Surprisingly enough, all tea comes from the same plant. It’s simply the plant’s environment and production treatment that create each tea’s individual characteristics. Black, green, oolong and white teas all come from the warm-weather evergreen named camellia sinensis. The four teas’ differences result from various degrees of processing and oxidisation. A typical black tea is […]
BY GRAHAM STORK Master blender/taster in Sri Lanka Tea blender and taster is one and the same person, tea taster being the better known title. There is no school or institute in Sri Lanka that will teach one to become a tea taster. Almost all reputed tea companies recruit young school leavers. Usually recruitment is […]
You may have heard the words Cha Dao, or the way of tea. This is an interesting concept that began long before the Western world awoke to tea. It is more than the art or practice of tea, but rather, making tea a central element in your life. This ritualistic slow living practice emerged from […]
A LOT of people who drink or study tea ask how much caffeine is in their cup. Now, of course, this would vary from tea type to tea type and heavily depends also on the strength and size of your cup. But yes, there is caffeine in tea. Another question which commonly comes up is, […]
During the Song Dynasty in China an Emperor named Hui Zhong said that white tea was the coming together of all that is elegant. White teas are the first flush pick of the spring. Their liquor is fresh, slightly sweet and very subtle. White teas were once reserved for the privileged elite and they are recognisable […]
ACCORDING to Chinese history, the steeping of tea is of utmost importance. Steeped to quickly and the tea will not realise its true character, steeped to long and it will become bitter. The amount of tea used in the pot, the heat of the water and the energy and intent used to boil the tea […]
Elephants played a big role in transporting tea throughout India in the 1800s. They were essential for travel in the dense, tiger filled jungle, which was teeming with mystery and danger. Being up high on the elephant’s back meant the tea transporters were out of harm’s way – for the most part. Also, most wild […]
You know when something is moreish; you go back for another sip or bite or lick. Well, tea has that special taste property that keeps us keen, and it is called ‘umami’. Umami is a Japanese word which translates roughly to mean “delicious” or “savouriness” and is used to describe a taste which leaves you […]
In Japan tea drinking is the foundation of the daily routine. The ritual is inseparable from a person’s search for harmony and serenity – both of which are fundamental keys to Japanese culture. The act of drinking tea transcends lifestyle and is more of a philosophical practice. Chanoyu is a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and […]
Australian Tea Masters
