Keemun Panda Tea

Did you know that during the early 1800's tea was so popular it actually caused wars? Keemun black tea varieties, which are grown and produced in China, were traditionally used in English Breakfast tea. During the 1800's tea was such the rage in England that there was a danger that the British Treasury would be drained because all the silver was being used to pay the Chinese for their tea. Meanwhile, India and Burma produced significant quantities of opium and in due course, the opium came into high demand in China.

What evolved economically was the following; Opium was sent from India to British merchants who were stationed in Canton, China. The Chinese bought the opium from the British merchants using silver and the merchants received credits against debts in England. The silver collected from selling the opium was then used to pay for the Chinese tea! This cycle led to a number of wars dubbed "The Opium Wars". The last war was won by the British in 1860, which led to opium becoming a legal commodity up until 1908 when it was finally outlawed. Keemun was tea first produced in 1875, despite the Chinese practice and tradition being to produce green tea. The English had developed such a taste towards Chinese black tea, that it came into incredibly high demand; and thus the Keemun variety was created and soon became the staple for English Breakfast tea.

Our Keemun variety, Keemun Panda #1, is a very full bodied and flavourful tea with a lot of depth. Very subtle fruity and wine-like notes make this tea a true delight to consume. Not only that but it takes milk very well, making it a great option as a breakfast tea or for any time of day! Visit our online shop to get yours!

Black Tea, Green Tea, What's the Difference?

You might be surprised to find out that black tea and green tea are quite different and yet similar! How so you ask? Well, aside from colour, there are a few things that either distinguish from or relate the two teas.

One fact that relates the two together is that both green and black tea contain caffeine! This is because green and black tea are made from the same plant! They both begin as freshly picked Camelia Sinensis leaves.

In fact all tea containing real tea leaves (black, green, oolong & white teas) comes from the very same Camelia Sinensis plant. The way the tea leaves are processed after being picked is what distinguishes the different types of tea.

So how are green and black tea different to each other if they're made from the same plant? Black tea undergoes different processing than green tea. Tea leaves are picked and then left to oxidize for a period of time before being dried; this turns the tea leaves black, increases the caffeine content and also gives it a stronger and richer flavour.

Green tea, on the other hand, is minimally processed. Tea leaves are harvested and then quickly heated; using either traditional methods such as: pan-frying or basket firing; or more modern methods may be used like: oven drying, tumbling or steaming. The leaves are then immediately dried to preserve the fresh green colour and flavour. The minimal processing keeps caffeine levels relatively low and flavour stays bright, fresh and vegetative.

Oolong and White follow similar processing. Oolong is more oxidized than green tea, but less than black tea. And white tea undergoes even less processing than green tea; leaves and/or leaf buds are picked and almost immediately dried.

Even though these teas come from the same plant, they actually taste better when brewed differently! For example, black tea tastes best steeped in boiled water for 3-5 minutes and green tea prefers water that is just under boiling temperatures for 2-3 minutes. Here is a handy guide for tea brewing:

With over 80 teas in stock on our online shop, you're sure to find one you'll love, whether it's black, green or anything in between!

"Agony of the Leaf"

This all sounds so Shakespearean! Well, 'tis to a tea leaf. The term "Agony of the Leaf" refers to the unfurling of the tea leaf during infusion. This can be very dramatic to see and a wonderful stage of tea brewing. This is best done by putting loose tea leaves in a clear glass pot and letting them infuse without the use of an infuser. If you do not have a clear pot then just enjoy in your own special tea pot, and when you you have enjoyed your tea, simply dump out the tea leaves onto a plate. It is fun and interesting to see and touch the whole tea leaves.

Because the leaves are not constrained in any fashion, they are able to fully share their beautiful shape and full flavor.

Above we have used an Oolong tea to demonstrate the difference between steeped and un-steeped tea leaves; Oolong Teas are excellent to witness the unfurling process.

We carry a flavored Oolong, Oolong Orange Blossom tea, and a high quality plain Oolong, Ti Kuan Yin Iron Goddess of Mercy tea.

Yet another excellent reason to drink loose leaf tea, even if purely for the fun of watching the tea leaves unfurl. If you are immersing yourself in the exciting world of higher quality teas, or just starting out on this wonderful road to good tasting fresh tea; there is no doubt you will enjoy and appreciate just what a tea leaf goes through. Ah, yes, the Agony of the Leaf.

ENJOY!!!