Why not pick a tea to suit your mood using our 'mood-o-matic teafinder'
"I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals."
Winston Churchill
Well thank you very much to those of you who kept us teapigs very much amused last month with your credit crunch jokes and gags...
Could one of you be the next Woody?!
Here are the winning chucklers...
From Christine (who would get the gold star teapigs comedy award should such a thing exist for sending in not 1 but 4 (!) credit crunch crackers)
Why didn't the little boy get any pocket money this week?
Cos his Mum's gone to Iceland!
Quote of the day (from a trader): "This is worse than a divorce. I've lost half my net worth and I still have a wife."
Talked to my bank manager the other day and he said he was going to concentrate on the big issues from now on. He sold me one outside Boots yesterday!
What's the difference between Investment Bankers and London Pigeons? The Pigeons are still capable of making deposits on new BMW's
From Leigh
Resolving to surprise her husband, an investment banker's wife pops by his office.
She finds him in an unorthodox position, with his secretary sitting in his lap.
Without hesitation, he starts dictating, "...and in conclusion, gentlemen, credit crunch or no credit crunch, I cannot continue to operate this office with just one chair!"
From Howard
So what is the most unlikely bonus a city financier is likely to receive for Christmas??
Answer: A job in 2009
From Estelle
What is a bankers worst tea-break snack?
A Credit-crunchie!
Boom boom!
From Scott
Bradford & Bingley employees are concerned they were given no notice of the takeover by Santander Bank.
A Government spokesman said: "No one expected the Spanish acquisition."
And from Jonathan:
This one isn't NECESSARILY about the credit crunch, but it's the only
one I can ever think of hahaha!
A DOG, walks in to a DIY store and says to the owner, "I'd like a
part-time-job, please!"
And the bloke behind the counter says, "Sorry, we don't do part-time jobs for dogs... Why don't you join the circus instead?!"
And the dog says, "What would the circus want with a plumber."
...it's best told after 5 pints, mind!
Posted on 11th Nov, 2008 | Permalink
Exhausted from exhibiting at The Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia, London for the last 5 days our attention now turns to The BBC Good Food Show, also at Olympia (14th, 15th, 16th November). Thanks to all of you who came to visit us and buy some tea and looking forward to seeing more of you over this coming weekend.
calm before the storm
Posted on 10th Nov, 2008 | Permalink
I think I'm fast becoming the teapigs office devil, especially when it comes to all things green. So imagine how proud I was to see this article on the correct level to fill your kettle. It's number 9 on our very own top 10 green office tips. Good advice indeed, though we recommend using a kettle rather than an urn as you really do need freshly boiled water for the perfect cup of tea. (posted by Nick)
Posted on 5th Nov, 2008 | Permalink
I'm (Nick blogging today) just back from spending a few days in Cornwall during which I managed a wonderful walk across Bodmin Moor. Armed with ordnance survey explorer map 109, a bottle of water (no steaming flask of english breakfast tea I'm ashamed to say) and a huge Cornish pasty, I set off full of confidence expecting a good 3 hour hike. Though it soon became apparent that the rough, hilly terrain and boggy marshland (beware the quaking marshes, seriously) were a little more challenging than my normal walks in the rather sedate Chess Valley. Therefore some 6 hours later, at dusk, I was relieved to arrive at the very haunted (so they say) Jamaica Inn. After all, despite the fact it was Halloween I really didn't fancy a night on the moors with the Beast. But then that would have been childsplay for Andy Kirkpatrick, one of the speakers from the howies Do Lectures whose adventures make even a hardened Everest climber pale into insignificance. Check out his incredible, inspirational and somewhat crazy story from this link. (though be warned, it contains some naughty language).
no tearooms here
Posted on 3rd Nov, 2008 | Permalink
Denise obviously didn't live long enough to discover teapigs.
Happy Halloween!
Posted on 30th Oct, 2008 | Permalink
We like to keep busy here at teapigs and are constantly thinking of new and innovative ways of getting things done!
Having struggled to look out of our dusty little office window for... erm... the whole 2 years that we've been here... yesterday Nick was possessed with a sudden urge to clean it and enjoy the Ealing view. Now, you can't get to the window from the outside without a really tall, precariously placed ladder and a long window cleaner mop thing (of which we have neither)... so what to do?!!
Improv!... and what a sight!
Posted on 28th Oct, 2008 | Permalink
It has been noted that many of these entries are related to food.... here we go again!
This arrived in the office yesterday - a darjeeling earl grey cake.
It was made for us by Paul at the lovely chocolate cafe in Bolton street Bury.
It is really delicious!
Should you wish to make your own - brew the tea and infuse the dried fruit in the brewed tea for 24 hours then follow a normal fuit cake recipe using the tea infused fruit.
Paul also makes a chocolate flake cake using our tea and chocolate chips!
Posted on 25th Oct, 2008 | Permalink
The very kind people at howies recently invited teapigs to serve tea at their DO Lectures, where a number of very inspiring people came to talk to a specially chosen audience. The subjects ranged from global climate change, breadmaking, how to protest peacfully, foraging, how to campaign for something you really believe in, cloudspotting, beekeeping, to, well, just about everything and anything inspiring. The event took place over 4 days at an amazing campsite in west Wales. All the lectures were taped and can be viewed on the DO Lectures website by clicking on the relevant speakers. I'd really encourage you to do so and will talk about some of them more in later blogs. My DO list? Am going to start simple. I've just bought the bread baking book and will let you know how I do with the first batch from my oven. (posted by Nick)
tea time at the DO Lectures. Green tea of course
Posted on 21st Oct, 2008 | Permalink
A study conducted at UCL has found that people who have 4 cups of tea a day are 20% less stressed than those who drink other beverages containing caffeine.
