Plucking Time and Imperial Formosa Oolong Tea

Imperial Formosa oolong tea is one of the finest oolong teas you can buy, so long as it is produced in a quality tea garden that takes great care in how the tea is harvested and processed. To choose the best Imperial Formosa oolong tea, it's important to know some things about this tea and how it is harvested and produced.

Oolong tea is a hybrid of green and black tea. It is produced from the same plant as other teas, but processed a bit differently. Green tea is left unfermented, black tea is fully fermented and oolong tea is semi-fermented, meaning that the fermentation time is shorter than that of other teas, so some percentage of the tea leaves are left green.

This partial fermentation creates a tea that is lighter than black tea, but bolder and more flavorful than green tea. Depending upon how long the tea artisan allows the leaves to ferment, or oxidize, the tea may be closer to the flavor of a green tea or closer to the flavor of a black tea. In addition, oolong tea is produced from larger tea leaves, those that grow further down the tea plant.

Imperial Formosa oolong tea is produced only in Taiwan. Teas from Taiwan are referred to as Formosa teas because this was the country's original name. Most people think of China as the place where oolong teas are produced, and, in fact, China does produce the largest quantity of oolong tea today. However, Taiwan runs a close second, and their oolong teas are considered some of the best in the world.

According to historical book reports, tea bushes had been found growing in the wild of Taiwan about three hundred years ago. Tea varieties were introduced in Taiwan about two hundred years ago by immigrants from China and a new industry was born.

Imperial Formosa oolong tea is fermented until the leaves are about 30% oxidized. Timing the oxidation period is a critical step in creating a good oolong tea. To create the same flavor each time, the artisan must appropriately bruise the leaves and then see that the oxidation happens precisely. Producing oolong tea is a labor intensive process that cannot be effectively managed with machines and other mass production processes.

For this reason, fewer tea gardens produce oolong than other teas. Producing the very best oolong requires strict adherence to the process and timing as well as skilled tea artisans who can determine exactly when the tea leaves are appropriately dried and when they're appropriately fermented. For this reason, oolong teas are often more expensive than black and green teas. Formosa oolong teas are typically the most expensive oolong teas because labor costs in Taiwan are higher than those in other countries.

Like black and green teas, the flavor of oolong teas are also affected by when the leaves are plucked. The first teas plucked during the season are the spring teas, also known as first flush teas. These are generally the most highly prized tea leaves of the season. Though the tea plant will be harvested several more times before the end of the summer, in most cases the tea from these subsequent pluckings will not rival the first plucked tea in flavor.

This is primarily because tea leaves grown later in the season are subject to hotter weather and often become baked in the sun before theyre even plucked. The same rules apply to most oolong teas. In most cases, the first flush of oolong will have the best taste. You'll typically find Imperial Formosa oolong tea produced from the first plucking of the season.

The best tea gardens, can, however, make good tea from each flush of the growing season, though many tea connoisseurs will always favor first flush teas. This exceptional flavor and smaller availability make first flush oolong teas the most expensive of the growing season, too.

The best tea gardens label their teas not only by the grade of the tea leaves, but according to which plucking they were produced from. Some tea gardens don't even pluck more than twice a season, believing that the quality of the tea is not sufficient after the second plucking.

In most cases Imperial Formosa oolong tea will be a first flush tea and will be graded Finest to Choice, the highest grade of Formosa teas. Few tea gardens produce Imperial Formosa oolong, and most can be counted on to produce high quality tea.

The Best Way to Brew Tea

Brewing a Perfect Cup of Tea

Time:

The finer the grain, the quicker the brew time as the surface area of the tea exposed to the hot water is greater. Nearly powdered teas are ready to go in about two minutes or less, while large leaf varieties may need more than five minutes. The general rule is three to five minutes, blacks longer than greens. The longer a tea steeps, the more likely it is to become slightly astringent or "bitter" to your taste. Some tea lovers prefer a bit of astringency, while others recommend putting the tea into infusers or paper filters (rather than directly in the pot) as the leaves can more easily be removed from the pot after the prescribed steeping time, which also preserves a bit more "virtue" for you in the leaves if the intent is to reuse them to brew yourself a second pot.

Temperature:

With black teas, the hotter the water the better. Bring it just to a boil and let it back off a couple of degrees. Green teas are usually a bit more delicate and do better in water that is in the 160 to 185 degree range, so it may make sense to let your water cool a bit before brewing the tea in this case.

