Making a Tealicious Blend

Tired of same spoonful of leaves in your morning cuppa...here is a suggestion. Invest in different kinds of tea:

Assam Black Tea

Nilgiri Leaf from the blue mountains 

Darjeeling Premium Certified Leaf 

The Assamese leaves impart color and strength to the brew while the Nilgiri leaves in the blend make it as astringent without which the taste would be flat and boring. Lastly the Darjeeling leaves add to the magical aroma the gardens are famous for.     

Blend these leaves in equal proportion or reduce percentage of Darjeeling tea as the cost is much higher. Anyway add as per your taste and get a wonderful blend. 

It is best to buy premium varieties of CTC leaves of all varieties if you wish to achieve  fantastic taste and aroma to hit your sensory apparatus. If you are health conscious you can buy the organic leaves which are by all means expensive as compared to the non organic forms.     

The brew should be on the stove for more than three minutes if you wish  for all the flavor to peculate. Excessive boiling will lead to make the brew bitter which not all consumers prefer. 

 

Global Tea Comsumption

Wagh Bakri Tea Lounge Mumbai

Iced Mint Tea

Iced Tea

Though tea consumption is rising fast globally yet it rates as poor second whence compared to coffee. Coffee is still the preferred mode of drink but in countries like India, China, Sri Lanka which are major producing countries per capita consumption is very high.  

There are more than 120 countries where the hot beverage is consumed. The taste for the hot brew is rising fast keeping in the the appealing flavors as well as the health benefits.  In India consumption became a lifestyle after massive campaigns during the British Rule. In order to compete with the Chinese cultivation seeds and technology were both introduced from China.

Besides the countries mentioned a lot of tea is consumed in Britain. The brew also finds patrons in Europe and North America. With innovations in packing as well as development of iced and bottled tea  the trend in coffee drinking countries is changing fast. More and more people are attracted to these products. Similarly  the rising popularity of green leaf is also contributing to the growth.

Some of the main buying markets are Russia, USA, Canada, Pakistan, Morocco, Egypt, Iran and UK. In countries like USA the maximum consumption is that of iced tea now sold in bottles and vending machines.

Per Capita consumption patterns of tea drinking countries.

Turkey 6 + Kg 

Morocco 4 + Kg 

Ireland  3 + Kg

Mauritania 3 + Kg

United Kingdom 2 + Kg

Though green tea consumption is increasingly attracting coffee drinkers it is the black tea that finds phenomenally large number of tea lovers.  

How Tea Processing Takes Place

The tea plant camellia sinensis is a shrub with fragrant white flowers. But the beverage is made from internode, lanceolate leaves and buds. The cultivation takes place at various locations, heights and climatic regions. This produces leaves with vast variety of flavors, shapes and size. The amount of fermentation is responsible for production of green, white or black leaf.     

During the processing after the leaves are plucked the leaves are dried to reduce water content. This process is known as withering. The dried leaves are then rolled using machines or hand. This process enable the leaf to break its cells and release aromatic compounds.  

After rolling the oxidation stage takes over. The amount of oxidation is responsible for type of leaf that will result - green, white and black. The leaves are than fired without causing a burn. This step stops the oxidation process. Hence a varying degree of the oxidation can carried out as desired.  

For processing the black variant the leaves after being plucked are left to dry for a day. The process described above takes place. After the leaves have been properly oxidized to attain the right flavor and color the leaves are sent to the hot air chambers to fix the flavor and stop the oxidation process. By this time the leaves have taken the desired shape and attained the right flavor. Moisture content has come down to two percent and the leaves are ready for packing.     

I case of green tea withering may take place but the rest of the process is skipped. The leaves are subject to pan firing immediately in order to prevent oxidation. The final stage is to roll the leaves and dry them. The amazing health beneficial green tea is ready to be packed. Due to minimum process the green tea retains most of the antioxidants and ploy phenols which are good for health.  