Apparently the hormone (cortisol) which is released when we experience trauma or stress is counteracted by a cup of tea.
With 20 cups of tea drunk each, daily in the teapigs office, should make us 100% stress free.
Posted on 19th Oct, 2008 | Permalink
A long time back we blogged that we'd be doing a sponsored bike ride. Oh dear. We didn't quite manage that, getting teapigs going sort of took us over. But at least we're still on the bike, well at least I am (Nick writing today). And why wouldn't I be when I can take in the early morning mist rising from the Grand Union Canal on the way to work rather than exhaust fumes on the A40? Such a peaceful and inspiring way to start the day. Along with our own special morning glory of course.
Posted on 9th Oct, 2008 | Permalink
Clearly the crescendo of a 2 week matcha challenge is day 14.... ooops!
At the end of the 2 week matcha challenge I was not only more focused, calmer and bursting to the brim with antioxidants.... I was also some what lighter.
Not a miracle cure but I would certainly agree with the claims that matcha helps slimming, I went off on my holiday a little less fearful of lying on a beach semi-clothed.
I am going to keep on sipping matcha perhaps this will be the result - here's hoping.
Posted on 29th Sep, 2008 | Permalink
So no entries for a few days from Louise then? Does this mean that her matcha challenge has gone disastrously wrong? Or has she been in meditation for days? Well actually, she's been taking some well overdue holiday. We're sure she's taken some matcha with her so will be ready to report back as soon as she returns. With some nice holiday snaps too we hope.
Posted on 22nd Sep, 2008 | Permalink
Day eleven of the matcha challenge - objective to discover the impact of 2 weeks of matcha
How I took my health kick...
1g added to a shot of luscombe apple and ginger - yum.
How did I feel....
Genius. I think I may have found the ultimate hangover cure.... at last.
The matcha shot gave me a super nutrient blast which appears to has cured for my cracking hangover. Amazing.
Posted on 12th Sep, 2008 | Permalink
Day eight of the matcha challenge - objective to discover the impact of 2 weeks of matcha
How I took my health kick...
Matcha latte.
1 tsp of matcha added to milk and a dash of honey, frothed with a whisk.
The milk can be boiled or I prefer it cold with ice - does that make it a frappe?
How did I feel....
Healthy glow. Despite having spent the weekend at Olympia indoor exhibition hall I am told that my skin has taken on a healthy glow.... this can only be attributed to the matcha.
Matcha has a very high vitamin C content and vitamin C has been linked to reducing wrinkles and improving skin tone - da da dah ten years younger in one matcha latte - well almost.
Posted on 9th Sep, 2008 | Permalink
Day four of the matcha challenge - objective to discover the impact of 2 weeks of matcha
How I took my health kick...
Today I took my 1g shot with apple juice. Very nice. I did find this recipe ( below) for perhaps a somewhat less healthy cupcake. The combo of chocolate and green tea sounds yummy... something for the weekend!
How did I feel....
Focused. Matcha has been drunk as a ceremonial beverage for 900 years in Japan. It is particularly drunk by Buddhist monks to help them focus on their meditation. Although I haven't spent the day meditating it did help me focus on preparing for the fine food show at the weekend.
Matcha and chocolate muffin/cupcakes
You need:
3/4 cup fine white sugar
3/4 + 2/3 cups flour, sifted
8 Tbsp butter, melted
3 eggs, large
3 oz chocolate 70% cocoa, melted
1.5 tsp sifted unsweetened cocoa, diluted with 2 Tbsp cold whole milk
1.5 tsp Matcha tea
1 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
Steps:
Melt the butter and keep. Melt the chocolate.
Beat the eggs with the sugar until white in color. Add the melted the butter and mix well.
Add the sifted flour and baking powder, with a pinch of salt.
Divide the mixture in two halves. In the first half, add the Matcha tea, in the second the chocolate and cocoa diluted in milk.
Grease 6 small molds and coat with flour. Remove the excess.
In equal proportions, pour in each the chocolate, then the Matcha tea. Run a fork in the batter to describe a movement. Bake in a preheated oven for 30 min, temperature 350 F.
Posted on 4th Sep, 2008 | Permalink
Day three of the matcha challenge - objective to discover the impact of 2 weeks of matcha.
How I took my health kick...
This morning I added my 1g of matcha to my cereal. My muesli of choice today was dorset cereals.... it turned the milk minty green - interesting.
How did I feel....
Buzzing! Still feeling really energized and also I have noticed there is not a hint of the usual post-lunch slump.Great!
Posted on 3rd Sep, 2008 | Permalink
Day two of the matcha challenge - objective to discover the impact of 2 weeks of matcha.
How I took my health kick...
I added my 1g of matcha to my morning orange juice.
How did I feel....
It is only lunchtime on day two but I am pretty sure I have more energy.
Vicky ( the nutritionist from beez-kneez.co.uk) tells me that theannine and theophyline are the reason why!
''Matcha tea is a super-charged green tea, which is packed full of antioxidants and minerals, the stress-busting amino acid L-theannine and a high level of theophyline, which maintains energy levels over a six to eight hour period.''
