I was actually given one of these a few weeks ago by a departing co-worker. It’s called an Assam Teapot and it is made by Bodum. What’s cool about it is the tea press and infuser functionality. What I don’t like about it is the fact that it does not pour as well as I’d hoped it to.
The review from Amazon.com
Who knows more about tea than the British? When the British Tea Council asked Bodum to develop a new way of brewing tea, the result was this unique press that’s almost as much fun to look at as it is to use. Simply fill the strainer with tea leaves and add boiling water—a slow process, but well worth the time. (You could also use tea bags, but why would you want to?) The clear jug lets you see the tea as it’s steeping, allowing you to customize its strength to your taste. When the tea is strong enough, slowly depress the plunger to stop the brewing. You won’t have any tea leaves to read at the bottom of your cup, but there’s no mess and no need to remove the strainer before you pour. But be forewarned: the Bodum press doesn’t retain heat quite as well as a traditional teapot, so you might want to use a tea cozy if you’re not drinking the whole pot in one sitting. It’s a shame to cover up such a beautiful design, but that’s the way the tea leaf tumbles. —Mary Park
Afternoon Tea @ The Secret Garden - morethanreal
A Spot of Tea with the Queen - ktylerkconk
Carpe This! Why Carpe Diem Tea is Appalling
On my Monday lunchtime stroll in the 90 degree DC heat, I fancied a libation of the tea variety. Upon entering a respectable establishment that carries “good” tea, I saw a 50% discount on Carpe Diem tea. This brand had caught my perusing eye prior, but the price of $3.00 for a 16 ounce plastic beverage never enticed a purchase. However, I perceived a noveau opportunity this time around, given the discount, and bought the gingko, green tea infused variety. What conspires next is likely one of my worst tea episodes ever despite many years of delight. At first taste, I thought some form of acid had descended upon my palette. Giving this a moment for further reflection, I witnessed the astonishingly God-awful taste of carbonation, and thereby soda. Immediately, I recoiled in a ghastly displeasure from the very thought of combining green tea, ginkgo and soda (along with 21 grams of sugar per serving, 2 servings per bottle). But my readers, this is “drinking that makes sense.” Such indulgence and the taste thereof are tantamount to foul dog water and akin to the taste-bud experience of a post-treatment mesothelioma patient. Who in their right minds adds “carbonated soda water” to tea? “Indulgence that makes sense,” according to Carpe Diem’s hollow attempts to sound like an uber, “in the know” 21st century company. In fact, such ridiculous assertions of the pseudo-intellect are anything but “natural.” Hipster-marketed dog water – in an unsustainable, likely leeching plastic bottle – appalls this tea enthusiast, and thus I encourage others to join me in boycotting such garbage. The only thing that Carpe Diem tea truly seeks to “seize” is your wallet.
-Sean
A coworker of mine recently bought this cool looking tea pot from Teaposy. It’s temperature resistant from -4 to 300 degrees Farenheit.
From their website:
“TEA HAS ITS DAY: Expo proves tea taking its place beside fine wine”
Wine Enthusiast, March 2009The 2009 World Tea Championship™ (WTC) is an independent competition, judged by professional cuppers and major retail buyers of tea, to distinguish the highest quality & best tasting teas commercially available in the North American marketplace.
The WTC is made up of two classes: Hot Tea and Iced Tea. Each class consists of its own categories and judging panel. The Hot Tea class will be evaluated April 30 and May 1, 2009. The Iced Tea class will be evaluated the morning of May 2, 2009 at the Expo. All submissions are evaluated blind and through organoleptic analysis.
The highest quality and best tasting teas from each category will be awarded 1st, 2nd and 3rd place positions. Awards for both classes will be distributed and honored the evening of May 2, 2009 at the World Tea Expo, held May 2 – May 4, 2009, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 2009 World Tea Championship is open to exhibitors and sponsors of this year’s Expo.
Another co-worker of mine recently gave some new white tea from a place called Tealuxe to try. I’d have to say that after Earl Grey this White Blueberry tea is probably my next favorite.
Rare White Tea from the Fujian region flavored with sweet blueberries. A wonderfully smooth and subtle treat. Try it hot or iced. Amount per cup: 1-2 tsps Steep time: 4-5 minutes Brewing Temperature: 180f Caffeine: 10-35mg per 8oz cup Country: ChinaMore about Tealuxe.
Since the first Tealuxe opened in Harvard Square in 1996, we’ve enjoyed redefining the way people think about tea. We opened our Newbury Street store in the fall of 1999. Since then we opened a Tealuxe location on Thayer Street in Providence RI.
“A Proper Tea is much nicer than a Very Nearly Tea, which is one you forget about afterwards.” — ~A.A. Milne
The Teapot Dome Service Station in Zillah, Washington is one example of architectural folly listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Many such follies were constructed as roadside attractions as the national highway system in the United States expanded during the 1920s and 1930s.
A co-worker of mine bought some tea at a farmer’s market in Crystal City, VA. It was this white tea called Barrack O’Baby.
It’s description:
White tea infused Pomegranate, Cherry, Blueberry and Vanilla
I brewed a cup and I have to say it wasn’t bad. Before you brew the tea if you smell the leaves you’ll probably feel that the cherry would be the overwhelming flavor. That however is not the case.
Tea & Company is based out of Richmond, VA. It’s good to see places like this springing up! If I’m ever in Richmond I’ll have to drop by.
