How to properly store you tea

When you start “collecting” different loose teas, you’ll wonder where  and how to store it.

Tea’s life, quality and flavor depends on quality storage.

Tea will absorb odors, humidity and any sort of toxins in the air. Actually, that is also why I use my infused tea leaves to absorb bad odors in my fridge. Then I through them away in my compost.

Avoid these 5 tea flavors assassins

Light

•will degrade your tea by stripping if from its natural color and of course its flavor ➞Dark place, Tea tin.

Moisture

•will degrade your tea, causing decay and naturally loss of flavor, quality ➞No fridge, Sealable container.

Heat

•will degrade your tea as well, summer is approaching ➞Cool place, Away from stove, oven.

Odor

•will absorb good and bad odors, better avoid putting it near anything with strong odors (Spices, oignons…)➞Avoid spice cabinet.

Air

•will absorb every particles in the air (air also carries moisture and odors)➞Avoid porous packaging materials

By avoiding these 5 elements, you’ll be able to preserve the freshness of your tea, as well as its flavor and quality.

This cherry-wood box presents a double lid inside to preserve the freshness of your tea

Open metal tea canister

Tea canister with the double lid

Here few pictures of one of my tea canisters. You will notice the double lid, something pretty common for tea containers.

I got that one in Paris, 4 or 5 years ago at the Mariage Frères store in Place des Ternes. It’s kind of pricy for what it is, even though it’s a very nice one, in cherry wood. They sell it for 46€ on their website.

Well I took the pictures outside, and of course there is air and bright light…but it was for the sake of the photo.

Here an example of how tea is sealed

Usually tea stores online are very meticulous when it comes to the storage of the tea they ship. Lately I received  some samples of Tea Vivre (I will review them soon on this blog) and their storage was great. Double wrapped and all, plus the box etc.

TeaVivre packaging

Samples inside the packaging (TeaVivre)

Actually they also have great posts about storage for Pu-erh or other teas.

How to purify the water of your cup of tea.

Water is something we take so much for granted. We buy it in plastic bottles, we take endless showers, or just let it run for much longer than needed while we wash our dishes, or tea-ware.

Everyone heard (or saw that video on youtube) of the Japanese Dr. Masaru‘s research on water, and his theory that human consciousness has an effect on the molecular structure of water. There is also a documentary on water called “Water, The Great Mystery” pretty interesting.

Since water and tea go together, I could not skip this major element. Nowadays water is victim of pollution as much as everything else around us, and we just adapted to it, so much that we can’t tell the difference from what is “pure” and the bad things we actually absorb. If you go hiking in altitude, in the mountains, you might get a chance to taste a water somewhat purer, even though, even there the environnement is victim of our pollution from down there in the cities.

Here few tips I gather that might help enhance the quality of your tea.

How to purify your water?

1-Filter your water

Water Bobble

They are many filters out there, and more and more people buy them because people are more and more aware of the effect of pollution on the human body. I personally use Brita filters (One on my water faucet and a pitcher), but are other brands as good I think, like PUR, or Aquasana. This summer I tried the nicely designed water Bobble bottle, now they also sell pitchers.

2-Put silver coins in your water pitcher

As far as I remember, back when I was little I always saw silver coins or silver “things” in water pitchers in several houses. My mother explained to me that it is good for the water. And it does taste different if you keep them in it all the time. The silver coins need to be entirely in silver though.

According to the Canadian drinking water website:

“Silver-based water purification units for the home have been in use in Europe for more than 50 years. Royal Doulton ceramic candles combine silver within the ceramic during manufacturing to take advantage of the outstanding bacterial disinfecting properties of silver. These units meet the National Sanitation Foundation Standards covering bacteriostatic efficacy, the reduction of lead, copper and particulates and the reduction of taste and odor. They also have the approval of the US Environmental Protection Agency as a bactericidal unit.”

Their website has actually a lot of interesting information.

3-Store your water in glass or non-plastic containers if possible.

