Australian Tea

Many people don't realise that Australia produces a range of high quality black and green teas. The Tea Centre has two varieties that are defiantly worth a try.

Austrtalian Daintree

Click to enlarge

The Daintree tea is grow in Northern Queensland, just north of Port Douglas near Cairns at the Cubbagudta (means rainy place) plantation. The tea gardens are growing within and along the edges of the Daintree rainforest. The plantation does not use pesticides and so the tea contains no pesticide residues or tannic acid. The plantation is a family owned and operated business, totally Australian.

They produce a black tea with a red earthy tinge to the leaves which produce a light/mild brew with earthy undertones and gives a clean natural taste.
The tea can be taken with or without milk or used as a plain iced tea on a warmer day.

http://www.theteacentre.com.au/products/Australian-Daintree.html

Australian Sencha

 The Australian sencha is a green tea with a soft gentle flavour, grown in several valleys in the Victorian Alps region. This tea is produced as a Japanese style tea however is not as strong as Japanese sencha. The softer flavour of the Australian sencha makes it a good option for people who find Japanese teas to strong or people who are not regular green tea drinkers.
 This tea is to be taken without milk and is great hot or iced.

http://www.theteacentre.com.au/products/Australian-Sencha.html

Mothers Day Gift Ideas

Mothers day is only a few weeks away so here are a few gift ideas we think would be perfect for your tea loving Mum!

       Tea Gift Packs

Gift packs come in a variety of combinations including black, green and herbal combinations as well as bestseller and special blend packs.

 Priced between $14.50 - $57.50

A full list of available gift packs are available on http://www.theteacentre.com.au/Giftpacks

            Tea Cosy

Help Mum keep her tea nice and warm with our range of tea cosies.

Our tea cosies come in range of shapes colours and patterns.

A full list of our online tea cosies are available at 

http://www.theteacentre.com.au/other

We also have a range of hand knitted cosies available on our stores.

            Tea Pots

We have a large range of modern, traditional and oriental style pots available both on our website and in store, there is sure to be the perfect pot to suit any Mum's style.

A full list of our online tea pots are available at 

http://www.theteacentre.com.au/teapots

        Tea Accessories

Mum will love any of our small accessories that are a must for any tea connoisseur.

We have a range of...

          - Spoons and scoops

          - Infusers

          - Tins and Cannisters

A full list of our online accessories are available at 

http://www.theteacentre.com.au/

or visit one of our stores for the full range.

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Green Tea

Green tea is a beautifully delicate tea which is not only delicious but good for you as well.

Green tea is the variety of tea which keeps it's original colour because the tea leaves have not been
fermented during processing. The leaves are heated just right after picking in order to stop the process of oxidation. It is hand-fired in pans to completely halt this process while preserving the fresh, open meadow aroma and flavor within the dried leaf. By minimally processing the leaves, the tea's nutrients are unaltered and the high levels of antioxidants are preserved. The final drying techniques finish the leaf to create its ultimate appearance when dry.

The health of green tea has been recognized and advertised worldwide. Scientific research indicates that green teas have medical benefits which are preventing conditions such as: cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, infections and impaired immune functions. There are a variety of fact sheets available on our website with further information. http://www.theteacentre.com.au/factsheets

Brewing – Filtered water is preferred but not essential, and water used should be below boiling point. With some fine green teas, the water can be as low as 70 degrees C. If you over brew your tea it will become bitter. Generally Green tea should be infused for approximately 2-3 minutes. The finer leaf varieties infuse between 1-2 minutes and the larger leaf 2 -3 minutes. All green leaf teas can be used more than once and some very high grades can withstand a number of infusions.

Visit our selection of Green Teas at www.theteacentre.com

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Tea Tours - India

India has some of the most renowned tea plantations in the world, set amongst beautiful scenery in an exotic location. At The Tea Centre we want to give you the opportunity to experience these historic and famous tea estates as well as the surrounding sites that are so important in experiencing Indian culture.

The Tea Centre has teamed up with boutique travel outfit On the Go Tours, to offer you a colourful 17-day holiday through India. Getting you to the heart of India, exploring grand sites like the Taj Mahal and Pink City of Jaipur, we also visit the tea plantations of Darjeeling and Assam, staying in authentic tea bungalows.

There are currently three tour dates available...

• 28 September 2012
• 16 November 2012 
• 29 March 2013

Highlights

• Exploring Old and New Delhi

• Taj Mahal

• Elephant ride at Amber Fort

• Exploring a variety of tea gardens tea gardens

• Visiting silk farms

For the full itinerary visit http://www.theteacentre.com.au
Highlights

This tea tour is the first of a collection of tea tours that we hope to be able to offer to our customers in the future. For further information visit our website at http://www.theteacentre.com.au

Pomegranate Iced Tea

Pomegranate ice tea has become very popular as a refreshing treat . The following recipe is a simple way to make your own at home!