Posted on 2nd Sep, 2008 | Permalink
Since we discovered that the likes of Jennifer Lopez, Gwyneth Paltrow and Hilary Swank are knocking back matcha it got us thinking..... how about a matcha challenge.
1g of matcha every day for 2 weeks. Will this turn me into a Hollywood starlet?
Nutritionist Vicky Warr has told us of the super power benefits of matcha....
calming, energising, mood optimising, heightens mental focus and most of all metabolism boosting ( yippee!).
So day one...
How I took my health kick...
Kept it simple today with a matcha shot. 1 g of matcha blended into cold water.
How did I feel....
Pretty excited at the start of a new health regime.
Posted on 1st Sep, 2008 | Permalink
matcha matcha matcha is our latest product and it has gone live in Selfridges.
As you may have noticed form our homepage we have launched something new... matcha.
A super power green tea, it is 100% ground green tea leaves. Add 1g to water ( or juice or milk) and you will have 137 times the antioxidants of a standard green tea. Very easy, very very healthy.
We have been knocking back matcha in the office for the last few months and feel GREAT!
Matcha is both energising and calming ( it has slow release energy properties). The fact it is bursting with antioxidants means it is great for your skin and hair too. If that is not good enough... research suggests it boosts your metabolism and helps you shed pounds.
Nick looks 10 years younger, Sofia is calm ( for once) and Nicole is so bursting with energy she has been for a run ( almost a miracle!).
For more info on the wonder product and to buy click here. Look out for more matcha recipes... coming soon.
Posted on 28th Aug, 2008 | Permalink
Well, it takes a good cook to know a good tea! teapigs makes it to this months round up of best new products on Delia online... quite an achievement we think...
Editor Jo Hill says...
"A teatime treat
If you want to impress image-conscious guests or give yourself a taste treat, I'd highly recommend teapigs, whose tea temples feature in the Chocolate Cake photo in Delia's cheat book. Flavours include jasmine pearls, chamomile flowers (right), peppermint leaves and my favourite, chai (Assam with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and cassia), packed into gauzy, ethereal works of art that allow you to see exactly what you're supping. Visit www.teapigs.co.uk for more." Read more.
Our temples are also featured in the Chocolate cake tea party photo in Delia's famous cheat book. For more information, click here
Posted on 21st Aug, 2008 | Permalink
Your mum always says it is unattractive to be big headed - but this email was just so nice we couldn't resist.... many thanks indeed Joseph Whitelegge...
My tea taste has always been rather modest and unexciting, however I was in my local deli and found teapigs. The name caught me immediately, I laughed out to my self, earning some strange look (of which, embarrassingly enough, are not uncommon to me)
I scuttled over to these "teapigs" which instantly reminded me of an ex-girlfriend who always pestered me with these "fancy teas".
As i was browsing i came across popcorn tea . I thought I misread it at first glance, but no some mad tea boffin had claimed the most outrageous tea. I picked it up and wandered over to the counter and purchased my first teapigs - and also my first "fancy tea" I scurried home chuckling to my self whilst getting those looks again.
Brewing this tea i was immediately hit by the aroma of popcorn. I was quite shocked, I tasted it and it was like pure, unflavored popcorn. I was awestruck. I thought it was a bit less sweet than I imagined so I added honey and there it was.. me... hooked on tea.
5 stars.
Posted on 15th Aug, 2008 | Permalink
Roll up, Roll up - teapigs bargains at the night market.
Here is Nick flogging his wares at Covent Garden night market. He is well positioned next to the Neals Yard cheese stand - cheese is his second greatest love (after tea).
The night market is on every Thursday (3.00pm - 10.00pm) and Friday (12pm - 9pm) until the end of the month, please pop down and say hello.
Posted on 14th Aug, 2008 | Permalink
jasmine pearls, mao feng, peppermint leaves and tung ting oolong are all gold medal winners in the fine food Olympics. The Great Taste Awards are dished out to yummy products in the speciality food world.
This symbol on any foody product tells you that it tastes great....
Posted on 8th Aug, 2008 | Permalink
This weekend we are pouring tea from our giant teapots at the innocent village fete.
Come and say hello to us and get a free cuppa - we are in the appropraitely named 'come and say hello area' next to the WI ladies and their cakes.
Posted on 1st Aug, 2008 | Permalink
Below is Simon and his camper van travelling the scottish coast in their teapigs t-shirts. Simon was a winner of the most recent, highly taxing, teapigs competiton..... he emailed in 'i wanna t-shirt'.
There will be another challenge on the next newsletter... can't wait for that... buy a t-shirt online.
camper van
it's my t-shirt
Posted on 21st Jul, 2008 | Permalink
We met Nudo at the real food festival. From them you can adopt a olive tree. Nudo then send you the olive oil from your tree for a year. You can even visit your tree in the olive grove.
learn more
Posted on 14th May, 2008 | Permalink
At the real food festival last week we found some rather interesting people including the london bee keepers association who make and sell their own honey.
The urban honey is available online from the hive honey shop or from the shop in Clapham.
Posted on 7th May, 2008 | Permalink
Here is sofia behind the teapigs mountain at the real food festival last weekend. I think that body language tells me she didn't want to be snapped.
Thanks to everyone who came to the stand and talked tea, it was great to meet so many tea enthusiasts.
Posted on 1st May, 2008 | Permalink
You'll find us at the Real Food Festival in London's Earls Court between 24th and 27th April.
It's pretty much the ultimate farmers market - over 500 of the world's best small food and drink producers under one roof. So if you want to meet the very people who reared the pigs, planted the carrots, milked the cows, crushed the grapes and of course, packed those tea temples and talk food, come along.
