The Tea Blog – News & Notes from The Republic of Tea

Discovering Tea Types

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Minister of Enlightenment | No Comments

All tea comes from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, whether it is black, green, white, or oolong. Different tea types are developed based on how the tea leaves are processed after they are plucked. With so many kinds to try, it can be tricky to choose your ideal tea, especially if you don’t have knowledge of different types of tea. In an effort to expand your tea mind, we want to introduce you to each of these tea types and help you on your journey to discovering a few new favorites.

Black Tea

Black tea is the most common tea in North America. It is derived from tea leaves that are withered, rolled, oxidized and then fired. This tea boasts numerous health benefits and, as with most teas, can be consumed in loose-leaf form or steeped and enjoyed as tea bags. Black tea types include:

Assam (India)
Ceylon (Sri Lanka)
Darjeeling (India)
Keemun (China)
Nilgiri (India)
*Pu-erh (China)
Sikkim (India)
Yunnan (China)

*Pu-erh tea, pronounced “POO-air,” refers not to color but instead to a special processing it undergoes that allows the tea to have a very long shelf life. Pu-erh teas, like those sourced by The Republic of Tea, have strong, distinctive flavors, yield many health benefits and actually improve with age.

Green Tea

Green tea is a longtime treasure of China and Japan that is steadily gaining popularity in America. Green tea is derived from tea leaves that are heated or steamed right after plucking and then rolled and fired. Green tea offers about half the caffeine of black tea and offers an assortment of health benefits. Green tea types include:

Genmaicha (Japan)
Gyokuro (Japan)
Spider Leg (Japan)
*Matcha (Japan)
Sencha (Japan)
Hojicha (Japan)
Longjing (China, Lung Ching, Dragon Well)
Baozhong (China)
Gunpowder (China)

*Matcha tea powder is ground from fine Japanese green tea leaves. It is the star of the centuries-old Japanese tea ceremony, and its pleasant taste and health benefits make it a favorite of many tea lovers today. This top-quality tea, like our U-Matcha Tea, is also ideal for including in an assortment of tea recipes.

White Tea

White tea is produced from buds and leaves that are simply harvested and dried without being rolled or fired. This tea type is sweet with subtle grassy notes. The Republic of Tea’s assortment of white teas in particular are grown only in the Fujian province of China and 100% white, a rare tea we introduced to the West in 2002 – a staple of high-end tea collections, and a new favorite flavor for connoisseurs to buy and drink with many health benefits.

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea is created from tea leaves that are withered, rolled, semi-oxidized, then fired. Tie Guan Yin (Mainland China; Ti Kuan Yin) and Formosa Oolong (Taiwan) are the most popular oolong teas available today. It assumes a distinct flavor with caffeine content midway between black tea and green tea.

Remember, tea types are just the beginning. Many of our teas are also blended with other premium herbs to produce unique and distinct, premium flavored teas.

Now that you’ve been introduced to these traditional tea varietals, what teas do you most look forward to sipping? Share with us in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Posted in New and Fresh

Meet our new SuperHerb Teas!

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Minister of Enlightenment | No Comments

With the arrival of May also comes the arrival of our two new SuperHerb teas! You may already be familiar with Moringa (mor-IN-ga), Tea for Nourishment, the first tea to launch in the collection, but we’re now excited to delight tea drinkers everywhere with two new SuperHerb Teas – Jiaogulan (JEE-ow-goo-lan) and Baobab (BAH-oh-bab).

Our line of caffeine-free, Certified Gluten-Free, Kosher-certified SuperHerb Teas feature powerful herbs known for their healing properties, to help you to sip your way to good health. Moringa, known as the “miracle tree,” has small vibrant leaves that have long been prized in indigenous cultures for their healing properties. This tea combines Moringa leaves with Rainforest Alliance Certified™ green rooibos to intensify its beneficial effects, while a touch of mango adds a sweet notes to the grassy, herbal base.

Our new Jiaogulan – Tea for Stability is made with leaves from the “immortality herb,” recognized in Chinese culture for anti-aging and anti-anxiety properties. This fragrant tea is infused with monk fruit, a celebrated natural sweetener, and a hint of spicy ginger root.

Baobab – Tea for Centering blends baobab leaves with a touch of mint for a grounding, healthy tea experience. Traditionally used as a versatile medicine, the baobab leaf has a reputation for fighting asthma and soothing inflammation and fatigue.

