Tea Cosies

The tea cosy is a fun and creative way to keep your favourite pot of tea warmer for longer.
The tea cosy originates from Britain and has been used for centuries eventually becoming just as popular in America as they were in  Britain. It is believed that tea cosies became popular after ladies realised they needed a way to keep their tea warm while they were busy socialising at afternoon teas.
The following tea cosies are available on our website but there are also a larger collection including knitted cosies available instore; for more informations visit http://www.theteacentre.com.au/

$29.95

$29.95

$29.95

$29.95

$45.00

$45.00

$45.00

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Reading Tea Leaves

Over the past few months I have noticed  how popular tea leaf reading has become in our cafes, with many customers staring into their cups after enjoying their pot of tea. Tea leaf reading or tasseography dates back to the seventeenth century not long after the introduction of tea to Europe. The basic idea of tea leaf reading is to interpret the leaves left in the bottom of the cup as symbols with different meanings.

There is a procedure you follow to read your tea leaves, to begin with you will need a light coloured cup, some lose leaf tea and hot water.

1. Begin by brewing a cup of tea without a strainer so the tea is floating around the cup.
2. While brewing the tea ask your tea cup a question, keeping it to yourself.
3. Sit back and enjoy your tea.
4. Once you have finished your tea tip your tea cup upside down onto your saucer (this removes any extra  liquid left in your cup.
5. Tip back up and begin reading the leaves by identifying the symbols that the tea leaves look like.

Here are some examples of symbols and their meanings...

Bell - Unexpected news; if near the top of the cup the news is good.
Fish - Good fortune.
Box - You are about to receive a gift.
Octopus - Warning.
Star - success, recognition and praise.
Shell - You will find a simple treasure.

There are many more different symbols and meanings available online and in tea leaf reading books.

Tea leaf reading is a great activity for a high tea or if you have a few friends over for tea. Any loose leaf tea can be used so you can practice with any of your favourite Tea Centre teas!
Enjoy!

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Smoky Teas

If you are curious about smoky teas or already enjoy their strong unique flavour these are three we think you should try!




China Tarry Lapsang Souchong

This tea has large, dark, rolled leaves and a characteristically strong smoky flavour. This smoky flavour is traditionally achieved by smoke-drying the leaves over a pinewood fire. The strong unusual flavour of this tea means most tea drinkers will love or hate it, but if you have never had this tea it defiantly worth a try.
The unique flavour of this tea means it is best enjoyed black and brewed 3-4 minutes.

Russian Caravan

This tea is a medium strong tea that has a lighter flavour than the China Tarry Lapsang Souchong. The name of this tea is deceiving, although the tea sounds like it is from Russia it is actually Chinese. The name Russian Caravan refers to the trade route when tea travelled through Russia to reach Europe where tea was highly sought after. This is one of the most popular of The Tea Centre teas, it can be enjoyed with or without milk and is traditionally sweetened.

Sir John

This is a lightly smoked flavoured black tea. This tea is blended with jasmine flowers, lemon peel & rose flowers which adds a light floral flavour.
Sir John can be enjoyed both black or with milk and is good starting point if you have never tried smoky teas before.

Enjoy!

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Winter Warmers

The cold weather has rolled in and it's time to enjoy lots of warm soothing tea.
Here are our top 5 winter warming teas...

Glogg
This warm and spicy black tea contains cinnamon, orange peel, almond pieces, ginger pieces, cloves & cardamon, perfect with milk and honey.

Christmas Tea

This tea is great throughout the year, not only during the holiday season. Christmas tea is available in both black and green and contains almond pieces, orange peel, apple pieces, cornflowers, cinnamon & cloves.

Toffee Tea

Toffee tea is a black tea containing toffee pieces & cacao pieces. The sweet creamy flavour of this tea is great tea for anybody who loves sweet tea.

Rooibos Chai

Rooibos, cinnamon, anise, fennel, ginger, cloves & black peppercorns is a fantastic mix in cold weather. Rooibos is a great option for anyone who wants to enjoy warm tea without any caffeine.

Breath Easy

If you love herbal teas this one is perfect when your suffering from winter sniffles. This herbal blend contains a mix of thyme, fennel, liquorice root, mallow root, cinnamon, lemon peel, cardamom, wool flowers, cloves, black pepper & turmeric.

Stay Warm!

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Rooibos

Rooibos is a decaf herbal tea which has become very popular with tea lovers who want a decaf option which is also high in antioxidants. The Rooibos plant is grown in South Africa and is often referred to as Redbush or African Red Tea depending on where you are purchasing your tea from.

Rooibos has a distinctive slightly sweet flavour and a rich aroma. Rooibos is available oxidised which is the most popular variety but is also available as a green or flavoured tea. This very versatile tea can be enjoyed by itself, with milk and with honey or sugar depending on what you would prefer.

Rooibos has been enjoyed by the local South African people as a hot beverage for over 30 years, however has only been produced commercially since the 1930's.

At The Tea Centre we have a variety of rooibos teas for you to try, these include...

Rooibos

Rooibos Chai 

Rooibos, cinnamon, anise, fennel, ginger, cloves & black peppercorns.

Rooibos Fireside
Rooibos, orange peel, cinnamon & cloves.

Rooibos Green
100% unfermented, bright orange brew, earthy flavour with a sweet finish & a higher concentration of antioxidants.

Rooibos Pacific Sun
Rooibos, orange peel, safflower, calendula, rose, vanilla and apricot.

Rooibos Vanilla
Rooibos with vanilla bean pieces.


Enjoy!

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Power Mix Poached Pears

Ingredients

• 5 Bosc Pears
• 1 litre of water
• 500ml of white wine
•  2 cups of caster sugar
• 3 tbsp of Power Mix Tea
• 1 vanilla pod

Method

1. Peel all 5 pears and remove the core using a apple corer or a melon baller, the pears should appear to still be whole but with a hole in the bottom where the core was removed.
2. In a large pot combine the water, wine and sugar. Place on the stove and bring to the boil.
3. Once at a boil add the power mix, vanilla and pears and reduce the heat till at a simmer.
4. Continue simmering for 40 minutes.
5. Check the pears have been cooked all the way through by inserting a knife through until you reach the centre. If the knife comes out smoothly with no resistance your pears are ready. If it feels crisp or firm the pears need to continue simmering and continue to check them every 10 minutes. 
6. Once the pears are finished they can be served hot or cold and are perfect with ice-cream or custard. If you are not serving your pears immediately keep them stored in the poaching liquid.

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Genmaicha

What is it?

Genmaicha is a green tea which has a roasted rice mixed through a traditional Japanese Green tea. By adding roasted popped rice to the green tea the result is a much more delicate tasting tea with a nutty flavour and aroma.
The nutty flavour of this tea compliments savoury food, especially the complex fresh flavours of Japanese dishes.
Genmaicha can also be refereed to as 'popcorn tea'. This is because the popped rice which occurs in the roasting of the rice, resembles little pieces of popcorn.

History

The story of how genmaicha was created can not be set in stone, however the most common belief is that the expense of tea when it became popular in Japan led to genmaicha. The local farmers would mix rice with their tea to stretch it further so they could go without buying it for longer periods of time. The result was the creation of a completely new and unique tea unlike any other.
Although there are other stories about how genmaicha was created this is certainly the most popular tale.

Brewing

• Filtered water is preferred but not essential, and water used should be below boiling point.
• The water temperature for genmaicha is 70C. 
• If you over brew your green tea it will become bitter so keep an eye on it.
• Generally Green tea should be infused for approximately 2-3 minutes. 
• Genmaicha can be infused more than once.

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