Tea of the Week: Twinings Prince of Whales Tea

The Twinings company has been blending tea in London for over 300 years. You can almost taste the history in every cup of their Prince of Whales Tea, a blend reputed to be based on the personal blend of teas devised by Edward, Prince of Whales, who became King Edward VIII. He sold the rights to Twinings in 1921, and they mostly sell it outside of England. The tea is sourced from China, which is a bit unusual, as China is best known for green teas, and this is a black tea blend.


Liquor -- Bright amber

Aroma -- Earthy, with a vegetal undertone

Body -- Medium full

Flavors -- There is a grassy note, with complex vegetal undertones. It is smooth, and not at all astringent.

Other: This is a tea blend.

NOTE: I evaluate tea blends on this blog based on what came in the canister, so these tasting notes do not reflect any addition of dairy or sweeteners.

Eactly What IS a Flush Anyway?

You go shopping for loose teas.  Somebody mentions that this is a first flush green, or that is a second flush oolong.  Have you ever wondered what exactly that means?

A flush refers to the new growth on a tea plant.  It is more specifically the first two leaves and the bud (this is a leaf bud, and has nothing to do with the flowers) on the end of each branch.  If the bushes are harvested regularly, they can produce around seven flushes a season.

However, the taste can be very different, depending on what time of year the flush was produced.  First flush teas tend to have a lighter, greener, more grassy taste, while later flushes become progressively more full-bodied and astringent.

First and second flushes are most desirable.  In India, these come in March and June, respectively.  This is followed by tea produced in the rainy season, (hence the Monsoon flush), and finally the autumnal flush.

In Japan, tea producers use a different naming system.  Sencha, which means, "New Tea," is the name for the first flush of the season.  Bancha ("Coarse Tea") is harvested afterwards (at a time corresponding to a second flush).  This harvest takes older leaves (not just a flush), and produces a more vegetable-tasting, almost "woody" tea.   The next harvest of new flushes is labeled Second Sencha.  A harvester can expect three senchas in a season.

White tea is made, not from a flush of tea, but from the single leaf bud, which makes for an extremely light color and taste.

Drinking Tea In Plano

Yesterday, I was in Plano, Texas, where I stopped in at the Into My Garden Tearoom for a quick pot of Earl Gray (they do Stash teas).  I was able to visit with one of the co-owners, Jennifer Minor, who showed me her two favorite teapots.  They both had an Alice in Wonderland Theme.

  Since last October, Jennifer has introduced Alice in Wonderland tea parties in the tea room.

Why does she love tea?  Jennifer says, "I love tea.  I don't really like coffee, but I like how the coffee culture lets you slow down.  Tea can do the same thing.  I discovered English Breakfast and went from there."  

Tea of the Week: Zhena's Gypsy Tea: Hazelnut Chai

I was at World Market a few days ago, where I spotted this unusual blend.  I love hazelnut anything (Ferrero Rocher anyone?).  And I'm a big fan of chai.  This one didn't disappoint.  Zhena's does small batch processing, and their teas are certified organic and fair trade.

Liquor --  Dark russet brown

Aroma --  Spicy and nutty, with highlights on the notes of cinnamon and cloves

Body --  Thick and almost cloudy

Flavors --  You can really taste the cinnamon.  The hazelnut is there  (as are the other spices) but it is more subtle, adding another layer of flavor.  The flavor of the black tea almost disappears, but it does provide a bass note that binds the other flavors together.

Other -- This tea is a flavored blend.

NOTE: I evaluate tea blends on this blog based on what came in the canister, so these tasting notes do not reflect any addition of dairy or sweeteners, even though chai traditionally has them added.

Tea of the Week: Republic of Tea Daily Green Ginger Peach

I usually go for Peach Black Tea, but I happened to see this Ginger Peach Green when I was at Central Market, and I must say it is nice. 

Liquor -- light, but with a warm golden tint

Aroma -- Peach is the overwhelming note, but there is a sweet "greenness" that I associate with green tea

Body -- Light

Flavors -- The vegatal taste of the tea is stronger than the peach, which comes through almost as an aftertaste.