Mighty Leaf » Tea Culture

Why Tea is the Most Popular Beverage in the World After Water

Bliss Dake — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:32:54 +0000

After water tea is the most popular beverage consumed in the world. That may be a surprise for many living in the U.S. who only drink tea when they are sick or looking to chill out or relax. Of course, iced tea is consumed by the gallons here in the South and in refrigerated icy bottles drunk up like soda pop. But, good old fashioned hot tea reigns supreme in many parts of the world when it comes to what people drink on a daily basis.

Why is tea so popular? Tea is an ancient drink with a rich history. Many reasons exist that stem from the intrinsic benefits of the tea plant itself and others from cultural and historical develpoments. Here are some explanations not listed in any particular order of importance.

1. Taste and Variety: It’s plain and simple – tea tastes good and there is a lot of variety to taste. Whether hot or iced, tea refreshes and uplifts with its unique tastes and flavors. Like wine, the terroir or where its grown imparts a distinctive taste profile that can yield memorable and savory moments with a cup. Whether it’s a sencha green tea from Japan, yunan black tea from China or a Darjeeling from India, drinking tea becomes a vehicle for discovery and exploration.

2. Accessibility, Cost and Convenience of Making: Accessibility, cost and the convenience of making has made tea an important part of daily life around the globe. You can find tea in any store or market. Of course, the quality may vary but with tea’s growing popularity premium whole leaf tea is more readily available than in the past.

Although tea may appear to be expensive at first glance, when you factor in the actual cost per serving, it’s one of the world’s most affordable luxuries. The quantity of tea used to make a cup will vary depending upon the tea type, but the industry standard is that on average a pound of tea can yield around 200 cups. This is much higher than a pound of coffee which yields around 40-50 cups. Keep in mind that with some oolong and green teas you can also steep multiple times further impacting the overall cost per serving analysis.

3. The Importance of Ritual and Participatory Culture: The importance of the ritual of tea drinking plays a central role in many cultures around the world. Developed in China, the original tea ceremony focuses on the actual tea itself including the taste, smell and look versus the more predefined Japanese tea ceremony with strict, memorialized rules. In China, the host and those enjoying the tea will drink tea for a number of reasons including honoring guests, showing appreciation, celebrating a life event and much more.

The Japanese tea ceremony (The Way of Tea or Chado) is highly revered for its connection with Zen Buddism and a refined attention to detail. The preparation and serving of matcha tea is elevated to performance art with an emphasis on aesthetics and harmony. Drinking strong black tea from a Samovar is a key component of Russia’s tea culture tradition. In Morroco, drinking mint tea (a mixture of gunpowder green, fresh mint leaves and sugar) is a national pastime. You can find chai wallahs everywhere in India serving up fresh cups of chai tea. Afternoon and high tea in England highlight the importance to the British of tea in society and their culture.

4. Caffeine: Let’s be honest – lots of people like tea because it’s a good alternative to coffee and provides them with a caffeine boost. Waking up or making it through a long afternoon at work can be difficult. A hot cup of tea provides a nice pick-me-up and makes it easier to get through the day.

5. Health Benefits: Many studies have been published that have concluded that tea may have positive health benefits. You can learn more here about the health benefits of tea.

James Norwood Pratt on Tea

Bliss Dake — Thu, 12 May 2011 19:19:54 +0000

James Norwood Pratt has played a large role in disseminating information on tea in the United States and in 2010 wrote a comprehensive work on tea, James Norwood Pratt’s Tea Dictionary. Enjoy this video where he chats with the viewer about his take on tea.

How to Video: Making Traditional Green Tea Matcha

Bliss Dake — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 23:10:12 +0000

Making traditional matcha green tea is fun and easy. We are big fans of matcha, the premium Japanese powdered green tea that inspired the Japanese tea ceremony and provides the main ingredient in a variety of tea treats, including green tea lattes, smoothies and ice cream. Rich in antioxidants and nutrients, its complex and addictive flavor may quickly become a favorite of yours too. It also contains an amino acid, L-theanine, that is know to promote calm and a relaxed mind.