Quality of Water

Never use tap water to brew your tea because sediments and contaminants in the water will ruin the taste of your tea. It is best to use purified water processed through a distillation, oxidation process for best flavor

Brewing a Perfect Second Cup

Get More From Your Tea!

Remember that you can get a second pot out of just about any tea type. If the tea is loose in the pot, first pour off the cold excess liquid through a filter and return the leaves to the pot. Fill the pot about three quarter full of fresh hot water. If desired, add a bit more fresh tea. Let this pot steep a few minutes longer than the first. If the tea is in an infuser or paper filter, simply put it back into fresh hot water as above. It is a lot easier to add a bit more fresh tea if you are using a filter rather than an infuser.

Decaffeinating Your Own Tea

Caffeine is highly water soluble, so it is one of the first constituents of the leaf to be extracted in the steeping process. Usually 80 percent or more of the tea's caffeine content is released within the first 20 to 30 seconds of steeping. You can enjoy any tea virtually caffeine-free (with little sacrifice of flavor) by discarding the water after the first 30 to 60 seconds of steeping and adding fresh hot water to the now largely decaffeinated leaf. Obviously, using a T-sac tea filter or an infuser when decaffeinating in this manner is far more practical for you than adding tea directly to the pot.

Tea and Your Health

Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world, after water. Asian cultures drink gallons of green, oolong and other teas, and the Brits consume large quantities of black tea. In fact, everywhere in the world, tea is a regular part of life. In many cases, we drink tea because we like it, but as it turns out, it may be extremely healthy for us, too.

Over the years there's been tons of research on the benefits of tea to our health. And, as we learn more and more, it's becoming clear that drinking tea may be one of the best things we can do to protect our health and prolong our lives. The University of Toronto Medical Journal outlines the many benefits that drinking tea can offer.

Prevention of Heart Disease

Studies have shown that regular tea consumption can actually lower cholesterol levels circulating in the blood. In fact, some studies have shown tea to reduce total cholesterol by as much as 6.5% and LDL cholesterol by as much as 11%. A reduction in cholesterol prevents atherosclerosis, a condition in which the arteries that carry blood become narrowed due to a buildup of plaque. The plaque that builds up in our arteries is created when LDL cholesterol oxidizes.

Prevention of Cancer

Tea has been shown to reduce the risk of several forms of cancer. In fact, tea has been shown to reduce lung tumors by 80% in laboratory mice. Tea has also been effective in human studies on cancer, including breast cancer, colon cancer and gastric cancer.

Weight Loss

Tea has also been shown to be an effective weight loss supplement. Tea increases energy expenditure, promotes fat oxidation and decreases fat storage. Many studies have shown that drinking tea in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise can help you lose more weight than diet and exercise alone.

Improvement in Intestinal Tract Bacteria

Regular tea consumption can help improve the bacteria that live in your intestinal tract; eliminating harmful bacteria and helping beneficial bacteria to flourish. Tea has been shown to reduce the level of H pylori bacteria in the stomach. H pylori is associated with the development of ulcers.

Earl Grey Was a Real Person and is a Great Tea

Earl Grey tea is a popular flavored black tea named after an historic figure in 19th century England. Earl Grey's existence and historic accomplishments are well documented but his influence on the tea that bears his name is less clear.

Charles Grey was the 2nd Earl Grey, (13 March 1764 - 17 July 1845), and was a British Whig statesman and Prime Minister. His father, Charles Grey, the 1st Earl Grey, was a notable British general in the American Revolution who commanded victories in several battles, notably against the American forces under General Anthony Wayne and at the Battle of Germantown (1777-78).

Descended from a long-established Northumbrian family, Grey was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, and was elected to Parliament at the age of 22 in 1786. He became a part of the Whig movement, and soon became one of the major leaders of the Whig party which befitted his high standing in British society. Grey was noted for advocating strong Parliamentary reform and Catholic emancipation.

The Whig party slowly evolved during the 18th century. In general terms, the Whig tendency supported the great aristocratic families and non-Anglicans, while the opposing Tories supported the Anglican Church and the gentry. Later on, the Whigs drew support from the emerging industrial interests and wealthy merchants, while the Tories drew support from the landed interests and the British Crown.

