Many myths and recipes surround English Earl Grey black tea, whose distinctive flavour and aroma come from combining various black teas with oil extracted from bergamot rind.
Earl Grey is named after the British Prime Minister Charles, 2nd Earl Grey (1830-1834). Legend has it while on a diplomatic mission to China; a mandarin confided the recipe in gratitude for saving his son’s life. Read the rest of this entry »
Having just looked at the programme for this year’s East End Film Festival, opening tomorrow 27th April, with a fantastic line-up of movies this year; I’m disappointed that I don’t have more time to watch them all! There is just too much to do this weekend, not to mention, the Royal Wedding this Friday. But my boyhood dreams of becoming a film director were briefly relived when I reflected on the similarities between directing a movie and making a cup of nice tea – my new passion!
A good cup of tea, like a movie, you needs a star actor – a great speciality leaf tea. Like most good actors you pay for the name or alternatively you can go with a lesser known actor, maybe still undiscovered but often equally as good, if not better. Take our Sikkim Temi first flush black tea for example, grown in an area neighbouring famous Darjeeling. Sikkim Temi teas, still only known among tea connoisseurs and adventurers alike, have in nearly every blind taste test we have had come up trumps when compared to the best Darjeeling. While not a cheap tea it is still much cheaper than the equivalent Darjeeling. Like premium speciality leaf teas, star actors need to be taken care of and kept in the luxury they accustomed to – keep your Chateau Rouge luxury tea in an airtight container to make sure it stays fresh and does not absorb the flavours from other spices.
Next you need a good supporting actor – in this case a good quality tea pot. Without a good supporting actor the main star will not be able to shine as brightly and by all accounts the movie may not even happen in the first place. It definitely pays to invest in a good teapot. Like a good supporting actor, although it may only really shine with one main actor or tea (in the Chateau Rouge Luxury Tea movie) it can equally be used for different teas. Just make sure it is properly cleaned and rinsed so that it does not carry the taste of one tea over to the next. It is equally important that there is the right chemistry between actors in order to bring the best out of each. So make sure that the tea pot and tea work well together. Does it filter correctly? Does it allow the tea to steep just long enough to bring the most out of the tea?
A good cup of tea needs the water at the right temperature to bring the best out of the tea leaves. Much like a movie needs a good plot and script to bring the best out of the star actor. With a bad script, even the best of actors can be made to look like amateurs, and don’t even consider an invitation to the Grammys or the possibility of walking down the red carpet. The general rule is the more produced the tea (like a specialist black tea for example) the hotter the water can be – the more experienced the actor the better he can cope with having to make it up on set and improvise. Greener teas (for example Chinese green tea) need water that is slightly cooler – left to stand for 3-4 minutes after boiling.
Continued later in the week in Part 2 – how to pull it all together and make sure your luxury tea movie is a guaranteed success when it premiers…
Château Rouge Teas, purveyors of fine, premium, specialist and luxury leaf teas that are sourced from around the world. Chateau Rouge Luxury Teas Ltd, Coppergate House, 16 Brune St, London E1 7NJ, England. Company No.5489120
Green Teas | Oolong Tea | Black Teas | Tisane Teas | Jasmine Green Tea | White Monkey Green Tea | Formosa Pouchong Oolong Tea | Sikkim Temi Black Teas | Fikkal ILam Black Teas | Imperial Earl Grey Teas | Wiedouw Organic Rooibos Tea Tisane | Wild Harvest Honeybush Tea Tisane | English Breakfast Black Tea
Afternoon tea is back in fashion and hotels across London regularly have queues running down the street for afternoon tea. With prices ranging from £15 to as much as£ 80 at the Ritz Carlton, afternoon tea is not cheap. But then again, it never was intended for the working classes! So where did the tradition of afternoon tea first come from, and what does it mean? We have the 7th Duchess of Bedford to thank for creating the tradition of afternoon tea.
In the early nineteenth century tea was very popular and tea consumption in the UK was increasing dramatically, much like today tea was being discovered as not only a thirst quencher but as a way to get through the afternoon and avoid that sinking feeling mid-afternoon.
