ShareThis

This holiday, Dave had to contend with somewhat more generous snowfall than we’ve seen in recent years.  And of course, on the morning of our last day of shipping for Christmas Eve delivery, we got a major dump. Even before the City could clear the streets, Dave arrived to haul away the last of our holiday deliveries.  And although many, MANY cars and trucks found themselves mired in the snowy mess that day, our packages made it through the first leg of their jouney to our customers safe and sound.

By hiring HD Hauling to help our packages reach their destinations, we not only support a cool local endeavor, but it stands as one more small way we’re working to reduce the carbon footprint of this little tea company of ours. So, next time you place your order with Arbor Teas, think of Dave!

ShareThis

Refers generally to all leaf-grade black teas from Northern China, but specifically to those which have been particularly well-worked and tightly-twisted.  For an excellent example of Chinese black tea exhibiting good congou, check out our Keemun Hao Ya B Black Tea.

ShareThis

How CO2 Decaffeination Works

CO2 is a non-toxic, nonflammable, colorless and odorless gas which is a naturally-occurring part of the air we breathe.  Although elevated levels of CO2 in our atmosphere contribute to global warming, it’s generally a pretty inert substance.  Under pressure and temperature, however, CO2 is able to flow freely through natural materials (like tea) and has strong solvent capabilities. This is called its “supercritical” state (which is why CO2 decaffeination is also referred to as “supercritial CO2 decaffeination” or “supercritical fluid extraction,” but this is a blog for tea drinkers, not chemists…). (more…)

ShareThis

One of the many new and exciting products added to our catalog this fall is our organic Matcha Green Tea.  Matcha is a variety of Japanese green tea that is stone ground at the end of the manufacturing process, resulting an ultra-fine tea powder that is typically whisked in hot water until a frothy consistency is reached, as in the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony. The resulting brew has much more body and flavor than tea brewed in a conventional fashion, with a thick, rich green taste and slight bitterness. Drinking matcha has been found to be even healthier than normal green tea, because the entire tea leaf is consumed when matcha is drunk - not just the infusion as with normal teas.

To brew, measure approximately one teaspoon of matcha and place it in a pre-warmed bowl with approximately 1.5 oz. of water at 175°. This is roughly two almond-sized portions when using a traditional bamboo matcha scoop (or “chashaku”). Whisk vigorously in a back-and-forth motion using a traditional bamboo matcha whisk (or “chasen”) until frothy, making sure not to press the whisk down against the bottom of the bowl. After whisking, the matcha is ready to drunk directly from the bowl.

In addition to this traditional method of preparation, matcha is more and more frequently used as a cooking ingredient.  It’s often added to shakes, smoothies, and ice creams, lending a flavor that is at once sweet, bitter and savory.  But whether you’re brewing it or cooking with it, you should definitely try some today!

ShareThis

Yixing clay teapots (also called “purple sand teapots”) have been made and used in China for tea brewing for roughly 600 years, and with their recent addition to our catalog, the time-honored tradition of using them to brew cherished varieties of tea can be yours!  These very special teapots are produced in the region of the town of Yixing (in China’s eastern Jiangsu province), made of a special “purple sand clay” found in that region.

One of the key elements that make yixing teaware special is the slightly porous finish caused by the purple sand clay they’re made from.   With repeated use, this slightly porous finish allows a tiny amount of tea to be absorbed into the pot. Over time, the pot will develop a coating that retains the flavor, aroma and often the color of the tea it has been used to brew. For this reason, many tea lovers prefer to dedicate their yixing teapots to a single type of tea - often oolongs.  And here’s an important tip:  because of yixing teaware’s porous finish, soap should not be used for cleaning. I nstead, yixing teaware should be rinsed with fresh water and allowed to air-dry.

ShareThis

ShareThis

As many of you may know, October is Fair Trade Month.  With another October fast approaching, we wanted to share a few ways that you can help promote Fair Trade in your community.  Of course, we strongly encourage you to buy Fair Trade tea, but Fair Trade matters across a wide variety of products, including coffee, chocolate, vanilla, sugar, honey, fruit, rice and wine.  Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Learn more about Fair Trade and how it makes a difference.
• Vote with your dollar - buy Fair Trade Certified goods wherever possible.
• Ask retailers in your community to carry Fair Trade Certified products.
• Introduce new audiences to Fair Trade Certified products - at home, at work, in school, on campus, at your place of worship, etc.
• Give Fair Trade Certified products as gifts.
• Get involved in Fair Trade - host a party, volunteer, donate, etc.

Knowing that Fair Trade helps improve the standard of living for millions across the globe makes Fair Trade Month an easy holiday to celebrate!

ShareThis

Generally reserved for describing black teas, the term “tippy” describes teas having a noticeable proportion of young tea leaf buds, which are lighter than the tea leaves themselves, often golden in color.  For an excellent example of a tippy tea, check out our Golden Yunnan Black Tea.

ShareThis

ShareThis