Hilary White, Author at Elmstock Tea

#50 – STORE YOUR TEA PROPERLY!

15 August 2017

Tea readily absorbs any flavours and aromas so storage in airtight containers, preferably not clear glass, is recommended. If storing in wooden containers make sure they are lined or that the tea is in a sealed bag. It is not necessary to store tea in a... Continue reading

Health

#49 – TISANES ARE HERBAL INFUSIONS

21 July 2017

Tisanes or herbal infusions, as distinct from tea created from the plant Camelia Sinensis, are becoming increasingly popular. They have remedial and therapeutic qualities and demand is largely driven by health conscious young women. Aromatic herbs, plants, flowers, berries, roots and bark are blended to create... Continue reading

Production

#48 – MAN OR MACHINE?

27 June 2017

While it is stating the obvious that careful and selective picking of tea leaves by hand will always give you better quality tea, the case is now being made for mechanical plucking methods. The best tea is produced by careful picking by hand of two... Continue reading

Brewing

#47 – HOW DO YOU BREW?

23 May 2017

Good quality tea and good water are the essentials for a great cuppa. However to brew the best cup of tea the quantities used, as well as the brewing or steeping times, are crucial. See our Brewing Guide here, to see the amount of tea... Continue reading

Production

#46 – SINGLE ESTATE TEAS AND BLENDED TEAS

24 April 2017

Single Estate Teas are teas produced from a single plantation or even from a particular garden (sometimes referred to as a division) within a particular plantation. These teas will vary in flavour depending on the time of the year in which the tea is harvested,... Continue reading

Production

#45 – CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE FLAVOUR OF TEA

26 February 2017

While there are many who doubt that climate change is taking place, the reality is that changing weather patterns, particularly around the Indian Ocean rim are causing variations in the flavours of tea. Tea production in the major tea growing areas of the world had... Continue reading

Selection

#44 – HIGH GROWN, LOW GROWN AND TEAS IN BETWEEN

17 January 2017

Altitude, soil, rainfall and climate collectively referred to as ‘terroir’ in wine growing and tea production also determine the flavour, appearance and quality of the tea. High grown teas generally have a distinctly lighter, subtle flavour and quality in comparison to the denser and more... Continue reading

Tea

#43 – WHITE TEA? HOW CAN IT BE?

18 October 2016

White tea is so named because of the whitened or silver colour of the leaves. In ancient China, because of its scarcity, only the nobility were permitted to drink it. Legend has it that the buds of the unopened leaves were picked at sunrise from selected... Continue reading

Tea Growing Regions

#42 – OTHER TEA GROWING COUNTRIES

9 August 2016

Many countries grow tea, mainly for domestic consumption. Indonesia is a large producer of quality black tea mainly used in tea bags. Taiwan is famous for its quality semi processed Oolong teas. Turkey, Russia, Iran, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, Nepal, Vietnam, Argentina, Brazil and Malaysia also produce commercial... Continue reading

Tea Growing Regions

#41 – AFRICAN TEAS – DIVERSE PRODUCERS

23 May 2016

It may surprise you to know that Kenya which produces 8 per cent of the world’s tea, which is the third largest producer behind China and India, is the largest exporter of tea in the world. The strong and liquory teas that are produced by... Continue reading

Tea Growing Regions

#40 – CEYLON TEA – GOLDEN BREW

26 April 2016

Probably producing the best black tea in the world, when Ceylon changed its name to Sri Lanka in the early 1970s it chose to retain the Ceylon Tea branding for which it had become famous. A country blessed with fertile soil and its weather governed... Continue reading

Ceremony

#39 – MATCHA – MAGIC GREEN POWDER

26 March 2016

Matcha is a finely powdered green tea used in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony CHANOYU. Tea bushes which produce Matcha are covered with bamboo mats prior to being picked. This produces a slightly darker leaf and is said to increase the quality of nutrients, giving rise... Continue reading

BLACK TEA

Ceylon

China

India

Blends

Single Estate

FLAVOURED BLACK TEA

Earl Grey

Chai

Flavoured Black

GREEN TEA

China

Japan

Oolong Tea

White Tea

Flavoured Green Tea

Artisan & Speciality Tea

HERBAL & FRUIT INFUSIONS

Fruit Infusions

Herbal Infusions

Rooibos

OTHER TEAS

Decaffeinated Tea

Organic Tea

Connoisseur Range

up to 40% OFF

Try Something NEW

Want to grab a bargain?

SEE OUR CLEARANCE ITEMS

BLACK TEA

Ceylon

China

India

Blends

Single Estate

FLAVOURED BLACK TEA

Earl Grey

Chai

Flavoured Black

GREEN TEA

China

Japan

Oolong Tea

White Tea

Flavoured Green Tea

Artisan & Speciality Tea

HERBAL & FRUIT INFUSIONS

Fruit Infusions

Herbal Infusions

Rooibos

OTHER TEAS

Decaffeinated Tea

Organic Tea

Connoisseur Range

up to 40% OFF

Try Something NEW

Want to grab a bargain?

SEE OUR CLEARANCE ITEMS

All posts by Hilary White

BLACK TEA

Ceylon

China

India

Blends

Single Estate

FLAVOURED BLACK TEA

Earl Grey

Chai

Flavoured Black

GREEN TEA

China

Japan

Oolong Tea

White Tea

Flavoured Green Tea

Artisan & Speciality Tea

HERBAL & FRUIT INFUSIONS

Fruit Infusions

Herbal Infusions

Rooibos