Go Climb a Tea Tree
March 12th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
A tea tree, which is also popularly referred to as a ti tree, is used to refer to any related or even unrelated series of trees which grow the leaves that are made and used to produce tea. This grouping of trees may or may not carry the leaves from which traditional tea is even derived. However, they have all been termed as such because, at some point or another, people have used the leaves of the said trees for the tea-making process.
That is, individuals and groups have taken leaves from the tea tree and soaked them in water in order to make a tea-like product. Although there are numerous types included in the tea tree classification, for the sake of space, three will be discussed in this article as examples: the kanuka tree, the leptospermum tree and camellia sinensis, a true tea tree.
Kanuka
This tea tree which is found in New Zealand is really more like a shrub than a tree. This tea tree can grow very large and is abundant across the New Zealand landscape, and due to the beautiful little white flowers it contains, these tea trees also create a beautiful backdrop across much of the land.
Some liken the appearance of a series of kanuka trees to that of a snowy hillside. Although the leaves are often used for tea-making, this tea tree actually only produces an herbal tea product, so technically it is not a true tea-making tea tree.
Leptospermum
Like the kanuka tea tree, the leptospermum resembles more of a bush than an actual tree. Also similarly, this tea tree can be found in New Zealand. However it is most prevalent in Australia, and still yet similar to the kanuka tree, the leptospermum leaves generate an herbal tea and not the true tea type of green, white, black/red or oolong. In addition to using the leaves of this tea tree to make a tea-like product, natives have also long-used the flowers’ nectar to make honey.
Camellia Sinensis
The camellia sinensis is the one true tea tree from which all teas, black/red, green, oolong and white are originally plucked. It is based on the eventual oxidation process that determines the final product, but subtleties in flavor are also relevant to the region of each camellia sinensis tea tree. This tea tree is a native to Asian regions, but today they can be found and are cultivated all over the world. All that is needed is a bit of tropical weather in order to make the camellia sinensis grow.
You are Cordially Invited - A Tea Party Invitation
March 9th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Tea as a product falls below that of coffee in overall world consumption and favored beverages, but it is a tasty treat that is enjoyed by many and, for some, a tea party is a truly treasured event. First and foremost to the party comes the tea party invitation.
This article discusses the food and tea combinations related to the tea party invitation, types of tea party invitations and how the tea party invitation relates to the types of tea parties that people like to throw.
Food and Tea Combinations
Tea parties have been thrown for many, many years, they have been around since ancient times, and one particularly favored aspect of the tea party is that of the perfect food and tea pairings and combinations. Of course everyone thinks of crumpets and tea, but what about the other many foods that people have found through the years to match favorably with their preferred tea?
Some suggest serving spicy foods with oolong or green tea. Or instead of including a picture of a crumpet on a tea party invitation, how would a spicy little pepper look? Another favorite combination is the grouping of various cheeses alongside a selection of green teas; featuring a beautiful portrait of cheeses on one’s tea party invitation is a great way to present this exciting tea party treat.
The Invitations
In addition to demonstrating just what type of tea party the hostess and/or host have planned, the tea party invitation also serves the purpose of simply being a beautiful representation of the upcoming event. Some may choose to design and print their own tea party invitation, which is a lovely way to showcase one’s talents, however, others may choose to have a company or invitation maker create their tea party invitation.
Some classic designs for the tea party invitation may include pictures simply of teapots and teacups, while still other invitations may feature that of completely unrelated designs which the designer has chosen, for instance, solely on the aesthetic appreciation that they have for that particular design.
Still others may not even select to have a picture on their tea party invitation but instead, may opt to be straightforward with simple words and maybe the inclusion of some attractive coloring,
Types of Parties
Another aspect people may consider when creating their perfect tea party invitation is based on what type of party, or for what purpose, it is being held. Is the tea party invitation being sent on behalf of a young girl and her cadre of teddy bears? Is the tea party invitation being sent out on behalf of a distinguished older woman and her long-term team of friends? These are certainly determining factors that one should consider when creating their idea of the perfect tea party invitation.
Tea House - A Tea Drinking Parlor
March 6th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
If you are tired of going to common shops and cafes for ‘yum cha’ sessions, you better start searching for alternate places. Well, at least drinks are not just limited to shops or restaurants or even cafes, especially when it comes to that of the exclusive drink like tea. There are many tea houses around the country which offers this serving of all kind of teas.
Basically a tea house is a place which is centered on the drinking of tea, or on the having of a ‘yum cha’ session, which basically just means the same. A tea house is also known as a tea room or tea parlor, and though the main function is to serve tea, it may differ according to different cultures.
Tradition of Tea Serving
The tradition of having tea in a special room or house started in Japan centuries ago, but it became very famous during the war years, primarily around the 1930s and 1950s. After the glum and depressing war mood subsided, this tradition also subsided a bit as well, but it then traveled out of Japan and landed everywhere else.
In the mid 1990s, the tea house tradition was introduced to the Northern American countries, and also in many European countries as well. Tea had already been very famous in Western Europe for many years, as people have always been looking for an alternate place to drink tea, they especially wanted a place that was closed from the din of the city life, and dimly lit like other drinking parlors, with soft music and groups of people discussing about their daily life.
In fact, in those days in Japan, there existed many places called ‘the floating worlds’, which had a special café called the tea house, and which were dimly lit, and to which only a certain group of people were allowed inside to, while the rest were made to sit outside.
A tea house was also used to hold tea ceremonies by certain people, especially those from the more high status society. Inside this tea house, there may be several other tea rooms which are used for this specific reason, and a tea room is called cha-shitsu.
In China on the other hand, a tea house still basically served the same purpose, but at the same time, it was also used for gambling. Nowadays, a tea house in China has become a place for young couples to go on their dates, for instance.
Nowadays, some of the teas that can be found in a tea house menu would include that of: green tea, white tea, yellow tea, oolong tea, black tea, herbal and scented tea, fruit tea, decaf tea, and many more. Besides just serving tea these days, a tea house may also sell tea accessories such as tea pots, cups and saucers and so forth.
