 |
Eastern Isles Teas |
|
|
What
makes Eastern Isles teas so special?
Our teas are premium quality, whole leaf teas, among the finest in the world.
All of our teas are high grade, certified organic teas. This allows for a far
more flavorful, enjoyable tea drinking experience, unlike anything found in
your standard grocery and retail stores. Our loose leaf teas are much higher
in grade and quality than teas found in teabags. To learn more about this,
you may look to the section that explains loose leaf teas v.s. tea bags. At
Eastern Isles, we know that our customers are putting our product into their
bodies. We are aware of this responsibility and are driven to provide the healthiest,
cleanest product.
What does it mean to be organic?
Our products are 100% organic which means that there exists no chemical additive in any of our offerings. All farming methods were performed under strict guidelines that prevented the use of various pesticides.
Are Eastern Isles teas loose leaf or offered in teabags?
All of our products are currently offered as whole leaf, loose leaf teas. This allows us to provide premium quality, high grade teas. We are currently working on developing proprietary teabag technology that will allow us to offer this same quality in teabag form for those who prefer it.
|
|
Loose leaf v.s. Tea bags |
|
|
What is loose
leaf tea?
Loose leaf tea is not packaged in individual tea bags or sachets.
The loose, unbound steeping of leaves allows for a richer, fuller flavor and deeper infusion.
Tea bags do not allow a leaf to fully unfurl and thereby release its flavor. Tea bags often contain
tea dust or fannings rather than whole leaf tea. Thus, the quality of tea within teabags is poor.
Loose leaf tea allows for a higher quality tea with greater character and flavor. The experience
of whole loose leaf tea is truly unique. Once you have tried it, you will not return to store-bought
brands.
Why is loose leaf tea better than tea found within tea bags?
Loose
leaf tea allows the tea leaves to fully unfurl during infusion. Thus, you get a richer, fuller
flavor. The tea often found in tea bags is simply tea dust, a very fine, small cut of the larger
tea leaf. This is done to fit the tea into the bag and offer a quicker infusion. It does not
release the true flavor and character of the tea. Loose leaf allows for the full leaf of the
tea to be used, begetting a higher grade, better tasting tea.
Why are tea bags used?
Tea bags were developed to make for a quicker, more convenient tea brewing process. However, many true tea lovers find the process of making loose leaf tea a vital part of the tea experience, scooping out the fragrant leaves and having more control of the infusion process, deciding how much tea they want and further having the option of blending various teas. Notwithstanding, the convenience of the tea bag can be achieved with loose leaf through the use of infusers, strainers, and tea balls. To learn more about these items, click here (link to Tea Preparation). The quality of loose leaf tea is far superior to that of tea often found in tea bags.
What are tea grades?
The grade of tea describes the size of the leaf. The measurement system is broken into two classification hierarchies in black teas: whole leaf (OP) and broken leaf (BOP). An example of a high grade, whole leaf tea would be, FTGFOP. Green teas possess a different grading system. Overall, higher grades usually translate to greater use of the tea leaf. Thus, many high grades exhibit much larger tea leaf sizes than do lower grades. The dust or fannings found in most teabags exhibits a low grade broken leaf- the contents are fine fannings or dust cuts from the actual leaf. Large leaf and thus larger grade usually mean a higher quality tea. However, tea quality is not measured by the size of the leaf alone.
How do I brew loose leaf tea?
You can look to the section below for a more thorough analysis of tea preparation
as well as the specifications for different types of tea. However, you may note that you can
use simple strainers placed in cups, as well as tea balls, or other infusion devices to quickly
and easily separate the leaves from the liquor. You can also use strainers in tea pots.
Are all Eastern Isles teas loose leaf?
All of our offerings are currently loose leaf. We believe in offering the
very best in quality and further wish to uphold the full integrity of nature’s gift of tea.
We feel the use of teabags truly compromises the tea drinking experience. However,
we are currently developing our own teabag technology that will eventually
allow us to provide our whole leaf, premium quality teas in teabag form for those that prefer
it.
|
|
Tea Preparation |
|
What devices are used to make loose leaf tea?
