Darjeeling would you like to chai some rooibos?

My family is not the most affectionate of people. They are not big on cuddles or talking too much (or loudly). However being the boisterous (my sister's word not mine) I never felt unloved despite being constantly told to use my inside voice .

We show our affections in other ways; such as a simple cup of tea. 

When studying, oddly quiet or sick my mom would make me a cup of milky tea. My awkward brother always offers to make a cup of tea when when I'm freaking out. My mom used to drink eight cups of tea a day and I quickly learned it was the best way to defuse conflict. When I visit my Oupa his first reaction is to boil a kettle of water. It's our heart language (corny but true)

Tea is like drinking a warm hug and opens people up to conversation. I've discovered most people have a soft spot for tea too.

However most tea distributors admit that the general public don't even know how to identify a good cup of tea. It's true we live in a society that knows the difference between instant coffee and single origin beans. That's pallets can even taste if a wine is capitalized. When drinking tea their scope is suddenly the more expensive tea brand is better than the cheap brand available in the SUPERMARKET.

My Darjeelings (a black Indian tea) with a few easy indicators, you'll be ready to impress your friends at your next tea party.

Firstly the main groups of tea are black, green and white. They are classified based on their making processes and flavor profiles.Black is fermented, green semi fermented and white not at all. There are also herbal teas which do not actual contain leaves from a type of tea plant. 

Usually grocery store bought tea is classified as tea dust. This is because the brand uses the bigger,mature leaves of the plant to make the tea. They use faster making process and ground it finer in order for the tea to infuse faster.

 

Green tea

As you can see the tea leaves are actual small leaves. The flavor difference is extraordinary. The tea bag is heavy and has a strong aftertaste which is similar in flavor to tobacco. Where are the Chun Mee is light and aromatic. Real tea is not meant to have a tannin ( the dry sensation activated on the back part of your tongue), you will also notice in a lesser quality tea that there is sediment at the bottom of the cup.

Early grey- a black tea infusion

My infuser: his name is george

When making tea with tea leaves you will use an infuser. Every type of tea has different specifications but it generally takes between 3 to 5 minutes for the tea to infuse. Lesser quality teas will infuse in a matter of seconds.

Like wine it is about finding the perfect flavor profile to compliment the treats you'll be serving at a tea party. Lemon tart with earl grey is delightful or some Goa Chai with Victoria sponge. 

 If you are just making the transition may I suggest Rwanda which is a fantastic black tea which can easily be served with milk and sugar if you prefer.You will notice when moving to leaves there is sweetness and flavour so great, that sugar and milk become obsolete

.

My taste rack

So dust off the tea cups and rinse out you tea pot. It may be cold outside, but you are cordially invited for tea.

Hxx