By the first half of the 19th century, however, the Whig political program came to encompass not only the supremacy of parliament over the monarch and support for free trade, but the abolition of slavery, and, significantly, expansion of the franchise. Eventually the Whigs would evolve into the Liberal Party while the Tories became the Conservative Party.

In 1830, the Whigs finally returned to power, with Grey as Prime Minister. His Ministry was a notable one, seeing passage of the Reform Act 1832, which finally saw the reform of the House of Commons, and the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire in 1833.

Grey eventually became more conservative however, and he avoided more far-reaching reforms. In 1834 Grey retired from public life.

Earl Grey tea is named after Grey who reputedly received a gift, probably a diplomatic present, of tea flavored with bergamot oil. The legend reportedly involved a grateful Chinese mandarin whose son was rescued from drowning by one of Lord Grey's men, although this blend of tea was first made from fermented black Indian and "Ceylonese" (Sri Lankan) teas not found in China.

Since green tea is much more popular in China than black tea, it is improbable that they would have had a recipe for what we now call Earl Grey to bestow on visitors, though over the years many other varieties of tea have been used. In addition, Lord Grey never visited China.

A second version of the legend has the son of an Indian raja being rescued from a tiger by one of Grey's servants and expressed his gratitude through the gift of the newly flavored black tea.

The tea became a commercial favorite as many merchants realized the value and popularity of the flavored tea and began to market Earl Grey intensively. This marketing effort was aided by the tax reductions implemented by the British Government at the end of the prior century.

White Tea for Your Health

I have a very stressful full time job and, although my blood pressure is still low, my systolic ratings are increasing.

I told my doctor that I am not a candidate for blood pressure drugs and he agreed. Since I maintain an active lifestyle, I decided to try a better diet to eliminate the threat of hypertension.

This diet included three parts: The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet and the addition of White Tea and purified water to my diet. The DASH emphasizes a diet low in Sodium and high in fruits and vegetables with additional supplements like Omega-3 fish oil.

White tea was part of an overall tea study that found that drinking tea reduces the rise of blood pressure and noted that white tea contained the highest level of anti-oxidants and poly phenols that directly contributed to reduction of blood pressure levels. White tea is often considered the purest tea and, in addition to being healthy, it is delicious both on its own or combined with pieces of fruit like melon, ginger or licorice.

Consumption of purified water also contributed to lower blood pressures by removing chemicals that directly contribute to increased levels of blood pressure.

Irish Breakfast Tea - Special Reserve- A Great Way to Start a Cold Day

As Fall approaches, the days are getting shorter and the nights and mornings are getting colder.

Sometimes it is hard to get started on a cold, dark morning so a steaming hot mug of high quality tea adds that little extra incentive to start the day.

Black tea is a great way to start the day whether it is taken straight or with a little milk and sugar. Black tea is strong, flavorable and robust and has become the mainstay of morning tea drinkers.

An excellent morning tea is Irish Breakfast Tea - Special Reserve.

This robust yet balanced tea is great to start the day with combining the best black tea with a special reserve blend of the best flavoring

The robust flavor is equally elegant and complex. Rich and malty character, with subtle notes of ripe cherries, dark prunes, and hints of hazelnuts and honey create an unforgettable tea drinking experience.

One of the secrets to our Irish Breakfast - Special Reserve tea is the quality of the leaf. The leaves of this Irish Breakfast - Special Reserve tea are a large, well crafted fom the finest tea gardens and are robust and firm.

Start the Fall right!

A Tea Party for a Good Cause

Yesterday I attended a tea party for a good cause. It was part of an event to raise awareness for a battered women and children shelter in our city. The event was held at a five star restaurant (McCormick & Schmick's Sea Food)

It seemed to me that a tea party was a great way to host an event because the participants enjoyed the tea, small sandwiches, cookies and pasteries and it put everyone in a good mood for the event.

After the first 1/2 hour of socializing over cups of quality loose leaf tea (my favorite was Sugar Caramel Oolong) presentations were made that included members of the shelter who were helped by the services of the shelter and a doctor who provided medical care.

The whole event was a lot of fun and raised awareness in my mind that battered women and children still need help.

What was the (Honorable) East India Company?

The Honorable East India Company was a state supported, privately owned English trading company that had an enormous impact on world trade.

Founded in 1600 and disbanded in 1858, the East India Company created valuable trading links between Asia and Europe and helped establish English trading dominance throughout the world.