Wagh Bakri is one of the largest tea processing and packing company in India. Like wise there are many such concerns in India that are responsible for delivering the brew to our doorstep. 

Green Tea Healthy or Not

The whole world is abuzz with a wonder that is green tea. Be it health benefits, weight loss and magical cure for major diseases. This is the most talked about beverage in the World. 

Though limited studies have been carried out on green tea health benefits the gains are obvious. First of all the tea itself is beneficial as it contains antioxidants and other healthy chemicals. It cheers what can be more healthy? 

Constant research is yielding positive results about the gains from drinking green tea. If we take this beverage and compare it with black tea which is consumed the most all over the World then green tea comes out to be the winner. 

The process in case of green tea is much short which helps preserve antioxidants and other healthy chemicals. This is not so in the case of black leaf where processing is longer with greater exposure to sun.   

The magic chemical is catechin which prevents damage from free radicals. These free radicals cause cancer and damage the free radical.  

How much green tea to drink? 

Well I personally believe that consumption of this hot beverage should be as a matter to routine. Consume it as an when you like to drink tea in your daily life. Normally people consume this hot beverage during the morning and evening that would amount to four cups. I would also suggest to drink it before night sleep. This would clear the whole oral cavity besides relaxing your nerves to augur sound sleep.  

There are many brands of green tea available in the market. Most of these are affordable but organic tea brands are costlier. The tea exporters process. blend and pack green tea in countries like India and China.  

Tea in India

Of all the conquerors the British had a long lasting impact on the people of India. They introduced many things that are still a part of Indian society. Like the English language, tea was propagated during the Raj and both have proved beneficial.    

Tea leaf grew since ages in the wilds of Eastern India and China and was unheard of in many parts of the country. Early morning intake was milk and jelebi a spiraled  sweet made of flour deep fried and then dipped in tons sugar syrup. The leafs were used as medicine during the 18th and 19th century in the country.

The plantations came into picture during the late 18th century. The promotional campaign started by Indian Tea Association slowly and painstakingly popularized the hot beverage all over. The brew made inroads into the heart mind and tongues of the people of this country.   

Today India is the largest producer of tea leaf in the World. The blending and tasting is an art that few can master and these are the masters who deliver the finest brew to our doorstep. Tea is grown in Assam, Darjeeling, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. These are high quality leaves and have found favors in International Markets.

Chai is the most popular form which is brewed with addition of milk and sugar. The masala chai in addition contains herbs and spices which are medicinal in nature and add to the flavor and taste. Most popular addition in the brew is ginger, cardamom and garam masala.  This tea is consumed mostly in winters.   

The most popular form is the black leaf consumed all over the country. It is made into chai and rarely drunk without addition of milk. The chai stalls are ubiquitous and most visited. It is a favorite past time of India to visit these stalls relaxation and friendly chat.   

Tea galore

A sip from hot steamy cup of tea brew is the best way to begin one’s morning.  Tea beverage be it black tea  leaf or green tea leaf arouses your system and relieves your throat of any harsh ailments or dust particles ingested.

All over the World in lot of countries, hot tea beverage is made with or without ad dition of milk. What was once an exotic beverage is now a common man’s drink. More and more people discover the pleasure of this wonderful drink that invigorates your body and tingles the taste buds.

All over  green tea drink is a morning habit without which the day goes imperfect. Tea is taken in morning and evening every day by tea lovers.

Tea drinkers savor Assam tea leaf and pure Darjeeling tea leaf from India. When correctly brewed these tea leaves  yield a thin bodied, light colored liquor with a flowery tang - a tinge of biting tannic character, and a musky sharp taste often referred to by tea aficionados as "muscatel." A sugary cooling trace lasts long in the oral cavity. The hot tea drink also acts as mouth freshener for the whiff of the infusion lasts quiet long overriding the decayed elements.

“Chai”

“Chai” as tea is also known in Hindi has many aficionados in India who savor every mouthful of the wonderful liquid. Chai is also a rapport building brew as it is regularly served in all ceremonials, get together, rites, gatherings and of course the evening tea parties.

