The Folks at Art of Tea are pretty picky as to what makes the cut each year for their teas and teaware. Each quarter a review of products new and old is taken to the test. To become part of our cutting edge teaware line, we take a close look at numerous products. We discovered this new look and decided to start with two new colors- Paprika and Sage. Each holds 12 oz of liquid with a wrap around, ergonomically sound grip which offers not only style, but also helps deflect heat. All in all, we love this new teacup with infuser. Its stylish modern look delivers functionality time and again with a .3mm strainer that we tried with many of our teas and tisanes.
Here is a little info on this new product and how to use it:
This Asian Style Tea Cup, complete with an extra fine 0.3 mm hole infuser and lid, is designed as a simple and clean way for brewing your own cup of tea in a modern Asian style.

The extra fine tea infuser enables you to brew fine teas and botanicals such like our organic rooibos, to larger varieties like our whole leaf organic Oolong.

When your tea has steeped for the appropriate time, simply remove the infuser from the tea cup and enjoy.

Care Instructions and Warning:

-Dish washer safe.

-Microwave safe, except the infuser.

-Remember to let boiling water settle about 15 to 20 seconds before pouring.

-Use caution when handling hot water.

Having recently started working at Art of Tea, I have embarked upon a tea-sampling journey. For an avid long time tea lover like myself. this is like being a kid in the candy store! A couple of nights ago, I brewed a variety of teas including Jasmine Pearl, Kauai Cocktail, and Assam Gold. Each unique tea brought me to a different place and time. Jasmine Pearl reminded me of waking up in the morning at my grandmother’s house, whereupon I would find her in the kitchen, sipping on premium Jasmine tea. The Kauai Cocktail made me feel as if I was on vacation. This was tangy yet sweet and fruity, like the island itself.

I was overly ambitious in my tea selection that night and so I didn’t get to drink the last cup of tea, which was a sweetened cup of Assam Gold. I ended up refrigerating it before I went to sleep. In the morning I woke up in dire need of a caffeine fix, but I also wanted a refreshing ice cold beverage. The dilemma was palpable. Then I opened my refrigerator and found the solution: the now-cold Assam Gold. I added some nonfat milk to it, and the result was stunning. The rich, yet mild (compared to coffee) flavors made me actually happy to be up at 7AM. What a nice alternative to coffee! I personally love milk tea, and this drink was a treat because it brought me right back to my childhood in Taiwan where street vendors sold milk tea, which sometimes contained boba.

These three cups of tea brought me so many good memories, that I can’t wait to see what my next cup will bring!

Late summer is the perfect time for iced tea – a refreshing way to get all the benefits of your favorite tea. I’ve lately been playing around with making sun tea – different quantities of tea, changing the time in the sun, etc. – and I’ve been pretty happy with the results. Then I was talking with one of our partner restaurants about the “tea-cocktails” they make. The bar manager said that he puts the leaves in the liquor, lets the mixture sit overnight and strains it the next day. This led me to start experimenting with making non-alcoholic tea the same way.

I found that brewing iced tea in my refrigerator works really well. I also found various articles supporting the fact that this method could be safer than leaving the tea in the sun for a few hours. The fear is based on the notion that the method may breed bacteria (kind of like deviled eggs at a summer picnic). Scientific research aside, the cold filtered iced tea tastes good and is very easy to make.

I use the same ratio of tea to water that we recommend for all of our iced tea pouches. Most commercial machines brew 3 gallons of tea at a time. The teas that we sell are portioned between 3 and 4 ounces of leaves for each batch. The black tea based choices, like our award winning “Organic Classic” is closer to 3 ounces. The green tea and botanical based items are closer to 4 ounces. At home I use a 1 gallon glass jar for brewing, and to that I add about 1.25 ounces of tea leaves such as “Green Pomegranate”, fill with cold clean water, cover and put in my fridge overnight. Twelve hours seems to be the perfect amount of time. Once it is done, I pour it through a strainer to remove the leaves, and enjoy my iced tea.

One benefit of this method is that the tea is already cold when it is finished. Now I’m no scientist, but I think there’s something going on here that is making the tea less astringent. It seems as if by not boiling the water the tannins in the leaves are not released, so the end result is flavorful without having an acidic finish. Some people may find it not to their liking but I have been really enjoying it as the days are still pretty hot here. Give it a try, and let us know what you think. I’d also recommend our “Paradise Cove” for making this UN-SUN Tea.

It is hard to believe that such small disks can pack so many flowers, roots, berries and botanicals. TNT Teas and Tisanes are truly unique. With 20 disks per dynamite shaped stick each disk in TNT is pre-cut, which makes it separate easily and brew the perfect 10-16 oz pot. I have even experimented with an 8 oz cup and had very promising results. So, how do they stick together?  Each stick has the 20 disks pressure compressed. The natural sugars from the botanicals, red dates and goji berries help keep them intact. With such names as Chill Out Tea and Happy Tea they seem to set a certain ambiance. Dropping a disk in your favorite teapot and pouring fresh spring water at about 208F will allow the TNT disk to fully unfold and break apart evenly in about one minute. Each flavor delivers a fresh and fragrent display at various temperatures. I encourage you to try all six flavors. At a dollar a disk, which can be resteeped multiple times, it is well worth the unique experience. 

Creating ceremony or a bond between those engaged in tea ceremony does not need to be complex in its process. It can be simple and intimate. According to Sen Soshitsu, Ura Senke Grand Tea Master XV in his booklet on The Urasenke Tradition of Tea he describes, “Chado, the Way Of Tea, as based upon the simple act of boiling water, making tea, offering it to others, and drinking of it ourselves. Served with a respectful heart and received with gratitude, a bowl of tea satisfies both physical and spiritual thirst.”  Sharing a bowl of freshly whisked matcha can add a deep sense of renewal with one’s nature and strengthen their commitment to greater satisfaction of union with oneself, universe, and ceremonial host. Through mutual respect, purity and a deep sense of peace we can personalize ceremony with raw elements of artistic beauty that can only be obtained from careful attention over time.  The first step is to find the occasion that resonates with you. The reason could be the change of seasons, sealing a momentous decision, or simply as an art of completely engaging the senses. The lineage and tradition passed on with tea from various regions all specify these simple acts as an art of self mastery, although it is important to note that even Tea Masters started somewhere so don’t let the goal or status that one would achieve be the determining factor over creating Chado. Explore varying ways of producing Chado with an open mind. Through trial and error you may begin to break free of mundane techniques and design your level of enjoyment in the way of tea.   

“The journey of a thousand cups begins with a single sip”

-Steve Schwartz Founder of Art of Tea

Finding that perfect taste experience is part of the craft. These are general guidelines, so feel free to experiment. Teas from Art of Tea can be prepared in teapots, infusers, and other teaware.

1. Enjoying the process of preparing your tea can be part of your daily ritual, taking a few moments to heighten your senses and enhance your tasting experience.

2. Fill your kettle with freshly drawn water and bring to a boil.

3. Place recommended amount of loose tea per cup in your choice of teaware. For a stronger infusion, simply add more tea with the same steep time

4. Pour hot water over your tea leaves, cover, & infuse according to your Steep Time Chart

5. Enjoy your customized tea and allow your taste buds to unfold the unique characteristics within your cup. Most teas can be re-steeped multiple times

Enjoy!