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Tea Chronicles: What is White Tea?

Tea Chronicles: What is White Tea?

No my friend, the raw leaves are not white. They are as green as can be The name does not stem because of such reason. 

White tea or Silver Needle Tea is basically the bud (the unopened leaf) that has been sun dried. There is no manufacturing done to wither or dry it in the dryer. At a specific time early in the day when the sun is about to rise, ladies and men head out in the cold mist while the dew drops still lie sleepy on the leaf. Each bud is...


Tea Chronicles: Why sip Tea in a glass?

Tea Chronicles: Why sip Tea in a glass?

I am often asked this question, "why do you like tea to be served in a glass rather than a cup that is made of fancy porcelain, ceramic, earthenware or plastic." (oh Lord, the last is a big no no).

Well when a plate of food is served in front of you, tell me, don't your eyes eat before your palate even tastes. In a similar manner, when a glass of tea is placed or infused in front of you, you sip with your eyes before you can even taste the tea. You...


Tea Chronicles: What is the right process to brew / infuse Tea?

Tea Chronicles: What is the right process to brew / infuse Tea?

There is one thing that i keep telling all who like to know more about tea, there is never an estimation or an andaaza or never a guess on how to make / infuse / brew tea. There is a certain process, methodology, a certain process that is required to be followed to give you that perfect cup of tea each time you make as many number of times you want. 

If you want to have a perfect cup each and every time, stay close to measurement, time...


Tea Chronicles: Do you pluck Tea leaves from the entire bush?

Tea Chronicles: Do you pluck Tea leaves from the entire bush?

I have often been asked this question, "do the ladies pluck the tea leaves from the entire bush." Just so that you know, men are skilled pluckers as well. 

The leaf that is plucked is normally the tender two leaf and a bud. Here the bud does not signify that of a flower. It is the unopened leaf. At times three leaves and a bud is plucked. The bigger the leaf, the coarser it gets and eventually the tea made from coarse leaves or four leaf...


Tea Chronicles: What should the temperature of water be to infuse Tea?

Tea Chronicles: What should the temperature of water be to infuse Tea?

 

Well that's exactly what the tea leaves sang as they swam, dived, felt the happy bubbles of the water little did they realize that many who poured the water into the kettle knew nothing about the fact that, it is the lifeline, a key factor for the leaves to unfurl and release the aroma as well as the flavor. When i indulge in 'me' time and i think of at times sipping Tea in the luxurious hotels, boutique hotels, the so called 'fine'...