Did we mention these two new teas are also Non-GMO Project Verified? We look forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback as you take delight in our collection of healthful SuperHerb teas!

Posted in New and Fresh

TasTEA gifts for Mother’s Day

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Minister of Enlightenment | No Comments

There’s one day each year dedicated to celebrating the splendor of mothers everywhere, a day when mom deserves to sit back and relax for all that she does. This year, why not celebrate mom in every way, with warm gestures that allow her to relax and, ultimately, feel good about herself?

New tea and sipware arrivals will help you find one of a kind gifts that are sure to warm mom inside and out. With our unique custom tea gifts, you can treat mom to not only her favorite teas, but accompany them with intricate teaware and food inspired tea items. For those who are uncertain of mom’s tea of choice, why not help her find a new favorite indulgence with our tea samplers and allow her to experience it all!

Looking for more Mother’s Day gifts? Take a peek inside our Mother’s Day gift guide or visit our Pinterest page for more tasTEA ideas!

Posted in New and Fresh

Welcome this year’s First Flush Darjeeling Full-Leaf Tea

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Minister of Enlightenment | No Comments

We’re thrilled to announce the arrival of this year’s First Flush Darjeeling Full-Leaf Organic Tea, grown on the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ Phoobsering Estate and the 11th tea introduced in our exclusive Tea Gallery Collection! For those of you not familiar with our yearly First Flush Darjeeling Full-Leaf Teas, let us take this opportuniTEA to tell you a bit more about them.

The first flush, or first plucking, of spring in Northern India’s famed tea-growing region of Darjeeling brings forth the singular sweet flavor of superior, aromatic leaves. To celebrate the first plucking of each year, a unique artist is asked to develop artwork specific to that year’s first flush Darjeeling tea. In honor of this year’s tea, the 2013 First Flush Darjeeling Full-Leaf Organic Tea features artwork created by Brazilian artist, Gomes De Souza.

Carefully selected from the premium organic tea plants of the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ Phoobsering Estate, one of the oldest plantations in the western Darjeeling valley, this year’s rare organic tea is prized for its young leaves that yield the most delicate of flavors. This Organic, Gluten-Free, Kosher tea infuses a bright, light-bodied cup reminiscent of a fine white tea. Organic tea leaves bring forth lovely floral aromas and a sweet, lingering finish with notes of muscat grapes and lychee fruit. This special reserve tea is of such superior quality and freshness that only very limited quantities can be air-freighted from origin for Citizens to sip and experience.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on our 2013 First Flush Darjeeling Full-Leaf Organic Tea. As you sip, be sure to share your tea experience with us right here on the Tea Blog or on any of our social media networks!

Posted in New and Fresh

Last Minute Thoughts and ActiviTEAS

Posted on April 18, 2013 by The Minister of Travel | No Comments

As our journey through beautiful southern India comes to a close, we find ourselves graced with some last minute sites, sounds and experiences. Here in the Ernakulam district of Kochin, one of the finest natural harbors in the world (and the oldest port in the country), we watched a local dance called Theyyam. Theyyam is an artistic dance where metaphysical thoughts and expressions of immortal souls are impersonated to a believer through a mortal body. The cultural dance originated from “Kaliyattam” once practiced by the tribal community of north Kerala. Theyyam has grown to the present form through many transformations since its origin. As you can see, the dance was truly a sight to behold.

The Theyyam dance

Fire is used in the Theyyam dance

Theyyam Dancers

As you can imagine, we also participated in various tea cuppings and tastings on our journey from garden to garden in south India. A tea cupping is the process of tasting and evaluating the quality of full-leaf loose teas. This combination of art and science includes a number of steps and helps growers determine the quality of the teas so that they can select only the best.

Carla Vallese, Minister of Integrity, shares her experience from our tea cupping at Chamraj Estate:

“For me, tea is not just a beverage, but a life-long passion and as a tea taster, being at the Chamraj tea estate was the ultimate experience of a lifetime. At over 6,500 ft. above sea level, Chamraj teas are classified as high grown and have distinctive characters that are sought after by tea experts world over. This estate maintains high plucking and manufacturing standards that are ever apparent when cupping. Seeing and touching well made tippy leaves, smelling the aroma of the infused leaves and finally tasting the amber cup was the ultimate sensory experience.”