Using the backing of the English Crown, the East India Company became a state in its own right and its actions, while profit driven, were not always honorable. Many abuses and much corruption characterized the activity of the company particularly in the latter years of its existence,

One of its most profitable products was tea. Without a doubt, the East India Company was the driving force behind the growing, transportation and marketing of tea throughout the world.

The East India Company controlled all aspects of the world wide tea business and was largely responsible for the tea industry as we know it today.

China and Tea

Many historians believe that tea was first introduced and cultivated in Yunnan Province (located in southwestern China and bordering on present day Burma, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand) in a rich, lush area of jungle that was favorable to the growth of the tea bush.

What China added to the world of tea, however was an advanced society with an efficient bureaucracy that supported the spread of tea consumption in a methodical and rapid way. And, equally important, tea transition from a basic food to a valuable medicine under Chinese management.

By the third century AD in China the story of tea and its benefits were well known, but it was not until the Tang Dynasty (618 CE - 906 CE) that tea officially became China's national drink. During this time the word ch'a was used to describe tea.

Loose Leaf Tea vs. Tea Bags - What's the Difference?

There is a very real difference between loose leaf and specialty tea compared to tea made from tea bags.

Generally speaking, loose leaf tea is processed by the Prthodox Method that has been provedn to create quality tea throughour the ages. Using the Orthodox method, the whole leaf and bud structure can be maintained . It is almost universally agreed among tea entusiasts that the Orthodox Method prepares a more robust, flavorful tea drink.

Bagged tea, on the other hand uses the CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) method that is based upon machine processing of the whole leafs that results in small cut pieces that are called fannings and dust and create little flavor. Machine processing is required because the cost of packaging (the bag is an extra cost) which requires high volume processing in order to be price competitive. The result, however is a tea drink that is weak and watery in flavor.

Whole leaf teas are unable to be used in ordinary tea bags because the paper bag does not allow whole leaf expansion and infusion. Some whole leaf reas are marketed in silk bags that do allow expansion but are very expensive.

If you want whole leaf flavor and value - stay with loose leaf tea.

Tea Health Benefits

n recent years, tea has attracted a lot of attention for its many health benefits. For years Asian cultures have used tea for many medical purposes, and science is proving out what Asians seem to have known all along - tea has many healthy benefits.

Among tea, green tea seems to provide the most health benefits. This is because green tea, unlike black tea is not fermented during its processing. Green tea leaves are left in their more natural state, compared to the leaves that are fermented. In their natural state, tea leaves retain all of their natural anti-oxidants, known as catechins.

Anti-oxidants are important to our health because they protect our bodies from free radicals. Free radicals are oxygen containing molecules that are created as a by-product of our digestive processes. Free radicals left unchecked damage our cells and DNA, leading to disease and aging.

Anti-oxidants keep these free radicals in check, ensuring that theyre wiped out of our bodies before they can do damage. Anti-oxidants are found in many plant products, including fruits, vegetables, cocoa and coffee. But, it seems that the most potent anti-oxidants may be those found in the tea plant. The primary protective anti-oxidant, or catechin, in tea is a substance known as EGCG.

EGCG is associated with a lower risk of cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease. It also appears to naturally regulate blood sugar, so it may have potential in the prevention and treatment of diabetes. EGCG has also been associated with assisting in weight loss.

A Great Way to Find the Best Tea

There are a great number of specialty tea products on the market today and the loose leaf tea drinker is faced with many choices.

Often this can be time consuming, expensive and difficult.

Now however there is a tea sampler product that is cost effective, convenient and makes a unique gift for all occasions. Golden Moon Tea has created a sampler set that offers all of their 31 delicious teas in an attractive sampler package.

Each tea sampler makes one (1) cup of perfectly delicious tea.

It is an ideal way to enjoy the world of premium teas. It makes a perfect and unusual gift by itself or compliment it with beautiful teapots, Whole Leaf Brew-in-Mugs or other tea ware.

As we approach the holiday season, this set is an ideal gift set for the Holidays and special occasions .

For more details go to click here

What is Pu-erh Chai Iced Tea?

Pu-erh tea is quite different from other tea varieties. It gets its name from the province in China where it was harvested for the first time. It is made from a variety of tea plant that has good-sized leaves.

Pu-erh tea is a green tea, but after it has ripened, it has been mistaken for a type of black tea because of its color and how the tea looks after it is brewed. Pu-erh chai tea is made from aged tea leaves, and the resulting tea liquor is a beautiful dark color.