Tea balls: Tea balls, often
steel, mesh chambers attached to a small chain, allow infusions for individual cups. Simply place the
leaves within the tea ball, set in cup, pour in the water, and allow it to steep. Remove when steeping
time is complete. Included below is a picture of the tea ball. |
(Tea
Balls) |
| Spoon
Tea Infuser: Similar to a tea ball, these allow for single cup infusions. Often spherical in shape, they can be easily used. Simply place the leaves within the infuser, set in cup, pour in the water, and allow it to steep. Remove when steeping time is complete. Included below is a picture of the spoon tea infuser. |
(Spoon Tea Infuser) |
| Cup
Infusers: These infusers are placed directly in the tea cup or mug and allow for a single cup brew. They are also simple to use. Set the strainer in your tea cup, place the leaves within, and pour in the water. Allow it to steep and remove when steeping time is complete. Included below is a picture of a teacup infuser. |
(Cup
Infusers) |
| Teapot
infuser: Similar to a teacup infusers, these filters are placed within teapots. These can used for single cup brews and are also advantageous for larger brews. If you wish to brew a large amount for a group of friends, the use of these infusers may be easier than preparing individual cups. Simply set the strainer in the pot, place the leaves within, and pour in the water. Allow to steep and then remove when steeping time is complete. Included below is a picture of a teapot infuser. |
(Teapot
Infusers) |
How do I prepare green tea?
Recommended water temperature for green tea is 170-180 degrees Fahrenheit. This
is short of boiling and may be achieved by turning off the heat once small wisps
of steam begin to escape the tea kettle. Allow a steeping time of 3-4 minutes.
It is important to note that this is a recommended range and individual tastes
vary- experiment with what you like. However, if you allow the tea leaves to
steep too long, the taste of the tea can become bitter.
How do I prepare black tea?
To prepare black tea, bring water to a roaring boil. For optimal results, allow
to steep between 3-5 minutes. It is important to note that this is a recommended
range and individual tastes vary- experiment with what you like. However, if
you allow the tea leaves to steep too long, the taste of the tea can become bitter.
How do I prepare white tea?
White tea usually requires a water temperature of 185-190 degrees Fahrenheit.
This is slightly more than green tea and also slightly shy of boiling. Steeping
time for white tea is recommended in a range of 3-6 minutes, while many white
teas require a steeping time toward the lower end of that range. It is important
to note that this is a recommended range and individual tastes vary- experiment
with what you like. However, if you allow the tea leaves to steep too long, the
taste of the tea can become bitter.
How do I prepare oolong tea?
To prepare oolong tea, you may bring water to a boil. Allow to steep between
2-3 minutes. It is important to note that this is a recommended range and individual
tastes vary- experiment with what you like. However, if you allow the tea leaves
to steep too long, the taste of the tea can become bitter.
|
|
Health Benefits |
|
Does tea help
to prevent cancer?
There are many studies which speak to the extraordinary curative powers of tea. Rich in antioxidants, tea helps to stop assailant free radicals. It also fortifies the immune system and helps defend the body from the ravages of disease and environmental stresses. Tea contains:
-Antioxidant Flavonoids
-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
- *More effective antioxidant than vitamins C and E.
-Fluoride
-0 calories
What are some of the other health benefits of tea?
Improves:
-
Blood pressure
-Heart health
-Dental health
-Relaxation
-Mental acuity
Decreases your risk of:
-Cancer
-Heart disease
-Stroke
How is tea spiritual?
Buddhist monks started using tea as it provided a unique clarity and sharpness of mind. It facilitated their meditation practices. We encourage you to take a piping hot cup of tea, sit in your garden, feel the caress of its wispy tendrils of steam, bath in its fragrance, feel the soothing flow of its travel with each sip, and slip away into the magical, transcendent planes of consciousness. As a restorative elixir, tea calms your mind and invigorates both body and spirit. |
|
