Dear sweet Tea Apostles;

I do so appreciate your attention and care as you study the many aspects of the Way of Tea. I know that in my constant instruction and general testiness when it seems you don’t know why rooibos tea is called red tea, and other basic facts that you should certainly know by now, I sometimes forget to tell you that I am proud of you. My heart sometimes swells up like a used teabag at the thought of how much you continue to grow.

Forgive me if I am overly sentimental. I seem to be out of my morning black tea today, and I am missing it a bit, feeling a bit emotional.  I do so love black tea, you know. I love its brisk flavor, so rich and strong. I love every kind of black tea, from the flowery and fruity teas like Crimson Rose and Passion Fruit, to the spicy and nutty taste of the Masala Chai and Cinnamon Spice.

How much do you know about Black Tea?

Read full entry! »

Hey there, Tea People!

Are you having fun reading about tea? The health benefits of tea, the different kinds of loose teas, how long to leave your tea bags in—all that stuff? Those guys seem to know what they’re talking about. I’d listen to them.

I’ve got a little something different for you. Those other stuffed shirts might like to talk about how tea is made, and the difference between white tea and black tea, loose leaf tea vs. tea bags, or whatever. Well, all I care about is how good the tea tastes.

I’m not saying hot tea isn’t already delicious. I like it as much as the next girl, of course. But sometimes, I want a little something extra. So today I’m going to tell you a little bit about something I put into my tea sometimes—milk.

Read full entry! »

Iced Tea—it’s what’s for dinner.

All right, so that slogan has already been taken; but no one will argue that in this hot weather, it is important to have a nice glass of iced tea. It cools the body while stimulating the mind. It will certainly be the most popular drink of choice at all your summer shindigs.

Chances are that you’ve had a glass of iced tea before. We are not on Mars. But I know good tea—iced or otherwise—and it is my whim to alert you to some of my favorite ways of brewing come delicious iced tea.
Read full entry! »

Hi Loves,

My friend Suzie stopped by last night with a surprise for me. (Don’t you just love it when that happens?) She’s been reading Tea Talk and she said she just had to come over and dish about my date. And, of course, dish we did.

But her surprise? A new kind of tea that I’d heard a lot about, but had never tried: Yerba Mate! Did you know that Yerba Mate is considered the tea of friendship? Neither did I. Did I mention I’ve got awesome, smart friends?

Here’s what else I learned from Suzie about Yerba Mate: Read full entry! »

Greetings, tea lovers.

I, Earl of Grey, have taken a few moments out of my precious schedule to allow you to bask in my presence. My hot tea was too hot, and I have a moment or two before Henry pulls out the loose leaves and hands it to me. So I thought I would tell you a little bit about…yourselves.

You’ve no doubt thought as you shopped for your favorite flavored tea—“Why do I enjoy flavored tea so much?”

I have wondered that very thought. “Why do Americans prefer flavored tea?” And I think I have the solution. Heed my wisdom, for I shan’t repeat it.

Read full entry! »

Greetings, Tea students.

As you sit there with your hot cup of loose leaf tea, welcoming the first hints of Fall, perhaps you think to yourself, “Master Amanzi has taught me so much. I know how healthy tea is, where it comes from, how to make it—but how much should I drink?”

This is a good question, young Tea Seeker, and I am glad you have asked it. Your tea knowledge has grown, and I am suitably impressed.

Read full entry! »

There seems to be a lot of confusion out there about the amount of caffeine in a cup of tea, and what that means. When you drop your tea bag into your cup of tea, you want to know just how much caffeine you’re getting. The short answer is that it varies—depending on whether you’re using a tea bag or loose leaf tea, how long you steep it for, etc. But fear not—Master Amanzi shall tell you more.

Read full entry! »

Teato is sick–heartsick. As love passes in and out of your life, it’s natural to feel empty, lonely, and…fluish. Whenever Teato’s heart gets broken, I’m sure to get a cold. But the best news is that tea, all kinds—herbal tea, rooibos tea, black, white—can help me, and you, get back on our feet.

Tea is wonderful; we all know that. But it’s also one of the healthiest drinks out there. How healthy, you ask?

Read full entry! »

Part 3: Oolong Tea

Greetings Tea Lovers and Students of the Way of Tea.

I, Master Amanzi, prompted by one of my newest apprentices, have elected to briefly describe  the differences between the different kinds of tea. While most have an understanding of the difference between iced tea and hot tea, or why to use loose tea rather than a tea bag, few understand the difference between a white tea and a black tea, for example.

I have already told you a bit about white tea and green tea. Today, let me explain to you a little bit about  oolong tea.
Read full entry! »

Hello my precious readers. Teato Flavio is here to wax poetic about the many, many things he loves. Sunsets. Beautiful Women. Wine and Roses. And tea, glorious organic tea.

For Teato, only organic tea will do. Some of you out there will take any cup of hot tea served to you, and it breaks Teato’s heart. Maybe some of you are enlightened enough to ask for loose leaf tea. And others of you may know how to brew tea right. Hopefully all of you don’t leave your tea bags in the pot for too long. But you’re still missing the clear, natural, elegant flavors of organic tea! Teato’s heart is aching for you.
Read full entry! »