Hi Again

Last week we started a 10 week tea education course. The theme for week 2 is “what determines a tea’s colour?”

When we say colour, we really mean the depth, strength and caffeine content of tea.

Put simply, as we said last week, all tea comes from the same plant. It is the growing conditions and soil that very much determine the flavour, but also the oxidisation process that determines the “colour”.

The various types/colours  of tea are distinguished by the processing they undergo. The leaves of Camellia sinensis soon begin to wilt and oxidise if not dried quickly after picking.

Maybe the easiest way to think of the types of tea is like this

WHITE TEA - UNWILTED, UNOXIDISED = very low caffeine, high in anti-oxidants, delicate flavour

GREEN TEA - WILTED, UNOXIDISED = low caffeine, lots of anti-oxidants, stronger flavour

OOLONG TEA -WILTED, PARTILLY OXIDISED = moderate caffeine, still plenty of anti-oxidants, fuller flavour

BLACK TEA - WILTED, OXIDISED = higher caffeine, full favour…….get the milk!!

Next week we are going to have a closer look at the white tea and in particular Ying Zhen - the white tea we sell!

See you then!!

Hey y’all

Rather than just always spouting nonsense we thought it might be interesting to run a 10 week long tea education class through our BLOG - if it goes well maybe we can take it further! So if you like what we are saying let us know!!

Where to begin???

Possibly the easiest place to start is with the question - what is tea?

All real tea originates from the dried leaves, buds, and twigs of the Camellia sinensis which “brew” when steeped in warm to hot water. Depending on how the plant is handled, the flavor and colour of the tea can vary widely. The process of drying the leaves determines the “colour” of the tea and how high or low it’s eventual caffeine level will be. Some people also refer to beverages made with other plants as teas, although this is actually incorrect; unless the drink contains Camellia sinensis, it shouldn’t really be called tea.

Camellia Sinesis is grown all over the world, but our lessons will focus mainly on teas from Sri Lanka, India, China, Japan and Taiwan.

Next week we will look at what makes tea “green” “black” or “white”.

See you soon

With only a week till the RBS Six Nations kicks off, we were very glad to be able to welcome several members of the Scotland squad to our cafe this week. We want to wish the lads all the very best….no mention of 99 though!

We are also hoping to launch Tea Tree Tea porridge this week - you will be able to buy it in the shop from Wednesday - all things going well!

Keep slurping!!

WOW - this time last week I thought about putting on a meatball panini - by  Monday they were on the shelf and have been SO popular - especially with certain members of the Edinburgh Rugby tight five! Not mentioning any names Ryan  Grant!!

Tea wise I need to say sorry to all our customers who are still waiting on the arrival of Lapsang - it has been delayed with our supplier - such a shame as it has been so popular this year already! You will be able to buy Lapsang Souchong both online and in the shop again very soon though!

Drew and I are also hoping to get some video online soon to help all you online tea buyers make sure you are brewing properly - it’s an art form you know!!

More musings to come soon!!!

Hey there abody!

Amidst the craziness that is the world economy at the moment, we are glad  to say that 2009 has got off to a fairly steady and hopeful start! As we strive to get through the dark winter days, and start thinking about Spring, there are plenty of creative tea juices flowing here as we start to think about NEW STUFF for this year! We hope to expand our food range in the shop to include more sandwiches and fillings, porridge, fruit bowls, more salads, yoghurt pots and maybe some cereal bars of some kind too. Tea wise we are working on getting some exciting fruit based chinese tea imported - trust us - you will have seen nothing like this before!! Thanks for supporting us and remember you can buy tea online anytime or in the shop - MAKE 2009 TEA TIME!

May we take this opportunity to wish all our customers (in the shop and in the virtual world) a very healthy and wealthy New Year. Tea is a great way to overcome the indulgence of Xmas - green teas aid digestion and white tea is ideal for detoxing away all that Xmas bevvy! Oolong teas are also great for speeding up the metabolism if you fancy shedding a few pounds.

Remember to buy your tea online and keep telling your pals!!

we would like to extend an invitation to all our regular customers to come and join us for Mulled Wine and Shortbread around 4pm on the 23 rd December.

Really we just want to say thanks to all of you who have bought our tea this yea and remained loyal customers - it has been very important to us as a start up business - so a HUGE THANKS!!!

Best Wishes for 2009!!!

Jamie and Drew

This months Tea of the Month is Russian Caravan - simply because of its slightly smoky aftertaste - which in some way seems wintery! You can buy it online now or pop into the shop to get some!

London Fog is flying off the shelf this winter along with the Xmas Bubblyjock Panini, Mince Pies, Gingerbread Latte & Minty Hot Chocolate. Please email and tell us if you know what a bubblyjock is - only one customer has known so far - and that was a wee guy from Irvine called Fraser - well done Fraser!

See you soon!

J

Five weeks - surely not!!! We have some great offerings to look forward to over the festive season - we will be promoting certain drinks in the shop - these will include Chai Lattes, Minty Hot Chocolate and Gingerbread Latte. We will also have a xmas panini and plenty of Mincemeat Pies - need to keep them away from Drew and I or they will disappear quickly!

Buying Tea Online is proving popular this year as a xmas gift - already people are buying in advance!

Orra Best

J

Just thought it would be wise to warn all loyal customers in advance that you might see some unusual looking facial hair being sported by Drew and I during the month of November. We will be supporting the Movember cause - to raise awareness of testicular cancer. 

Remember to buy all your tea online for Christmas soon - avoid the rush!!

 Jamie