Wonders of Tea

Gyokuro Green Tea

Gyokuro Green Tea is a shade-grown superior quality green tea. This variety spends 20 days out of the sun to allow the rich green leaves to darken. This is done by spreading bamboo leaves over the tops of the plant as it approaches harvest time. This has the effect of making the leaves produce more chlorophyll, in turn making the leaves a rich green color, a trademark of this type of tea.
In Japan this type of tea is known as “sencha” but Gyokuro Green Tea is slightly different to the regular sencha which is grown in full sun and consequently to prepare it correctly, there are different parameters regarding the brew temperature, the ratio of water to tea, and the amount of time the brew takes to form. The temperature in particular plays a large part in determining the flavor of the resulting tea.

To be brewed correctly, the water must only be raised to a maximum of 155°F, that’s just over 60°C. If the tea is brewed at a higher temperature it may still be an acceptable beverage, but to truly enjoy the full flavor of this delicately balanced tea, it is recommended to stick to the guidelines.

Because this tea is brewed at such a low temperature in comparison to other teas, it is also prudent to preheat teapot and drinking vessels so that once poured it does not become tepid due to heat loss.

The Japanese follow this method;
They boil a kettle, allow it to cool slightly for a couple of minutes and then pour the hot water into a teapot which will warm the pot. They then take several cups, fill two of them from the teapot to heat them, then using the same water again and an empty cup, they pour the water backwards and forwards between the cups until they are all warm. This process also adds oxygen to the water which will improve the taste of the resulting brew. The water can now be returned to the teapot and Gyokuro Green Tea leaves added. The teapot can now be left to brew for 2-3 minutes without being stirred or disturbed. This delightful tea will now be ready to drink. The leaves can be infused a further time for approximately 30 seconds and another brew made.

Gyokuro Green Tea has a very rich history in Japan and is revered among tea house ceremonial preparers and has now become a favorite amongst the drinkers worldwide especially those who prefer to drink green tea.

You can get Gyokuro from Teavana.

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White Monkey Tea (Adagio)

White Monkey Tea, despite its name is actually a variety of green tea produced in the Taimu Mountains in the Fujian Province of China. This eastern seaboard province has a fine climate and a history of tea production to rival many of its compatriots. In appearance this tea lives up to the color of its name. The leaves are large, white tipped and covered in a fine down of hair. The area enjoys plentiful rainfall and temperate zone, coupled with a landscape that is well-suited to elevated tea plant cultivation. Tea grows best at altitude, and the cream of the crop is often grown at the highest of terraces and hand selected and picked by highly experienced female pickers.

The province is seen to be a repository of China’s considerable tea history and species, with over 330 hybrids currently grown in these coastal slopes. Fujian Province is the home of the world renowned oolong teas, along with the finest of green teas; their Tea Masters’ wealth of knowledge and experience in this tea growing province has ensured that all the teas produced in this area are of excellent stock and are processed in a refined manner.

Green teas are very high in a number of beneficial substances; famous for high levels of antioxidants, green teas add another hardy warrior to the body’s defenses against disease. Polyphenols, another beneficial biochemical group of compounds are also present in large amounts in green tea. Cancer reducing agents in green tea are supposed to be responsible for the fact that Japanese men, 75% of whom smoke cigarettes, have a much lower than average rate of esophageal and other digestive cancers. This flies in the face of world statistics and their only common denominator is that they drink lots of green tea. Research is still going on to see if other cancers can be treated with green tea extracts.

White monkey Tea has been carefully oven cured to bring out its full aromatic body and intricate flavor. With an earthy but fulsome taste, this fine green tea is a testament to quality hybridization and careful fermentation. There are no hints of bitterness even after the multiple infusions that can be made with these young leaves. It is best prepared at 175oF and not allowed to over-heat; White Monkey Tea can start your day, or finish the afternoon in refreshing luxury.

White Monkey tea is only available from Adagio Teas.

Score: 7/10

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Black Pearls Dragon Tea (Teavana)

Another great Teavana tea reviewed today and one many people are more familiar with in its green form as tightly rolled leaves like this are popular as “Jasmine Pearls“.

Black Dragon Pearl Black Tea comes from the southernmost area of China, Yunnan province, home to the range of mountains the province is named after. The area produces a number of well-known teas, in particular Pu-erh and Yunnan red or black tea also known as Dian Hong tea. The history of tea growing in this area is a rich and ancient one. The distinction between black teas produced in the Yunnan Province and those grown elsewhere is that Dian Hong teas have a high number of golden leaf bud tips that are fermented with lychees, rose and longan. The pekoe grade for this tea is high indicating a production process of exacting quality.

The teas produced are of a very high quality and are sought after amongst seasoned drinkers. The use of aromatic roses and longan in its production add complementary flavors to balance its malty taste. This black tea variety can become slightly bitter when steeped too long, a common trait of black teas. Despite this, Black Dragon Pearl Black Tea can be infused up to three times and still retain its malty and delicate flavors. When brewed it has a deep rich auburn color whose aroma make it immediately identifiable to the nasal palate and when drunk it has a very smooth and chocolaty taste.