The spices in Pu-erh chai iced tea are usually cinnamon bark and cardamom pods, and some also contain ginger root, star anise, black pepper and cloves. These are combined for a tantalizingly delectable brew that seems to be even more flavorful, if that is possible, when prepared and served as iced tea. Pu-erh tea has been subjected to a number of scientific studies, and it has been shown to have health benefits that cannot be claimed by other varieties of tea.

Pu-erh iced tea helps the digestion, especially if you have eaten fatty foods. It seems that the metabolism of fat is improved after partaking of Pu-erh. It also is believed to help your cholesterol levels to go down. Some people have also claimed that Pu-erh tea will cause you to lose weight if a glass of it is taken after every meal.

How did Monkeys Influence the Spread of Tea?

For thousands of years monkeys have had a symbiotic relationship with the Camellia Sinensis (Tea) plant. It is a fact that over 40% of the tea plant is comprised of phenolics in the leaf.

Phenolics are ranked among the most powerful anti bacteria substances known to man and it is a fact that monkeys have the ability to consume plants that they perceive to be beneficial to their health.

When the tea leaves were consumed by monkeys, the phenolics cleansed their mouths and digestive tracts as well as wounds and sores on their skin. And tea had an evolutionary effect on monkeys as the healthier ones who fed on the tea plant thrived and travelled throughout Southeast Asia.

Many scientists have concluded that the existence of healthy, well travelled monkeys spread the existence of the tea plant into southern China and merchants and farmers soon noticed the beneficial effects of the tea plant.

More Profit for Independant Coffee Shops

Make no doubt about it - the country is in a recession and consumer spending is being cut back, High priced coffee is affected and even Starbucks is suffering and cutting back.Independent coffee shops are affected as well. High quality specialty loose leaf tea is a way to bolster sales and dramatically increase profits for the independent coffee shop.

The big players (Starbucks and other chains) will survive because they are huge and can withstand the storm but independents need to take action quickly and adjust their business models to take advantage of new opportunities.

You can survive - and thrive - in this bad economy by serving high quality specialty loose leaf tea. Some suppliers are offering packages that guarantee you'll clear at least $1,500.00 from the first shipment. Loose leaf tea offers recession relief when you need it most!Your customers will love loose leaf tea. If you purchase from a high quality loose leaf tea vendor you can often purchase at wholesale prices for their best selling tea.

Tea is America's fast-growing beverage and specialty loose leaf tea is the fastest growing tea segment..

Because green tea has anti-oxidant health benefits, consumer demand is booming - particularly for superior grade loose leaf tea.Loose leaf tea gives you a big competitive advantage over Starbucks and other chains. They sell the inferior mass-produced tea bag product for $1.50 a cup. For the same price, you serve great-tasting, award-winning gourmet tea preferred by upscale consumers.

The History of Iced Tea

Iced tea is a popular drink in the United States, and is becoming more popular in other countries, though it will probably never reach the level of consumption by Americans. Surveys have shown that around 2.2 billion gallons of tea are consumed in the USA every year, and at least 85 percent of the total is iced. With a host of choices for their iced drinks, such as powdered, canned, and bottled for a quick pick me up, and the traditional brewed drink using either bags or loose leaves, people in the United States have proven their love for this delicious beverage.

For many years, it was believed that iced tea was first introduced at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904. A man by the name of Richard Blechynden, who was the Commissioner of Tea for India, was also the director of the East Indian Pavilion at the fair. Mr. Blechynden had prepared samples of hot tea for fairgoers, and noticed that no one was taking advantage of them, as it was an unseasonably hot day and everyone was going for the coldest beverages they could find. He had the idea of icing down his hot mixture, and presented it to the public that way. The crowds loved it, and word spread of this delicious way to enjoy a healthy drink. Mr. Blechynden did not invent the iced version, but made it more popular with Americans.

Tea Trends

Trends in the Wholesale and Retail Loose Leaf Tea Industry

The tea industry in the United Sates is a growth industry and the role of retailers or value added resellers has played an important part in the overall expansion. Value added resellers and retailers add significant value to the tea industry as they bundle tea offerings with quality dining and other services but they must be supported by comprehensive wholesale programs that are reliable , consistent and profitable.

What trends are driving the market?

