in our first year. We’re passionate about our teas and go to a lot of trouble to source the best. You really can taste the difference – and it’s good for you!” W: www.cantonteaco.com
T: 0845 5195575
Free £5 voucherwhen spending £5 or more from www.cantonteaco.com Enter code FLAVOUR with your order.
Cup of Tea
A family owned business based in Somerset, Cup of Tea specialises in the very best leaf teas and accessories. Their online shop offers around 150 different varieties including classic black and green teas, white teas, oolongs and fruit and herbal infusions. Cup of Tea offers everything you need to brew and serve utterly delicious teas.Must try:
Matcha
Method:
To create Matcha, hand-picked leaves are carefully stripped of their veins and then ground into a super-fine powder using special granite mills. It can take an hour to grind 30g so Matcha is very exclusive and very special. The process creates a very fine powder, which completely dissolves when well whisked meaning the whole leaf is drunk. With the correct equipment it’s easy to prepare and delightful to drink.
Benefits:
Matcha not only lowers cholesterol, elevates mood, boosts metabolism and helps fight against heart disease, but its mild, smooth, fruity notes make it a pleasure to sip.
They say:
“Our organic Matcha Hikari is one of the most popular Matcha teas in Japan. You use very little at a time and apart from making delicious tea, Matcha can be used for cooking, baking and making tasty hot and cold drinks.”
T: 01761 239162
W: www.cupoftea.uk.com
Receive a 10% discount* throughout July and August when ordering online at www.cupoftea.uk.com. Enter code FLAVOUR10 when ordering.
Sherston Tea Company
Sherston Tea is a small, independent company with a meticulously selected list of the best rare and traditional loose leaf teas imported from tea gardens around the globe. They have developed and blended a unique and exclusive range of flavoured, fruit and herbal tisanes, which are sold in distinctive blue airtight tins and refills are available in special foil bags. Sherston Tea Company has a range of beautifully designed and amazingly functional glass tea pots and other tea-making goodies.Must try:
The Muse How it’s made:
Green Tea is usually referred to as 'nonfermented' or 'semi-fermented' tea. The freshly plucked leaves of the Camelia Sinensis plant are rushed from the fields to the first drying process, during which they are placed in thin layers on bamboo trays and left for a few hours to dry in the sun and warm air. Green tea is then heat treated and twisted into balls and left to dry before being separated by sifting and graded. It is at this stage that the green tea can be blended with flowers, fruit and spices for different flavours and textures.
They say:
“ While there is tea there is hope.”
W: www.sherstontea.com
Papaji’s House of Teas, Lounge Bar & Bistro
A tea house for a modern age serving fantastic food all day, brunch, afternoon tea & some spectacular evening specials, with freshly baked cakes, scones and muffins from our in-house bakery. We have over 75 loose leafs teas to choose from that have been carefully selected from around the World and also an extensive drinks list with wines, beers, spirits and tantalising tea cocktails.Must try:
Glenburn Darjeeling First Flush, March 2010
Background:
The freshest cuppa in Bristol! But only until the second flush arrives in mid July. As it is so fresh the antioxidants are in abundance and the health benefits are enhanced. Darjeeling is considered to be the Champagne of teas and this is truly one of the best from the region. The benefits of Glenburn are not only to your health and taste buds, but also to your mind and soul as Glenburn, and their sister estate Khongea in Assam, have a great welfare program that ensures the health and education of the 1000s of families that live and work on the estates.
They say:
“The climate, altitude and terroir of Darjeeling give rise to a brew that is bright in the cup with a spring green infusion and a light, fruity, almost citrusy nose.”
T: 0117 946 6144
W: www.papajis.co.uk
Sally Lunns
When it comes to the English tradition of taking tea, nothing beats the pedigree of Sally Lunns. Open for morning coffee, lunch, afternoon tea, pre-theatre and evening dinner, Sally Lunn’s is an authentic tea house where you can experience the true taste of Bath.T: 01225 461634
W: www.sallylunns.co.uk
Manor House Hotel
This beautiful 14th Century country house is the jewel in Castle Combe’s crown and proud owner of the “Top City & Country Hotel Tea Award 2010”. Finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones, delicate pastries on a tiered cake-stand and tea and coffee of your choice await you – what a treat!T: 01249 782206
W: www.manorhousehotel.co.uk
Jane Austen Regency Tea Rooms
Escape the hustle and bustle of Bath's busy streets at The Regency Tea Rooms up on the second floor of the Jane Austen Centre. Visitors can expect a quiet oasis, which has now received the prestigious Tea Guild’s ‘Award of Excellence’ by demonstrating an exceptional level of quality and service. Delightfully costumed staff, a themed menu and warm atmosphere make for the perfect break in your day.T: 01225 443000
W: www.janeausten.co.uk
Teahouse Emporium
Teahouse Emporium are specialist wholesalers and retailers of fine teas and coffees. On the ground floor you will find over 120 different types of tea from all corners of the world. Teahouse Emporium also stock a wide range of tea pots, accessories and unique gift ideas. Downstairs in their 18th Century cellar tea room you can try before you buy.T: 01225 334402
W: www.teahouseemporium.co.uk
Utterly Sexy Café
The Utterly Sexy Café became a full service catering company in 2004. The Vintage China Hire business includes a vast and stylish collection of pretty antique china and tableware, becoming synonymous with The Utterly Sexy Café’s unique style. They offer romantic vintage wedding receptions and elegant birthday parties. Amanda will organise your event with breathtaking creativity using pretty vintage china hire, decorative catering, seasonal flowers, wedding cakes and venue styling.T: 01747 870 812
W: www.utterlysexycafe.co.uk
Boston Tea Party
The award-winning Boston Tea Party café is famous for its tea and uses local importers and tea tasting specialists to select the best. 22 teas are now available from the traditional aromatic Earl Grey and Darjeeling to the exotic Oolong, Chinese Gunpowder and Zen White. Only the highest quality loose leaf tea is served and always in a china pot to ensure the perfect cup. Cafés can be found in Bath, Bristol, Barnstaple and beyond.T: 01179 293939
W: www.bostonteaparty.co.uk