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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Celestial Seasonings Reissues Fast Lane

News flash! Fast Lane is back – but only for a limited time!
(from a press release)

Tea drinkers asked for it and Celestial Seasonings® listened. The legendary Fast Lane high-energy caffeinated black tea is available again for a limited time. Fast Lane tea can’t be found in stores – only by the case online or at the Celestial Seasonings Tea Shop in Boulder, Colorado. We hope you will consider sharing this information with your readers and are happy to provide you with a sample for review.

Fast Lane high-energy caffeinated black tea is an all-natural blend that starts with choice black teas from the Indonesian island of Java. It is blended with extra caffeine, cola nut and a special variety of ginseng called eleuthero to create a tea with an extraordinary kick. Spicy cinnamon and nutmeg are added for a unique flavor that’s a welcome break from coffee.

With several Facebook fan pages dedicated to Fast Lane and nearly 2,000 signatures on an Online Petition to bring it back, there’s no denying Fast Lane’s popularity. This limited run is sure to go fast.

For more information about the limited run of Fast Lane, please visit www.fastlanetea.com.

Image: Celestial Seasonings

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Filter Fans For Clear Tea

Filter Fans For Clear Tea. Simply Practical...
(from a press release)

As tea connoisseurs already know, a good cup of tea calls for correct preparation and suitable water that will bring out the full flavour of the tea. Many households in Great Britain are supplied with hard, limescale-containing water that adversely affects the taste and appearance of tea.

Helmut Körber, Managing Director of Bellima GmbH, a small company based in Halle/Saale, was also annoyed by his cloudy and strange-tasting tea. As a result, his company developed the handy Bellima water fan to enable tea drinkers to enjoy full-flavoured tea at low-cost without having to use accessory equipment (such as table-top and pot filters).

The water fan could hardly be easier to use: It is simply placed in the kettle with the tap water normally used for brewing tea. The fan then extracts the lime-containing constituents from the water, giving it the taste of still mineral water, and enabling the tea to release its full natural flavour. And because it is made of 100% natural materials in addition to being residue-free and biodegradable, the used water fan can be disposed of as waste paper or organic waste. Regular use of the water fan also keeps the kettle clean because it prevents limescale deposits from forming.

For those keen on having the best-possible tea water it represents the longest-lasting water-filtering solution. "Monthly packs" containing 30 fans for the preparation of at least 30 litres of water can be obtained directly from the manufacturer as well as purchased locally from numerous specialty tea shops and selected water stores.

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Yerba Mate For The Masses

In it's most basic form, yerba mate may never make it with the masses, at least not here in these United States. Chances are it's going to take some sweetening, flavoring and fancy packaging to get it to go over in this part of the world.

Not that Guayaki's not going to give it a try. Already the most notable of yerba mater vendors operating in the U.S., Guayaki hopes to take their products to a wider audience in the future. Guayaki co-founders David Karr and Alex Pryor spoke recently with Bloomberg.com on this and other topics. Read that interview here.

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Specialty Tea Importer Expands Retail Presence

Specialty Tea Importer In Pursuit of Tea Expands Retail Presence
(from a press release)

On August 12th, specialty tea importer In Pursuit of Tea opened a new tea café in SoHo. Now, the café has expanded its retail presence with packaged premium loose-leaf teas and a comprehensive range of loose-leaf and matcha teaware. Along with the cold-brewed teas, hand-whisked matcha (powdered Japanese green tea), innovative treats and tea classes for which the café is known, retail products make In Pursuit of Tea the premier destination for good tea (and great tea gifts) in New York City.

The café’s expanded tea selection now includes retail packages of the handcrafted, additive-free teas In Pursuit of Tea sources from around the globe for wholesale clients like Daniel Boulud and Gramercy Tavern. With assistance from the café’s knowledgeable staff, customers can select from about 30 packaged loose-leaf teas (such as Honey Phoenix Oolong made from 100-year-old trees), as well as “thick” and “thin” matchas.

In Pursuit of Tea now retails tea accoutrements suited for beginners (like basic stainless steel tea infuser baskets and sturdy Timolino travel infusers) and connoisseurs (like traditional Yi Xing teapots and gaiwans). Matcha lovers will be pleased to know that the café also carries a full selection of matcha ware, including handmade ceramic matcha bowls, stainless steel matcha sifters and painstakingly crafted matcha whisks.

In Pursuit of Tea makes it easy to give the gift of good tea with three tea-and-teaware gift sets, each packaged in a handsome gift box trimmed with traditional Yunnanese patterned cloth. These range in price from $19 to $55 and in style from beginner to connoisseur. The In Pursuit of Tea staff is also available to create custom gift boxes.

For those in search of more experiential gifts, In Pursuit of Tea offers package deals on tea classes. Previous classes include a tea and cheese pairing with Saxelby Cheesemongers and “Japanese Tea 101” with Japanese Food Report. In Pursuit of Tea’s owner, Sebastian Beckwith, offers these classes as a means of sharing his firsthand knowledge of tea flavor profiles, tea origins and artisan tea processing techniques.

(Photo copyright In Pursuit of Tea, 2010)

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Rio Mate Commercial

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Teavana’s New Harvest

Teavana’s New Harvest – New Teas for 2010 and 2011
(from a press release)

Join us on an adventure through the culture, flavor and inspiration of tea. Teavana climbed the steep mountain tops of China traveling to the birthplace of tea, waded through hustle and bustle of Thailand’s busy tea and spice district, and wandered through the rolling green of the shade grown tea fields in Japan. Teavana, known for procuring the finest loose leaf tea from around the world, is proud to present new tea selections for the 2010-2011 season. This launch includes a combination of flavored white and green teas, single estate oolong and black and a collection of tasty herbal teas.

Teavana’s New Harvest further expands the wonderful flavors and health benefits that make Teavana the most recognized and respected brand in the tea industry. The New Harvest includes teas that are destined to become essentials in your daily tea cup such as Maharaja Chai Oolong (a bold & spicy chai oolong blend), Shanghai Orchid (an exotic floral scented white tea), Blackberry Mojito (a bursting berry green tea with a cool minty finish), and JavaVana Maté (a rich mocha coffee-like maté and black tea blend).

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