Jeff Braswell, Minister of Southeast Commerce, pauses for reflection on his tea trip experiences:

“I have had the privilege to travel with The Republic of Tea to other amazing countries of origin, but I must say that southern India is a land and country unique in many ways! The vastness and beauty of the tea estates in its mountain regions are beyond compare for me. The hills almost seem to have a lush green carpet covering. The highest elevated growing region in the world provides a special atmosphere for wildlife and agriculture.

From the sounds of car horns and busy life in its bustling cities, to the peaceful slower pace of its mountain regions…the culture and diversity of the people here is as fascinating as the landscape. Southern India is a place and experience that I will take with me for years to come!”

On the final days of our trip we also saw…

Floating hibiscus flower arrangements

Traditional wooden elephants

Real elephants!

Local shops

A Vishu Festival in Thekkady

Black monkeys (known for their long tails)

Now, as the sun sets in Kochin, we reflect on the wonderful opportuniTEAS we were able to experience together. After learning about all of the activities from our tea trip we hope that Citizens and tea drinkers everywhere come to realize the beauty of tea and just how significant it is to this region of the world. We hope that on this virtual journey through tea, you find ways to appreciate every cuppa and live life Sip by Sip, Rather Than Gulp by Gulp.

For questions, comments and more information about our trip leave an inquiry below or via www.republicoftea.com and be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram!

Posted in New and Fresh, Tea Travels, Uncategorized

Korakundah Tea Estate

Posted on April 17, 2013 by The Minister of Travel | No Comments

Today you’ll find us at 8,000 ft. among the rolling hills of the Korakundah Tea Estate, the HIGHEST situated commercial tea estate in the world! Korakundah Tea Estate also produces certified Organic tea, Fair Trade certified tea, and Rainforest Alliance certified tea.

The Korakundah tea gardens


Ministers participate in a tea cupping at Korakundah Estate

Teas are poured during the cupping for tasting

Mike Brown, Minister of Midwest Commerce shares his favorite experiences from visiting the Korakundah Tea Estate!

Today we spent the day climbing the winding roads of the Nilgiri Mountains, which included 43 hairpin turns. At the end of the journey we found ourselves at the Korakundah Tea Estate in the small mountain town of Korakundah. This estate is recognized as the highest elevated commercial tea estate in the world. At this unique estate they specialize in organic green and black tea and also practice sustainable farming. The community even collects local organic materials to create their own eco-friendly and sustainable fertilizer. We were privileged to visit this estate and be welcomed with open arms into this small community of farmers. The way in which they respect Camellia Sinensis comes through in each cup of these high elevation organic tea offerings.

Minister Mike Brown sips tea at Korakundah Estate

A stop for fresh coconut water on our journey to Korakundah

The environmental policy plaque located at Korakundah Estate


Posted in New and Fresh, Tea Travels

The Thekkady Spice Village

Posted on April 16, 2013 by The Minister of Travel | No Comments

Today we spent time in Thekkady, located in the Kerala state of south India, where we visited a local spice village. In the midst of this beautiful village, Ministers saw everything from treasured tea plants to nutmeg, cloves and cardamom.  The lingering aromas of vanilla and cinnamon reminded us of a delicious cup of vanilla tea or cinnamon tea.

To arrive here we traveled by jeep on rough, unsurfaced roads that passed through tea gardens and a rain forest. The extent of the village is about 12 acres. On our visit to this location, we saw the preparation of cardamom, a spice used in some of our spicy teas. We were also able to visit the local spice planters smoke house where picked cardamom is dried to bring out its strong aroma and flavor and make it ready for consumption.

The village’s spice planter educates Ministers about the unique properTEAS of the region’s prized cardamom bush.

cardamom tea

A close up of the cardamom flower and its budding pods (in the background)

 

Ministers experienced a cooking demonstration at the spice village

 spicy tea

“During our stay at Spice Village in Thekkady, several of us went on a spice walking tour with an on staff naturalist and zoologist. We were shown many of the plants that are being grown and used in various areas of the resort like cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper and nutmeg. Their care for the environment on this property was outstanding! We toured their solar energy area as well as their water recycling plant.

