Every tea cup has a story to tell. What would your tea cup share about your flavor preferences and habits? Who would it say your favorite person to share teatime with is?
What tale might it spin about its orgins? What might it say about the people who hand-picked the leaves? About the artisan who lovingly crafted its blend.
Does your tea cup have a story to tell?
Each one from Verdant Tea certainly does! They are dedicated to the story of each grower, each artisan and every partner that helps them bring teas never before seen outside China to the world.
Thanks to my partnership with Verdant Tea, I’m sharing thoughts on what my tea cup has to say…
What Story Does Your Tea Cup Tell?
My cup of tea immediately conveys that I prefer a bold and full-bodied blend. This beautiful cup of warm goodness would also likely tell you that I live variety.
Sometimes it contains teas that are not really teas! Like Herbal teas (also referred to as Tisanes), hand-crafted from my very own garden.
It will spill the tea leaves to advise you I have yet to meet a tea I haven’t like. From chai tea to iced tea to matcha tea to bubble tea, I enjoy them all.
The ceramic tea cups in my kitchen will tell you my favorite social tea is a fresh pot of Oolong. Yet, I had truly no idea how involved the craft of Oolong tea was until I dug into the Verdant Tea website pages. There are so many styles to savor and I cannot wait to share each one.
Did you know Oolong is the most technically-demanding and time-consuming tea in the world to produce? Learning more about the process and the people behind-the-tea has truly increased my appreciation for each cup.
My tea cup will also tell you that my tea cup collection is now growing as I learn more about the art of tea and varieties available.
What’s In a Tea Cup?
Teaware is not as simple as you might think. Sure you can enjoy a standard tea bag in a plain vessel, but there’s so much more joy to be found!
Did you know the shape of the cup has a direct impact on the taste of the tea? A cup with straight sides holds tea aroma well but the tea will not infuse as well, flavor and texture are lost. Cups with a wider top and narrower base help aid the tea in brewing correctly. They can also help cool the tea faster.
Smaller cup sizes are best for enjoying tea. Again, this enhances the flavor, texture and scent of the tea. Better to drink multiple smaller cups of tea, than one large coffee-cup size. The tea also stays warmer in a smaller cup throughout your tea time. In a larger cup, the tea is often cold by the time you get to the last sip.
The material of the cup matters, too. Dr Stuart Farrimond, an expert in the science of tea making, demonstrated on “Inside The Factory” that styrofoam cups reduce the flavor of tea dramatically. Non-porous porcelain or glass vessels are ideal for keeping all the tea flavor inside the cup.
Verdant Tea carries a beautiful variety of hand-crafted tea cups and tea vessels, all designed to maximize your tea experience. Once you try drinking tea from a custom cup, it completely alters the experience from every-day ordinary to a uplifting special moment of zen.
The Xiangfu Brew Mug is one I’m thoroughly enjoying for every day use. The removeable strainer is so handy! When you’re seeking an even more relaxing moment, a hand-painted porcelain cup is truly enchanting.
What Story Does Your Tea Tell?
If you haven’t yet expanded your teatime horizons, perhaps it’s time to do a big of experimentation. There are many types, each with its own unique flavor – and some possess specific properties which may provide relief from certain conditions, in addition to their soothing taste. Consider picking up some Verdant Teas popular tasting kits that include varities like:
Hand-picked in the remote mountains of Yunnan, pu’er teas are rich with a variety nuanced flavors. The surrounding forest and aging give each copr a unique profile. From caramel-spice notes to floral ones, there’s a so much to explore.
Rich, aromatic, often with almost piercingly sweet and toasty undertones, this tea offers incredible flavor profiles. The fragrant bouquet is attributed to its drying process. Full-bodied and smooth, Oolong Tea is typically served plain, with no accompaniment.
While this is typically touted as a Chinese green tea that’s scented with Jasmine flowers, the best of the line contains no flowers at all and goes through the scenting process over half-dozen times. You’ll typically find white and golden varieties. Jasmine tea should be enjoyed without the benefit of sugar or cream, as is true with others of the green tea variety.
Whether tea is your beverage of choice due to its light, flavorful presentation or – in some cases – its medicinal benefits, it can be enjoyed at any time of the day or night.
What story does your tea cup tell? Why not bring it on a new adventure this month? The holiday season is the perfect time to gift you and your loved ones a wonderful brew!
