Steeping your tea for the proper amount of time is part of the art and one of the most important steps in enjoying a great tasting cup of tea. Everyone is different and will enjoy their tea with slight differences, but these differences are counted in seconds, not minutes. There are guidelines as to how long each type of tea should be steeped, which will really help you head in the right direction. To find out the recommended steeping time for each of our teas here at California Tea House check out the label on the bag as well as more detailed information at the bottom of each tea product page on our website.
If you are like me, you're on the computer a lot. A lot of times I will get a kettle of tea started, sit down to start some work on the computer, thinking that I will hop right back up in time to stop my tea steep using the ever-so-accurate clock in my head (yeah right!). Needless to say, many times I end up with an astringent and bitter cup of tea due to over steeping. Due to this reoccurring issue, I have found a few fun and helpful tea steeping alarm clocks that operate right on your computer which is perfect for a laptop junky like me. Below are the top 5 tea timers that I have come across. All free, but donations are appreciated:
1) http://tea-clock.com/ (This tea timer is my favorite due to it's simplicity, customizable features as well as the desktop alert feature without any downloads required. Steve Jobs would be impressed!)
2) http://steep.it/ (This tea steeping alarm is at the tope of my list too due to the ease of use and fun graphics. I also prefer not to download software to my computer if I don't have to which makes this one a plus.)
It's safe to say that almost everyone is trying to save as much money as possible in this economy. But being frugal doesn't mean anyone should go without entirely!
There are plenty of nontraditional places you may not expect to find teaware that are actually full of inexpensive, unique pieces.
1. eBay. And you thought it was just for textbooks and electronics! But there are always a couple of dozen high-quality sets listed there.
2. TJMaxx and Marshall's. These retail outlets are mostly known for their high fashion available at low prices, but skirt around the corners of these stores and you will find homegoods, including classy, high-end teaware for low-end prices.
3. Your local farmer's market. These pieces are always unique because they are handcrafted, usually by local artists. In addition to getting a great deal on a one-of-a-kind piece, you are supporting local talent!
4. Yard, garage, and estate sales. Not every yard or garage sale will boast a piece of teaware, but when they do you can be certain you are getting a great deal!
I think that having teaware you enjoy looking at is one of the most important factors that will help you enjoy the process of drinking your tea, and even in this economy, it is still possible to expand your collection of teaware.
I love growing herbs in with my flowers. When I grow Sweet Basil, the most common variety, I love to toss a small sprig into a pot of tea. It adds a delicate sweet spicey flavor.
African Blue Basil
This year I successfully grew two different varieties of Basil, African Blue and Cinnamon Basil. I'm sorry to say that I wasn't successful in growing a Pineapple Basil (beautiful yellow leaves, red flowers and spicey pineapple scent). Also this year, I let my basils flower and go to seed before harvesting. The flowers when dried have a more faint scent and flavor than the dried leaves do. So, since I grew varieties that are a bit more pungent than sweet basil in flavor, I thought that the flowers would be more fitting for my tea.
Cinnamon Basil
Basil has many of the same health benefits as sage and mint. So, it just makes sense to add them to tea in the same way. Try different varieties, as like mints, they have different flavors. I had added a couple of Cinnamon Basil leaves to a pot of white tea last night, after I harvested the flowers. It added a nice subdued touch of cinnamon to it.
Sweet Basil is still my favorite basil to add to tea. I also prefer steeping freshly cut foliage in my tea, rather than dried... but if you want to be able to continue this through winter, drying is the way to go.
Whether it is packaged in tea bags or is loose leaf, all tea comes from the same plant, the camellia sinesis. So why do some people prefer loose leaf tea?
As it turns out, there is a world of difference between the product found in a tea bag, and that found in loose leaf tea.
First of all, loose leaf tea is typically hand-picked, whereas the tea found in tea bags consists of small pieces of tea leaves. The latter results in a quicker and therefore more convenient brew, but not quite as much flavor. Additionally, tea bags may tend to give a harsher taste than loose leaf tea due to the release of additional tannins. Furthermore, because the leaves are broken up, the essential oils and chemicals that give tea its taste may evaporate, leaving the drinker with a poorly flavored cup.
Additionally, tea leaves need space to swell and unfurl. Obviously, this is not possible to any large degree in a cramped tea bag. Good water circulation is also important, and, again, this is much more easily attained by brewing loose leaf tea than in a tea bag.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there are more flavor varieties available in loose leaf tea than in bagged tea.
Make your next cup loose leaf, and I promise you won't be disappointed!
Thanks to my good fortune in landing my first magazine job, I received an opportunity to review a truly unique and wonderful piece of tea equipment last week: California Tea House's Sleek Steep Teapot.
Sleek certainly is the word for it: It's a beautiful, elegant piece that matches any dining room or kitchen set. And how about ease of use, you wonder? It's incredibly simple: Add your loose leaf tea, add your water, let it steep for the recommended amount of time, and then the magic happens. Lift the two-cup teapot, place it over your mug or cup, and just lightly press a spot on the underside of the teapot: the tea strains itself right into your mug!
Clean-up has never been easier, either. This teapot is dishwasher safe, but it's remarkably easy to clean by hand, too, if you want to re-use it immediately, like I did!
The California Tea House Sleek Steep Teapot would be a wonderful gift for a tea aficionado, or even for a tea newbie who has never tried loose leaf tea before! Christmas is coming, so be sure to put this item on your wishlist!
Check out this video on how to use the Sleek Steep tea infuser:
African Blue Basil
Basil has many of the same health benefits as sage and mint. So, it just makes sense to add them to tea in the same way. Try different varieties, as like mints, they have different flavors. I had added a couple of Cinnamon Basil leaves to a pot of white tea last night, after I harvested the flowers. It added a nice subdued touch of cinnamon to it. 
