This is another fun green tea option from Japan. Twigs, stalks, and stems from a tea bush are added to the leaves to create a unique blend known as Kukicha. I like everything about this green tea. It has a sweet-green aroma to the dried leaves and twigs. When steeped its character continues with its great taste. The tea takes on a buttery-sweet flavor with a traditional green tea body. The tea differs from other green teas by having a spice-like quality about it.

In order to enjoy Kukicha, you must first enjoy green tea. If a vegetable (grassy) flavor is not your thing, just skip this review. Now, if you’re feeling adventurous and you want a great tasting inexpensive green tea, give it a shot. Kukicha is low in caffeine, and it is a perfect anytime tea.

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The Tea industry is more than just what you see in the grocery market or your favorite online store. As I record the news and share stories with you on marTEA.com, I realize just how complex the tea industry is. It starts with the men, women, and children that work long hours in difficult conditions to pick the tea and help with processing, packaging, and shipping. Each country and tea plantation has to abide by the laws set forth by their respective government and sanctioning body. The government is working hard to enforce the rules. Tea hawking and pesticides are popular issues that require monitoring and governing. Let’s not forget that some of the areas where our favorite teas come from are not the safest locations in the world. Take Assam for example, I recently reviewed a story regarding a group of separatist rebels in Assam that forced India’s federal government to carry out military operations to keep peace. The import and export industry is interesting to follow. Who’s importing to/from whom and demand and supply stories are fun to follow on marTEA.com. There are many factors at play such as domestic demand, weather, poverty and emerging markets that shape the scope of the industry.

The next time you take a sip of your favorite tea, do not forget the hard working men and women that help to get the tea to your home. It’s a multi-billion dollar industry that literally affects the global economy. marTEA.com is devoted to helping you keep up with the tea industry.

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Lately, I started brewing loose leaf tea in the AM and putting it in a travel mug to take with me on my daily commute to the office.  Yes, no porcelain or fancy glass cups, just a good-old plastic carrying mug with a top for flow control.  Now, for a lot of people this is very common.  For those of you that think tea is for the rich or should only be consumed in a frilly tea house, I say it’s time to think different.  I’ve tried every tea I’ve reviewed recently in a travel mug, and it tastes great.  If you drink tea occasionally, but you take coffee with you to work, try taking hot tea instead of the java.

The health benefits of tea are too good to pass up.  Grab a cup of your favorite brew on your commute, and see how it goes.  With all the recent reports of stress reduction caused by black tea consumption, it may help reduce road rage.

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There is a hit TV sitcom on NBC called “My Name Is Earl.” The show is about a guy named Earl (played by: Jason Lee) who believes in karma. In every show, he tries to undue his troubled past by making up to the people he did wrong. One by one, Earl scratches people off of his list once the past has been corrected. Well, this isn’t a blog about the sitcom, but hopefully by me telling you about Earl Grey something good will come my way and something good (Earl Grey tea) will come your way.

Earl Grey is a popular black tea blend often referred to as an afternoon tea. I like it anytime of the day, especially in the morning. There’s one catch to liking Earl Grey, you have to like the flavoring of the Bergamot oil. Bergamot is a citrus fruit described as a cross between the pear lemon and a grapefruit. Whenever I hear someone say they don’t like Earl Grey, they are usually trying an Earl Grey from a supplier that might have overpowered the tea with Bergamot oil. I’ve tried several Earl Grey blends from store-bought tea bags to premium loose blends. They are all different. If you enjoy bagged tea, try the Stash brand of Earl Grey.

Loose tea drinkers, this is a great choice if you enjoy a citrus flavor with your black tea. The higher the grade of tea, the better the Earl Grey. Most blends I have tried use Ceylon from Sri Lanka. The higher end blends use Ceylon Vintage Silver Tips. If this sounds like your cup of tea, please give it a go.

Well, I’ll scratch Earl Grey off of my list of teas I need to share with you.