Plastic is so common nowadays, that we don’t question anything related to this material. But if you think about it,  it’s made from petrochemicals, (“petro” and “chemicals”…I don’t know about you but it’s not really something I would want to be in contact with my water and even less my great tea leaves. I am kind of exaggerating here but well).

But the idea is, you can re-use glass, it’s more natural, even though it’s heavier and breakable, it’s 100% safe, which is not the case for plastic bottle. Who knows how much this BPA leachs into it, etc…

“According to several recent studies, polycarbonate plastic gradually leaches a chemical called bisphenol-A (BPA) into foods and liquids that are stored in containers made from this material. BPA has been identified as an endocrine disrupting chemical, or a chemical that easily mimics hormones when absorbed by the human body.” (Read more ➫ “Glass Water Storage Bottles vs. Plastic”)

A last tip I haven’t tried yet but am really eager to:

4-The bamboo charcoal water purifier

Bamboo charcoal

The websites selling tea, also sell them. One of them as all these miraculous explanations about this bamboo and I admit, I want to try that:

“Researchers and users alike call it a miracle filter because it can eliminate the residual chlorine and other chemicals in your water and replace it with healthy minerals like calcium, potassium, sodium and iron, transforming ordinary water into mineral water that leaves the drinker refreshed. “

Apparently it works as an air purifier as well. According to wikipedia “Bamboo charcoal has a long history in China and has been documented as early as 1486 AD during the Ming Dynasty”. I am sure they had good reasons to use this great plant for all sorts of things!

5-Demineralize/ distille your Water.

This process is pretty radical, but maybe the best one to have the purest water possible. (Plus say positive, kind and nice words to your water I am sure Dr. Masaru will approve). This method exists already in nature. I heard that the taste of distilled water is really great though. If you’re interested, I recommend reading this or buy a water distiller on amazon. They’re a little pricy, but it’s probably worth it.

If anyone has other tips, or does it some other way, please feel free to share in the comments. Thanks!

Here the video I mentioned at the beginning of this post:

Water – The Great Mystery

I’ll finish this post with this great quote, if you watched the whole documentary you might understand better why I share it here:

“The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed.”

- Albert Einstein

Entering 2012 with some wisdom around Tea and Chinese culture.

I will start the year with this post, I personally need to reflect on.  A friend of mine shared this quote on her Facebook wall. I think it reflects a lot on things I personally need to seriously consider as the New Year starts.

“If you care about others, but they still remain aloof, then you should ask yourself if you are truly kind. If you advise others unsuccessfully, you should ask yourself if you are truly wise. If you are courteous to others but they do no reciprocate, then you should ask yourself if you are truly sincere. When you do something but do not get a response, don’t complain about others. You should first look within and find where you have to change yourself.” – Mencius (Chinese philosopher)

Since it’s my first 2012 post. I might make it a little more diverse. Of course it still is all about tea here

I found the topic of tea very vast. Tea, is also pretty much connected to culture. And when you think about it, it always goes back to the old “story of the origine of tea”. This aspect has always been very interesting to me since the origine of tea takes place in China. And Chinese culture is something I have had deep interest in for many years. (If you’re curious, I found this great post about “Kangxi Emperor’s tea cups and Chinese porcelain history“.

My favorite Gaiwan Tea cup with floral ornements

We have to remember, that back in the past, tea was consumed as a luxury item, on special occasions. I guess like Chocolate was. And now its value is totally different. Not to say it has no real meaning to people, except the health benefits. I find the traditional aspect something very valuable, we should learn to re-appreciate.

Shen Yun and traditional Chinese culture. 

Using arts to bring something uplifting to people.

Actually there is something I would recommend to everyone interested in Arts and in Culture in general. It is a performance called Shen Yun.

This performing arts company is touring the whole world. So wherever you are you have a chance to see it. For more touring information you can visit their website (On the top left you have all the cities listed).

I have seen the performance last year. They actually just launched their 2012 Tour. Here a video of the audience feedback from last New York performance at Lincoln Center. I actually plan to see it in either in January or April in New York, or maybe Philadelphia too.

