Memories of Darjeeling…
As I sit here on the train from London to St. Ives, winding my way through the beautiful Dorset countryside memories come flooding back to me of the times I have been aboard the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling. This is quite simply the most mesmerising journey I have ever been on . Words can do little justice to the serene beauty on offer during this seven hour weave through the Himalayan Mountains.
Early morning - Temi Tea Estate, South Sikkim, India
Back again after a few weeks trying some fantastic first flushes from Darjeeling. We thought its a great opportunity to tell you about our little secret… Sikkim Temi 1st flush. Like with all our teas we go to great lengths to choose teas with a story, and the Sikkim Temi is a tea that is no different. It comes from the only tea estate in Sikkim, a government owned estate that has been producing fantastic teas since the 1960′s. Not only are teas from Temi as good as neighbouring Darjeeling, but what makes this tea even more special is the surroundings… Read the rest of this entry »
Chateau Rouge Photo of the week - Fiat 500 vs. Audi Q7 - Leaf tea vs. Tea Bag
This weeks photo of the week (without the tea)
Wondering through the streets surrounding Spitafields market in London the other day, we came across this fantastic picture. An old Fiat 500 taking on a mighty Audi Q7. And what struck us most about this picture, other than feeling it was David vs. Goliath (and hoping the Audi had its brakes on), but what the 2 vehicles symbolise. Read the rest of this entry »
We had a great time at the Bath Coffee Festival in Bath. It was our first trip out to that part of the country since launching in Harvey Nichols. It was a fantastic weekend, and always a pleasure to visit beautiful Bath! Through serving plenty of tea samples over the 2 days, running demonstration workshops and with having the opportunity to meet hundreds tea and coffee lovers alike; I thought it would be good to highlight the main questions asked about Speciality Leaf Tea. Tea popularity is definitely on the rise and a whole tea ‘re-education’ under way – a journey of tea discovery and hopefully discovering something remarkable along the way. After all it is a journey not a destination! Read the rest of this entry »
Tea is a work of art and needs a master hand to bring out its noblest qualities - Okakura Kakuzo, The Book of Tea
Chateau Rouge Luxury Tea Harvesting in India
It’s first flush season again and the new season samples have been coming in over the last few weeks. We’ve all been happily tasting them all, and already deciding on our favourites for the season! But what consititutes a ‘First Flush’ and how is this tea different from other teas?
With the amount of tea available online and in-store one cant help but feel overwhelmed by it all. There is a massive selection of teas to choose from: from the more exotic green teas, yellow teas or red teas to the more ‘standard’ black teas, not to mention white tea, rooibos, honeybush or even oolong. Tea is getting more sophisticated! But where do you start and is price really that important or is the more expensive tea, just in more expensive packaging?
Leeds Market Building - a truly remarkable building, and an architectural masterpiece
We absolutely fell in love with this building while in Leeds on Saturday for a tea tasting at Harvey Nichols. It’s an architectural gem and a timeless masterpiece! If only everything today lasts this long – something that keeps on getting more beautiful with time, rather than looking dated and out of fashion. Read the rest of this entry »
Harvey Nichols Arcade Entrance
We had a great day in Leeds on Saturday for a Chateau Rouge Luxury Tea Tasting at Harvey Nichols. The Jasmine Downy Tips was a favourite (as always) but pleasantly surprised that the Formosa Pouching was well received. Read the rest of this entry »
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 »