Online Tea Sale

Packaged tea is sold in carton and tea bags all over the World. The usage of loose tea leaf  is gradually fading and more people are using celebrated tea brands marketed by major tea processors in India and else where. One can now buy tea on Internet at on line tea shops. These shopping websites are called e-shopping sites. The online stores  have a program called shopping cart which computes your order of tea cartons or bags and delivers it to the database of the tea company. The company then makes the delivery after the payment  is recevied. All this happens  in few seconds and the tea goods are shipped through a courier for well-timed delivery.

Tea  Gifts

Tea popularity has risen so much that gift tea baskets or cartons have become best means of expression for loved one;s and friends.  Waghbakri Tea Company sell exotic tea gift baskets containing finest blends of teas from India. The gifts can be bought online from their websites. 

Health Tea

With the ongoing research and rising knowledge of health gains of tea drink, the use of tea leaf is increasing all over the world  The oxidants and other helpful elements present in the tea leaf help fight a cancer, heart disease and even diabetes not to state undiscovered ailment combating capability of the tea that are yet to surface.

Indian Tea

Indian tea is unique and chai as it is called in Hindi is made and drunk in unique manner as well. Chai ot hot tea in India is made with mixture of milk and water. At many places a strong dose of spices is added especially in winters. This masala chai tea is very hot and is said to be useful during cough and cold.

Of the tea leaves most popular are fine Darjeeling leaf be it green, organic and black. Darjeeling leaf is in premium category and expensive. Most widely consumed is Assam black variety this leaf comes in various range depending upon quality, aroma and taste.

Nilgiri leaf has gained popularity in recent times. It is mostly grown in South and has a unique characteristic taste. Most of the Indian blends are composed of  various range of Darjeeling and Assam leaves. The taste, aroma and flavor depends upon the choice of leaves used.      

Though large population of Indian drink plain tea with milk and water sugar of course many add a dash of lemon, ginger, mint and dalchini  or cinnamon. Though green tea is widely becoming popular in India, it is black that is consumed the most. Most popular among  tea brands is Wagh Bakri  which is my favorite. The company is a family of master blenders and tasters. The art has ascended down from generations. 

Assam Teas

India is the largest producer of black tea and most of it comes from Assam the NE state of India. Assam produces various type of black varieties most of which are consumed at home and exported to many countries.

Though tea is a product of same plant Camellia sinensis many different variants of the plant occur in different regions of the World. These variants or sub species have their own distinct flavor and aroma along with other characteristics. Many popular tea brands contain blends of Assam tea leaf.

Assam tea was discovered by Robert Bruce in the mountains of Rangpur, erstwhile capital of the Assam. The discovery gave the British a chance to cultivate tea in India as an alternative to expensive tea imports from Chinese mainland.

Under the then Governor General of India, Lord William Bentick a committee was formed in 1834 to cultivate and produce leaf from the indigenous tea plant recently discovered. Tea plantation in the Indian state of Assam was not much difficult as the plant was growing freely in the forests of Assam.

It was not till some time that Assam black tea was tried and tested and eventually exported to UK. But soon after this Assam leaf was on its way to never ending journey of being the most popular black leaf in the World. Assam variety is consumed using many recipes in India and the World. It is inseparable part of Masala chai which is gaining popularity Internationally for its taste and medicinal properties.

There are more than 800 tea gardens in Assam that provide large scale employment and contribute to Indian economy.

Tea in UK

Tea import began into Britain in year 1660s with the union of Royals. British King Charles II married Catherine of Braganza from Portugal a confirmed tea drinker. She made the brew popular in the court.

Initially the trade was controlled by two companies Chinese Hongs and East India Company. At the start tea was mainly consumed by the upper class but as time went it became popular among the masses especially Darjeeling tea in UK which is very popular in English tea rooms. Both Assam and Niligiri tea leaf are popular in UK. Green leaf is becoming popular for its health benefits.

