Long before marketers labeled it organic, Nepal tea was grown with care. Harmony with nature was always the province of the nation’s 18,000 small tea farmers clinging to the mountainsides like the trees they nurtured.
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Archives: Articles
The Challenge of Change
This has been a year for reflection, an opportunity to re-examine our habits and everyday routines. Lockdowns and losses re-emphasize the importance of maintaining our good health―both physical and mental. Tea calmed us during the pandemic, it provided a pleasant daily pleasure―a welcome break. Tea became an at-home habit worth preserving.
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Purnima Rai’s Nepal Garden
Smallholders are the backbone of the tea industry, especially in underdeveloped Nepal. Here’s the story of one Nepali smallholder: a widowed grandmother who has spent a lifetime nurturing tea in turn with nature, faith and family.
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Remote Farming During a Pandemic
The pandemic was the worst thing to happen to Nepal’s Kanchanjangha Tea Estate, but there is a silver lining. It radically changed how we work, says Nishchal Banskota, who manages operations via Zoom calls between Long Island, New York, and his family’s tea estate. It’s early morning for me and the end of the day for him, but after nine months, he says, “I have more confidence that I can manage a farm remotely.”
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In Spring all the World Celebrates Motherhood
Each spring, the entire world celebrates the role of mothers with grateful appreciation. The practice of families traveling to their ancestral home in Spring dates to antiquity and remains an occasion for festivals and fairs in both Asia and Western countries. The holiday is recognized from March through May.
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Tea Collections
Gift sets of tea with teaware make memories all the more precious on Mother’s Day. These selections include infusers, tea pots, a matcha set, and sachets in tins.
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Spicy Teas
Hard to imagine a more tempting winter combo: Black tea, cloves, almond flavor, orange flavor, vanilla flavor, flower petals, three types of cinnamon, and orange pieces. Gift this spicy tea in its cheerful, red 4-oz. tin—and consider keeping one for yourself, too.
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Valentines Teapots
Almost everyone has a secret charm secretly locked in the back of the mind: a magic word, favorite number, or familiar habit – in short, something guaranteed to bring good luck. A star has fallen from the sky on top of this teapot like a lucky star to brighten your table, guaranteed to make a wish come true with every cup of tea.
Read MoreSustainable Tourism: Pinglin, Taiwan
Wow Taiwan provides half-day and day-long tours and experiential learning trips in villages across northern Taiwan. They offer several Slow Tea Tours, notably the Tea Master Tour as well as the Tea Mountains Culture Tour both in Pinglin Taiwan’s first eco-village.
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Sustainable Tourism: Higashi Sonogi, Japan
Green Tea Homestay is managed by Nakayama Hisatsugu. The tea factory has been operated for over 70 years by the Nakayama family who is committed to environmentally friendly practices across agricultural cultivations. They initiated an outreach program in eco-tourism in 2014.
Read MoreSustainable Tourism: Makaibari Tea Estate
Tea fields at Makaibari Tea Estate, West Bengal, India Makaibari Sustainable Tourism: West Bengal, India The Makaibari Tea Estate is among one of the most well-known tea estates across the world. Their internationally prize-winning teas are highly appraised, and many stakeholders are none other than legends within the tea world. […]
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Tea in the Great Outdoors
High adventure is not the first thing that comes to mind for those who enjoy tea but tea is a remarkably versatile companion outdoors, hot or cold.
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Iced & Cold Brew Teas
Many types of hot teas readily adapt to cold brew as well as a summer favorite: Iced tea. Here are some suggestions, from black to white, green to Assam, that will make relaxing outside just a bit more cool and tasty.
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Tea Accessories
Measuring caddy spoons recall the era when real shells were put in tea chests to allow buyers to take samples. Indispensable for correct tea preparation, this measuring caddy spoon is of Art déco style.
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Origin India: Discovering The Wild Tea Forest of Assam
Pradip Baruah was born curious. He spends much of his time in the office and lab as chief advisory officer at the Tocklai Tea Research Institute (TRI) in Jorhat, Assam, but loves an adventure whenever the opportunity arises. In January he fulfilled one of his long held dreams on a walk into the jungles of Assam where he photographed an ancient wild forest of Camellia Assamica, a species of large-leaf tea distinct from China’s Camellia Sinensis.
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Tea Smoked Salmon
This lightly cured and smoked Salmon can be used as shown here for a first course, or with different accompaniments as a main course.