The Duchess of Bedford, Anna, is said to have complained of “having that sinking feeling” during the late afternoon. At that stage, in the early nineteenthcentury, it was then normal for people to have only two meals a day, breakfast and dinner in the evening. The Duchess decided a good solution was to have a pot of black tea with milk and a light snack late afternoon. She used to have afternoon tea privately in her boudoir, but soon friends were invited to join her in her in her rooms at Woburn Abbey for tea. This summer practice proved so popular that when she returned to London in the autumn, she continued to invite friends, sending them cards asking them to join her for “tea and a walking the fields.” Other social hostesses in London quickly picked up on the idea and the practice became respectable enough to move it into the drawing rooms across the country. Before long all of fashionable society was sipping tea and nibbling sandwiches in the middle of the afternoon.
Traditionally, the upper classes would serve a ‘low’ or ‘afternoon’ tea around four o’clock, just before the fashionable promenade in Hyde Park. The middle and lower classes would have a more substantial ‘high’ tea later in the day, at five or six o’clock, in place of a late dinner. The names derive from the height of the tables on which the meals are served, high tea being served at the dinner table.
And that is the story of how afternoon tea came into fashion and how it has shaped over 200 years of English tradition. So if you one of an estimated 2 billion people watching the Royal wedding, between Prince William and Kate Middleton on the 29 April 2011, to celebrate why not partake in a very British tradition, celebrate withafternoon tea or high tea (it’s a special occasion). To make it even more special why not treat yourself with a Sikkim Temi from India, a colonial gem and tea fit for a king and queen.
Château Rouge Teas, purveyors of fine, premium, specialist and luxury leaf teas that are sourced from around the world. Chateau Rouge Luxury Teas Ltd, Coppergate House, 16 Brune St, London E1 7NJ, England. Company No.5489120
Green Teas | Oolong Tea | Black Teas | Tisane Teas | Jasmine Green Tea | White Monkey Green Tea | Formosa Pouchong Oolong Tea | Sikkim Temi Black Teas | Fikkal Lam Black Teas | Imperial Earl Grey Teas | Wiedouw Organic Rooibos Tea Tisane | Wild Harvest Honeybush Tea Tisane | London Aafternon Tea
A brief history of the tea bag… In 1908, Thomas Sullivan, an American tea merchant, began distributing samples of his tea in small bags of Chinese silk with a drawstring. Consumers noticed that they could simply leave the tea in the bag and re-use it. It was not however till the 1950’s that Tetley’s commercialised the tea bag and launched it in the UK.
It proved an immediate success, as it was easy and convenient, making tea bags popular for many people today. Tea bags are normally made using fannings or “dust” – a by-product from the sorting of higher grade loose leaf tea. Fannings are useful in bagged teas because the greater surface area of the many particles allows for a very fast, complete diffusion of the tea into the water – producing a stronger, harsh flavour when brewed. It is not always possible to fit larger tea leaves into small tea bags without breaking the leaves in the production process.
Dried tea can lose its flavour quickly on exposure to air. Tea bags that contain leaves broken into small pieces have a greater surface area to volume ratio of the leaves that exposes them to more air, and therefore causes them to go stale faster. Loose tea leaves are likely to be in larger pieces, or to be entirely intact which means they remain fresher for longer.
With loose leaf tea there is no problem of ‘tasting the teabag’. Using a good quality infuser or teapot ensures you don’t have the residual taste left by a paper tea bag.
Whole leaf tea retains most of the natural oils in the tea leaf. Breaking up the leaves for bags loses many of the natural flavoured oils in the leaf that give the tea its unique taste.
The tea leaves have enough room to open up and release their full flavour. The small size of the bag does not allow leaves to diffuse and steep properly.
With leaf tea there is no temptation to squeeze the tea bag against the side of the mug, which will release more tannins and makes a very bitter cup.
There are no tea bags to recycle, and no risk of being exposed to the carcinogenic glues or coatings used on some tea bags.