Suitable for morning or afternoon tea, Black Dragon Pearl Black Tea is a luxurious drink that can be enjoyed just as well with or without sugar (or honey) and milk. It contains relatively low caffeine levels for those who might have concerns and compares well to other low caffeine teas. The health benefits of black teas are well known and include cholesterol reduction, vascular benefits and tea contains fluoride so is even good for the teeth! Polyphenols, antioxidants found in tannin, a component of tea are an excellent way of building strength into the body’s defenses as well as helping to remove toxins from the blood.

Black Dragon Pearl Black Tea is hand-rolled into small balls which hold in the flavors better until the tea is prepared. Unfurled, these small rolls of leaves contain a number of roasted and gold-tipped leaves of a very high grade. Herbal teas blend well with this type of tea and are suitable for children due to the low caffeine content. A daily cup of this balanced black tea blended with fine fruits and flowers can make an ideal start to anyone’s day.

Available form Teavana.

Score: 8/10

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Assam Gold Rain Tea (Teavana)

Assam Gold Rain Black Tea originates from Assam, a region in the misty foothills of the Himalayas in Northern India. Assam has been a source of fine black teas since the colonial days of British rule. Britain made some serious money growing opium in India back in the heady empire days of the early 1800’s and for over 25 years sold it to the Chinese across the Himalayan borders. They had to raise silver bullion in order to buy tea from Chinas Eastern seaboard ports. The Chinese, the only tea growers at the time, only took silver as trade for tea and were in fact duped into a roundabout way of swapping opium (which ruined their economy in some areas due to heavy addiction rates) for their tea. A kind of silver recycling program that ultimately caused the opium wars when China realized what was going on. In the wake of this, the British, who didn’t want to buy tea from the Dutch, founded tea plantations across several regions of India. With this amazing history of tea growing, the Assam area has developed impressively from an area with unruly immigrant tea plantation workers and problems with hybrids in the 19th century to modern day controlled and well-managed estates.

Following the development of the now standard Camellia Assamica, named after the area, tea growing became more organized and the Assam name became synonymous with a fine black tea with particular flavors and aromas that are associated with the hybridized plant and the unique soil and climate conditions that the plantations are grown in. Assam is now the largest producer of tea from and single region worldwide.

The tea crop in Assam is harvested twice a year; Assam Gold Rain Black Tea is produced from the second “flush” (harvest) of the year when the leaves are a more golden color (hence the name). The second flush produces a harvest of lighter and more delicately flavored tea and is the preferred leaf amongst those who savor the drinking of this fine beverage. As with all black teas, the health benefits include improved general vascular wellness, reduced cholesterol and improved dental health.

In appearance this tea is dark leaved with fiery golden/orange tips. The leaves are long and sturdy and produce a malty but fruity flavor when steeped. The higher than usual tannin content in this hybrid leaves a slight aftertaste which complements the fruitiness. When brewed correctly this tea is full bodied and has a deep amber color to it.

You can get Assam Gold Rain from Teavana.

Score: 7.5/10

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I was doing my usual tea based research recently and came across a quite horrifying find!
Now I’m aware a number of ‘partys’ were had in America during the colony era but I never knew that anyone would stoop so low as to have a Tea Party!!

Now for those who don’t know. The Boston Tea Party of 1773 was an event in which a number of American ‘patriots’ boarded a ship of the East Indian company and threw all of the tea onboard into the sea!! When I read this I was literally moved to tears. To think all of that tea mercilessly dropped into the ocean left to rot in COLD dark waters, possibly being nipped at by fish with no respect for teas natural beurty and essence. Clearly something you’d expect from a land of coffee drinkers and rebels.

The Boston Tea Party has quite clearly got to be one of the most tragic events of the 18th Century.

Now although the reason for the Boston tea party’s occurence is quite inconsequential, I suppose an explanation is worth giving, however I am not the best story teller so I shall borrow a quote from a nice site you can find here

“The Boston Tea Party was a reaction to the Tea Act of 1773 that was passed by Parliament to save the British East India Company from bankruptcy. The Tea Act essentially eliminated all taxes on tea except the three pence Townshend tax. More importantly, it offered Americans tea at a lower price than that of the colonial smugglers. Hence, the British East Indian Company would be saved from bankruptcy, the colonial smugglers would be out of business, and the principle of parliamentary taxation would be upheld.”

Now I dont know about you but I don’t feel that is a good enough excuse to vandalise such a wonderful, almost omnipotent plant that provides such joy for millions of people worldwide.

I shall light a candle for the lost tea and I shall begin campaigning here in the UK for sanctions to be placed on the US for such a brutal display towards tea.

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Some believe green tea to be ‘healthier’ than black tea. Personally I’m undecided on the subject, but what I do know is black tea has a much superior taste. This isn’t to say green tea isn’t good its just I prefer my tea black – preferablly Yorkshire.
Every now and then I do feel its necessary to have some green tea. Just to cover all the bases and make sure that, if green is healthier, I’m getting a good dose of it.

So today has been a green tea day. More specifically I’ve been having some fine tea all the way from China that a work friend got for me about a month ago. Its VERY refreshing but it still doesn’t have the same “aaaaarrrrrrrrrrr” effect that Yorkshire has.

Incidentally I wouldn’t recommend anyone tried green tea in bags! Every brand I’ve tried (Clipper, Twinnings) has ended up tasting more of tea bag than of tea! This just isnt on and so I’ve rebelled against the green bag and gone for the green leaf. Loose leaf green tea has always given a much nicer result and is often fresher than the bagged variety.

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