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
Return to previous page
All posts by Hilary White
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
India is the second largest producer of tea with about 23% of the world’s production. Again like China most of its production is consumed locally. The teas from Darjeeling, in the foothills of the Himalaya are known as the champagne of teas and its first... Continue reading
India is the second largest producer of tea with about 23% of the world’s production. Again like China most of its production is consumed locally. The teas from Darjeeling, in the foothills of the Himalaya are known as the champagne of teas and its first... Continue reading
This and the next few articles will familiarise you with the major tea growing countries and regions which are mostly in the Indian Ocean rim. It is essentially the same botanical source, but the differing tea products and flavours are created by the terroir, weather,... Continue reading