Tea News

Dim of Jasmine - Jasmine Pearls This rare speciality green tea all the way from China (via theuklooseleafteacompany), has leaves hand picked and rolled into small balls resembling pearls; hence the name. Rolled without breaking the veins and flavoured with jasmine flowers which produce a fragrant aroma and subtly sweetish flavour; this tea certainly is a pearl. The leaves are picked in the spring and stored until the jasmine flowers blossom. The jasmine is then picked as early in the day as possible whilst tightly budded. The buds are then kept at a low temperature until nightfall; the jasmine will...

Keemun black tea was first produced in the latter part of the 19th century (around 1875) and is one of China's most famous. This delicious black tea produced exclusively in the Qimen county of Huangshan city, in China's Anhui Province, quickly became very popular and is used for a number of classic blends, including many English breakfast teas. There are many varieties of Keemun each produced using different techniques originating from the farmers of the Fujian province. A light refreshing tea (and if brewed correctly) red in colour (confusing for a black tea), with smoky tones in the flavour and...

This lovely composition of Japanese Sencha green tea, apple, currants, pieces of vanilla and red cornflower petals is a favourite winter warmer at theuklooseleafteacompany. The woody creamy taste and seasonal aroma makes for a very dreamy, restful and relaxing experience. With a brewing time of 2-3 minutes, it's a quick fix. I personally find a flavoured tea more relaxing, it's probably the look of the colourful ingredients and aroma, as well as the taste sensation; which takes my mind away from what ever it was………. However, back to reality and the job in hand. The long green (literally) tea leaves,...

Exotic Coconut a taste of paradise in a cup...

For the lovers of the exotic, (within moderation) this tea has to be tried to be believed! From the aroma when the contents are first released, to the aroma when brewing, and right through to the very last mouthful; this will not disappoint. I know, here at theuklooseleafteacompany, we are always raving about something, all ravings (I hope) are completely founded. This exotic coconut black tea is absolutely unbelievably awesome (if you like coconut). Blended with Lulo fruit (Lulo is also known as 'Naranjilla' or 'little orange' and grows on a bush. Lulo is native to the Andes mountains in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The fruit has a leather like orange skin covered with a hairy fuzz. The inside looks like green tomato), marigold and safflower. Brewed for 3-4 minutes according to taste, this exotic black tea blend takes on a a warm golden honey brown; it has a smooth yet heady flavour; sit back close your eyes and be transported to a tropical paradise (well, for a few minutes anyway) reminiscent of my favourite holiday in Hawaii, and the amazing cocktails at sundown at the extremely romantic (could have been the cocktails) beach bar - this tea is going straight to the top of this month's must drink list; also, it's pretty and aromatic enough to be used as pot pourri?! But that would be a waste of this delicious beverage. This blend would make an excellent Christmas gift to introduce a novice to a plethora of other worldly flavours, I use this term as when I mentioned this tea to my father – he looked at me as if I had just landed from another planet! Try it now, Exotic Coconut.

Fancy Sencha that?….

And here at the uklooseleafteacompany, we certainly do. An organic Japanese Sencha green tea, reported to be the most popular in Japan (according to our research) and representing approx 80% of tea produced. The ideal colour for a good Sencha tea is a greenish gold. The flavour can alter with the temperature of the water added, for example; hot water can produce a stronger more astringent flavour whereas a more temperate addition produces a quite mellow taste. Sencha leaves are exposed to sunlight throughout the life cycle, which encourages rapid growth. Sencha is high in vitamin C, it also contains Tannin which gives the unique sharp flavour. An important difference between Japanese green tea and other teas for example; black tea, oolong tea and Chinese green tea is, Japanese tea leaves are steamed after harvest, the process lasts approx 15-20 seconds, the tea is then put through a rolling process preventing the leaves from oxidation, therefore retaining the natural green colour, aroma and nutritional components. Green tea has long been the subject of many scientific and medical studies to determine if reported health benefits are founded. Some evidence reports that regular consumption may reduce the risk of developing heart disease, also certain types of cancer. Green tea has also been a key additive to health foods, dietary supplements and cosmetics. Green tea does not raise the metabolic rate enough to dispense with a healthy nutritious diet and exercise regime, however, certain natural chemicals contained in the extract has been shown to assist the metabolic rate by approx 4% without increasing the heart rate.