Tea is consumed a many times a day in UK and high tea is usually an evening meal. The brew is made with milk with addition of sugar cubes.

Niligiri

Nilgiri tea from Tamil Nadu in Southern India is highly aromatic and flavor filled black leaf. The liquor is dark and rich in fragrance. It is grown in hilly portions of the Western Ghats mountain ranges down South. The tea estates that are famous for producing Nilgiri leaves in the district of Niligiri hence the name. Other tea cultivating districts are Munnar and Central Travancore in the Indian state of Kerala.

Popular Nilgiri variety comes in various shapes and size. The price range differs as per the grade and cultivation method used. Orange Pekoe is expensive hand graded version of full leaf teas. The major production of this black leaf is in CTC type. Some masala chai manufacturers also use this leaf in their spiced tea blends.

Niligiri competes with popular Darjeeling leaf and Assam leaf. But due to a distinct characteristic of its own and unique taste it has a vast following among tea lovers in India and abroad.

Hot tea snacks

Not every bite goes down well with a cup of tea. What goes well an experienced tea lover knows.

Tea is seldom to be consumed alone except when in for anytime brew to fight cold or just to get that shot that cheers. Else organized sessions which are mostly morning and evening but for some could be at any other time of the day.

While having tea as a daily routine in organized sessions one should always consume light snacks along. This is for two reason to maintain a healthy diet structure and to reduce the possible increase in stomach acidity levels.

Best accompaniments for a party are light snacks which are not heavily spiced and sweets like cakes and pastries which are not soaked in sugar. In India the most popular accompaniments are chiwada, fried peanuts, sev, samosas and ubiquitous pakoras. Seldom is tea consumed along with a heavy meals though there are lovers whom I have seen having hot strong black tea with lunch and dinner.

The food switches drastically in English tea rooms where the offerings are light sandwich or cookies and cakes. The leaf favored is not the usual black leaf but expensive Darjeeling tea leaf. This leaf is highly aromatic and very subtle in taste with lighter color than other black teas.

All about Darjeeling Tea

The British prefer Darjeeling tea in their tea parties. This comes as no surprise since it was a British gentleman who brought the seeds from China and cultivated them in Darjeeling. This small step gave rise to one of the World's best leaf.

Not only in UK the popularity of Darjeeling leaf spread all over the British empire. The sweet muscatel elegant taste and subtle floral aroma which engulfs the whole room when the tea is brewed is what makes this leaf so famous. The liquor is thin bodied and light in color. This leaf is a connoisseur's delight thanks to its special characteristics.

The most popular Darjeeling teas are the black leaf but green and Oolong leaf from these estate are slowly gaining ground. Darjeeling leaf is cultivated only in tea estates of the West Bengal district of India. The tea from this region is certified by the tea board of India. To the original Darjeeling leaf a certificate and a logo is assigned by the board of India.

Inferior tea leaves are often sold as Darjeeling leaf. There are blends made by mixing Darjeeling leaf and inferior leaves from other regions.This leaf is sold in packets, cartons and tea bags. Recently jars containing this wonderful brew have entered the market. 

Tea: How to enjoy best

If tea tasting and blending are an art so is the way it is prepared. Tea preparation and serving is something perhaps a regular party giver or tea ceremony holder would hold expertise in. It is a hosts delight to serve this hot brew to his or her esteemed guests.

Tea preparation begins with choosing the leaf. In informal circumstances exquisite tea varieties are not a must since cost matters. Taking the weather into consideration strong, dark tea with astringent flavor suits the best, where as in hot weather brew with subtle aroma and sweet taste is more befitting. In the case of former black leaf should be used where as in the case of latter green leaf is apt.

When serving tea in informal occasions, porcelain cups and saucers should be used. The cups brimming with hot beverage should be served on a plain tray along with biscuits and other light snacks.

In case of formal occasions as tea parties and ceremonies, the finest variety of leaf with strong aroma and subtle muscatel taste should be used. A fine example is Darjeeling black and green tea leaf. Premium variety of Assam black leaf also befits the occasion.

