Black Tea © Denzil Green Black Tea is tea leaves that have been allowed to ferment, turning them black. The freshly picked leaves are allowed to start withering on racks, during which time they loose some of their moistness and body. Then, they are rolled to crush them somewhat, which releases enzymes in them. They…
Tea
Cream Tea
“Cream tea” doesn’t have anything to do with putting anything dairy into your cup of tea. You can take your tea black (or “clear”, as some people say), and still be having a cream tea. In Britain, the word “tea” often refers to a meal, and “cream tea” refers to the food that goes with…
Darjeeling Tea
Darjeeling is the name for tea grown in the Darjeeling area of West Bengal, India. The term is more a geographic designation of where the tea is from, than the type. The tea leaves are usually from the Camellia sinensis var. sinensis bush, which has small leaves, but a grower might decide to try another…
Earl Grey’s Birthday
The 13th of March is the birthday of Charles Grey, the second Earl Grey, after whom the famous tea is reputedly named. It is one of the “earliest blended teas” that is still extant.
Green Tea
Green Tea is a term used to describe a category of teas. They are made from tea leaves that are steamed or roasted right after being picked, bypassing the fermentation process that is used to make black teas, which would make the taste stronger. Instead, Green Teas have a lighter, grassier taste. The Japanese are…
Iced Tea Day
The 10th of June is Iced Tea Day. The day arrives right on time for the summer in the Northern Hemisphere, because it is the perfect drink for hot weather.
International Tea Day
International Tea Day is the 21st of May. It promotes the sustainable production of tea and improving the lives of workers involved in producing tea. And, naturally, enjoying tea!
Jasmine Tea
Jasmine Tea is tea leaves that have been infused with scent of jasmine flowers. There is a very floral scent to the tea. The tea leaves can be green or oolong tea leaves, or occasionally, black tea. Already cured tea leaves are used in making the tea. Jasmine flowers are picked during the day, and…
Kuki-Cha Tea
Kuki-Cha Tea is sometimes translated as “stick or twig tea.” It is made from the small twigs and leaf stems that are discarded in the making of other tea such as high grade mat-cha. They are harvested after the last tea harvest, allowed to dry out a bit, then steamed, then roasted 4 separate times…
Mate Cocido
Mate Cocido is a faster, less formal way to make and serve Yerba Mate. It results in a somewhat mint-tasting tisane to drink. You can get Yerba Buena for Mate Cocido in bags since 1965. Instant versions came on the market starting in 2002. Cooking Tips You use dried Yerba Buena herb, about 3 grams…
Me-Cha Tea
Me-Cha Tea is made from young tea leaf buds harvested in the spring. It is very astringent and has a bitter aftertaste. The tea is yellowish when made up. Cooking Tips For 3 people: 1 ½ teaspoons of tea to 6 oz / 175 ml water boiled, allowed to cool a bit. Allow to steep…
National Tea Day (UK)
National Tea Day in the UK is the 21st of April. It is a tea celebration designed to help revive sales of tea in the UK.
Oolong Tea
Oolong Tea is half way between green and black tea. The tea leaves are allowed to ferment a little bit, but not as much as for making black tea from them. As well, larger, older tea leaves are used. The leaves are picked, and allowed to wither in the sun. Then, they are rolled, to…
Pu-Erh Tea
Pu-Erh Tea is made from older, hairy leaves from a type of tea bush called “broad leaf tea” grown in Yunnan Province, China. It has an earthy, mellow taste. The leaves are harvested, allowed to wilt, then heaped up a bit, then allowed to ferment a bit, then dried out. The leaves are then pressed…
Tea
Tea © Denzil Green Tea means several things: the tea shrub, the leaves of the shrub, and the drink made from the leaves. Tea is grown in tropical and subtropical areas; connoisseurs say the best tea is grown at high altitudes. Black tea is tea leaves that have been fermented before drying; it makes a…
Tea Balls
A tea ball is a small mesh or perforated enclosure designed to hold loose tea leaves while they are being steeped in hot water. The purpose is to provide a way to remove tea leaves all at once quickly and easily from brewed tea.
Tea Press
A tea press is a pot with a strainer attached to a plunger. The plunger works with the strainer to separate tea leaves from the brewed tea to be poured into a cup.
Tea rationing ends in the United Kingdom
World War Two tea rationing in the United Kingdom (UK) ended on Sunday, the 5th of October, 1952.
Tea Trappings
Tea trappings, in the strictest sense of the term, are devices literally used to “trap” loose tea leaves. In the broader sense of the term, however, it means any of the accoutrements involved in the preparation, presentation, serving, and enjoyment of tea.
Tisanes
Tisanes are herbal teas. They can be made from any dried or fresh aromatic leaves or flowers. Tisanes are sometimes drunk for pleasure, sometimes for “medicinal” purposes. Cooking Tips Generally you will need 2 tablespoons of fresh or 1 tablespoon of dried material per cup (8 oz / 250 ml) of boiling water. Allow to…
Usucha Tea
Usucha is a thin, weak tea made from the powdery tea called Matcha in Japanese. The Matcha used is made from leaves from tea bushes that are under 30 years old. The powder is traditionally stored in a container made of lacquerware called a “natsume.” There is a ceremony around how you drink it. It…
White Tea
White Tea comes from the tea plant called “Camellia sinensis.” It has a light, sweet, taste, and none of the green, “grassy” taste that green teas do. When when brewed up, the tea will have either a pale yellow or pale orange or amber colour. The leaves are harvested when they are just starting to…
Yak Butter Tea
Yak Butter Tea is a beverage made in Tibet and Nepal from tea and Yak Butter. Yak Butter Tea is served hot. It has a slightly salty taste and a layer of melted butter on top. It is drunk any time of day. To make Yak Butter Tea, some “chaku” (see below) is blended in…