I think that anyone interested in learning how tradition can enhance today’s life, should see it. It’s really worth it on so many ways. The Chinese civilization brought us so many things we take for granted nowadays. On this show, it’s actually more about the universal message than the “chinese pride”. That’s an aspect I like. Because I can relate to that, even though I cherish my own Russian heritage and Russian culture. Well take a look and let me know what you think.

If you’re interested NPR Radio interviewed Jared Madsen the Master of Ceremonies and Ying Chen, the Orchestra director of their company. Really interesting to hear them talk about the performance.

Direct link➫ Shen Yun at Lincoln Center, NY

Tea Steeping Tumbler with tea infuser inside.

Here another Tea Tumbler I got after the Aladdin Travel Mug.

First of all, I love the design of this one. It’s less bulky than the Aladdin one, it’s more colorful, (Also exists in Green)

I kept the sticker for you guys

First of all, I have it for few weeks now, and tried to use it as much as I could. I have already few pros+ and cons- regarding this one.

Here the positive points:

• 1. The Removable tea filter (basket) is really nice, I keep using it for other things actually. +++
• 2. The Design is very nice, it takes no room in a bag. ++
• 3. I has not leaked or broke yet. For me it’s a ++

For the less positive ones:

• 1. The stainless steel makes my tea taste weird. So I won’t brew any nice tea I have in this. —
• 2. I have to remove the tea infuser right after I brewed the tea, otherwise it still is in contact with the hot water. –
• 3. It’s kind of hard to open. But it’s a small -

Tea Tumbler in full (with label even)

Tea Tumbler with removable tea filter

Removable Tea filter with cap

How the tea unfolds from the inside

Stainless Steel

Just one last thing. I don’t know where to buy this Tea Tumbler, I got it as a gift again. But I found some “cheap looking” version here.

When I find out, I’ll let you guys know.

Aladdin Infuser Travel mug review (Few months of intensive use later)

It has been a while since I got my Aladdin Infuser mug. I said I would give it a month and then write a review and see how it actually is.

If it’s worth your money etc…

First of all. Before I could even celebrate the “one month” use of this mug, I dropped it on the floor and the rubber band part inside (isolating the inside and outside) moved. This allowed moisture to enter in the “vacuum” space between the glass (where the tea is infused) and the plastic you actually touch. This really bothered me, because it was just impossible to keep it in place.

Few days later, my husband got me another mug, and now I use the second one.

The "sensitive area". Just don't drop it.

I would give it few pros- and few cons- for your reference.

+Pros:

• 1. The feature allowing the infuser to go inside the hot water then up is a great +++
• 2. The fact it’s transparent, is really an advantage, you can really tell by the color of the tea if it’s ready of not. ++
• 3. The cap is pretty solid, nothing leaking in my bag so far. Sometimes it is even hard to open. That is a real +++

-Cons:

• 1. It still pricy for something in plastic. $20 online (Found it in Argo Tea  for something like $25 in Manhattan, NY). –
• 2. Not as solid as I thought it would be. (My first one didn’t last a month with intensive use I guess). Personally I don’t like to buy things I only use once. Also don’t let people touch the little thing sticking out to pour the tea infuser inside, up and down, one day they’ll break it –
• 3. The infuser inside is pretty weak. It opened several times by itself and drop the tea leaves inside the mug. —

Let me know if you travel a lot and need your tea with you. If so, share your recommendation in the comments.

I am always curious to discover new tools. Then I figure out if I really need them or not.

Oh yes, another thing. You might ask yourself: “Why bother buy loose tea and go through these expenses”etc..

Well, I would like to end this post by this comment regarding Brewed tea vs. Bottled tea.

“Tea brewed from leaves has the most potent effects, and contains the most anti-oxidants. For any of the health benefits listed above, you won’t get the same effect from either powdered instant teas or from bottled, ready-made teas.” (about.com)

Also, has anyone tried the Yixing Travel Tea Tumbler?

Meet my new Crush: my Aladdin Tea Infuser Mug

☀Meet my new toy !

