Tea Basics
Check out these tea-rrific faves of the different types of teas like black, green, oolong, white, and herbal. Or, if you are looking for good quality and value teapots, cups, and other tea accessories, you might find them at these recommended shops. If you are in NYC and thirsty for a delicious boba drink, you might want to give these establishments. Lastly, if you love the scent of tea just like we do, we have included tea fragrances to tickle your fancy.
The tea plant, Camellia sinensis, has been prized for centuries because drinking tea has been thought to promote health–like preventing hardening of the arteries from fat and cholesterol build up in the walls of the arteries. Tea consumption is also scientifically proven as an antidiabetic, anti-aging, and tea’s antioxidants can reduce cancer risk. Additionally, tea has beneficial effects against arthritis and Parkinson’s disease. This research article is a quick read on the health benefits of tea.
The tea types differ because of fermentation. Black tea is fermented, green tea is not fermented, and oolong tea is semi-fermented. Green tea is made by using young tea leaves without fermentation. Black tea is produced by fermentation, either smoke-fired, flame-fired, or steamed. Oolong tea leaves are harvested, dried under the sun to remove moisture, and tossed to bruise the leaves for a faster oxidation process. After the bruising process, the tea is tossed in a vessel at a low temperature. White tea is made from the buds of Camellia sinensis. After the young, curled buds are picked, the buds are quickly steamed and dried. White tea undergoes the most minor oxidation process, yielding the highest polyphenol content. Polyphenols in tea are responsible for beneficial effects against cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
On the other hand, herbal tea is not derived from Camellia sinensis but from blends of various leaves of herbs, flowers, bark, seeds, or root of edible plants such as spearmint, ginger, chamomile, lavender, echinacea, cinnamon, hibiscus, fenugreek, ginseng, etc. Herbal teas are generally referred to as tisanes. Herbal teas are therapeutic beverages for relaxation, digestive issues, or fortifying the immune system.
Teapots and Accessories
1. Black Tea: Kusmi The du Matin N°24 is a blend of three premium black teas from China: Grand Yunnan, Ceylon, and Assam. This robust blend is perfect for the morning when you need the extra boost. Wow-za! This is my picky husband’s favorite, and he drinks it black. But you might want to add a splash of your choice of milk. Steep for 3-4 minutes.
2. Green Tea: Mighty Leaf Spring Jasmine has layers of tea leaves harvested from China and Arabian jasmine flower buds. This low-caffeine option is medium-bodied in flavor with a delicate floral aroma of jasmine. This is a mellow tea you could enjoy with honey, agave, or your sweetener of choice. Put your feet up and sip. Steep for 2-4 minutes.
3. Matcha (grounded) Green Tea: Rishi Teahouse Matcha is the first springtime harvest of tencha, a processing term for Camellia sinensis grown in the shade. Tencha makes for a mellow flavor. The tea tastes complex, with a bit of grass, a hint of bittersweetness, and a savory umami finish. To prepare, boil water and cool to 165 F. Sift 2 teaspoons of matcha into the cup of hot water and whisk until the tea is smooth and creamy foam forms on the surface.
4. Oolong Tea: Twining’s Oolong version is from the Fujian province with a woody and roasted aroma. This is for you if you want a toasty tea that is not too strong in taste, making it easy to drink. The price is suitable for most budgets. Steep for 3 minutes.
5. White Tea: Harney & Sons Chinese Silver Needle is gentle in vegetal flavor(like snow pea shoots) and imparts a light floral sweetness and fragrance. The tea leaves are fluffy and gorgeous, yielding a pale yellow color with a subtle tea flavor. New tea drinkers may need to develop an appreciation for its soft flavor profile. Steep for 2-3 minutes.
6. Herbal Tea: Aveda Comforting Tea is a blend of licorice root and peppermint that smells fresh and has a slightly sweet aftertaste. This tea had me at hello when I had it in the store and is one of my boss’s favorite teas she hides from her family. This herbal blend is very soothing and calming. Steep for 3-5 minutes.
