Tea Review 113: Rishi Hong Yue

Hong Yue
Rishi Tea

A while back I decided that due to limited time and resources I would confine my tea reviewing to those teas that are truly worth mentioning. Because this is a one-man show and there are so many other more comprehensive review sites out there it seems silly to review everything that comes down the pike.

Rishi's Hong Yue is definitely worth of mention and not just for the novelty factor. But let's talk about that for a moment. Taiwan is best known for it's fine oolong teas and so when a Taiwanese black tea comes along it's worth taking notice. Fortunately Hong Yue does not disappoint.

I can't quite put my finger on what to compare Hong Yue to. I suppose it's closest to a Keemun, but that doesn't quite cut it, as it's quite a bit more flavorful than any Keemuns I've tried. Rishi describes it as having "a distinctive aroma of Clove, Wintergreen, Camphor, Red Date, Raisin and Cinnamon" and I suppose I can concur with that description. Definitely a very aromatic black tea with strong notes of spice and virtually no astringency or bitterness.

In any event, it's one that's worth checking out but be sure to hurry along. Apparently quantities are limited. For more on this tea, from Rishi's blog, take a look at this article. For some thoughts from another reviewer, look here.

Samples and image by Rishi Tea
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TEEKANNE My TEEKANNE Moment Contest

TEEKANNE Herbal Wellness Tea Launches My TEEKANNE Moment Contest
(from a press release)

It’s that time of year again – tea season! And to kick this tea season off right, TEEKANNE Herbal Wellness Tea is proud to announce the start of its My TEEKANNE Moment contest. This year’s contest is all about the moment – your moment and how TEEKANNE teas take you there.

The My TEEKANNE Moment contest is about the celebration of the personal moments and roles that TEEKANNE Herbal Wellness Tea plays in your day.

TEEKANNE wants to hear about your unique and special moment. Interested? Entry is easy. Simply put it in writing, 200 words or less, accompanied by a photo that shows what that moment is like. That’s it. Just be sure to have your entry submitted by March 31, 2011. An online entry form can be found at www.favoritetea.com, along with a full description of the contest details and guidelines.

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Tea Business Spotlight 3 - Indie Tea

Welcome to the third of our Tea Business Spotlights, in which we allow tea people to share insights on running their business. If you're a tea business owner and you'd like to take part in an upcoming spotlight, please contact us.

Indie Tea
Las Vegas, Nevada

How long have you been in business?
Indie Tea has been in business since May, 2009, but in the works since 2007.

What is the size/scope of your business?
Currently, Indie Tea is a small, boutique tea company that is family owned and operated by myself, my husband, Mike Johnson and our daughter, Rachael Wilson. Of course we have aspirations for growth; but always want to maintain that family atmosphere no matter the size. We our focusing on selling wholesale to retail partners, but do maintain an online retail outlet. In June of 2011, Indie Tea will be an exhibitor at the World Tea Expo (booth #731), and through our presence there hope to expand our brand to other parts of the country and beyond.

Sanctuary T Launches BYOT

Sanctuary T Launches Product Line That Changes the Face of Tea
(from a press release)

Dawn Cameron, tea master and owner of Sanctuary T, brings a delightful touch of style and utility to tea drinkers everywhere with the launch of Sanctuary T’s new BYOT on-the-go tea pouches.

BYOT allows the user to carry Sanctuary T’s top quality, whole leaf loose tea in a convenient and easy-to-use pouch reminiscent of turn-of-the-century tobacco pouches, sized perfectly for a pocket or purse. However, rather than reading the off-putting “Warning” label synonymous with tobacco brands today, BYOT’s bright, stylish packaging reminds the user that tea is delicious and incredibly healthful.

The BYOT pouch includes one ounce of top quality whole leaf loose leaf tea (approximately 10 servings) and ten disposable unbleached paper teabags in a durable plastic pouch, along with simple instructions for brewing loose leaf tea on-the-go.