I don’t need much to be happy and enjoy little things. I don’t need entertainment or action in my life. Yes I am quite boring.

I do like to have some tea on the go. I got an Aladdin Tea Infuser as a present like a week or two ago and I just can’t stop using it. It’s practical because you can re-infuse your tea as many times as you want/can and since it’s designed for tea it’s not super hot, there is a double plastic layer.

I owned so many different cups and to go mugs, many of them were disappointing, spilling the liquid after some time or just not designed for tea but rather coffee, so this is for now a great alternative for me. I don’t know how long it will “last”, usually I happen to use these things until they die completely but It looks ok for now. (I doubt it will last that long, it’s made in China after all) Of course it won’t take the rank #1  of my favorite tea ware, it’s still plastic. But for a city, on the go use, it’s alright. I also love the fact you can see the color of your tea.

You can order one in blue or green (They call it “Chai” color) on Amazon, it costs $19,99.

They also say that the cup is microwave safe but please, please, pleaaaaase don’t ever, ever, ever...microwave the water of your tea. Actually you should even consider throwing your microwave away. I am just saying…

We left ours in the old apartment after we moved to a house. Never missed that thing.

Here a couple of photos for you to have a better idea how it works ➩

The cap is pretty reliable, no spills yet

How it looks with some Yellow tea inside, my favorite tea of the moment.

Once it's brewed at your convenience, you can use the little thing on the left to pull the infuser up.

Yes, it's the happy owner. It was a present and I love it!

Introduction to Silver Needles also known as “white tea”

Today, some friends wanted to go to that “New place” accross the street. Well it happened to be “Argo Tea“.

I went to Argo tea once, and the day….well evening, I went there, I was having such a craving for white tea…It was so odd, who would crave for White Tea??? If not a tea geek. Anyway, I was on my way for St. Marks, and I found this Argo Tea place near the FlatIron district. And they happen to have some white tea there. Anyway…all of this talking to get to the fact, today I thought about posting something about this white tea I found in the office the other day. Some “Jasmin Silver Needles”. Actually, I tried it for the first time, today. (As I write, I am having my second brew). I am truly not a fan of Jasmin anything, especially when it comes to Tea…But it was not too bad. Here how it looks like.

Visually, Silver Needles are just beautiful, too bad the plastic ruines it.

What’s “White Tea“? White Tea is very rare, and experts consider it to be a fourth type of tea. (Black, Green and Oolong being the 3 other ones)

White tea is produced exclusively from the buds or tips of the tea bush. White Tea is also lightly fermented…and contains a huge amount of antioxidants! I don’t know about you, but “antioxidants”…it sounds good!…FYI antioxidants are essentially the “substances that reduce, neutralize, and prevent the damage done to the body by free radicals.”(Quote Origine found here)

According to the Micronutrient Research for Optimum Health:

“White tea is made from buds and young leaves, which are steamed or fired to inactivate polyphenol oxidase, and then dried. Thus, due to minimal oxidation, white tea retains the high concentrations of catechins present in fresh tea leaves. Green tea is made from more mature tea leaves than white tea, and tea leaves may be withered prior to steaming or firing. Although they are also rich in catechins, green teas may have catechin profiles different from white teas, with slightly higher levels of oxidation products”.

Well basically, White Tea is the least processed form of tea..I don’t know about you, but to me “least processed” also sounds good! Some people describe its taste “Silky”, “Sweet” or “”flowery”.

Personally, I’d say “delicate”.

I found this info on About.com but could not find anything on the topic on Pace University’s site yet, the study was done in 2004:

“white tea can help your body’s immune system fight off viruses and dangerous infection-causing bacteria. The same study concluded that fluoride-rich white tea helps prevent the growth of dental plaque, the chief cause of tooth decay.”

If you have never tried White Tea aka Silver Needles, just do it!

The cutest tea leaves ever.

I have amazing Silver Needles “YIN ZHEN“ at home, I got this tea in France, at Mariage Frères.

