When a new team member joins our company we always emphasize the importance we place on one of their duties; drinking on the job. It usually gets a smile since this is not something one is normally told at a new company.
But it is serious to us. In order to do a good job helping our customers select teas and tisanes one must be able to explain the flavors of each selection. This is no small task, as we usually have 100-110 selections at any given time. They also change by season, and when the new crops come in. I also explain that there are two things on whuch they can count; The teas we carry will all be of good quality, and they will not like some of the flavors they encounter. The key is to be able to explain the tastes and why they are of great quality.
Naturally I also spend a decent amount of time each week sampling new offerings. When asked if I get tired of this, I also just smile. Even after half a decade doing this, I still feel a little like I am just relaxing, not really working. After all, sitting around sipping on some of the finest beverages in the world is not a bad way to spend part of your work day.
I guess there are some real perqs in this business after all!
It’s a Big World…Drink It Up!
August 25th, 2008
The theme of our recent Open House was “Tastes of Japan.” We had a great time with the dancers, the students visitng from Shizuoka, our traditional tea ceremony and, of course, our new Japanese teas that we introduced at the event.
One of our events was a focused tasting of Japanese teas. Our attendees included some of our regular customers, and some of Japanese descent who were excited to find their favorite teas in Mid-America.
One of the Japanese gentelmen attending asked if Japanese were popular in our stores. He enjoyed them and was wondering how Americans take to these teas.
It has been our experience that the Japanese teas seem to be a little more of an acquired taste for many. As a general rule newer tea drinkers do not have a point of reference for the disctinctive grassy and ’seaweedy’ aromas. Some who have been exposed to Japanese teas in resturants have been served lower quality teas not well prepared.
We usually suggest a sampler of our Sencha Shin Ryuko, or even just Genmaicha or Hojicha as a starting point. Properly prepared, the delights of quality Japanese teas often become included in their favorites.
I guess that it is not such a bad thing that not everyone is drinking these, as it leaves a little more for the rest of us! ( I say this as I sip on a Gyokuro)
Enjoy,
Chief Leaf
August 15th, 2008
I try dozens of teas each month as we research new offerings for our customers. Just like many other people, I enjoy certain flavors and types of teas more than others. Unlike choosing a favorite child, it really is okay to have favorite teas.
Often I reach for an Assam in the morning for their bold ‘wake you up’ body. We just received a 2008 2nd Flush from the Khongea Estate, called Golden Buds. As I cupped it I could not wait to make a full pot! It has the bold full body that I expect from an Assam. This is followed by an earthy hint that adds to its’ depth and finishes with just a hint of the maltiness that is a characteristic of this type of tea.
I am glad to have purchased more from this estate this year than I did last year, so we won’t run out as quickly. (I hope)
July 22nd, 2008
It is a fact that about 80% of the tea consumed in the US is iced. We see the trend in the stores as the consumption of cold drinks inreases, and the purchase of loose tea focuses on those that do well on ice.
In spite of the fact that other cultures avoid iced teas, I notice that I will drink more flavored teas during the summer as well. (Summer Companion and Tropical Paradise Rooibos come to mind.)
It is really interesting to see that different flavor components come out when a beverage is served cold rather than hot. So today as it warmed up I grabbed a Blacksmith Blend which is one of my favorite everyday drinkers. The blend has enough strength to satisfy, and yet stay smooth.
Many consmuers have resigned themselves to most iced teas tasting rather flat and indistinguishable, so it is a lot of fun to introduce new customers to teas that have more taste than they have come to expect from bags left in the sun to brew.
All this reminds me that I will be in big trouble if I don’t remember to bring some tea home for the weekend!
Enjoy!
July 2nd, 2008
Earlier this month we again attended The World Tea Expo, which was held in Las Vegas. Though I am not a big fan of the city, the venue worked well for this annual event. Our first participation at this trade show (then named Take Me to Tea) was in Providence RI. If I recall correctly there were about 400 attendees. That was 4 years ago. The Expo’s website says they had over 4600 registered this year! Yes, over a 10 fold growth. The number of exhibitors also has increased each year. We are starting to see support and affiliated vendors viaing to attract business from this fast growing segment.