Lastly, as you can see the tea leaves unfurl in your teapot or cup, you know exactly what tea you drinking. You can even experiment by mixing your own teas, for example green tea and spearmint or Rooibos and Honeybush, make a fantastic blend.
Château Rouge are purveyors of fine, premium, specialist and luxury leaf teas that are sourced from around the world. Chateau Rouge Luxury Teas Ltd, Coppergate House, 16 Brune St, London E1 7NJ, England. Company No.5489120
Green Teas | Oolong Tea | Black Teas | Tisane Teas | Jasmine Green Tea | White Monkey Green Tea | Formosa Pouchong Oolong Tea | Sikkim Temi Black Teas | Fikkal Lam Black Teas | Imperial Earl Grey Teas | Wiedouw Organic Rooibos Tea Tisane | Wild Harvest Honeybush Tisane
Rooibos may well be the best kept secret in the tea industry. Not only is Chateau Rouge Rooibos herbal tea or tisane unique as it is the only single estate Rooibos tea (or Redbush tea) sold in the UK, and a special long-cut leaf to ensure maximum flavour; but it is also possibly one of the healthiest teas to drink.
- Rooibos is 100% naturally caffeine free. Unlike caffeine free black tea it has not gone through a process to remove the caffeine, there is none at all to begin with. Most herbal tea drinkers incorrectly assume that green tea has no caffeine. Even green tea has caffeine, albeit only a small amount in comparison.
- Rooibos has no tannin. All other teas have tannin. Tannin interferes with absorption of iron into the bloodstream. Too much tannin in tea makes a bitter cup. For example, if you have ever drunk one of the commercially available black tea bag products in the UK, you will undoubtedly have discovered that it is too bitter to drink black. This is because the teas are high in tannin and need milk to neutralise the bitter taste. Rooibos tastes best if you just leave it stew, unlike other teas if you want a stronger cup of Chateau Rouge Luxury Rooibos Tea, you can leave it stew for as long as it takes to make a strong cup.
- Chateau Rouge Rooibos is 100% Organic. Grown on the oldest and only one of 2 Organic Rooibos farms in South Africa the tea has been certified Organic by the UK Soil Association.
- Rooibos is packed full of antioxidants. Recent research points that Rooibos may contain more antioxidants than green tea. High in minerals including sodium, magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium and zinc Rooibos is purported to assist with nervous tension, allergies and digestive problems.
Try Chateau Rouge Luxury Rooibos Tea from the Wiedouw farm in the Cape – South Africa. They arguably produce the best Rooibos in the world.
Château Rouge are purveyors of fine, premium, specialist and luxury leaf teas that are sourced from around the world. Chateau Rouge Luxury Teas Ltd, Coppergate House, 16 Brune St, London E1 7NJ, England. Company No.5489120
Green Teas | Oolong Tea | Black Teas | Tisane Teas | Jasmine Green Tea | White Monkey Green Tea | Formosa Pouchong Oolong Tea | Sikkim Temi Black Teas | Fikkal Lam Black Teas | Imperial Earl Grey Teas | Wiedouw Organic Rooibos Tea Tisane | Wild Harvest Honeybush Tisane
The health benefits of green tea, as supplied by luxury tea company Château Rouge, are widely documented but did you know you can use these delicate and aromatic leafs in cooking.
In the UK the lovely leaf is often used in frozen yogurts and healthier shacks to enhance the flavours and add that extra touch of ‘health’. On a recent trip to Tokyo, however, I spotted green tea flavoured Kit Kat chocolate bars! Saying that there was also one flavoured with soy sauce – an acquired taste I’ll have to add!
It is easy to enhance a simple dish with the addition of Green tea leafs. Many Asian nations have used green tea in cooking for centuries not just because of its health benefits – high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals – but also because this simple leaf has a distinct flavour that lends itself rather well to cooking.
Château Rouge has in stock a pretty wide variety of luxury green teas, each promising its own individual flavour. It is recommended that loose teas are used in cooking as they tend to have the best flavours.
One simple way to cook with these is to brew the green tea leafs and simply substitute the water in the recipe with green tea. I find the flavour best suited to sweet dishes, especially plain frozen yogurt or ice cream, where the green tea not only adds a subtle flavour, but also a rather lovely light green colour.