All About Boba
Boba tea or bubble tea is the latest drink craze. You can order black tea, green tea, matcha, herbal tea flavored with fruit, chewy tapioca pearls, and other toppings.
1. Chun Yang Tea establishment has Flushing, Long Island City Queens, Sunset Park, Brooklyn, Chinatown, Tribeca in Manhattan, and New Dorp in Staten Island. Try any of our faves: the Grapefruit Green Tea, Honey Osmanthus Oolong Tea, or Kyoto Matcha with Milk.
2. Gong Cha franchised locations are all over NYC and NYS. The Lychee Oolong, Lemon Ai-Yu White Pearl, and Earl Grey Milk Tea are yummy. The slush series menu is also worth investigating.
3. Junbi has locations in NJ, CA, HI, and OR. If you are in the mood for a great matcha drink, you can’t go wrong with any order here. We also like the Jasmine Tea and the Yuzu Dragon Fruit Tea with add-ons like boba, aloe, and chia seeds, to name a few.
4. Kung Fu Tea franchised locations can be found in many states. Try something new like Longan Jujube Tea or the Winter Melon Milk Tea. Choose from a large selection of toppings like herbal jelly, tapioca pearls, red bean, aloe jelly, or mango popping bubbles.
Fragrances
Want to make tea your signature scent? Finding a perfume that works for what you like or what agrees with your body’s pH is very personal and may not be love at first sniff. When buying perfume, a couple of questions are longevity and sillage. Longevity is how long it can last on your skin or clothes from when you put the fragrance on. Sillage has to do with the perfume’s trail behind that other’s smell around you or when you walk about. So have fun checking these finds next time you are shopping.
1. Le Labo The Noir 29 has notes of black tea combined with bergamot, fig, bay leaf, cedarwood, vetiver, and musk. I must admit that bergamot is more dominant than black tea. The scent is sensuous and smoky on my skin. This perfume can last a long day, and others have complimented me throughout the day. However, the scent works better for me during the fall. This scent is unisex.
2. Le Labo The Matcha 26 is simply divine. As you might have guessed, I am a huge fan of Le Labo, and I recently gifted this fragrance for my birthday. The green matcha is paired with fig and bitter orange, and the scent is woody, sophisticated, and clean. However, when first applied, it opens with woodsy matcha. Then the middle notes that dominate my olfactory are citrus and fig, and the matcha is not-so-obvious anymore. Nonetheless, I enjoy this soft scent on my skin for the day, but the sillage is more intimate. I think this fragrance may be worn every day in the spring or summer. This scent is unisex.
3. Byredo Mixed Emotions is a woody scent with middle notes of Ceylon black tea. Full disclosure, I smelled this perfume on a woman I met riding the elevator in my building. The intense fragrance evoked a nostalgic memory of my grandmother smelling of Vick’s vapor rub and tobacco that I strangely enjoyed as a child. So, I asked what perfume she was wearing and did my research online. Unfortunately, I have yet to sample this evocative fragrance on my skin. The reviews state that the longevity and sillage are moderate, having to reapply throughout the day. This fragrance is unisex.
4. Jo Malone Earl Grey & Cucumber is a fresh scent with top notes of Earl Grey tea. The concoction blends black tea, bergamot, citrus, jasmine, vanilla, iris, cedar, amber, cucumber, and musk. For me, the Earl Grey tea smell is pronounced, and I love that about it. In addition, the freshness of the cucumber adds a clean scent that balances the amber and musk. Unfortunately, this perfume’s longevity on the skin is not long-lasting, and the sillage is apparent during the first few hours of application. A mid-day spritzing is necessary on your skin, but the smell lasts longer on your clothes. However, this is a good choice if you like light perfume. This is a unisex scent that can be enjoyed in the spring and summer seasons.
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