Tea etiquette is a big part of culture abroad and it can be an awkward situation if a traveler is unfamiliar with local custom. That's why we love this article from the Wall Street Journal that teaches you how to drink tea like a local, wherever you might be!
Here are some snippets on how to blend in abroad and a link to the full article with more tips here.
In Turkey ... only use sugar in your tea, no milk or cream
In China ... make sure to pour your guests tea before yours and try tapping twice on the table (mimics a double bow) to say "thank you" after a cup is poured for you
Tea time in Japan can take hours. Don't have time? Try a cup of green tea (without milk or sugar) from a restaurant or cafe.
Don't be intimidated by "high tea" in Britain - it's not really formal and started as a working class meal. Afternoon tea is the proper term for this late-day pick me up.
In Germany ... if your tea is served in layers of sugar, tea, milk, etc - don't stir it, enjoy it as is.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
Tea Tasting at Ana Beall's in Westfield
Please join us for a tea tasting event at Ana Beall's tea room in Westfield, NJ next Weds. Sept 19!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Getting Ready for World Tea East
First a quick reminder - if you are reading our blog (thank you!) please be sure to "like" us on Facebook by clicking here and follow us on Twitter at @onlythebesttea
In less than a month, Best International Tea will make its second annual appearance at the World Tea East show this October 2-3, 2012. World Tea East is a regional trade event that supports the growing demand for specialty tea and related products on the East coast of the United States. Attendees can visit Best International Tea at booth number 406.
World Tea East was the first big tea show that we ever exhibited at and we had a fantastic time in 2011. We are excited to return to Philly and interact with so many other great East coast tea vendors, buyers, and fans.
World Tea East 2012 will take place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia with nearly 100 exhibitors and 1600 buyers expected to attend — nearly double the participants from last year.
For details about the World Tea Expo, visit the website at www.worldteaexpo.com.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Tea Party Mistakes to Avoid
Last week we shared some great tips for a successful tea party and we hope you are all able to put them to good use! Of course to go along with our tea party "do's" there's also some real "don'ts" and we have those for you this week. These relate mainly to a children's tea party, though some rules still translate to adults.
Here are some tea party planning mistakes to avoid, courtesy of OldFashionedLiving.com
1. Planning a tea party for a child who is too young: Little children are just too young to really enjoy and appreciate a tea party. Try waiting until they are at least five years old.
2. Inviting too many guests: In many cases, the more the merrier, but if there are too many children (or adults) running around, it will be hard for anyone to relax and enjoy their tea. A smaller group also keeps costs down.
3. Not setting a time limit for your party: Anywhere between one and a half and two hours is plenty of time for your first tea party.
4. Not involving your child in the party planning: Involving your child in the planning will increase her interest and desire to host events again and again. Let her help choose and address invitations and accept RSVP calls. The two of you can also plan the menu and activities together as well as any party favors.
5. Overdoing the menu: Keep your menu simple yet special and don't forget that children's tastes are less sophisticated than adults. Scones, cookies and tea sandwiches are great, but make them in kid-friendly varieties and don't worry about making everything from scratch.
Here are some tea party planning mistakes to avoid, courtesy of OldFashionedLiving.com
1. Planning a tea party for a child who is too young: Little children are just too young to really enjoy and appreciate a tea party. Try waiting until they are at least five years old.
2. Inviting too many guests: In many cases, the more the merrier, but if there are too many children (or adults) running around, it will be hard for anyone to relax and enjoy their tea. A smaller group also keeps costs down.
3. Not setting a time limit for your party: Anywhere between one and a half and two hours is plenty of time for your first tea party.
4. Not involving your child in the party planning: Involving your child in the planning will increase her interest and desire to host events again and again. Let her help choose and address invitations and accept RSVP calls. The two of you can also plan the menu and activities together as well as any party favors.
5. Overdoing the menu: Keep your menu simple yet special and don't forget that children's tastes are less sophisticated than adults. Scones, cookies and tea sandwiches are great, but make them in kid-friendly varieties and don't worry about making everything from scratch.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Tea Party Tips
Tea parties are so popular these days and we have a variety of teas that go well with food and are perfect for an afternoon cuppa with friends. Some of our favorite tea party teas are our English Breakfast, Lady Londonderry and China Green Strawberry & Vanilla.
Here are some great tea party tips from an article on Squidoo.
Use cloth napkins - cotton or linen at a tea party.
Present the food attractively at a tea party. Cover your tray or cart with a tray cloth, doilies or a pretty napkin. A single rose in a bud vase, or a basket of seasonal fruit adds warmth to the scene. Arrange food on a three tiered cake stand.
Atmosphere is important at a tea party. Instead of in the kitchen, serve tea by a crackling fire or in the garden. Decorate with fresh flowers and add the quiet, melodic background music of a harpist or pianist.
As hostess of a tea party, pour the tea, passing it to each guest in turn, adding sugar cubes if requested.
Your ladies might want to wear victorian hats and crocheted gloves at your tea party.