By using a tea bowl (“chawan”), bamboo tea scoop (“chashaku”) and bamboo whisk (“chasen”), you will be whipping up bowls of froty matcha in no time. Find your inner tea master and check out our video for more details.

Valentine’s Day Tea Tips: 5 Ways to Express Your Affection

Bliss Dake — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 20:26:27 +0000

Valentine’s Day conjures up images of chocolate and flowers, but what about tea? Herbal potions, balms and other assorted plants and flowers have been used for centuries in connection with the pursuit of romance. So why not go old school and spice up your Valentine’s Day with some tea. Of course, you can always complement the gift with flowers and chocolate if necessary. We have 5 Valentine’s Day tips to share.

#1 Throw a Tea Party

Create your own tea party for two by pairing tea with fun and playful teaware. Our Matryoshka Tea Set for Two with stackable Russian doll tea cups is the perfect place to start. The teapot will put a smile on their face everytime they see it in the kitchen. If you make some sweets or sandwhiches to accompany the tea party, it will be an event to remember.

#2 Morning Tea in Bed

Start the special day off by preparing your loved one with morning tea in bed. Wake them up with our Organic Earl Grey, Vanilla Bean or Orange Dulce. Add some pastries, some sweets, fruit and, of course, lighting some candles can never hurt. Throw in the morning paper and the surprise is complete.

#3 Spa Treatment

Be good to someone you love and pamper them with a spa tea gift designed to soothe, restore and delight mind and body. Choose from our unique selection including our Matcha Clay Mask , a Spa Tea Book or our Oasia TeaFusion Spa Bath Pouches. For a unique twist, instead of using cucumbers on the eyes to reduce stress and tension, try using our tea pouches.

#4 Chocolate Truffle Tea

Satisfy their urge for chocolate with a healthy and flavorful chocolate truffle tea alternative. Made from the finest tea, chocolate, fruits and spices, our truffle teas make an indulgent and memorable gift.

#5 Tea Cocktails

Shake it up on Valentine’s Day with a new tea twist on cocktails. Serve up their favorite champagne, gin, vodka, sake or other spirits blended with our versatile tea infused Aperi-Tea mixers. Awaken and refresh with Chamomile Citrus Berry, Green Tea Tropical and Orange Jasmine Mango.

Of course, you can also make cocktails using our tea pouches or loose tea infusions as mixers for your favorite celebratory beverage. Check out this video on how to brew tea cocktails along with some tasty new recipes.

Happy Valentines Day All!

Finding Romance with Mighty Leaf

Bliss Dake — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 22:58:50 +0000

It’s always fun to see how Mighty Leaf Tea fans express themselves and their passion for tea. We found a series of videos on YouTube that a fan produced. As you will see, the videos certainly highlight the emotional connection that a tea drinker shares with their tea. At Mighty Leaf we are happy to continue the ancient tradition of providing people with a beverage and experience that stirs both the creative and contemplative spirit.

New Tea Cocktails that Inspire the Spirit

Bliss Dake — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 20:33:57 +0000

Making tea cocktails always provide an opportunity to explore the delicious flavors and nuances of tea blends and infusions. Pilar Gutierrez of Mighty Leaf recently spend some time with the master mixologist at Ozumo Restaurant in San Francisco whipping up some tea cocktails. Ozumo has developed and offers at their restaurant cocktails made with Mighty Leaf that include the Yuzu Mitsu with Organic Sencha Green Tea, the Twist Ginger with Ginger Twist and the Bourbon Nectar with Organic African Nectar.

You can find details on the recipes below. They are all easy and convenient to make. Enjoy!

Yuzu Mitsu

Ingredients
2 oz Mighty Leaf Organic Sencha Green Tea
1.5 oz. Ketel One Vodka
.5 oz. Green Tea Liqueur
Dash of Yuzu juice

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients and ice in a mixing tin and shake to combine. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Twisted Ginger

Ingredients:
2 oz. Mighty Leaf Ginger Twist Tea
1.5 oz. Sky Ginger Vodka
.25 oz. Simple Syrup
Juice of 1/2 Lemon

Preparation:
Fill a bucket glass with ice and build drink over it. Stir all ingredients lightly to combine and garnish with a slice of lemon and two small straws.