We walked through Spice Village’s beautiful organic garden where many herbs and vegetables were grown like basil, broccoli and even Moringa! Last, we were given a demonstration on how to make recycled paper which is then used on the property.” – Lisa Berry, Minister of Ambassador Commerce

The prized Moringa tree!

 moringa tea

 Beautiful budding trees at the spice village

Fresh coconuts at the spice village

 coconut tea

Posted in New and Fresh, Tea Travels

A Visit to Chamraj Tea Estate

Posted on April 15, 2013 by The Minister of Travel | No Comments

On today’s excursion, we took a journey to Chamraj Tea Estate which produces Rainforest Alliance Certified Tea, Fair Trade Certified Tea, and UTZ Certified Tea. The estate is set among rolling hills covered in dense vegetation and natural forest interspersed with small villages. At an elevation of over 6,500 feet, the production of high quality, orthodox  Indian Black Tea, Indian Green Tea and Indian Oolong Tea is possible. This estate, located in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, South India is one of a group of four neighboring tea estates owned by United Nilgiri Tea Estates (UNTE) and one of the gardens where we source our premium Indian tea.

At the Chamraj Estate, Ministers were able to take their own journey through tea as they experienced the tea sourcing process from beginning to end.

The sunrise at Chamraj Estate

  

 Tea pluckers at Chamraj Estate

Tea leaves spread out among drying stations where they are left to wither for 14 hours before being rolled

 Withered leaves being transported for rolling

  

Withered leaves being rolled in a round drum

Tea oxidization (left: oxidized tea after being rolled; right: dry, finished orthodox full-leaf tea)

The final product ready for shipping

 

The final product ready for sipping!

 

Read McNamara, Minister of NorthEast Commerce shares his experience from Chamraj Estate!

Visiting the Chamraj tea estate, 6,000+ feet in the mountains, was a once in a lifetime experience. The passion for, and commitment to producing premium quality tea was obvious in everything we saw and everyone we spoke with. We were lucky enough to spend the night at the estate manager’s house and enjoyed an amazing dinner together outside above the tea gardens. The next morning we enjoyed cupping teas and even had the chance to wander the estate and try our hand at plucking! The experience gives me a new appreciation for the time and care given to producing the world’s finest tea.

Read gets a lesson on plucking tea at Chamraj Estate

 

 On our journey through Chamraj, we also had the pleasure of visiting the local Chamraj orphanage. Here we met local girls and boys who greeted us with a dance and posed as we took their photo.

Dancing boys and girls

 

Boys and girls all in a row

 

 

We’d love to hear what you think about our recent visit to Chamraj. Share with us in the comment section or via our social media channels, where we’re also sharing stories from our journey!

Posted in New and Fresh, Tea Travels, Uncategorized

Sites and Sounds of Southern India

Posted on April 14, 2013 by The Minister of Travel | No Comments

Welcome, Citizens, to our first tea trip blog post from southern India! As you can probably imagine, it’s been a long journey to get here all the way from the U.S., but we’re happy to say that we’ve arrived safe and sound.

We have an array of exciting adventures planned for our trip that we can’t wait to share with all of you. Since our arrival, we’ve become familiar with the culture and local day-to-day activities of Kerala, South India – India’s most loved tropical paradise. The sites and sounds we’ve experienced thus far are truly one of a kind. From tasting an assortment of delicious local foods at the markets, to visiting various landmarks and making some new friends, we’ve quickly come to find that beauty comes in many different forms in South India.

Here are just a few photos of what we’ve seen so far:

Walking through the majestic palm forests of Kerala

 Tasting fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs from the local market

Experiencing the culture’s local hustle and bustle

Greeting new friends in town

  

Greeting new friends in the palm forests

Posted in New and Fresh, Tea Travels

A Tea Trip to Southern India

Posted on April 9, 2013 by The Minister of Travel | No Comments

This month, we have the unique opportuniTEA to travel abroad to the majestic tea regions of beautiful southern India. On this journey, our Ministers will visit tea gardens, speak one on one with growers and join in on a variety of tea related adventures where they will become more familiar with the culture and its tea offerings.

As we embark on this excursion, we’re happy to announce that Citizens will be able to partake in a virtual journey of their own! Throughout the next week, Citizens can follow along with our activiTEAS abroad right here on the Tea Blog and on The Republic of Tea’s Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube pages. Ministers will share stories and photos from various origins and cultural destinations in an effort to educate and inspire Citizens and tea drinkers everywhere.

We’re excited to share an experience like this with all of our Citizens and hope that, while following along, you’ll find yourself inspired to live life Sip by Sip Rather Than Gulp by Gulp.

Tune in next week for our first tea trip entry from the gardens of Southern India!

Posted in New and Fresh