Well Fed Network

Posted by Carrie Havranek on A Nice Cuppa

The Japanese are onto something with their tea ceremonies. Tea tends to be process-oriented and can be a bit fussy when you are pressed for time, but when you have a few extra moments, the attention to detail it requires slows you down. This, in turn, brings a welcome change of pace that reminds me why I like making it in the first place. In the case of Choice Organic Teas, the process requires you slow down even further.

I recently received samples of eight types of the company’s Whole Leaf teas: Lychee White, Jade Green, Jasmine Green, Estate Blend Darjeeling, English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Sweet Liquorice Mint and Chamomile Citrus. So far, I have made my way through two of them: Jade Green and Lychee White. Choice Organic Teas are all fair-trade sourced and, of course, organic, and the soft, silky bags — “tea pyramids” — they come in are biodegradable. The packaging, from the boxes to the envelopes containing the tea itself, is also biodegradable. This, of course, is friendly for the environment.

In the case of the white and green varieties, the directions instruct you to boil the water and then wait a few minutes before infusing the tea into the water for just two to three minutes. White and green teas are more delicate and letting the boiled water cool off briefly keeps the tea from getting scalded; you don’t want to run the risk of ruining the flavor with water that is too hot, according to company representative Abby Waysdorf. It’s actually a variation on instructions I’d seen from other fine tea purveyors, who instead guide you to boil red, white and green teas to specific temperatures. As for the fuss factor, Choice’s instructions are easier, and I’d venture that not many home brewers want to be bothered with a thermometer.  I draw the line at setting the timer on my oven; otherwise, if I don’t, I completely forget I’ve poured a cup of tea.

The Jade Green is comprised of a blend of green teas with subtle flavor, best enhanced by a small spoonful of honey. My preference is really for green teas that are blended with something else, such as mint, peach, or pomegranate, as I find the flavor of green tea on its own to be a little too subtle and blah. This, however, did not have the bitterness that lesser green teas often possess and no doubt the brewing instructions are helpful. I much preferred the Lychee White; it was equally delicate, but the addition of lychee made it sweet.

I’ll be back once I make it to the black teas and sample them. I need to have the right kind of milk in the house in order to do the whole process justice.