In most countries in the world, tea is the second most popular beverage after water. The one exception is tea drinking in the United States. But the market for quality loose leaf tea has unlimited upside potential for tea drinkers in this country.

The market for high quality loose leaf tea is experiencing strong growth and this is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. The growth of revenue and profits in the value added retail sector of the market is also very strong particularly when tea is prepared and presented as a part of a total offering in tea rooms, fine dining establishments and hotels.

There are a number of factors influencing this growth in loose leaf tea demand:

• The incredible good taste of tea and blends.
• The health benefits of tea.
• The wide variety of tea flavors and blends.
• A growing awareness about the enjoyment benefits of loose leaf tea .
• An expansion of the value added reseller network for quality loose tea.
• Many consumers are looking for an alternative to coffee as a hot or iced drink of choice.
• Consumers are tired of the "tea bag mentality" where the taste and quality of tea is sacrificed for the convenience of the tea bag.

The market for loose leaf tea is large and expanding. Try a quality tea and you will surely like it.

Tea and Taxes

History of Tea - Taxes and Smuggling in 18th Century England (or What Do Windows Have To Do with Tea?)

Since its introduction into the Western world, tea has grown in popularity and is now the second most popular beverage in the world after water. Throughout its history tea demand has dramatically increased as a result of its good taste, health and medicinal properties and increasingly efficient channels of production and distribution.

Perhaps the most important benefit for the consummate tea drinker is the aura of good feeling and stress reduction.

Tea production and distribution became big business throughout the world as enterprising individuals and companies invested in tea plantations and distribution assets to meet the growing demand for tea. As the business expanded, national governments began to view tea as a valuable source of revenue. Government regulation and taxation often had a detrimental effect on free commerce and customer satisfaction however.

The popularity growth of tea in a country such as England, a country whose tea culture is well established, provides for a viable case study on the social and fiscal influences on the consumption of tea.

During the sixteenth century in England, tea became a popular beverage mainly for the upper classes. Based on a unique taste and realization of tea health benefits, more efficient channels of distribution opened. Although the imports were initially slow, a growing understanding of the lifestyle benefits of tea accelerated this growth into the 18th century.

During this time, taxation, smuggling and adulteration of tea became significant factors in the English tea culture.

Considering tea a tropical luxury, the English government saw revenue-raising opportunities in tea to fund a military buildup that supported expansion of the British Empire. By the 18th Century, tea was a hugely popular drink in Britain but, to the everyday consumer, it was also prohibitively expensive. Tea smuggling became a growth industry in England as smugglers profited as they met the demand for lower cost tea by ignoring oppressive customs duties.

This created a demand among the British population for cheaper tea; when that demand could not be met by legal means, a great opportunity was presented to those people who were less than concerned about breaking the law. From the beginning of the 18th Century, the trade in smuggled tea flourished.

Smuggled tea was that which was brought into the country illegally - it was not imported by the East India Company and it did not pass through customs. Being light and easy to transport, tea was a very profitable smuggling commodity - even more so than alcohol in which there was also a healthy smuggling trade.

The State Needs Money

Like any state, 18th Century England was no exception to the need to raise revenue. Mercantilism was the English policy and a military presence was required to support the English role in overseas colonies and possessions. Expansion of world interests requires two things: a strong military and funds to support military activities.

The state sought to import duties and excise taxes as a way to raise the necessary funds; these taxes soon became excessive. The Government had to legitimize the tax and did so by treating tea initially as a "luxury" that could support high duties in the eyes of the public.

Later, however, tea was correctly classified as a "necessity" that would only support lower levels of taxation. Before the Tax Reform Act of 1784 for example, the price of tea was burdened with taxes and duties of over 100% of the pretax price.

In addition, although the supply of tea continued to increase as tea plantations became more productive, the price remained high as the East India Company (granted a monopoly on tea imports by the English Government) artificially manipulated supplies to maintain prices.

High Taxes and Manipulated Supply Lead to Smuggling as a Growth Industry

A pattern developed in English commerce in tea. As taxes were raised on tea imports, smuggling increased in a successful attempt to meet the underlying growth in demand. But smuggling and high taxes had a direct relationship and produced a negative effect on the English economy and population at large.

Although taxation is important for raising revenue, most economists acknowledged that high taxation encouraged smuggling and also that the quantity of tea being smuggled was directly linked to the level of duty levied on legal tea imports. In England, at the beginning of the 18th Century, the governments need to finance a war in Spain led to an increase in taxation on tea and the price of leaves rose dramatically.

