Home / News

News

What is tea made from? Introducing the Camellia Sinensis tea plant.

What is tea made from? Introducing the Camellia Sinensis tea plant.

In 2020 people around the world consumed 6.3 billion kilograms of tea. That’s around 2,080 billion cups of tea every year. That is a gargantuan amount of tea. But what’s even more astonishing is that most of us know don't know an awful lot about the plant we’re imbibing every day when we sip our daily cup.

In this month’s blog I introduce the tea plant and all the wonderful things about this special and somewhat clandestine shrub.

Two ways to steep tea: Gong Fu Cha and Western steeping

Two ways to steep tea: Gong Fu Cha and Western steeping
Tea is an ancient beverage that has been enjoyed for more than 4000 years. As you might imagine, preparation techniques have changed over this time. These days, there are two different brewing techniques used for specialty tea: eastern style of Gong Fu Cha and Western steeping.

The 4 essential tools every serious tea drinker needs

The 4 essential tools every serious tea drinker needs

How many tea cups, teapots and tea tools do you have in your house? If you're serious about your tea drinking, find out what tools you really need to steep loose leaf tea.

What do you REALLY need to prepare and enjoy tea? I was slightly shocked when I thought about this carefully. If you are generally preparing tea just for yourself, you only really need four things:

How to choose a specialty tea that you'll like

How to choose a specialty tea that you'll like
Do you want to introduce some beautiful-quality teas into your daily tea ritual? If you are looking to move away from the ubiquitous tea menu of English Breakfast, Earl Grey, generic green tea and herbal infusions, there is a diverse and flavourful tasting experience waiting for you. Here's how to get started in the world of specialty tea. 

How to make sparkling tea

Cold-brewed sparkling tea is the best way to steep tea this summer. When infused in sparkling water, the tea is lighter in body and flavour intensity than when it is hot-steeped, and any floral and fruity notes are accentuated. The result is a vibrant, playful, celebratory tea. 

5 facts you might not know about tea

5 facts you might not know about tea
Did you know drinking tea adds to your daily fluid intake? That it has an ultra-rare and clever amino acid that almost no other plant in the world has? Find out more fascinating science behind the humble tea leaf. 

Why herbal tea isn’t actually tea

Why herbal tea isn’t actually tea

One of the many fascinating things I learned during my first tea masterclass in London in 2010 was that 'herbal tea' wasn’t really tea. In this month’s blog we explore what defines tea, why we mistakenly call herbal infusions ‘tea’ and what you can call herbal tea instead.

Introducing Bali's first tea garden

Introducing Bali's first tea garden
Hidden within the mist-covered forest on the slopes of the Batukaru mountain range in Jatiluwah, central Bali, lies D’Wan Tea, Bali’s first tea garden. Tasting the teas at D'Wan Tea reminded me of why I love single origin tea so much – its incredibly exciting when you can taste a tea’s habitat in its flavour. 

How to make the perfect cup of tea

How to make the perfect cup of tea
A well brewed cup of tea is a relaxing, restorative experience; it awakens us and replenishes our body and mind. It gives us an opportunity to slow down and bring calmness and serenity to our day. But not all cups of tea are created equal. Follow these 6 steps and you’ll be steeping tea like a professional.