Renowned Tea Masters Coming to San Diego

(from a press release)

Renowned tea masters James Norwood Pratt, James Labe, Bruce Richardson, and Chas Kroll will be leading the American Tea Masters Association's first 13-week Tea Mastery Certification Course in San Diego, California, starting July 14, 2008.

The distinguished faculty will be leading the 5-day Comprehensive Tea Mastery Course, the first of the two-part 13-week Tea Mastery Certification Course™ training program. The 5-day course will be held at the Wellspring Tea Room, 4538 Park Boulevard in the University Heights section of San Diego. Ample parking is available behind the tea court.

The association's prestigious Certified Tea Master designation, along with its coveted engraved brass lapel badge, is awarded to graduates completing the training.

Additional information on the Tea Mastery Certification Course is available on the association's web site or by calling (619) 330-9017. The course is open to a maximum of 24 participants. A $250 tuition-deposit is required to reserve a place at the training.

shop for tea books.

tea, green tea, food, food and drink

Tea Voyeurs

If you've ever been overcome with a burning desire to see what other people's tea shelves/cabinets/warehouses/whatever look like, you're in luck. Over at the TeaChat forum there's a thread underway that covers just that. I used to think I had a fair amount of tea lying around but I'm not even in the same ballpark as some of these people.

shop for tea books.

tea, green tea, food, food and drink

Frozen Iced Tea & Tea Bag Anniversary

Even after reading the recipe I'm still not quite sure what Frozen Iced Tea is. But if you'd like to give it a go, here's the link.

According to London's Telegraph, the tea bag turns one hundred this year. For more on its origin, evolution and all that sort of thing, look here.

This isn't the place to discuss politics and so I won't. But it's probably not a political statement to say that I don't see President Bush as the type to be taking tea. According to a recent report that's what he'll be doing when he hangs out with the Queen tomorrow.

shop for tea books.

tea, green tea, food, food and drink

What's Brewing?, from Veria TV, to Debut in Fall 2008

What's Brewing?, from Veria TV, to Debut in Fall 2008
(from a press release)

Veria (pronounced ver-ee-ah) -- a growing natural health and wellness company dedicated to bringing natural wellness to the mainstream through its television network, local wellness centers, and lifestyle-focused website -- today unveiled a new line-up of original television series scheduled to premiere on the company's television network, Veria TV, in the fall of 2008. Veria TV is currently available on Channel 9575 on the DISH Network(TM).

Veria's new programs include:

"What's Brewing?" - Jody Rudman, owner of Dallas-based Tempest Tea, explores the wisdom of some of the world's oldest cultures by highlighting ancient beverages, such as teas, yerba mate, xocoatl and herbal tisanes, which can have benefits for today's busy lives.

shop for tea books.

tea, green tea, food, food and drink

Tea Review 89 - Tavalon (x4))

New York City Breakfast
Serenity
After Dark
Organic Kama Chai Sutra
Tavalon LLC

The good people at New York City's Tavalon recently passed along samples of a few of their blended teas and tisanes. Here's the lowdown:

New York City Breakfast
"A hearty blend of the world's best black teas from India, Sri Lanka and Indonesia created for the New Yorker palate."
A new one on me and apparently a Tavalon creation. I like Assam and Yunnan black teas, but have never been much of a fan of breakfast blends. This one was better than most when served hot and even better than that iced.

Serenity/After Dark
"A relaxing caffeine-free herbal blend consisting of Chamomile, Peppermint, Lemongrass, Rooibos and Vanilla."
"A sweet & sour, caffeine & sugar-free blend of Chamomile, Blood Orange, Cranberry, Apple, Cherry and Hibiscus flowers."
Chamomile is another "tea" that's never done much for me. But both of these tisanes benefit considerably from the fresh and intensely aromatic ingredients that have gone into them. Serenity worked better for me than the very fruity After Dark, but that's a personal preference again.

Organic Kama Chai Sutra
"An organic blend of Assam tea, cardamom, clove, cinnamon, ginger and vanilla beans."
I've tried to come to terms with chai (Earl Grey and lapsang souchong too). I really have. But I've determined that none of these items are really my cup of tea. Once again, though, the ingredients in this one seemed to be very fresh and flavorful. If you are a chai lover it might be worth looking into.

shop for tea books.

tea, green tea, food, food and drink

Iyemon Cha, Premium Japanese Green Tea, Launches in San Francisco

Steeped in Japan's Finest Tea-Making Tradition, Iyemon Cha, Premium Japanese Green Tea, Launches in San Francisco
(from a press release)

Iyemon Cha, a refreshing new premium bottled Japanese green tea from Suntory to be distributed by Calistoga Beverage Company, a subsidiary of Nestle Waters North America, makes its U.S. debut this May in San Francisco, the first stop on a planned national rollout. Free of preservatives and sweeteners, this pure, all-natural organic green tea is steeped in rich tea-making tradition. Iyemon Cha (pronounced ee-yeh-mon cha) is available in two varieties: Original Green Tea and Roasted Green Tea.

The world's finest green tea or "cha" (Japanese for tea) comes from Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan and the original source of Japanese green tea. It is here that Iyemon Cha is made at the esteemed tea company, Fukujuen, founded more than two centuries ago in 1790 and today one of Japan's top three sellers of leaf tea. Iyemon Cha is the only bottled green tea from this historic purveyor of fine teas, now available in America for the first time.

Iyemon Cha is the only bottled tea in the world to add a touch of matcha, a stone-ground tea of the highest quality, for extra richness. Matcha is made from the finest, youngest leaves of the tea bush, which is covered for several weeks before harvest to slow down growth, imparting a more intense sweetness and depth of flavor when pulverized into a fine powder. Prized for its superior quality, matcha is the centerpiece of the traditional Japanese tea ceremony and a unique, essential ingredient in Iyemon Cha.

Iyemon Cha is made entirely in Japan from 100% Japanese tea leaves using the purest refined water to bring out the best flavor. It is imported from Japan and bottled in a stylish, environmentally conscious glass bottle (12.2oz /361 ml) with a suggested retail price of $2.75.

shop for tea books.

tea, green tea, food, food and drink

Obama Votes For Honest Tea

Barack Obama - perhaps you've heard of him? Now don't worry - I'm not going to wax political. This is definitely not the place for it, nor do I have the inclination to do so.

But there's an article that appeared in the Washington Post recently, discussing Obama's fondness for Honest Tea's bottled wares. Given the length of the piece, it appears that it was a pretty slow news day.

The gist of the article is that Obama once favored Honest Tea's Community Green flavor, before casting that aside for Green Dragon. When he decided to cut down his caffeine intake, Black Forest Berry became his beverage of choice.

All the thrilling details, right here.

shop for tea books.

tea, green tea, food, food and drink