BYOT comes in 10 varieties ranging from signature Sanctuary T blends such as Toasted Almond and Soho Chai, to direct-from-garden teas including Tiekwanyen Oolong and Genmaicha Matcha, several of which are Certified Organic and Fair Trade Certified. BYOT retails for $6.99. It is available online and at Sanctuary T’s flagship location in the Soho neighborhood of New York City.

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Tea Business Spotlight 2 - Seven Cups

Seven Cups
Tucson, Arizona

Welcome to the second of our Tea Business Spotlights, in which we allow tea people to share insights on running their business. If you're a tea business owner and you'd like to take part in an upcoming spotlight, please contact us.

How long have you been in business?
Since 2002, but we spent almost as many years prior to that doing research, and establishing relationships in China before we felt we could start selling tea in the US.

What is the size/scope of your business?
We are a small business but we accomplish things that are usually more typical of much larger businesses. We do 100% of our sourcing directly from producers that we visit every year, currently 26, in the mainland and one in Taiwan, and we export it from China. We completely control our supply chain because we have our own Chinese export license, which we received in 2008. We are the only international tea company with our own license. It helps us to ensure that our quality is consistent. It also allows us to guarantee the tea's authenticity and that organic certifications are accurate.

We have a website that is oriented around education in tea and Chinese tea culture. We have kept an active blog since 2003. We do a lot of research in China in relationship to tea and tea culture. We are members of the Chinese International Tea Culture Research Institute, and have been published in their journal. We have customers in thirty six countries through our site.

Rishi Tea Launches Botanical Line

Rishi Tea Launches New Botanical Retail Line
(from a press release)

Rishi Tea introduces five organic and caffeine-free herbal teas with new environmentally sensitive packaging to our line of packaged retail tins. Each blend is a unique combination of natural botanicals, spices and fruits formulated for flavor and effect. The collection is available in-stores December 2010 with an additional five herbal teas launching in January 2011.

“Our new herbal teas are inspired by ancient herbal beverages and our constant travel and study of food cultures around the world. We’ve fused traditional remedies with epicurean creativity, premium ingredients and original blending techniques to offer balanced and complex flavors not available elsewhere,” says Joshua Kaiser, Rishi Tea founder and tea buyer.

The Botanical Retail Line features a new package design with hand-drawn illustrations of the ingredients and an easy-peel label that allows for the reuse and recycling of tins. The Line will be available in select Whole Foods Markets nationwide (MSRP $9.99).

Rishi Tea travels the world following each season’s harvest, tasting and sourcing the finest teas, herbs and spices alongside farmers who cultivate them. Individual herbs are chopped, crushed, ground or pounded to release their essential characters, combined in micro-batch blends and cured, allowing the blends to develop a refined
complexity and balance unlike any other.

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Sip Of Success Entry - Chess Match

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Tea Business Spotlight 1 - Joy's Teaspoon

Welcome to the first of our Tea Business Spotlights, in which we allow tea people to share insights on running their business. If you're a tea business owner and you'd like to take part in an upcoming spotlight, please contact us.

Joy's Teaspoon
Las Vegas, Nevada

How long have you been in business?
Launched the site April 1, 2010. Although, I initially began the business idea/plan in 2006.

What is the size/scope of your business?
Family run business located in Las Vegas, NV. We participate in a number of local events including tasting events at local libraries, boutiques, etc.

Why tea?
I am a self-proclaimed home chef and have always enjoyed cooking. Had my first run-in with loose leaf tea in 2006 in Chicago and instantly fell in love with the flavor, processes for brewing, history of the drink, etc. I am an avid tea drinker now with a desire to share that passion with anyone I meet.

How did you get the ball rolling on your venture?
1 - Got my husband on board!
2 - Got my business plan together and drafted up a budget for start up costs. Between those two things I had a solid checklist of things to take care of.
3 - Really convinced my husband (he's a numbers kind of guy!).

TeaMotion

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