You can get discounted tickets by using the code RFP212 when buying from their website. (You pay 12.50, instead of the standard 15.00, which then goes up to 18.00 on the day.)
Posted on 17th Apr, 2008 | Permalink
Forget your kneeling pad and flowery gloves according to one of our customers, Beth Lightbody, teapigs yerba mate is the latest gardener's friend......
''oh my lordy lord, i was just out in my garden and feeling really rather tired (being an avid weeder has this effect) when i thought i'd make a nice cup of tea. I was looking forward to trying yerba mate as there had been a number of conflicting and mixed reviews amongst many of my tea drinking friends . I was pleasantly surprised and found the smoky flavour very exotic and rustic. I also got a big burst of energy and returned to being Mrs Greenfinger with new zeal and mammoth relish. I shall be recommending yerba mate to everybody''
Posted on 2nd Apr, 2008 | Permalink
Notwithstanding it's alien like appearance, this adaptation of jelly and cream served at our local Japanese restaurant in Ealing was actually quite tasty. They do a nice line in green tea ice cream too.
Yum yum
Posted on 20th Mar, 2008 | Permalink
Here at teapigs we think that tea and wine are... err... quite similar. Both of these fabulous beverages involve much selecting, tasting, and flowery language - not to mention the odd spitoon (!) So it was all in the name of work that I, "teapig number 5", came across this great wine tasting company last week - called ThirtyFifty .
For a completely friendly, unpretentious, and cleverly informative evening of wine sipping (or guzzling?!) book yourself in on one of their events...and find out why they're called ThirtyFifty. Enjoy!
ps - they even do chocolate and wine-tasting hen parties - how scrumptiously sophisticated!
Posted on 19th Mar, 2008 | Permalink
English breakfast tea could be the latest tool to protect the public against an anthrax attack, according to a study published today.
Researchers have discovered English Breakfast tea has the potential to inhibit the activity of anthrax, so long as it is taken black. discover more...
Again there is no end to the wonders of tea!
Posted on 14th Mar, 2008 | Permalink
We've always said that our area of expertise is tea. So when things don't work quite as we want them to with our office IT our first point of call (after we've done the obvious switching off and on remedy) is always the Geek Squad. We like their name, their lovely uniforms, the fact they're all called Agent something or other, their Smart cars but most of all we like the fact that in no time at all we can be back in cyberspace and checking out the latest deals on ASOS. Thanks Geeks.
Agent Tahid to the rescue
Posted on 12th Mar, 2008 | Permalink
We're all suckers for those "coals to Newcastle" stories. Well here's one of ours. Yesterday we had a special visitor to teapigs. Rae from China, had the good fortune of drinking a teapigs tea whilst visiting in London.So impressed was she that she contacted us with an urgent request to buy some before her imminent return to Beijing. She came straight to our offices and scooped up 18 boxes to pack away in her suitcase. Here she is proudly displaying our nation's favourite English Breakfast. Thanks Rae and we hope the first thing you do on your return is to put on the kettle for a great English cuppa.
Rae with her English Breakfast
Posted on 12th Mar, 2008 | Permalink
Nick, his brand new wellies and I went to Cassons farm in hampshire to see sage and peppermint growing.
Cassons have been growing herbs on their farm for 3 generations. The youngest Casson, Charlotte, now has her own herb dressing company - her watercress sauce is amazing!
The sage harvest was in full flow.... here is charlotte holding a fist full of sage ready for drying.
Sage tea was on trial today, should it be drunk with hot water or should it be in a sausage?
It is another few months before the peppermint harvest but the first minty fresh leaves are just peaking through.
Posted on 10th Mar, 2008 | Permalink
This is Sofia our latest teapig ( she will be slightly more useful than harvey hound - we hope!)
Here she is building her desk... god bless ikea!
Sofia is Italian, but born in Loughborough. She spends her weekend salsa dancing and helping her dad at his restaurant 'Ferrari's'
Posted on 28th Feb, 2008 | Permalink
It's not often I feel compelled to write (this is Nick on Louise's blog) but I need to defend myself from the accusation that I was listening to Bryan Adams whilst alone in the office on Friday. I have nothing personal against Mr Adams and Vancouver is one of my favourite cities but I need to set the record straight. OK, it was a Bryan Adams song but performed by Dj Sammy. The techno version is good but the "candlelight" version tops it.
Posted on 25th Feb, 2008 | Permalink
today the teapigs ladies headed off to london fashion weekend leaving Nick to man the phones and listen to bryan adams (really really loudly) in the office.
The biggest treat of the day was of course the goody bag ( containing teapigs no less!) but we also met a nice lady who makes beautiful jewellery laura tabor
The london fashion weekend continues on saturday and sunday.
Posted on 22nd Feb, 2008 | Permalink
Dorset cereals have developed 7 day lighthearted challenge.
The challenge is eat well, be active and be happy.... sounds easy enough!
Sign up and they will send you 7 days of top tips on how to be a little more healthy.
We had ''walk the dog today''.... easy!
Posted on 8th Feb, 2008 | Permalink
Happy Chinese new year.
This means an end to the year of the pig and a beginning to the year of the rat.
According to tradition things to avoid in the few days after chinese new year are...
- Sweeping the floor, as it will sweep away the good fortune and luck for the new year.
