The Tea Detective
Uncovering and Exploring the Facts About Tea
Uncovering and Exploring the Facts About Tea
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| Blended Teas Creating a Unique Taste All Their Own |
| Ever since the Chinese first discovered tea, they've been adding flavorings, either by blending flowers, fruits, herbs, or spices to the processed leaves, or by adding additional ingredients to the boiling water used to brew tea. Processed black, green, and oolong teas are used as a base, then blended together with spices, herbs, flowers, or essential fruit oils to create a unique one-of-a-kind flavored tea. |
| Classic Tea Blends |
| One of the most popular and recognizable tea blends is Earl Grey. Using a traditional blend of China and Indian teas, Earl Grey is flavored with essential oil from the citrus-like bergamot fruit, which tastes something like an orange. There are lots of tales about how Earl Grey tea came to be named. One tells of a British diplomat on a mission to China who saved the life of a Mandarin. Deeply grateful, the Mandarin gave a recipe for the flavored tea to the diplomat, and also as a gift to the then Prime Minister, Earl Grey, who served from 1830 to 1834. Another version tells of how it was the Earl himself who saved the Mandarin's life, and so was given |
| the recipe as thanks. Yet another story tells of how the recipe was a gift to the Prime Minister at the end of a successful diplomatic mission. None of the stories are likely true. But no matter what really happen- ed, the truth of the matter is that Earl Grey is one of the most popu- lar blends ever marketed. Today several different types of Earl Grey are available using China tea, Darjeeling, Ceylon, Silver Tip, and smok- ed, Lapsang Souchong (or Tarry Lapsang) tea. |
| Less is More |
| Depending on the amount of bergamot oil used, Earl Grey tea can taste incredibly good, or absolutely horrible. If too much oil is used, the tea can taste a lot like dish soap, or too little, and you may as well drink straight tea. When done right though, you have a wonderfully refreshing tea with a light citrusy flavor. Another version you might also like to try is Yunnan Earl Grey (Roi des Earl Grey), a blend made with black China tea from Yunnan and also scented with bergamot oil. Again, when properly blended with just the right amount of bergamot oil, you get that light, fresh citrus flavor that tastes so refreshing and good. Some other popular blends are:
Breakfast blends are meant to go with heavy, fatty foods like bacon and eggs, sausage, smoked meats and fish. Afternoon or Five-O-Clock blends are usually lighter than breakfast blends, containing Darjeeling, China, Formosa, and lighter Ceylon teas, often with just a hint of bergamot oil or jasmine added. As its name suggests, Russian Caravan (also called Lapsang Souchong) is a blend that was recreated for the taste preferences of the Russians who drank China tea that was carried by camel from the Russian/China border. This heavy, smoky blend is usually made up of black or Formosa tea, with a hint of Lapsang Souchong or Tarry Lapsang. Russian Caravan is a blended tea that you will either love or hate. When done properly it will have a wonderfully sweet and smoky aroma, and subtle flavors of fruit and spice, with hints of orange and cloves. Lesser quality Russian Caravan teas will have a strong meaty smell like that of smoked bacon or meat, and the strong smell of tar. This is just a sampling of some of the classic, traditional blends that are available. There are, of course, many more to choose from, so get out there and look around. I'm betting there are some that will be on your list of favorite teas someday, too. But in the meantime if there are favorite flavors you'd like to incorp- orate into your own recipe, visit our Make Your Own Blended Fillable Tea Bags page and learn how to make your own personal blended and flavored teas using ingredients you likely have right now in your own kitchen cupboard. Enjoy. |
| For information or to learn more about tea, visit our other pages: How jasmine and other scented teas are made. Scented teas have been around since the third century, a process perfected by the Chinese. Take a close-up look at the manufacturing process for jasmine and other quality teas. Try Lavender Earl Grey from Silver Leaf Tea - a nice blend of whole leaf black tea, bergamot, and lavender flowers. If you're looking for decaffeinated teas, try their breakfast blends, and evening and Earl Grey blends. How do I choose the right tea for me? Buying loose leaf tea for the first time can be confusing, but we've taken the work out of it for you. With lots of helpful tips and information, we've turned confusing into confident. The history behind iced tea and recipe for a summertime classic - Sun Tea. Learn the history behind iced tea and how a spur of the moment decision led to its creation, and get the recipe for brewing up a glass or pot of the summertime classic - Sun Tea. How should tea be stored? Learn tea storage tips and information on how to keep your tea fresh, preserving quality and flavor. Try Earl Grey Extra Fancy OP Tea, from Silver Leaf Tea- a light, aromatic blend with just the right balance of bergamot oil. Blooming Teas - a delightful feast for the senses. Watch as these special hand-wrapped teas transform into beautiful shapes right before your eyes, and then enjoy drinking the freshly brewed tea. (A charming after-dinner treat for guests). Make brewing tea a breeze with a few helpful tools. Brewing tea is an easy task, but with a few choice tools and accessories you can make it even easier and more enjoyable. Organic teas aren't just good for you, but Mother Earth, too. Learn how organic teas are grown, and the rules and regulations governing them, and how to ensure the tea you're buying is certified organic by the country it was grown in. Learn how tea helps you lose weight the healthy, natural way. Drinking just three cups of tea a day not only helps you take off those unwanted pounds, but also provides a powerhouse of other healthy benefits as well. |
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| For a great selection of fine teas, gifts, and accessories, visit: The Tea Detective's Gift of Tea Store |
Receive A Guide To Tea, an 88-page book on the history and enjoyment of tea free with your first Adagio Teas order of $19 or more.
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