Coffee and Tea Festival
An interview with Lynda Calimano, the event producer for The 2008 NYC Coffee & Tea Festival. The Festival’s history, Lynda on tea, and what to look for in this year’s festival.
Tea Cocktails
I find that the holidays are a perfect time for relaxing with friends and family over tea cocktails, or “mar-TEA-nis.” Here are a few of my favorite recipes from around the world, as well as a few recipes I’ve concocted. Enjoy them at a holiday party or over dinner with a group. Here’s to a wonderful new year!
Masala Chai Recipes
Last week I talked about the history, culture, and ingredients of everyone’s favorite Indian treat, masala chai. This week, I’m sharing some of my own masala chai recipes. Check out "Basic Masala Chai," "Floral Green Chai," "Very American Chai," "Chic Tearoom Chai," "Hot and Spicy Chai," "Yummy Chai Milkshake," and more.
Masala Chai
Masala chai has roots that date back thousands of years, but (amazingly) its popularity in India and abroad only go back to the ‘60s and the ‘90s. Learn more about the history, culture, and ingredients of this fascinating drink. Next week: Masala Chai Recipes.
Tea and Iron
Though tea has many health benefits, it is also known to reduce iron absorption. This VeeTea article counters many of the myths regarding tea and iron, explains how tea and iron interact, and provides tips for how to maintain a healthy iron status as a tea drinker.
Tea 101
When you first start “seriously” drinking tea, the lingo and classifications can be confusing. (What DOES “2005 Organic Makaibari Estate Second Flush Vintage Muscatel Darjeeling Black FTGFOP1S” mean, anyway?) This article serves as an introduction to tea types and terminology. Welcome to the world of tea!
High Tea
In the U.S., “high tea” is often incorrectly used to mean a formal afternoon tea. In England, a formal afternoon tea is called “low tea,” and “high tea” (or “meat tea”) is an early evening meal reserved for the lower classes. Learn about the history of the British traditions of tea and food, from why Earl Grey was so popular to how to behave at high tea to the common types of food you’ll find at high tea (and what’s safe to eat if you’re a vegetarian).
Afternoon Tea
In the U.S., “high tea” is often incorrectly used to mean a formal afternoon tea. In England, a formal afternoon tea is called “low tea,” and “high tea” (or “meat tea”) is an early evening meal reserved for the lower classes. Learn about the history of the British tradition of the afternoon tea meal, including its history, the common foods and teas served, the proper etiquette for taking tea, and American adaptations of afternoon tea.
Flowering Teas
Lately, flowering (a.k.a. “flower,” “blooming,” “display,” “craft,” “hand-sewn,” or “hand-tied” teas) teas have become very popular in the U.S. (They’re even popular on YouTube.) But did you know that they have been made in China for millennia? This article covers their mythology, how they are made, how to brew them, and some sources for buying flowering teas.
Tisane Listing, Part 3
Tisanes (pronounced tea-ZAHNs and also known as “herbal teas”) are a major part of the tea world. Tisane Basics explains the difference between a tisane and a tea, why people drink tisanes, how to make them, and what categories of tisanes there are. Tisane Listing Part 1 and Part 2 covered tisanes from Allspice through Parsely. This article gives a definition of each of the major tisanes from Peach to Yerba Mate, including the herb’s history, origin, flavor, plant part, healing properties, and/or primary health caveats.
Tisane Listing, Part 2
Tisanes (pronounced tea-ZAHNs and also known as "herbal teas") are a major part of the tea world. Tisane Basics explains the difference between a tisane and a tea, why people drink tisanes, how to make them, and what categories of tisanes there are. Tisane Listing, Part 1 covered tisanes from Allspice to Eucalyptus. This article gives a definition of each of the major tisanes from Fennel to Parsley, including the herb’s history, origin, flavor, plant part, healing properties, and/or primary health caveats.
Tisane Listing, Part 1
Tisanes (pronounced tea-ZAHNs and also known as “herbal teas”) are a major part of the tea world. Tisane Basics explains the difference between a tisane and a tea, why people drink tisanes, how to make them, and what categories there are. This article gives a definition of each of the major tisanes from Allspice to Eucalyptus, including the herb’s history, origin, flavor, plant part, healing properties, and/or primary health caveats.
Tisane Basics
Tisanes (pronounced tea-ZAHNs and also known as “herbal teas”) are a major part of the tea world. “Tisane Basics” explains the difference between a tisane and a tea, why people drink tisanes, how to make them, and what categories of tisanes are. The “Tisane Listing” series gives a definition of each of the major tisanes, including each herb’s history, origin, flavor, plant part, healing properties, and/or primary health caveats.
Infusion Methods
Infusion methods are many and varied. Learn about what kinds of products are available and which methods best suit you.
Used Tealeaves
You’ve just brewed and enjoyed a magnificent cup of tea. Perhaps you’ve even used your leaves for multiple infusions. Now that you’re done making tea with this batch of leaves, do you just throw it away? This article covers uses for tea BEYOND lessening the odor in your trashcan.
Determining Tea Quality
How to select a quality loose-leaf tea in 4 easy steps. What to look for in a quality tea and how to determine whether or not a particular tea meets your quality standards.
Caffeine and Tea
Caffeine basics, caffeine in tea, decaf tea, caffeine-free "tea," and more. Read it and stay up late thinking about what you’ve learned, or dream all night of caffeine-free infusions.
Iced Tea
All about iced tea. Its history, rivalries (sweet vs. unsweetened), recipes, flavorings, and more are all covered. So take your laptop out to the front porch for a tall, cold glass of iced tea and an entertaining read.
Bamboo Charcoal
Learn about an ancient, healthy, inexpensive, and more environmentally sustainable way to filter your tap water--bamboo charcoal.
Water for Tea
Only great water can make great tea. But what, exactly, makes a water great? This article will help you find the best water for your tea.
How to Brew Tea
This article covers the basics of how to brew tea. Proportions of tea to water, appropriate water temperatures for different teas, determining your water’s temperature, and common brew times are included.
Water Temperatures
A guide to tea brewing temperatures, plus how to tell what temperature your water is by looking at it and how to get it to the right temperature for any tea.
Storing Your Tea
How to store your tea. What to look for. What to avoid. Places, packaging, shelf lives, etc.