The best way to start though is to simply experiment with the various loos teas, various strengths and off course in various recipes.
Château Rouge are purveyors of fine, premium, specialist and luxury teas that are sourced from around the world. Chateau Rouge Luxury Teas Ltd, Coppergate House, 16 Brune St, London E1 7NJ, England. Company No.5489120 Website by Banksthomas part of the Spinach Group
Green Teas | Oolong Tea | Black Teas | Tisane Teas | Jasmine Green Tea | White Monkey Green Tea | Formosa Pouchong Oolong Tea | Sikkim Temi Black Teas | Fikkal Lam Black Teas | Imperial Earl Grey Teas | Wideouw Rooibus Tisane | Wild Harvest Honeybush Tisane
Château Rouge was inspired by a time in history when traders brought exotic delicacies back from their travels from far away Asia and the Far East. On their return to Europe they would not just trade tea, but tales of another world so far away from most people’s reach, and stories and anecdotes that made the world seem so much more exciting.
Almost a thousand years ago a gifted Persian poet by the name of Ferdowsi Tusi wrote Shahnameh (Book of Kings) – an epic describing the mythical history of pre-Islamic Persia in beautiful rhyming stanzas.
The legend has it that Sultan Mahmud Ghaznavi, in whose court Ferdowsi served, had promised a gold coin for every verse but when he saw the length of the Shahnameh he balked and refused to pay! Ferdowsi stormed out in anger taking his creation and eventually dying in abject poverty.
Much in the way Château Rouge has found inspiration, in the following millennium storytellers in tea houses up and down the country and across the sprawling empire would recite the epic of the hero of Shahnameh Rustam, who when he walked his boots sank into stone.
Later through consecutive conquest by the Moguls and Afghan tribes, through the dark times and happier days, Fersowsi’s heroic tale passed from one tea house to another, from one generation to another and from Persia across to India and beyond.
The Moguls introduced exotic Green tea to Persia, the Russians later brought aromatic Black tea brewed in coal-fired Samavars, from the very start tea cementing itself as the national drink.
As travellers and traders sat and listened and sipped tea they passed the epic of Shahmanesh. And so tea drinking became closely interlinked with story telling and poetry – a ritual that continues to this day.
Now no Iranian home is complete without a brewing pot or hot Samavar containing aromatic tea served in small glass cups, strong, black with a lump of sugar – with a copy of Shahnameh sitting close by on the shelf.
Château Rouge are purveyors of fine, premium, specialist and luxury teas that are sourced from around the world. Chateau Rouge Luxury Teas Ltd, Coppergate House, 16 Brune St, London E1 7NJ, England. Company No.5489120 Website by Banksthomas part of the Spinach Group
Green Teas | Oolong Tea | Black Teas | Tisane Teas | Jasmine Green Tea | White Monkey Green Tea | Formosa Pouchong Oolong Tea | Sikkim Temi Black Teas | Fikkal Lam Black Teas | Imperial Earl Grey Teas | Wideouw Rooibus Tisane | Wild Harvest Honeybush Tisane
Luxury tea specialist Château Rouge is exhibiting its rare variety of luxury Green, Oolong and Black teas at The London Coffee Festival this weekend.
These are not your ordinary teas found on general supermarket shelves. Château Rouge travels far and wide, across to the mountains of China, Japan and beyond to these secret tea gardens to source its specialist luxury products.
Come along to the festival to sample these rare products and learn more about their origin, history and the perfect way to brew these delicate leafs.
This year The London Coffee Festival has spread its activities across what it calls ‘themed’ areas around the capital city. Edgy Soho will host an ‘Out of the Box’ coffee shop experiences. Talk tea and coffee with the experts, sample deli produce and indulge yourself with a hand-made cup cake whilst listening to world beats and jazz from local artists and DJs.
In trendy Shoreditch take in the finest boutique roasters, visit the coffee art gallery before relaxing in the retro lounge to enjoy some vintage tunes.