Bourbon Nectar

Ingredients:
2 oz. Mighty Leaf Organic African Nectar Tea
1.5 oz. Bulliet Bourbon
.25 oz. Simple Syrup
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing tin and shake to combine. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a twist of lemon.

Rooibos Renewal in South Africa

Bliss Dake — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 20:02:59 +0000

Soccer fans attending the World Cup 2010 in South African may be introduced for the first time to a comforting cup of Rooibos tea (pronounced ‘roy-bos’ – Afrikans for red bush). Grown only in the Cederberg mountains of South Africa’s Western Cape, a semi-desert like geography, Rooibos is a wild shrub or herb that is naturally green. But after a fermentation process involving oxidation similar to that of black tea, it develops a red color and rich flavor.

Although consumed for centuries by the Khoisan Bushmen, botanist Carl Thunber in 1772 first mentioned that the indigenous people made a tea from Rooibos. Because of the expense associated with buying black tea from European supply ships sailing to South Africa, early Dutch settlers in the area adopted Rooibos. Later in 1904, a Russian immigrant Benjamin Ginsberg began experimenting with ways to cultivate and process the tea.

Soccer fans hitting local cafes in South Africa will certainly experience the popularity of Rooibos. Some people may also be familiar with Rooibos as it’s the favorite dink of Precious Ramotswe of ‘The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency’ novels. Experimentation with serving up the herbal tea has continued with the introduction of red espresso, a Rooibos tea espresso. Using traditional espresso brewing methods, including using steam and boiling water under pressure, a Rooibos based espresso beverage is produced.

Rooibos delivers a unique, full flavored taste experience that is both sweet and slightly nutty or woody. It provides tea makers with a good tea base that can be blended with other flavors, including bergamot or tropical fruit flavors. One of our most popular teas is Organic African Nectar, a blend of Rooibos, tropical fruits and flower blossoms.

Rooibos has become a favorite of many not only because of flavorful taste but its health benefits. High in antioxidants and caffeine-free, it’s a good alternative to coffee or other caffeinated beverages. Commonly fed to babies and children in South Africa, many believe the herb helps calm and soothe.

Episode #1: Where in the World is Your Mighty Leaf?

Bliss Dake — Mon, 17 May 2010 19:34:13 +0000

You just never know where in the world Mighty Leaf Tea can turn up? It’s certainly fun to drink, but the tea pouch is no ordinary tea bag. We invite you to check out our new web video series “Where in the World is Your Mighty Leaf” to discover how “mighty” versatile this little tea pouch can be. And of course, we want to hear about where and how you enjoy your Mighty Leaf, too. Submit your photos on our blog or Facebook Fan page to share the love.

Tea Pouring Reaches New Heights

Bliss Dake — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:50:25 +0000

Pouring tea is one of my favorite parts of the tea ritual. The weight of the teapot in hand, the steady stream of clear water and the soft sound of water hitting cup ground me in the moment. The art of tea pouring reaches new heights as shown in this video of a tea master pouring in a tea house in Chengdu, China. So watch closely, then get your own long spouted teapot and practice your pour. Your friends and tea drinking peers will certainly be dazzled.

Tea Making Tips from 1941

Bliss Dake — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:48:36 +0000

“Tea Making Tips” is a short film released in 1941 and sponsored by the Empire Tea Bureau of England. A classic video that demonstrates in detail methods of storing and preparing tea, it imparts that one should not waste a drop of tea because of carelessness. Watch and get your fill of crisp white tea cups, tea pots, classic tea chests and more. The Empire Tea Bureau also published a booklet during the war titled “Tea Will Help”. The Montreal Gazette said that it’s aim was to “be of practical assistance to any groups or individuals engaged in voluntary war work.” I also enjoyed the headline from the newspaper which included that ”Tea in Wartime Held More Useful Institution Than in Peacetime”. Cozy up with your favorite cuppa and enjoy this oldie, but goodie.