Well Water and Tea

This happened to me and I guess others as well. I would have some great tea in the shop and at home it wasn't the same. I could taste it as tea but somehow it lost the distinct difference each tea has. I had well water with a lot of Iron in it. To regain the wonderful tastes I enjoyed in the shop, I got a Brita filter and put it on the tap. The difference was huge. So if any of you out there have hard water or well water with a high mineral content, consider filtering your water.

Citrus Syrup Teas

For those of you who really liked the Korean Syrup Teas we used to sell, you will enjoy this easy way to make your own syrup teas. They make great gifts for friends and are great to put in a cup of hot water or to sweeten your tea with....the recipes are at the website below.

http://www.theyummylife.com/Honey_Citrus_Syrups

New African Teas

I have just tried some black Kenyan Teas and one from Malawi. Two of them turned out to be excellent. A TGFOP Kenyan from the Kosabei Estate. It is described as being both light and profound, gentle and astringent with notes of malt, currants and moist earth. It lived up to its description and more. Many Kenyan teas are used to blend and give increased strength especially to breakfast teas. This one easily stands alone for a delicious cup of tea, with milk or without. I will be stocking this one shortly, it is a keeper.

The other tea I was impressed with is a BP1 from the Satemwa Estate in Malawi. It is a smaller cut so brews up a little stronger with a very coppery color. It has its own sweetness but with a little milk and sweetner it brews up to be a great treat. It would be great for blending and would add a unique taste to any black blend or alone with a bit of milk and honey(it reminded me as a great base for Thai iced tea) I will be stocking this as well

A Taste of Tea

Meeting Dates: Monday, September 22
Meeting Time: 5:30-7pm
Instructor: John McConnell
Location: Jeffords 234
Member: $15 Non-Member: $25
Examine tea’s history and its evolution through time and cultures. Survey the different types of teas. Sample exceptional teas and learn about their manufacturing methods.

OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) of the University of Vermont – 802-656-2085
Cathi Cody-Hudson, OLLI Assistant Director
University of Vermont – Continuing Education
460 South Prospect Street
Burlington, VT 05405
olli@uvm.edu

http://learn.uvm.edu/osher-life-long-learning/olli-at-uvm/olli-on-campus-courses/fall-2014/

World Tea Expo

Back from the World Tea Expo in Long Beach Ca... Had a great time. Picked up a new book, an updated version of "A Social History of Tea" by Bruce Richardson and Jane Pettigrew.. Excellent!!!! Tasted some interesting teas and sought out a Hunan that I had tasted last year. No luck though, the Chinese from Hunan at the show had trouble understanding what I was looking for but will keep trying. I did go to a great little Tea Room while there. It is The Vintage Tea Leaf on Broadway. Food was great. The two young people working there were great fun and their teas come from International Tea Importers

Drinking Tea is a lot like Life

Drinking tea is a lot like life...As much as we are drawn to share a cup, the experience remains unique to the individual.

Recent Internet Virus

This is what we received this morning regarding the recent internet security threat.

Westhost servers are clean and protected.  Your site is safe from this threat.

You may have already heard of the newest virus that hit the internet late Monday night.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/heartbleed-online-bug/story?id=23256168  

According to the hosting company it is safe for you and your clients to log into your sites.

Tips to make good tea

Tips for making good tea:

Good Water

Correct Water Temperature

Good Tea

Correct amount of Tea

Correct Steeping Time

Good Water: Soft water is the best. Well water with a lot of minerals in it might change the taste of the tea. You may want to run it through a Brita filter.

Water Temperature: White Tea, Oolong, Green Tea are temperature sensitive and will be bitter if the water temperature is too hot. 175 degrees will keep these teas from being bitter.

Black Tea and Herbals want a rolling boil.

Good Tea: Goes without saying, you want to use fresh tea from a reputable dealer.

Amount of Tea: The amount of tea determines its strength. A good starting point is a rounded tsp per 8oz of water.

Steeping Time: Black Tea – 4 minutes

                          White Tea – 4 minutes

                          Green Tea & Oolongs – 2-3 minutes

                          Rooibos and other herbals, steep as long as you want or 6 – 10 minutes