Blended Teas & More

Blended teas were developed in the 19th century, combining various teas to create a unique flavor. Up to that time, people drank an Assam or Darjeeling, an Oolong or a green tea. Even today many connoisseurs of these "true" teas prefer their unique tastes over a combination of teas.

Yet blended teas are very popular, as well as delicious. They come in a variety of great flavors including Earl Grey, various Breakfast teas, Russian Caravan, and Chai.

Others include English Evening tea (combining Ceylon and Darjeeling - a wonderful light and flavorful tea for after dinner), Buckingham Palace tea (Earl Grey and Jasmine - an excellent choice for an afternoon tea), Organic Indian Breakfast tea (Assam, Nilgiri, and Darjeeling - a delightful touch for that weekend breakfast), and East Friesian (Assam, Java & Sumatra - a strong, full-bodied tea that will take off the chill of a cold winter morning). These are only a few examples of the multitude of blends that provide that cup of pleasure for us.

Tea is a remarkable beverage in that it is ready to absorb any nearby aroma. In other words, it is easily flavored or scented. One such "scented" tea is Jasmine tea, also considered a blend. The flowers of the jasmine plant, strong and sweet, are used to make the tea. After the jasmine flowers are harvested they are stored in a cool place. At night, when the flowers have bloomed and are full of fragrance, they are placed on top of the tea leaves, usually a green tea. Some of the flowers might even be left in the tea as decoration. Other fragrant blossoms, such as roses or chrysanthemums, are also used to "scent" teas.

Have you ever had flavored teas? From North Africa and the Middle East comes a mint tea called Touareg tea. Fresh, large quantities of mint leaves, lots of sugar, and a strong Chinese green tea (e.g. Gunpowder, Chun mee or Zhu cha) are used in the, often ceremonial, creation of this tea. This is how it's done.

Begin with 1-3 teaspoons of green tea, 5 teaspoons of sugar for each teaspoon of tea, and add lots of mint leaves. The procedure:

• First, put the tea into a teapot and add a small quantity of boiling water. After a minute, drain the water. (This "cleans" the tea and reduces the bitterness.)
• Add the mint, sugar, and more boiling water. Let steep 3-5 minutes.
• Pour the brew into a glass and pour back into the pot. Do this 2-3 times. (This mixes the tea.)
• Taste to see if more sugar is needed.
• The tea is then poured into a glass from a height so that a froth forms.

Interestingly, this is usually the male's responsibility - preparing and serving this tea - and this is just one method for making Touareg tea. You might find it prepared as a ready-to-make mixture, although the flavor might be somewhat flatter tasting than the real thing.

Genmaicha is another flavored tea with roasted brown rice being the flavoring this time. Sound a little strange? Well, the tea ends up with a toasty taste using a Japanese green tea called bancha (a full-flavored tea) and genmai (a roasted rice grain). It is low in caffeine so it can be consumed in the evening hours without affecting your sleep. Some believe it helps with digestion and is often served at mealtime. It's a common drink in Japan.

A very popular cold-weather flavored tea from Europe is Jagertee. This one might be the most fun of all! Take a good black tea, mix it with rum and you have yourself Jagertee! Jager means "hunter" in German and tee is "tea". One probably needs some good fortification when out and about in the Alps. In fact, it's a popular drink with skiers and tourists.

Speaking of fun - along comes Bubble tea! And this is one you can enjoy with your kids. Originating in Taiwan, it consists of a green or black tea and a fruit flavoring, or perhaps fresh fruit and milk. Shake it up, add it to tapioca pearls and there you go - Bubble tea. Check your local area for vendors such as Easy Way, Lollicup, Quickly, Tapioca Express, or other small dedicated boba cafes or some restaurants for availability.

Tea has taken on a renewed spirit. You can step into big city tea bars and choose from over a hundred different teas. Visit a country inn and sip a black tea prepared with rose petals or a special creation of sweet tea. Stop at the corner cafe and enjoy jasmine milk tea or a Japanese genmai green tea.

What's more, tea can be a way of enjoying a quiet respite at home with your favorite cuppa or entertaining friends with an afternoon tea party.

The choices of blended teas, scented teas, and flavored teas abound. You are sure to find one that tastes great and is perfect for whatever it is you plan to do!

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