- Washing your hair is also considered to be washing away one's own luck
- Drinking anything other than teapigs green tea (ok that is not a tradition but not a bad idea)
Posted on 7th Feb, 2008 | Permalink
Teapigs has expanded and we have taken on another little helper. His favourite tipple is English Breakfast!
Harvey (perhaps after Harvey Nichols) will be in charge of maintaining calm in the teapigs office.
''90% of companies who allowed dogs in the workplace noticed a positive change in the working environment'' Harvey has got his work cut out.
Posted on 30th Jan, 2008 | Permalink
Some people who are way more hip than us have set up a 'we love teapigs' page on facebook. Well, we're very flattered, in fact it made our day when we found out. So thank you, thank you, thank you.
And do feel free to pop by for a cup of tea sometime, as we love you right back
Posted on 18th Dec, 2007 | Permalink
At dusk each night this fellow and a bunch of parrot mates land in the oak tree outside our office window. Apparently this type of parrot has settled around the finer areas of West London and Surrey.
According to the BBC there are a number of theories of how they got to be living in chilly England ......they were brought by Jimi Hendrix, they escaped during the making of a film and that they were released from aviaries damaged during the great storm of 1987.
Who knows...???
Posted on 27th Sep, 2007 | Permalink
Never ones to blow our own trumpets but we are more than a little bit chuffed to have these beauties - four gold taste awards for our yummy Mao Feng Green tea, Chamomile flowers, Peppermint leaves and Tung Ting blue tea.
And finally to top it all we also came away with a star shaped lump of glass rewarding us for the most innovative packaging - yippeee! We think Nick shed a tear when he collected the award - luckily he managed to avoid a Gwyneth Paltrow style acceptance speech by a whisker!
Posted on 19th Sep, 2007 | Permalink
Gone are the days of slimming shakes and low calorie chocolate bars... take a leaf out of the amazon and drink your self slim.
Research suggests that the Brazilian beauties have a slimming secret - mate tea. This weeks Grazia article reveals this secret to the brits.
I am having the second cup of the day... hoping to be a size 8 by the end of the week!
Posted on 30th Jul, 2007 | Permalink
Petar at 'local hero deli' in Fulham was the very first stockist of teapigs teas. Any locals to Fulham will know that this deli is a gem. Petar and the girls serve a fantastic range of homemade cakes, sandwiches and the yummy quiche - the tea is pretty nice too.
Petar's wife has just opened 'little heroes' next door selling a range of unique toys for your ( or someone else's) little hero!
Please open a local hero in Ealing Petar, we would be there every lunchtime.
Posted on 4th Jul, 2007 | Permalink
Make your own muesli, hang out in the cheese ageing room (a cold room full of cheese), grind your own coffee.... or simply pick up some teapigs.
Wholefoods has got mixed reviews but in our books it is lots of fun and if you are a foodie at heart it is certainly worth a visit.
Nice attempt by M & S to divert attention!
Posted on 13th Jun, 2007 | Permalink
This week is revision week for lots of people, while cramming for your exams take the time to have a cup of tea and chocolate.
According to latest research tea, chocolate, grapes and blueberries improves the memory.
Try our chocolate tea and a bowl of fruit and you will have a super memory!
Posted on 1st Jun, 2007 | Permalink
Still reeling from my latest tea estate visits I began to think what a fantastic idea a tea estate holiday would be. Of course like most great ideas someone has already thought of it.
Here is a list of very luxury places to stay where tea estates can be seen from your window.
Posted on 29th May, 2007 | Permalink
Back from a great trip to China and Taiwan. The yummy jasmine tea I found, will be appearing in a teapigs pack very soon.
A lasting memory from this trip has to be the food ranging from good, to bad, to interesting.
My last meal in China involved the freshest selection of chicken, fish and frogs. The food made it from dancing around the cage/tank to my plate in less than twenty minutes.
Very tasty if a little disturbing for the western palate
Now back in the Uk, teapigs is off to Cafe Culture.
Posted on 22nd May, 2007 | Permalink
Genuine white tea comes from the fujian province in China, today I am in Fuding a region renowned for white tea. The Fuding mountains, despite being surrounded in mist, are an impresive back drop for the rolling tea estates.
The real white tea is plucked from 'the big white' tea bush, the needles are downy and soft if plucked early in the morning. The taste is fresh and melon like.
There is an art to plucking tea, the hat doesn't help.....
Posted on 17th May, 2007 | Permalink
For a while now people have been asking, 'Why no Jasmine tea?'
Therefore one of my missions while in China was to source a Jasmine tea which was worthy of the teapigs tag.
Good news is, today I found a Jasmine Pearl! Watch this space for the launch of teapigs jasmine pearls.
Alongside finding a perfect Jasmine, I also found a slightly less perfect supermarket. In contrast to the tranquil Chinese streets Carrefour china is a frenzy of activity. Not only do they sell a huge range of food and drink, they also sell scooters, jewelry and even in-store wedding photos (that is something tesco doesn't offer).
Posted on 16th May, 2007 | Permalink
Dragonwell, a valley of tea outside the metropolis of Hangzhou. A beautiful wooded area based around the temple which hides the dragonwell itself. When stirred the whiskers of the dragon can be seen moving inside the well....(or perhaps it's just some weeds - who can say).
The dragonwell area has become somewhat of a chinese tourist attraction. The farmers now line the streets panfiring green leaf into dragonwell tea to sell to the Chinese tourists.
For years Chinese tea producers have been marketing their own teas direct to tea drinkers. I think this explains some of the flamboyant stories and tales which are told about the tea and tea growing regions. Dragonwell is a prime example with tales of the precious dragon which brought rain to the region saving it from drought and keeping the bushes alive.