The tax was deemed outrageous and fueled the activities of the tea smugglers. Duty was later slashed by Henry Pelham in 1745, which meant that more tea was legally imported; the quantity passing through customs more than doubled and the increase of tea imports on which duty was paid actually led to the government's revenues from tea being increased.

However, in the 1750s, the need to finance another war led to another increase of the duty on tea. This, in turn, led to a surge in the business of the smugglers, which continued to thrive throughout the third quarter of the 18th Century.

Though illegal, the smugglers had the support of millions of people who could not otherwise afford to buy tea.

A great deal of tea was smuggled in from continental Europe, shipped into Britain via the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Although smuggling was widespread, in the first decades of the 18th Century many of the smugglers themselves operated on a very small scale.

Scores of smugglers used their own small boats in which the contraband tea was then sold to personal contacts and local shopkeepers. Smuggling became a cottage industry.

It was, by now, widely acknowledged that the only way to tackle the smuggling problem was to make tea cheaper - in effect, to reduce the duty paid on it. Therefore, the East India Company, who had powerful allies in the British Parliament, lobbied for the duty to be lowered. The power of the corporate world was thus added to popular demand for permanent change in the tea tax.

It was when William Pitt the Younger became Prime Minister in 1783 that the work of the anti-tea duty forces finally achieved their goal. As a former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Pitt was familiar with tax policy and the impact of high taxes on tax revenue. He understood that raising the tax rate often resulted in decreased tax revenue.

Pitt slashed the tax on tea and made up for the revenue lost by hugely increasing the window tax, which was a property tax much easier to enforce. The Commutation Act of 1784 reduced the tax on tea from 119% to 12.5%. Tea smuggling ceased to be profitable and the smuggling trade vanished virtually overnight. More importantly, tea was treated as a necessity rather than a luxury with long term implications for lower tea taxes.

The consumption of lower taxed tea greatly intensified, so much so that even with the reduced rate of tax, the amount of revenue collected from tea was soon restored and eventually exceeded pre-reduction revenue. Equally important, tea became the standard beverage for the greater majority of the English population.

Ultimately, tea drinkers had the window tax to thank for the popularity boost of their favorite beverage!

June is Iced Tea Month

On a hot sunny day there is no more pleasurable cold drink than a glass of quality iced tea. Iced tea is a thirst quencher as well as one of the healthiest drinks you can consume. It has polyphenols and anti-oxidants and iced tea is consumed in almost every restaurant in the United States.

Iced tea is so popular during the summer that an entire month, June is dedicated to the consumption of iced tea. And, the amount of iced tea that Americans consume is growing rapidly.

One problem with iced tea in the past however was that all iced tea tasted the same and the flavor was at times flat. This is because most iced tea was made from lower quality bagged tea.Now, however, specialty loose leaf teas are starting to enter the market and offer better flavor as a robust drink. These specialty teas usually don't cost more that iced tea based on cheaper bagged tea but they certainly deliver more taste, refreshment and satisfaction.

Next time, instead of ordering a cheap iced tea based upon weak bagged tea, ask your waiter if flavorful iced tea like Coconut Pouchong, Jasmine Mint, Honey Pear, White Persian Melon or other great flavors are available.

A nice refreshing, flavorful iced tea can refresh you and make your day!

White Persian Melon Iced Tea

White tea is one of the newest tea trends in the United States. The tea itself is far from new. Tea drinkers in China have been fans of white tea for centuries. However, very few people outside of Asia knew there was such a thing as white tea. Nowadays, the word is out, and it seems that those who have been introduced to this tea variety have nothing but good things to say about white tea. It has been predicted than once more people America have gotten acquainted with white tea, it will become “the” tea for everyone to enjoy.

The reason that most people have never heard of white tea is that for a time, it was relatively rare. And, only those who have made it a priority to learn more about tea realize that all tea comes from just one type of bush, which is called the Camilla Sinensis tea bush. Tea is made from the leaves of this bush, and once picked, the leaves can be processed in different ways to create different types of tea such as green, oolong, or black.

Black tea is made from tea leaves that have been crushed, partially dried, and then fermented. Green tea is made from tea leaves that are not fermented at all, but simply allowed to wilt just a bit and them steamed dry, rolled, and heated one final time to set the flavor. Oolong teas can be thought of as the middle tea. The leaves to create this variety are just partly steam dried and fermented.