The recipe should always be plain and simple with or without milk. Spices and condiments should never be added as they spoil the original flavor of the tea leaf. The connoisseurs would prefer the drink this way.

Special care should be taken whence preparing the brew. The water should be boiled and then allowed to simmer. The leaves should be added during this phase and should be allowed to soak in for some time. As soon as the strong aroma of the leaves starts to emanate from the steaming brew the mixture should be strained.

This recipe gives fine tasting black tea brew. If milk has to be added then it should be done whence serving.

Whence serving exquisitely designed bone china or silver cups and saucers should be used along with kettles of same quality that hold the black leaf and milk. Specially designed containers should be used to hold sugar cubes. The black tea should be gently poured into the cups. Milk should be poured too for those who wish to have it that way. Along with tea, light sandwiches, snacks and biscuits find good accompaniments.

Indian chai tea

Although tea is not unique to India since it is drunk all over the world now..well almost. Indian chai comes in mind boggling flavors and is sold at roadside dhaba to five star tea rooms. But the ubiquitous chai wala justifies this name of the hot beverage. The recipe and method of making the tea beverage differs from person to person and place to place.

Tea makers have devised their on concoction of masalas or spices to add as flavoring. Such teas are known as masala chai in India and spice tea all over the world.

The masala chai is added to the black tea leaf mostly and rarely to the green tea beverage. But aromatic herbs as spearmint, mint and also lime is added to both black and green tea beverages. Even chocolate and vanilla flavors are added to the hot beverage but very rarely in India.

It is the simple recipe that finds popularity with the chai walas though the tea leaf may be often of different variety and brands.

Enjoying Green Tea

Best way green tea can be had is plain dark with little sugar and a dash of lime. The secret of enjoying green tea is to buy the right kind of leaf. I like Darjeeling green leaf the best though Darjeeling black leaf is no less aromatic and flavorful.

Darjeeling leaves carry a unique aroma and flavor though the aroma is strong and fills the whole room the flavor is subtle and tends to be on the sweeter side unlike that of the black teas from Assam which are a bit bitter in taste.

Another way to enjoy green tea is with milk and sugar and add some spices like ginger and cardamom. For more exotic taste add cinnamon powder. I find lemon grass tea yuck! But it has immense health benefits especially when you are down with cold and a bad throat.

Some people add garam masala or a mixture of spices to green tea in India but I believe this concoction suits the black variety more than it suits the green tea beverage. Never the less spice tea is common in India and who like to add what is his or her business after it is your cup of tea or Chai as they call it in India.

Making out good tea from spoiled Tea

The state of tea can be made out by the aroma. A tea connoisseur will easily make out whether the brew is spoiled or fresh from the characteristic aroma of dry leaf but it will be difficult for an amateur to make out the rancidity in leaf in the early stages.

The other way is to pour tea infusion in the pot and inhale over it immediately if the rising aroma is pleasant sweet fruity or flowery...in short it smells nice the leaf is fresh and good. On the other hand a smoky burned aroma like that of everything stale means the tea is spoiled.

Sometimes stale leaves will exude no aroma at all this is a sure shot sign that you have purchased stale leaves which have been lying in store well past its storage period.

Different teas have different store life as green tea and white tea can withstand low period of storage where as black leaf can be stored for a considerable longer period. Therefore in early history black leaf was a preferred export to regions that where far off and where tea was not cultivated at all.

The aroma changes in every stage from freshly prepared drink to when it has slightly cooled and much after that. With practice one should be able to discern all the characteristic of tea leaf…the one which he regularly consumes.

Green tea or black tea?

What do you do when you drink hot beverage for taste and health both? This is if you are drinking black tea and want to switch over to green for health benefits. Well both are healthy and both are fragrant and full of flavor. The difference is green leaf imparts a muscatel taste and light flavor to your taste buds whereas black leaf delivers strong aromatic taste and aroma. If you are hooked on to any one type of flavor you are not going to enjoy the other…well most likely.

