There are more than 3 billion cups of tea consumed every day, making tea the most consumed beverage in the world after water.
Culturally, tea has been a staple beverage for centuries in many countries, particularly in Asia. It is a central part of daily life and has been incorporated into various cultural practices, such as tea ceremonies, and has been used as a symbol of hospitality and social interaction.
Physiologically, tea contains antioxidants, which can help to protect the body from damage caused by free radicals. Additionally, tea has been shown to have various health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer, improving mental alertness, and boosting the immune system.
Overall, tea is important as a cultural icon, a daily ritual, and a source of health benefits, making it a beverage with significant impact on people's lives around the world.
When Grace Farms opened its doors in 2015, we wanted to create a welcoming place that was inviting to all. It just so happened that Grace Farms happened to have a tea master on its team. Frank Kwei began welcoming visitors and new team members with a hot cup of tea as a way to start a conversation.
As Frank shared some of his favorite teas, including his family's own herbal tea blends, he fostered a deep appreciation for the craft of tea, with a focus on quality of the product and care for the people behind each cup.
Our passion for tea has taken us around the world to curate a collection of the finest ethically and sustainably sourced teas as a way to share Grace Farms with everyone.
Now, we invite you to join Frank as he shares a bit about tea.
The world of tea is expansive and allows for a lifetime of discovery and learning.
Tea can be separated into two categories, tea and herbals.
All teas (white, green, black, and oolong) come from the tea plant, camellia sinesis. An evergreen tree that is pruned to elbow height, produces fresh, naturally caffeinated tea leaves throughout the growing season that are picked, processed and enjoyed as tea. Depending upon how the tea leaves are oxidized and processed, you get a wide variety of teas. While the highest quality teas come from Asia and India, Africa is actually the largest producer of tea.
Herbals on the other hand, do not come from the tea plant, are usually not caffeinated, and are sourced from all over the world. Herbals or in French called teasans, can be flowers, leaves, roots, bark, and seeds.
Making a cup or pot of tea should be a moment of peace in your day. It is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and admire how beautifully water and leaves come together.
While brewing the perfect cup of tea starts with a quality product, there are a few simple considerations known as The Three T's to build into your daily tea ritual.
Tea - The type of tea you choose to enjoy will determine the best process for preparation.
Temperature - The ideal water temperature for brewing your tea.
Time - How long to steep your tea. When you remove the tea sachet you halt the brewing process.
While most tea sachets can be left in your cup, by removing the tea sachet you prevent the tea from becoming bitter and you can often get a second, longer steep.
Like the world of wine, tea has a wide array of quality, flavor profiles, and cost. At Grace Farms, we only source the highest quality organic and fair trade ingredients that deserve to be savored whether you are tasting or drinking.
When you first try a new tea or herbal blend, take time to ensure it has been prepared properly. If the tea tastes too soft, try steeping it longer at a higher temperature or add another tea bag if needed.
If the tea tastes bitter or too strong, it has been oversteeped or in the case of green teas, scalded from too hot water.
At Grace Farms, we prefer to brew small pots of tea and then enjoy them from small tea cups that we refill over and over.
Before taking your first sip, take a deep breathe through your nose to capture the aromas of the brew. Then take a small sip and be sure to aerate the liquid in your mouth, swishing it all over to coat your mouth so that all your taste buds are exposed.
Then breathe out through your nose so that you may capture any subtle hints remaining from the tea. Below are a few tasting notes you may pick up on from various teas and herbals.