Very little processing is done to the tea leaves to create white tea. In fact, white tea is probably the least processed variety of tea made. It is made from immature, young tea leaves that have not even fully developed yet. The leaves are hand picked before their buds are fully opened up, and are still covered with a silver colored downy fuzz. This fuzz turns a white color after the tea leaves have been dried, and this is where the name “white tea” is derived from.

There are several varieties of white tea, and these are based on how many tea leaf buds are mixed in with the tea leaves. Some have more buds than leaves, and some have more leaves than buds. The variety that is called White Peony contains one tea bud for every two tea leaves. The white tea, Silver Needles, is made entirely from buds that can only be picked during two days in the early spring. If the buds are picked at any other time, the tea is not considered to be the Silver Needles variety.

White tea has a very interesting, naturally sweet taste, and the aroma can be described with only one word - exquisite! White tea should appeal to those who claim that black tea is too strong in taste, and green tea is too “grassy” and “raw”. It is best to prepare white tea in a similar way to how green tea should be prepared. You definitely do not want the water to be too hot when making white tea, for these tea leaves are quite delicate. Boiling hot water will actually cook these tea leaves, and make white tea have a taste that is not at all pleasing to the palate.

One of the reasons why white tea has grown so much in popularity in the United States are reports of the health benefits from the consumption of it. It is said that white tea has more antioxidants than green tea, and can also help strengthen the immune system. There is talk of white tea also having the ability to help prevent cancer, heart disease, and high cholesterol readings.

Many people who are fond of white tea do not realize how absolutely delicious it can be when prepared and served as iced tea. A variety of white tea known as White Persian melon is one of the more delicious varieties. It has more flavor than plain white tea, and and added bonus in the form of the goodness of melon. All varieties of melon are full of antioxidants, too.

Combined with the antioxidant power of the white tea alone, White Persian melon iced tea may well be just about the best tasting and the best for you tea in existence. The type of antioxidant contained in White Persian melon iced tea is a little different from the ones in plain white tea. The melon antioxidants can cause our bodies to produce antioxidants of their own, necessary for healthy body cells and damage to existing cells.

It is very easy to prepare White Persian Melon iced tea. Simply prepare the tea as if you were making hot tea, only make more than one cup, of course! Sweeten if desired while the tea is still hot, and allow the tea to cool before pouring it over ice. Enjoy!

Since white tea is still relatively new to this country, it may be difficult for you to find the delectable White Persian melon tea in one of your local stores. However, you should have no trouble at all locating it online from one of the better tea vendors like

White Persian Melon Tea

How Did Tea and Sugar Help Promote Slavery?

Slavery of any kind is bad and everyone knows it.

But one of the most powerful forces driving slavery was the combination of tea and sugar. Tea by itself was originally grown exclusively in China.The crop was labor intensive but labor was inexpensive and plentiful.

As tea became a trade good and eventually reached the shores of England and other European countries, sweeteners were required to meet European tastes. In England honey was used but disappeared because honey was produced in Catholic monasteries and these institutions were decimated when Henry the Eight formed the Church of England.

The British turned to cane sugar which was produced in abundance in the British dominated Caribbean Islands like Barbados and Jamaica. The crop of cane sugar was also in demand for the production of rum and molasses.

Harvesting and processing cane sugar was backbreaking work and the English resorted to slavery to fulfill the demand for sugar. The African slave trade boomed and eventually became institutionalized in the English colonies in America.

The net result was that tea sales grew dramatically and ships carried the tea west to Europe and England.Many of the same ships made the return voyage with a stop in the Caribbean full of slaves.

How to Ruin a Nice Evening

How many times have you gone to a five star restaurant for a delicious meal with someone special or to celebrate a special occasion and had the enjoyment ruined by a bad cup of tea.?

It seems in America, no one knows how to brew a fine cup of tea. Usually you are presented with a tea box with a limited selection of bagged tea and then that sorry looking bag is slopped into a luke warm cup of water.

The end result is a terrible cup of tea and a disappointing evening.

Even the best restaurants use bagged tea and fail to steep the tea properly and a large amount of your money is wasted.

Now, when I make a reservation at a five star restaurant the first question is what type of tea do they prepare and how do they prepare it. I hang up on a lot of restaurants.