There is a clear cut answer do what I do. Mix both i.e. more of green and little less of black tea. You can change proportion according to your preference in your recipe as per the taste and flavor you prefer. Believe me the result is wonderful …and the advantage …you are getting health benefit from both type of leaves.

Green tea is rich in antioxidants and poly phenols while black tea has many other healthy chemicals that help fight disease. The different arises from the way both are processed which is differently. Thus both contain healthy chemicals in different proportion and of different types to put it in a layman’s language.

Buy green leaf and black leaf as loose or dip both black tea bag and green tea bags if you use this packing for making the brew.

Enjoy the best of the both tea worlds.

Green Tea Recipe

If you add milk and sugar to a green tea recipe you are making tea the India way. Indians almost always drink organic green tea with milk and sugar. Some add cinnamon, cardamom and often ginger shreds. These are the three most popular extracts that tea lovers in India add to tea recipe.

Tea is an inseparable part of food consumption in Indian families and the above recipe is standard household way of consuming chai tea. But there are families who are specialist tea drinkers and they have evolved tea recipes of their own of which you come know only when you visit their homes. I have had experience of drinking tea in one home the taste of which I admired like anything. Only secret that I could extract of them was that they had added cinnamon powder in the tea brew. But I knew there were much more masalas in the tea that I was relishing sip after sip.

Black tea without milk may be consumed in some remote inaccessible cold regions of Indian sub continent. In spite of the basic habit of tea drinking in India. There are subtle nuances in the tea flavor depending upon tea blend and variations in taste of milk and even sugar. Hence tea in India is as diverse as India itself is. And for each family that comes up with its own unique recipe one should respect and regard their ingenuity and asking for their recipe is inappropriate, until unless they reveal it to you.

Just learn to sip that wonderful liqueur man!

Masala Chai Tea

Masal chai

Masala tea or spice tea is a wonderful mix with green tea or the finest organic black teas. Masala or ground spices are added beforehand while blending as Waghbakri Tea House does. Or you can add spices unto the tea recipe when making tea.

Darjeeing green tea needs less spicing as the flavor is over powering but adding spices to the tea leaf while blending benefit the health of the tea lover. Masala chai is very popular in India and is becoming well known all over the world.

Spices like cardamom seeds, ginger, ginseng and cinnamon add strength to the flavor and aroma of the teas and generate a wonderful taste. Floral spices as rose, chamomile and mint and peppermint also enhance the taste with their own added health benefits.


Tea is a hot beverage hence tea consumptions rises in the winters. Tea lovers fight of cold with a hot cup of tea..or is it an excuse to drink more tea...for me it is both..he!he!

Assam tea is more of the popular black tea with fine taste that the tea estate are so well known about. Buy online and relish the wonderful beverage hot or iced. Contact this tea lover for more details on tea.

You can buy tea online from anywhere now thanks to Internet and eshopping. I have bought masala chai tea bags and loose leaf cartons regularly and choose to buy online as often as possible from among many varieties of teas available.

Green Tea

The finest green tea come from Assam State and Darjeeling district of West Bengal. The healthy organic green tea grown without using chemicals is best preferred for health. It contains beneficial anti oxidants that curb and cure many disease.

Organic and green tea are available in tea bags and loose leaf cartons. You canbuy online the finest teas for your consumption of the taste ful brew. No wonder it is referred to as the cup that cheers. The Assam tea is very popular both the green and black teas and their organice form.

The certified Darjeelin tea is king of teas with sweet fruity flavour with a touch of herbal green. It is more popular among premium tea lovers and in English tea rooms. They are priced higher then black and green teas from other states of India.

They can be consumed with spices these recipe are called masala chai and much preferred by tea lovers all over the world. These spice teas help one for health benefit as well as impart strong pleasant flavors. Masala tea or spice tea are available online as well and you can buy in tea bag or cartons as you please.