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Pairings: Smoky Teas
The intense, smoky flavors of certain teas isn’t a fluke. Some are made from leaves actually smoke-cured during preparation, imbuing them with a robust taste that your dad may well appreciate on his special day. If he enjoys a cigar now and then, there are teas perfect to be enjoyed with his smoke, including the green tea listed below. And if a steak on the barbie is his ideal meal, gift him with a smoked tea rub for an unforgettable Father’s Day feast.
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A Summer Barbecue
As the weather warms and you fire up your grills, it is second nature to reach for an iced tea or Tea Sangria, but tea isn’t just great accompanying grilled food, it can play a role within that food as well. Consider Matcha and White Bean Dip, or upgrading your S’mores!
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Tea-Grilled Wings with Hot Green Dipping Sauce
Since they cook fairly quickly, plan to grill these wings as the last item you are serving and then keep the tea cocktails, beers, and iced tea flowing!
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The Comfort of Tea
During these difficult times, tea’s calming effect comforted many, but mothers most of all. If there is something missing that will make her everyday tea ritual more pleasant, now is the time to purchase that convenience. Consider a bright teapot, a brewer, tea caddy, porcelain cups, or mug. If mom has everything she needs close at hand, consider a gift of tea-themed jewelry or a book to curl up with till normalcy returns.
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Inspired by Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey aired for six seasons in the U.S., and its American fans became legion. Millions could not resist the upscale dramas of the Crawley family and its servants. If your beloved mater is among the Downtonites, why not treat her this year to a tea service fit for the denizens of the Abbey itself?
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Teaware Gift Sets
This selection of cherry blossom tea sets in various styles sing in spring
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Dad’s Silver Service
Our elegant silver-plated tea set, as used in Fortnum’s restaurants, has proved so popular that they have created this smaller, bachelor version of the teapot. Perfect for tea for one or two people, its classic style will be a credit to your table.
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Bar & Culinary Gifts
Shinbone Alley created spice and tea blends to be infused into whiskey, making Dad a master mixologist of Manhattans, Whiskey Sours, Old Fashioned, and his own custom cocktails.
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Matcha-Pineapple Margarita
In this seductive variation of a classic margarita, the tea powder adds an exotic flavor, rich color, and mysterious opacity to the cocktail. A pinch of dried red pepper flakes makes it more seductive.
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Tea Accessories & Hampers
This practical pouch for carrying tea bags slides easily into a pocket, handbag, luggage… Fill it with a few tea bags of your choice and be ready at any moment and wherever you go for an instant tea in your favorite flavor.
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Mother’s Day Teapots
Trendsetters rely on a stylish home with the Wine- red deer. The elegant Blackberry style perfectly combines modernity and tradition with the classic theme, thus having its finger on the pulse of time. Each piece is made by hand and is a real unicum.
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Silver Service
Because mothers are icons, they deserve iconic teaware. This fine vintage George VI sterling silver four-piece tea and coffee service consists of a coffee jug, teapot, cream jug, and sugar bowl. A tea set for legendary moments.
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Review: Teasy
Fine teas reveal their elegance in layers. Rock oolongs, for example, respond to short, controlled steeps in small volumes of water. Teasy offers that level of control with greater convenience and a larger volume than a gaiwan.
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Tea Sets for Mom
Gift sets make any tea occasion special. Matching teapot, cups, saucers, creamer, sugar bowl, and even a flower vase make this rose adorned teatime set from Théières du monde the ultimate for entertaining.
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Tea Jewelry
Jewelry made from vintage silver teaspoons has classic appeal and style. If Mom is a tea-lover, why not gift her one of these lovely wearables this year? Who knows what teas they formerly stirred or what romances and festivities they witnessed?
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No sale in North India while Kochi Sees High Prices
Demand for CTC at the Kochi tea auction was strong this week. Orthodox teas for export to the Middle East and CIS countries also increased. Green teas from the Nilgiris are also commanding higher prices.
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Tea Books for Mom
Considered a basic for a tea book library, this gorgeous volume is by the chef-owners of Quebec’s Camellia Sinensis Tea House and covers history, farming techniques, and tea culture, among other subjects. You can buy it directly from the Tea House’s website, which is in French, under “Cadeaux Pour Debutants” (Gifts for Beginners).
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South India Sale Continues as North Awaits Production
Sale of tea continues in the south Indian auctions while north India awaits sufficient volumes as early season still underway. The early Darjeeling first flush is quickly being picked up in private sales.
