February 2007 Archives

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.

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.

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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

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.

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!)