All this bodes well for those that enjoy fine teas. More people wanting to start up, more companies growing, more and better supplies of tea and accessories, and more solid information about tea and health. It also means that some will jump into the industry just to get in on what they perceive is easy money from the overall growth. These people often have not done sufficient research, or do not have a real apprecitation of fine teas. Those are the operators that have less than great products, and usually are short lived when the consumers become more educated.
In any case, it will be fun to watch, and to be a part of this new trend in the US.
June 16th, 2008
I make it a point in the morning to relax and enjoy my first pot of tea before I look at what is going on in the ‘real’ world. As a retailer, I am naturally concerned about how this rocky economic landscape will affect the sales of tea and tea related accessories. Retail sales in general are weak, so what about tea?
So far tea has been holding its’ own and then some. Sales for the first two months of the year have been brisk. Not that I have any real explanaiton for this, or know if it will continue.
I wonder if people realize that tea is one of those affordable ‘luxuries?’ For one thing, tea is inexpensive. I enjoy wine, but cannot afford to drink the top wines in the market. The price of tea however makes even those top offerings within the reach of most everyone. Also, you can open up a pouch or tin of tea, and drink it over several months. Wine does not do well 3 months after the bottle has been opened.
Tea is also is an inexpensive way to improve your health. A few cups of green tea a day has been shown to have multiple benefits. Tea is also a good alternative to many of the other beverages we consume daily.
So hopefully tea will be recognized as an enjoyable way to improve your health, and treat yourself well.
It’s a Big World…Drink it up!
March 6th, 2008
First time visitors to a ‘real’ tea store are often surprised to find that Chai is not traditionally poured prepared from a concentrate which is highly sweetened. So we always give a little background about Chai, as a spiced black tea enjoyed in India and surrounding areas with steamed milk. Many that try authentic chai add little, if any sweetener, so I figure we are doing a good job educating their palette.
So when I was discovered Coconut chai, I must admit I was a little heisitant. Would I be messing with a traditional beverage and adding to the confusion? I learned two things from this venture. First, there are almost as many recipes for chai, as there are Indian households. Spices are chosen to taste, and often ground fresh. Second, a little experimentation can add a new dimension to an old favorite.
The addition of a little coconut seems to give the chai a smoother character, and add a slight natural sweetness. One other thing I noticed in this tea is that even people that do not normally like coconut do enjoy it when added to the other spices in the tea.
As for me, I have another beverage to enjoy in the morning!
February 25th, 2008
Oolong teas are among my favorites, so when we sold out of our Rou Gui a month or so ago, I was resigned to the fact that I may need to wait until next spring to enjoy this again.
Fate smiled on me though, as we received a sample from another of our friends a couple of weeks ago. I wasted no time in cupping this oolong tea and was immediately struck by the aroma of cinnamon for which this tea is noted. The aroma translates nicely in the taste of the tea as well. It is smooth, slightly floral, with a cinnamon flavor that makes this a complex and exciting tea.
I only hope that we have enough to hold us until the spring crop!
Enjoy!
January 25th, 2008
I notice that just like many of my patrons, I tend to drink many of the same teas on a regular basis. Though we have about 100 varieties on the shelf, I gravitate towards some comfortable favorites. Every once in a while after I make a tea for a customer that I have not tasted for a while, I sip some of the same. A little light goes off in my head, and I remember why we have this in our selection!.
It was that way this morning. I looked at our tea wall for something bold, and ‘rediscovered’ our Khongea Golden Bud Assam. As soon as I opened the tin, the full smooth aroma told me that I selected the perfect tea with which to start my day. It has the strength and bold taste I need to get going, but is full of golden tips which makes it very smooth.
New Year’s resolution: Add variety to the day; Drink a different tea every day!
Enjoy!
January 11th, 2008
Just to add to the general awareness of tea, and not to be outdone, USA Today had an article; Tea is Steeped in Health Beneifts. This was published October 7th, so I am not sure how long the link will stay active.
Hope you get a chance to look at it before they remove it.
October 11th, 2007
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