Ingredients

• 2 tblsp of "Pai Mu Tan"
• 1Lt cold water
• 3 tblsp sugar
• 1/4 cup boiling water
• 1/2 Pomegranate

Step 1 - Put your tea leaves into an infuser and place into the cold water, using cold water will stop the tea from becoming bitter. Add the pomegranate seeds at this stage to ensure the flavour and colour infuses. This will need to infuse for at least 4 hours however for the fullest flavour we recommend leaving it overnight.

Step 2 - Add the sugar to the boiling water and mix till dissolved. Put aside and let cool until the tea is ready.

Step 3 - Combine the sugar syrup and the tea into a jug and serve in glasses with ice and garnish, adding extra fruit adds a little extra kick of flavour if you would like it.

If you enjoy making ice tea regularly check out our bodum ice tea jug.


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Japan Zero Prize Draw

We are bringing to you in collaboration with Zero Japan, a tea pot prize draw. Over the next month every customer who visits one of our Tea Centre stores and spends $25.00 or more in one transaction will be eligible to enter our “Mother’s day Tea Pot Prize Draw”. One tea pot per store will be won & presented to the winners.

It’s simple, visit one of our stores, spend $25.00 or more, you will be offered a duplicate receipt which you can write your name and contact number on the back and place it in The Tea Centre box on the counter.

On the 1st May 2012 the winner will be drawn in each shop. The winners will be notified and be able to collect their Zero Japan Teapot from the store where they placed their entry, their names will also be presented in May’s edition of E-news & announced on the Tea Centre Blog, Facebook and Twitter.

Good luck!

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Make Your Own Teabags

How would you like to be able to combine the freshness and high quality of loose leaf tea with the convenience of a tea bag!
It is possible with the very handy do-it-yourself tea bags available from from The Tea Centre.

The teabags come in two parts, as a paper filter and a reusable clip to fasten to the pouch. To make your teabag simply take 1 of the paper filters and add a teaspoon of your favourite Tea Centre tea, take the clip and fasten it to the end of the filter so that the opening is sealed.

These paper filters can be made up in advance ready to be clipped for a cup of tea on the run which makes them perfect for work or travel.

Biodegradable paper filter pouches - 100/box   $6.00

Paper filter clip - fasten to end of paper filter pouch and can now be used like a teabag     $3.50





The filter bags and clips are available both in store or online at www.theteacentre.com.au

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Earl Grey Blue Flower Tea Truffles

This simple recipe for earl grey blue flower truffles is the perfect treat for the easter long weekend!

Ingredients

3 teaspoons of earl grey blue flower

2/3 cup of cream

2 tbsp of unsalted butter

160ml of quality dark chocolate

1 cup of quality dark cocoa powder

Method

1. Bring the cream to the boil on the stove, once it boils turn it off and put the tea leaves into the cream.  Let it brew for 5-10 minutes.

2.Pour the cream over the chocolate through a strainer so that all the tea leaves are taken out. 

3.Melt the butter in the microwave and add it to the cream, stirring until all the chocolate is melted then refrigerate until firm.

4.Take the chocolate and mould into small balls. Roll the chocolates in the cocoa powder and place in the fridge on a tray.

Serve chilled with a warm cup of tea!

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Chinese Black tea

Black tea, known as "red tea" (hong cha) in China, is a completely fermented tea.
It is a later variety developed on the basis of the green tea. The production of
Chinese black tea includes mainly four procedures: withering, rolling, fermenting
and drying. Chinese black tea is mainly for exporting due to the favour of Western
tea drinkers, Chinese black tea export was once stopped during the war during which Indian
and Sri Lanka black teas was taking the majority part of the international black tea
market with their thick leaves with strong flavour. Nowadays, Chinese black tea remains popular in the tea world.

The Tea Centre has a wide range of Chinese black teas...

China Keemun Finest OP

The outstanding feature of this tea is its very fine, small delicate leaf. A mild, slightly nut-like flavour. Only a very small amount of this wonderful tea from the Jiangxi province is exported.

China Keemun OP

A mild leaf tea from the Anhui province with a clear brew & smooth aftertaste.

China Pu-erh

This red tea delivers a punch with the first sip.

China Szechwan OP

Fine even leaf producing a mild and very aromatic tea.

Also called China Black.

China Tarry Lapsang Souchong

Large, dark, rolled leaves with a very smoky aroma and taste.

China Yunnan FOP

Fine even leaf, blended with a very large number of golden tips, producing a mild aromatic & slightly spicy tea, a rarity among the Yunnan teas.

China Yunnan OP

A nice every day tea with an earthy full flavour.

Enjoy!

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