Interesting food of the day - unlike toad in the hole, which isn't toads or holes. The Chinese offer no such misdirection, so duck beaks and potatoes, is just that.
Posted on 15th May, 2007 | Permalink
What not to do with a tea leaf? Batter it and deep fry it.I wonder if this would go down well in the land of the deep-fried Mars Bar?
Posted on 14th May, 2007 | Permalink
Unlike estates in Kenya, India and Sri lanka, Taiwanese (and Chinese) estates are very small and independent.
In India for example a tea producer is likely to own one or more factories surrounded by hundreds of acres of tea. The workers will be living on the estate and there is likely to be a school and sometimes a hospital on the estate.
In contrast Taiwan has whole villages which are dedicated to tea. Each family independently owns a small area of land (like an allotment) where they grow tea bushes. Each house has a minature factory and a front room laid out for tasting when a buyer visits.
The traditional tasting ceremony (Gongfu) is set up for every visitor, it involves a 'tea master' washing and brewing the fresh leaves, serving them into tiny cups.
My last visit of the day was to a farmer who grows very fine pineapples and tea. My day finished with the perfect combination of freshly made tea and freshly picked pineapple.
Posted on 13th May, 2007 | Permalink
Today I am in the tung ting mountains with Mr Jackson Huang, my friend in Taiwan. He has been the chairman of the Taiwan tea association and at the age of 70 can certainly qualify as an expert in tea - 45 years working with tea in Taiwan.
Jackson has seen the country change from producing green and black tea to only producing the finest oolong - the majority of which is snapped up by the local tea drinkers for anywhere between $50 and $250 per kg.
Oolong (blue tea) is between green and black and is produced in 3 different areas of taiwan - ours comes from the tung ting mountains. The different regions produce very different style tea, in the tung ting mountains all tea leaves are tightly twisted into balls.
The ball shaped leaves are created through rolling and twisting the tea and wrapping by hand in a knotted mesh - not dissimilar to tights! The leaf is has a pure intense floral flavour very different to a green or black tea.
As we drive from farmer to farmer, Jackson is keen that I try a variety of tea based foods. Green tea cake - an alarming bright green cake with green juice inside. Oolong infused prunes - like normal prunes but with a sweet flowery tasting sauce. 'tea throaties' - a little gravely tasting but quite nice.
Posted on 12th May, 2007 | Permalink
Just back from the night market and my first experience of genuine Taiwan bubble tea.
Traditional bubble tea is a combination of green or black tea with tapioca balls. It is served in a plastic cup with a bespoke straw large enough to slurp up the tapioca balls.
Where did this weird idea come from?
Apparently when Starbucks launched in Taiwan with coffee to-go the traditional tea drinking country feared that tea lovers would turn to coffee lover over night. Bubble tea was 'fun' and to-go, perfect for young Taiwanese. It was an instant success and has since been launched all over the world, it is drunk in the US with lots of sugar and flavours.
Nice story but what does it taste like...first there is a glug of green tea but then there is a giant rice ball in your mouth - green tea and slugs in my opinion?!
Probably will not be featuring on the teapigs website anytime soon.
Posted on 11th May, 2007 | Permalink
A 15 hour flight and being woken for noodle breakfast at four in the morning has left me slightly dazed and confused. I have just landed in Taipei on my whistle stop tour of China and Taiwan - 7 flights in 9 days.
In the next ten days I will be visiting tea estates and looking for new teas which are worthy of making it into the teapigs fold - The search is on for a jasmine which hits the spot.
More later, as my food has arrived, a suspect bowl of water-like-soup with fish balls (ball shaped fish?... new to me)
Posted on 10th May, 2007 | Permalink
Now, please don't be fooled by the photo. We certainly don't encourage or support exploitation of children. But this one insisted on donning the teapigs t-shirt and flogging our wares at the recent Vitality Show in London. Why would a young girl choose to do this rather than fighting her way around TopShop? Nepotism of course, Emily is Nick's daughter and she did a fine job for us too. Her reward? Well, her favourite chocolate flake tea of course.
Thanks Emily and thanks to all of you who came to visit us at our stand.
Start 'em young
Posted on 26th Apr, 2007 | Permalink
Apart from training for our sponsored bike ride, early morning sunshine on the way to work. Beats reading bumper stickers.
en route to work
Posted on 25th Apr, 2007 | Permalink
As part of our support for the Gisenyi Orphanage in Rwanda we thought it would be nice if we dressed up in lycra. No, our thinking didn't stop there - we thought lycra then bike ride, then a sponsored bike ride.
So this summer Nick and I are going to cycle about 60 miles from our offices in Ealing to visit some of the cafes, shops and pubs that sell our teas. Now for someone like me who has probably never cycled 60 miles in their entire life, that'll be some challenge.
We'll soon be plotting a suitable route and of course getting in some much needed training. Cycling to work will be a good start. We'll keep you in touch with our progress and let you know our route.
Dust off the cobwebs
Posted on 24th Apr, 2007 | Permalink
Whilst gazing out of our office window the other day, we spotted a rainbow. Quite a faint one so we didn't go prospecting. Anyway, we've got our own special pot in the office that's always full of golden nectar.