Give party favors at your tea party. Tea party favors vary and you can use your imagination and give according to your tea party theme.
Conversation should be light and fun-filled at a tea party, no gossip or deep subjects that can be disturbing to others.
Here are some great tea party tips from an article on Squidoo.
Tea Party Tips and Etiquette
Tea
Party tips and etiquette. Use your best china for a tea party. Teacups
and saucers are preferable to heavy mugs. Invest in a small tea service
(teapot, milk pitcher, sugar bowl, size teacups and saucers and six cake
plates).
Use cloth napkins - cotton or linen at a tea party.
Present the food attractively at a tea party. Cover your tray or cart with a tray cloth, doilies or a pretty napkin. A single rose in a bud vase, or a basket of seasonal fruit adds warmth to the scene. Arrange food on a three tiered cake stand.
Atmosphere is important at a tea party. Instead of in the kitchen, serve tea by a crackling fire or in the garden. Decorate with fresh flowers and add the quiet, melodic background music of a harpist or pianist.
As hostess of a tea party, pour the tea, passing it to each guest in turn, adding sugar cubes if requested.
Your ladies might want to wear victorian hats and crocheted gloves at your tea party.
Give party favors at your tea party. Tea party favors vary and you can use your imagination and give according to your tea party theme.
Conversation should be light and fun-filled at a tea party, no gossip or deep subjects that can be disturbing to others.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Seven Unique Uses for Tea Bags
Clearly we think the best thing you can do with our tea bags is brew a lovely, warm cup of tea, though it turns out there are some unique uses for them after you finish drinking a cup. And chances are after some of the chores suggested, you'll want to relax again with another cuppa!
Buzzfeed brings us these seven random uses for used tea bags. Turns out you can empty the bag and sprinkle tea leaves around a rosebush as a natural fertilizer. And in case you rub up against the wrong kind of plant while gardening and get poison ivy, press a used tea bag against the itchy area for relief!
Tea also makes a great cleanser and conditioner for both your wood floor and your hair! Read about all the unique uses here.
Buzzfeed brings us these seven random uses for used tea bags. Turns out you can empty the bag and sprinkle tea leaves around a rosebush as a natural fertilizer. And in case you rub up against the wrong kind of plant while gardening and get poison ivy, press a used tea bag against the itchy area for relief!
Tea also makes a great cleanser and conditioner for both your wood floor and your hair! Read about all the unique uses here.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
These Folks Loved Our Tea ... You Will Too!
As relative newcomers to the United States tea market, we are always looking to send our tea out to reviewers to get their opinions. There are lots of great people out there who are knowledgeable about tea and really take their time to try it and write thorough reviews. We find it amazing how everyone tastes a little something different even though they are drinking the same tea. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed our tea!
Teaviews.com has done a nice job of helping us distribute our tea to several tasters and they have written really positive reviews of our S.D. Bell's Natural Leaf Black Tea. Click the name of the reviewer before the quotes below to read their full reviews. If you are a tea blogger or reviewer, please contact us and we'll be happy to share some tea for you to try.
Melanie said:
"I found the milk nicely evened out the acidity of the Assam, but also masked some of the maltiness. It also brought out the fruity tones of the Ceylon. It has just the slightest background note of peaches or apricots. Prepared with my normal amount of milk and sugar, it was a really lovely cup of breakfast tea!
Shaiha's take:
"What did I think? Well I really liked it. Lately I have really been leaning towards Darjeeling when I have been drinking black teas however this tea does make for a nice change. And as it makes a nice second pot of tea, I have added it to my list to pick up."
CJ is a fan:"To describe S.D. Bell's English Breakfast as a "good cup" is a bit of an understatement. Black tea is probably my favorite consumable. ... If a person had never tried black tea before, drinking Bell's English Breakfast would be a great way to introduce them to the concoction. ... In three to five minutes, you'll have tea that any Irish man or woman would be proud to serve and drink."
Teaviews.com has done a nice job of helping us distribute our tea to several tasters and they have written really positive reviews of our S.D. Bell's Natural Leaf Black Tea. Click the name of the reviewer before the quotes below to read their full reviews. If you are a tea blogger or reviewer, please contact us and we'll be happy to share some tea for you to try.
Melanie said:
"I found the milk nicely evened out the acidity of the Assam, but also masked some of the maltiness. It also brought out the fruity tones of the Ceylon. It has just the slightest background note of peaches or apricots. Prepared with my normal amount of milk and sugar, it was a really lovely cup of breakfast tea!
Shaiha's take:
"What did I think? Well I really liked it. Lately I have really been leaning towards Darjeeling when I have been drinking black teas however this tea does make for a nice change. And as it makes a nice second pot of tea, I have added it to my list to pick up."
CJ is a fan:"To describe S.D. Bell's English Breakfast as a "good cup" is a bit of an understatement. Black tea is probably my favorite consumable. ... If a person had never tried black tea before, drinking Bell's English Breakfast would be a great way to introduce them to the concoction. ... In three to five minutes, you'll have tea that any Irish man or woman would be proud to serve and drink."
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