Apparently there is a legend saying that a Chinese Emperor was so in Love with white tea, he made young ladies pick it up with golden scissors at dawn…when the first rays of light appeared on the horizon. I don’t know much about this legend, and who this emperor was, if you know, please comment.

The first class High Mountain Tea, Master selected in Taiwan

Approved by the British

Actually, I heard about this tea by Ben. Apparently someone who just came back from Taiwan left 2 boxes of this nice Oolong downstairs, on the 6th Floor for everyone to enjoy. (New Tang Dynasty Television’s Staff)
Just to give you a background, most of the staff here is from Chinese/Taiwanese origin, so drinking tea is more common than usual “coffee breaks”. “New York is home to a more coffee-focused population” (WSJ)

 

Hey, by the way…if you haven’t switch yet…it’s about time.

The instructions are in Chinese. Too bad I can't understand

This is how it looks when you open the metallic box

 

I found this Tea Test online….it’s a lot of fun…check it out.

I wanted to write more about tea in general on this post. But I guess I will share my research with you guys on the next posts.

Grounded in the West Village not only offers Coffee, Tea…but also “Tea Sniffing”.

The other day, a friend and I decided to go check out some Coffee places recommended by a blog called “Eatery Expert“.

Even though Manhattan offers a large choice of ☕Coffee places☕, It does not mean “Quality” is that easy to find. And my friend is a “Barista” type, she lived in Austria for a long time and was used to “european” expressos (…meaning: “real coffee”). Anyway…we checked two places. . . (You might wonder at this point, why I am talking about Coffee when it is supposed to be a tea blog… well, we went to a second place in the West Village: “Grounded“, I found this little counter, and this little Sniffing collection… of course, I could not resist. So I had to take some pictures to share with you guys.

Smelling tea, is definitely something Tea lovers can't resist.

The "Barista|Tea" Counter

Basic Tea

Grounded offers Organic Teas. They are saying on their website, that their loyal coffee customers started to increasingly order loose teas. Considering this demand, the Coffee started to also offer several teas… “Though most New Yorkers are considered proud members of America’s vast “coffee culture,” we noticed a strange occurrence at our cafe. Many of our loyal customers were opting out of the traditional coffee mold and, instead, ordering loose tea by the cup & pot from our then modest tea list.”

Actually, it’s a nice place to check out, maybe avoid rush hours…so that you can get a seat. Check their menu before, they have so many choices. They also have free wifi.

ITO EN Sencha or Oolong Shots

The other day, I went to visit a friend of a friend of mine. This friend: Hisao Hanafusa, is a Japanese artist and has his atelier on 26th Street. You can actually read this NY Times article about shoji screens and also like his Facebook page, he really is the sweetest man. Anyway, we went there with a friend, and they greeted us with this drink, I hope Zui reads this and appreciate the credit I gave him back in this post ☛

ITO EN Sencha Shot, Japanese Green Tea

Well, I have seen the drink in Whole Foods Stores and in Asian stores in K-Town. But never really bought.

Actually the company: ITO EN, has 3 version, as shots

☛The Maté Sencha Shot

☛The Oolong Shot

☛Sencha Shot

The last one, is the only one I tried. And honestly it’s pretty good. It’s not sweetened which is GREAT! Especially if you’re a real tea lover, you’re happy to finally find a production without sugar. Tea does not need sugar at all. Just a reminder…because here in the U.S they put sugar on everything, everywhere and most importantly anywhere where you don’t need it at all!

ITO EN Sencha Shot Ingredients

The nice thing on this drink is its short list of ingredients:

☛Purified Water

☛Tea

☛Ascorbic acid*

Their products are made in Japan, so it’s pretty cool. FYI, According to Wikipedia 80%  of the world’s supply of ascorbic acid is produced in China. Honestly I personally avoid anything from China when it comes to Food, Drinks, but well not sure it’s a huge issue for this product. But still wanted to mention it.

Here also the link to their Shots selection.

I personally want to try the Oolong one, will probably review it later, and find some background information as well.

The Company on twitter: http://twitter.com/ITO_EN

* Another name of Ascorbic Acid is Vitamin C