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Light Rains Point to Promising First Flush
A weekly report on global tea prices by market that includes data and details on price averages at tea averages, weather conditions during harvest periods, labor availability and other developments influencing prices, and expert views.
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Record Green Tea Prices in the Nilgiris as Darjeeling, Assam Begin Harvest Season
A weekly report on global tea prices by market that includes data and details on price averages at tea averages, weather conditions during harvest periods, labor availability and other developments influencing prices, and expert views.
Read MoreTeapots
Valentine’s Day is all about revealing one’s feelings, just like tea leaves unfold in a glass teapot. The gentle curves and theatrical style create a remarkable aura around this LOVE STORY teapot; the expertly chiseled spout, the ornately sculpted handle, the unabashedly beautiful, dizzyingly high neck. Numbered edition, as unique as your love.
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Earl grey tea cookies
Cookies are both comfort food and an essential household item! Essential because these aromatic discs are the perfect teatime companion. And, these sugary and buttery delights are a handy companion to comfort us when we are celebrating good times… In short, these are must-haves in every household and best if […]
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Last-Minute Holiday Gifts
Tea Journey readers span the globe. Half of the magazine’s subscribers reside in Asia and Europe and Africa. That’s why this year’s last-minute gift guide features festive items from India, Europe, and China. These gifts bring to mind holiday celebrations around the world including Diwali (the festival of lights in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Linka), Yawm Ashura in Arabic countries, Hanukkah, and Dongzhi the winter solstice celebrated in China, Korea and Japan.
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Inspiring Innovation
Orit Eisenberg is irrefutable proof that it sometimes takes 25 years to become an overnight success. During the recent World Tea Virtual Summit, Eisenberg, a product development specialist and production designer, told her founding story with humor and extraordinary passion. She launched the Mennä ONE in September 2019 after testing 20 prototypes over five years, gradually refining the elusive challenge of controlling steep time on the go.
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Reading the Tea Leaves
At first glance, one pile of leaves closely resembles another, especially when dry. But float those same leaves, after steeping, in a shallow white porcelain tray of water and you can quickly tell whether the money you just paid for that special tea was well spent.
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The Health & Wellness Issue [250 pages]
Tea is proven to enhance the well-being of those who drink several cups a day. It inspires a process of discovery among imbibers, cultivating a deep appreciation for the growing, crafting, and preparation of great tasting tea. Finding your own favorite tea leads to a daily ritual and, in time, a healthy life-long habit.
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Preserving the Life of the Leaves
Tea is a dry food. As such it is susceptible to insect contamination, moisture absorption, and mold. Tea leaves usually won’t spoil like high-moisture food (bread for example) but the flavor diminishes considerably over time.
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Chigusa: Ancient Japanese Diaries as an Art of Tea
Particularly fine items used in tea rituals were designated as meibutsu, or revered objects, by the tea men. Chigusa is a 16th Century meibutsu tea jar and one of the most famous of several hundred antique ceramic storages jars still in existence.
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Glowing Skin – The Effects of Silver Needle on Skin Health
Several studies reveal that healthy skin begins with the microbes living in your gut. Drinking a flavonoid-rich Silver Needle white tea helps gut microbiota adjust biological activities, improve bioavailability, and produce antioxidants such as flavonols and phenolic metabolites.
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Tea Packaging: The Innovation Edge
Packaging is more than how tea is stored for protection, transport, display, and storage. It is a dynamic element in the tea life cycle. It’s part of an innovation complex.
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Kettles
Taking the time to bring a kettle to boil before enjoying a cup of tea in the morning is a great way to start your day. Do it in style with this Zen stove kettle by Le Creuset with its oriental-inspired lines and resplendent enamel finish. A perfect utensil to boil water and prepare your favorite beverages.
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Arielle’s Favorites
Stocking stuffers like these lovely tea jellies from Paris and shortbread from Scotland are sure to please young and old. Browse this collection of tiny tins, tea utensils, special spoons, and handy gadgets that are perfect for holiday fun.
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Summer Fun
While tea brewed hot still cools millions worldwide, it is iced and cold-brewed tea that quenches the thirst of urban dwellers on the go.
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Tea Gifts for Children
From nursery rhymes to imaginary parties with dolls and teddy bears, tea time captures children’s imagination like nothing else. Whatever the reason, if a child in your life is fascinated with all things tea, encourage their exploration into this vast and wonderful tradition, and it’s bound to turn into a lifelong passion.
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