Tea101
Not everyone is tea savvy. Not everyone has been drinking tea for years. If you are of these "not everyone" people, you are definitely in the right place! Consider this your guide to selecting and enjoying some of the finest teas you will find. You can order any one of these in quantities as low as ONE POUND, which allows you to taste-test them before purchasing a large amount. And remember: Always, ALWAYS sip responsibly.
All of the following information comes from our mother company: Frontier Co-op. It is available in a printed brochure upon request.
(India)
This rich black Indian tea is robust, astringent and highly aromatic . Milk and sugar complement it well. We often use it for iced tea but it also makes a delicious hot tea. Assam contains caffeine so it is considered a morning tea.
Sri Lanka
A lovely afternoon tea that provides bright flavor with mellow astringency and a less robust flavor than Assam. The infused color of this tea is a deep coppery red with a strong, black tea aroma. Serve Ceylon with a slice of orange, instead of lemon. You'll marvel at how well the flavor and aromas meld and support each other. Highly versatile, Ceylon goes well with all the traditional foods of tea time.
Black or green tea blended with spices generally served hot or cold with milk and sweetener. Many recipes for chai often include cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger, and black pepper. We also have an Herbal Chai made with whole fennel seeds, whole cloves, cinnamon, ginger, anise, cardamom and black pepper if you would prefer a chai with less caffeine.
India
Regarded as the champagne of black teas, darjeeling is complex and flavorful. It is a delicate tea and pairs well with a light fish course or dessert. Its bright astringency works equally well with rich or oily foods.
This unique yet well known scented tea has been popular for hundreds of years. Natural bergamot oil is sprayed on tea leaves to create balanced citrus flavors. While Earl Grey is a tea easily enjoyed on its own, it's also beautifully accentuated with a slice of lemon and pairs well with citrus or buttery flavored pastries.
India
A black tea with a full, malty (and slight citrus) flavor, English Breakfast is a good choice for those that like to add milk or sweetener to their tea. This tea is also hearty enough to pair with a full breakfast or a tea-time repast of freshly baked scones. This traditional tea is often accentuated with sugar or honey and milk.
China
Gunpowder green tea is a very brothy, green, slightly smoky, light-bodied tea. The leaves are rolled into little pellets that "bloom" in the cup. It pairs well with grilled vegetables, seafood, chicken and pork. Or try Gunpowder in small sake cups with smoked salmon or mini pot stickers at a cocktail party.
Sri Lanka
A blend of black teas like English Breakfast, this tea is slightly bolder and makes a malty brew. It is a breakfast tea meant to be enjoyed with milk and sweetener. The addition of milk to this tea creates a new dimension of flavor and provides a velvety smooth texture. Rustic and warm with a comfortable solid flavor and aroma, Irish Breakfast is a familiar and satisfying favorite.
China
After curing, the dried green tea leaves are spread with successive layers of fresh jasmine flowers. The tea absorbs the exotic fragrance which then gets transferred nicely into your cup. This tea is floral and quite dry.
Japan
This tea consists mostly of leaf stems and fine tea twigs. Doesn't sound very appealing does it? It is actually very tasty! Kukicha is low-caffeine and produces a mild , woody-malty brew. This one is best prepared by simmering for 10 minutes.
China
This Oolong tea has woody astringency and the nuance of fresh peaches makes this a distinguishable and remarkable tea. Oolong (English) or Wu Long (Chinese pinyin translation) tea is a partially oxidized tea and has flavor characteristics of both green and black teas.
China
This tea gets its name from the silvery, unopened buds. It has a delicate, vegetal, sweet flavor with a light body.
China
This tea is compared to a forest after a spring rain (if you have ever been so fortunate to experience this). It has an aroma and flavor that is earthy and wild, yet delicate. Young Hyson produces a very dry, slightly brothy, light-bodied brew. It is delicious hot or cold.