Posted on 23rd Apr, 2007 | Permalink
Err, it's a hard one but I think I'll stick with a tea if it's all the same to you. It did make me wonder, who is this for? Are those hard-nosed buyers for supermarkets putty in the hands of giant walking sweet packets? Nick, says no, but I think that's more to do with the fact he doesn't think walking around as a giant teapig tea temple is the right image for a tea tycoon.
One way to promote your product
Posted on 13th Apr, 2007 | Permalink
We just want to say thanks to everyone who came to visit us at the International Food Exhibition. We met many lovely people which will hopefully mean that teapigs will be appearing in a cafe/deli/restaurant near you soon.
And yes, it had to happen eventually, I suppose. That's the rather camera shy me, snapped by Nick at the recent exhibition.
Getting ready to rumble
Posted on 5th Apr, 2007 | Permalink
In our previous lives we used to work in a large modern corporate office building. Now we work out of a small room in a grand Georgian house. Quite a contrast. We don't miss much about our old offices but there are lots of things we like about our new habitat. The view from the window, the location on Ealing Green, our Ikea furniture, our shiny new phones.
Then there's the community of others who work in the same building. Bassi, our "in-the house" printing expert, Paul and Ruth, who've just started a film-making company, Another Paul, a life coach and budding teapigs salesman, yet another Paul, this one a sound engineer and Sam the IT man. Then there's Mark, our rather, ehm eccentric landlord. More about him another time maybe.
Ealing Green
Posted on 5th Apr, 2007 | Permalink
When we're in the office we enjoy the view of Ealing Green from our window. Last week we were busy meeting lots of potential new stockists at a major trade exhibition, so the view was somewhat different. Very different. Don't ask. We didn't.
Posted on 4th Apr, 2007 | Permalink
Nick and I are loading up the van again and heading down to Olymipa for 4 fun-filled days at the vitality show. According to the vitality people this will be the ultimate girls day out - a health and beauty show with lots of pampering, fashion, diet and nutrition advice. There is also a promise of celebs, well Gillian Mckeith anyway.
And what would make this experience better? Why, a free ticket of course. We have a handful of free tickets for Thursday night (tomorrow).
If you would like one of these tickets please drop us an email telling us why tea is good for you. (info@teapigs.co.uk).
Lucky winners will get their tickets on the door.
Posted on 28th Mar, 2007 | Permalink
Thanks to some cute words from the very nice people at Daily Candy London teapigs can now claim a presence in kitchens around the world. In addition to our tea loving friends in the UK we'd like to welcome our new friends in Canada, Hong Kong, Demark, Holland, France, Italy and the USA. So that's just another 186 countries to go before we can claim global domination.
Posted on 26th Mar, 2007 | Permalink
I've just tucked into a peanut butter sarni, vegetable crisps and cheeky choc bar for lunch. And now, well now I'm feeling a little sluggish and my diary for the afternoon is just as full. So now's the time for a peppermint tea - why peppermint tea?
Well it's a fantastic aid to digestion.
A single cup after a meal will help get those digestive juices flowing and hopefully me working. Well, that's the plan.
Posted on 15th Mar, 2007 | Permalink
It is clear that teapigs is about tea rather than rashers of bacon, however it hasn't stopped us joining in the celebrations for the start of Chinese new year - the beginning of the year of the pig!
So what will the year of the pig bring you and us. Virility, fertility and happiness no less, much like a cup of Chinese Green (!?)
People born in the year of the pig are nature lovers who don't like conflict and have lots and lots of friends.
If you were born in the year of the pig apparently you are pretty likely to share some of the traits of the following personalities...( how scary!)
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronald Reagan, Snoop Dogg and the lovely Ewan McGregor.
Posted on 26th Feb, 2007 | Permalink
For the last few years I've been battling with my daily intake of 2 litres of water AND my drink of choice, 8 cups of tea. The tea for pleasure, the water for vanity.
I now discover that forcing down 2 litres of water to turn back the years, remove 2 inches from my hips and put a sparkle in my eye was just gratuitous liquid consumption.
The Truth About Food - a series on the beeb which destroys many food and drink myths - revealed last week that in terms of hydration and skin elasticity water and tea are equally good. Obviously in terms of taste, they aren’t in the same league. They also spent a fair amount of time explaining about teas abundance of anti-oxidants, some of the good guys in the fight for super health
I therefore conclude, to keep young and beautiful tea is the way forward. So put your water to the side and grab a mug.
Read more
Posted on 20th Feb, 2007 | Permalink
Whilst sipping a cup of mao feng you may wonder why your green tea is a beautiful vibrant green colour and not an amber brown, like black tea (without milk).
How can these two drinks be from the same plant and look so different?
Fermentation is the answer (aha!).
The tender leaves of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) are cut and allowed to oxidise to make a black tea. If you leave a cut apple exposed to air it turns from white to brown - you can see it oxidise.
The same thing happens to lovely tea leaves.
If the leaves are plucked and heated immediately through steaming or roasting the green colour is locked in rather than being allowed to oxidise, and there you have it green tea rather than black.
Not only does the fermentation change the appearance but also the flavour. A black tea has strength and intensity and a green tea is lighter and fragrant. This is best described as the difference between a dried fruit - for example a fresh apricot is more delicate than the intense strength and flavour of a dried apricot.
Fermentation is the key when making green tea!
Do you have a tea question which keeps you awake at night? ( oh dear)
If so let me help you sleep
email - louise@teapigs.co.uk
Posted on 9th Feb, 2007 | Permalink
If you happen to find yourself flicking through the weekly glossy Grazia - the latest fashion bible, so we are told. You may stumble across and interview with model, racing driver, polo player (all round heroine) Jodie Kidd. She is waxing lyrical about tea and telling the world to give up booze in favour of tea. She has replaced heavy boozie parties.....with quality tea parties- genius idea we think!