The Hub is where the Espresso Martini Launch Party will be held here on opening night. You can also learn about the history of these beverages, how they are cultivated, sourced and ultimately end up in our cup.
Or if East London isn’t your cup of tea – pardon the pun – wander around Hyde Park sampling artisan teas and coffees whilst nibbling on delicious food. If the weather allows, lay down on the green grass, take in the early spring sunshine whilst enjoying the goods this unique festival has to offer, including expert tea advice from the tea connoisseur, Château Rouge.
Château Rouge are purveyors of fine, premium, specialist and luxury teas that are sourced from around the world. Chateau Rouge Luxury Teas Ltd, Coppergate House, 16 Brune St, London E1 7NJ, England. Company No.5489120 Website by Banksthomas part of the Spinach Group
Green Teas | Oolong Tea | Black Teas | Tisane Teas | Jasmine Green Tea | White Monkey Green Tea | Formosa Pouchong Oolong Tea | Sikkim Temi Black Teas | Fikkal Lam Black Teas | Imperial Earl Grey Teas | Wideouw Rooibus Tisane | Wild Harvest Honeybush Tisane
Château Rouge will be exhibiting its bespoke range of specialist and luxury teas at The London Coffee Festival this weekend. The popular yearly festival is a celebration of not just coffee, but tea and food experiences that relate to the art of consuming a delicious hot beverage.
Spread across six areas: Hyde Park, Soho, Shoreditch, The Hub, The Plantation and The Lab, each ‘themed zone’ offers a unique coffee, tea and food experience.
The festival is essentially a celebration of London’s vibrant coffee, tea and gourmet food culture and is estimated to attract over 10,000 enthusiasts. Niche tea specialist Château Rouge will share its tea expertise and showcase its passion for the humble leaf that has so much to offer.
There will also be artisan coffee, gourmet food and drinks, barista demonstrations and interactive activities all weekend at the festival.
The event also includes live music performances from local artists and a range of fun competitions such as the ‘Out of the Box’ experience – a nine-bar cycling challenge and ten-bean bowling alley.
Château Rouge will join not just the big player in the world of tea and coffee, but similar innovative companies that share a genuine passion for their product – the likes of Flat White, Sacred and Nude Espresso.
Plus, this is all for a good cause with profits raised destined for the Project Waterfall, a world charity that aims to deliver clean water projects in Africa’s coffee-growing nations.
The London Coffee Festival is held from 8-10 April 2011. For more information visit londoncoffeefestival.com.
Château Rouge are purveyors of fine, premium, specialist and luxury teas that are sourced from around the world. Chateau Rouge Luxury Teas Ltd, Coppergate House, 16 Brune St, London E1 7NJ, England. Company No.5489120 Website by Banksthomas part of the Spinach Group
Green Teas | Oolong Tea | Black Teas | Tisane Teas | Jasmine Green Tea | White Monkey Green Tea | Formosa Pouchong Oolong Tea | Sikkim Temi Black Teas | Fikkal Lam Black Teas | Imperial Earl Grey Teas | Wideouw Rooibus Tisane | Wild Harvest Honeybush Tisane
Great news – Château Rouge is now being sold exclusively in the luxurious and prestigious Harvey Nichols stores, so now there is no excuse to be without your Château Rouge fine tea.
Château Rouge Teas have launched exclusively at the flagship Knightsbridge (London) Harvey Nichols food market and will also feature amongst the other delightful and lavish goodies in the Bristol, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Leeds, Harvey Nichols magnificent department stores.
Indeed, Château Rouge has even found its way onto the Harvey Nichols editor’s top 10 list of recommended products, a further endorsement of the high quality luxury range of Château Rouge teas.
Of course, with the new Château Rouge website now fully trading, one doesn’t have to wait until their next Harvey Nichols visit for a fix of Château Rouge luxury teas…
Château Rouge are purveyors of fine, premium and luxury teas that are sourced from around the world. Chateau Rouge Luxury Teas Ltd, Coppergate House, 16 Brune St, London E1 7NJ, England. Company No.5489120 Website by Banksthomas part of the Spinach Group