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White tea is something that every tea drinker needs to try. To me, white tea is a natural stress reliever. The simplistic nature of the tea seems to calm my senses. It has delicate and light characteristics, however, the natural flavor of the tea buds is very noticeable. The scent of the tea is as delicate as the flavor. Today, I’m drinking a white tea from China. Adagio describes the tea as being produced from the Fuding and Zhenhe districts of its Fujian province. Sublime Needle (silver needle) is the name of tea. The tea undergoes very strict quality control measures to maintain its premium status.

White tea comes from new growth buds and young tea leaves. White tea is the least processed tea when compared to its famed green and black counterparts. Therefore, it retains catechins, which contain the powerful anti-oxidants that make the tea a healthy choice. Not to mention the lower amounts of caffeine present in white tea. The dried tea buds do have a silver appearance with flashes of white and a little touch of green throughout. There’s almost a “fuzzy” texture to the dried leaves.

White tea steeps best at lower temperatures for longer periods of time (180 degrees for 7 mins). The color of the liquor is very light in color. The color of the brew adds to its pure and natural characteristic. The tea is absolutely a delight to drink. I like to make sure I give myself a little quiet time with the tea. With each sip, my stress seems to lessen. It’s a beverage that actually strengthens me when I feel weak. As I take a sip, I simultaneously enjoy the scent of the brew. It’s so relaxing. I think if the world would just drink a cup of fresh white tea an evening, we would have fewer problems. For now, I’ll enjoy a cup of white tea to calm my small part of the world. For those of you already enjoying this treasure, I’m sure you relate to my experience. For anyone waiting to try white tea, I recommend waiting no longer.

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Tea has been studied for years in labs from credible researchers all around the globe. The medicinal benefits surrounding tea are numerous. In the brief time I started marTEA.com I have logged several news stories regarding the health benefits of tea.

Tea has been linked to lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, reduced stress, reduced cancer risk, digestion relief, etc. I think it’s clear that the public is starting to get it. Tea sales, especially in the ready-to-drink industry, have sky rocketed over the years. Not to mention the increase in cosmetics that are infused with tea. Most studies stress that in order to benefit from tea; the tea consumer should maintain a sensible lifestyle and diet.

As a tea blogger, I’ll continue to find material to share with you from the many great news and information sources around the world to educate the public regarding the health benefits of tea. I know first-hand about the benefits of tea. Since I’ve started drinking tea, I have noticed a major drop in common colds. It seems like when I feel the first symptoms of a cold or any sinus, throat, or ear irritation, I just make a large cup of my favorite brew. The symptoms don’t last long. I’m not a doctor or scientist, but I can say there is definitely a difference in my health. Read the studies I post on marTEA.com to keep up with the research.

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Pu-erh is one of the few teas that has a cult like following. Connoisseurs around the globe revere Pu erh for all of its fame and glory and they will pay thousands for top-grade aged Pu-erh. The “earthy” black tea from the Yunnan region of China has a history as interesting as its flavor. It is named after the county Pu’er.

Pu-erh is said to have many medicinal benefits such as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. In addition, it is marketed as a “slimming” tea. For the general tea lover (like marTEA), Pu-erh is just a complex tea with attitude. It’s the kind of tea that dares you to drink it. It’s often described as having an “earthy” aroma and flavor. Basically, this means it tastes like dirt to many people. I couldn’t wait to try it. With all of my dirt eating experience from mountain bike riding, I felt I was ready to take the next step.

For my first experience, I ordered Pu-erh Dante from adagio.com. I’ve ordered a lot of teas from Adagio in the past. I know this isn’t top-grade, but I wanted to try it at an entry level. I popped the lid off of the tin and took a whiff. Yep, it smelled like dirt. I started steeping the tea, and in less then 2 minutes my glass pot was completely black! The color of the Pu-erh liquor made Assam look like a white tea. Only 3 more minutes until I get to try the infamous Pu-erh… Here we go, in my cup it still has an earthy aroma. I take a sip, and I am pleasantly surprised. Let me tell you, it’s not bad. The tea was smooth with a pleasant after taste. The earthy tones are present throughout, but after a few sips they are welcomed. Pu-erh has such a deep history, and if you are interested in the tea I suggest you do some research. If you are an adventurous tea consumer, that likes to try unique teas, Pu-erh is a tea you should consider.

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