You may also note that Grazia vote’s teapigs silky tea temple the hottest bag for 2007 - thanks Grazia.
Posted on 7th Feb, 2007 | Permalink
We have been pretty busy dreaming up new blends, tasting tea and packing all your orders - you may have noticed that the blog has been rather quiet!
To help us keep our heads above the tea leaves, we have been joined by Nicole. She describes herself as a tea fanatic - because she is fanatical about tea, but not just any old tea, oh no,
Nicole is No.1 fan of the highest quality tea that is served in its pure, beautiful, natural glory, not chopped into tiny dust pieces (ouch!) or messed around with by beardy scientists in funny goggles.
Mother Nature knows best and so does Nicole, which is why she has joined the teapigs team.
Her first new tea suggestion is a Lavender, Elderflower and Honey blend for summer.... we think this sounds lovely, but, if you think you have an even better idea, e-mail Louise@teapigs.co.uk and let us know. (We might choose your blend instead, but you won't be getting Nicole's job!)
Posted on 6th Feb, 2007 | Permalink
Happy New Year!
With the launch of 2007, teapigs is launched in Harvey Nichols.
You can now buy our teas at Harvey Nichols stores nationwide. Nick and I will be sampling the teas in Harvey Nichols food markets throughout January (we will be the ones in the brown t-shirts with teapigs splattered across our chests).
This Saturday I will be in Edinburgh sampling our detox delights with Mao Feng Green and Nick will be in Manchester, highlighting the energy properties of yerba mate.
Read more about our launch on the Harvey Nichols website.
Posted on 17th Jan, 2007 | Permalink
We are very excited about one of our first pieces of press recognition. The gay times, known to be at the forefront of fashion, have said we are their tea of choice - how nice.
They particularly liked our chilli, popcorn and superfruit teas.
Posted on 4th Jan, 2007 | Permalink
On your way to the ice rink at Kew Gardens this winter pop into Oliver's Wholefood store and pick up a pack of teapigs.
The store has a great range of natural products and remedies, perfect for your new year detox.
Posted on 15th Dec, 2006 | Permalink
The Farm W5 - Ealing Green.
Pop down to the farm w5 and a lovely man ( the farmer ?) will make you nice cup of teapigs white, dragon well green or honey bush & rooibos tea. They are also selling packs of teapigs organic range for you to take away and enjoy in your own farm yard.
Posted on 13th Dec, 2006 | Permalink
Yes. We all need them. And getting feedback like this makes us feel..well...lovely.
Dear Louise the tea taster, I would just like to say how fantastic I think the chocolate flake tea is, I bought some tea at the good food show and to be honest I didn't think it was really going to taste that great, I expected it to have a powdery texture but I love it. It is like a big cuddle and I find that it is very uplifting also. Thank you, Meera.
Posted on 7th Dec, 2006 | Permalink
As a new tea company we can hardly be proud of our history - well, we don't actually have one yet. But we do know that tea has played a massive role in the social, economic and political history of Britain. A wonderful documentary, Disappearing Britain shown on C5 this week, reminded us of that.
Whilst we are not planning to dress up as nippy tea waitresses and won't be harking on about bone china and cucumber sandwiches, we do agree with some undeniable truths.
For example the tea tips from 1941 (given in the style of a Mr Chumley-Warner public information bulletin) still hold true today-
1. Always buy quality tea - whole leaf is best
2. Warm the pot
3. When making black tea always use boiling water
4. Take the pot to the kettle, not the kettle to the pot (my kitchen is the size of postage stamp so probably not valid for me!)
5. Perfect tea takes time to brew allow the leaves to unfurl, at least 3 minutes.
That is what we believe in and hope that we can play our own little part in tea's future, just give us (and your tea) a little time.
Posted on 6th Dec, 2006 | Permalink
There we were thinking you were just going to drink it, but it seems that teapigs is the item of choice for your stocking filler this year.
Many of you have told us that you are ordering by the bucket load to fill old socks and pillow cases across the land - considerably more exciting than an old satsuma or a walnut we think.
If you are using us as one of Santa's little helpers, order by the 18th to make sure that Rudolph's Royal Mail reaches you in time.
Posted on 4th Dec, 2006 | Permalink
Simon, Alison and Milo sent in a photo of their morning cuppa. A pot of teapigs organic rooibos and honey bush.
According to them ...
We made our very first pot of teapigs, it was lovely
Why not send us a photo of you enjoying your cuppa - email louise@teapigs.co.uk
Posted on 30th Nov, 2006 | Permalink
An article in the Times today confirms what we have always known... tea reduces stress.
It is natural to reach for a cup of tea when you need to relax.
The important part of the study is in bold below....key message - drink more tea it is good for you.
Professor Andrew Steptoe, one of the leaders of the study, explains: “Tea contains a supernutrient called theanine which can block the action of excitatory nerve transmitters, lowering our overall stress responses. But it also contains a host of other bioactive compounds, many of which could be working together to be responsible for this effect.One of these could be epigallocatechin gallate, which is known to be a mild sedative. While scientists tease out the fine detail, the result is clear sipping four cups of tea a day acts as a stress-reducing buffer.
According to Dr Carrie Ruxton, author of a new report in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, there is now evidence to suggest that three cups a day reduces the risk of coronary heart disease t
