Hot Docs Film Festival: Favourite Teas From Smith Tea & TWG Tea and the Urban Tea Merchant

Last week I prepped my brain and body by bringing my fav tea’s with me as I waited in line at the Hot Docs film festival and for my 90 minute theatre viewing jaunts.  What better way to celebrate a International Documentary Film Festival in Toronto than with your fav cup of tea in hand.  Who needs wine? 

For the last ten days it’s been pretty warm in Toronto but the theatres have been cool.  Armed with my trusty tea traveller mug I have seen sampling loads of teas in my stash.  My favourite of the moment are No. 24 Big Hibiscus from Smith Tea and Amour de Thé from TWG Tea and the Urban Tea Merchant.

No. 24 Big Hibiscus from Smith Tea

No. 24 Big Hibiscus from Smith Tea

The cabernet of hibiscus teas. We join luscious red hibiscus with Indian sarsaparilla, ginger, pink rose petals, and elderflowers from Europe. Deep red, complex, nuanced and caffeine free, this tea almost needs a corkscrew.

Ingredients

Hibiscus flowers, Indian sarsaparilla root, ginger root, natural flavors, rose petals, elderflowers and lemon myrtle.

Preparation

For best flavor, bring freshly drawn filtered water to a boil. Steep five minutes. If possible, play a little Django Reinhardt softly in the background.

Review:  I really liked this herbal tea to carry me through in line.  Its light and a perfect pick me up coming off the subway from the trek into the city.  I love the tones of ginger, pink rose petals, and elderflowers.  They really kept me alert and focused for my films.

http://www.smithtea.com/shop/herbal/big-hibiscus

Amour de Thé from TWG Tea and the Urban Tea Merchant

Amour de Thé from TWG Tea and the Urban Tea Merchant

This sensual TWG Tea Darjeeling is blended with delicate rose blossoms and leaves of pure gold. An enchanting potion.

Review:  I appreciated drinking this tea during the film.  Adding a dash of milk into my mug created an even more soothing tone when relaxing and taking in some emotionally heavy documentaries.  Rose blossoms and a milky tea is a girl’s best mate in a darkened theatre.

http://www.urbantea.com/products/amour-de-the

Tea Break: The Urban Tea Merchant: TWG Tea – ‘Heart of Happiness’ Tea & Matcha Macaroon and the Vanilla Bourbon Tea & Kaya Macaroon

I didn’t have a long weekend over Easter so I thought I’d do some nice things for myself to welcome in spring.  I brewed some Heart of Happiness Tea from TWG Tea and the Urban Tea Merchant and created some luxe time off moments for myself.

‘Heart of Happiness’ Tea

Heart of Happiness Tea are beautiful white tea leaves that are handcrafted into a heart bouquet of amaranth, jasmine and dragon lilies.  The tea was an easy brew as I popped it into my Bodum tea pot and fluttered around my kitchen.  The next time I looked at the tea pot – a flower had bloomed.

The tea was a lovely sip whilst I was reading and just relaxing at home.  To make the ambience even better was to see the lovely flower staring back at me in my tea pot whenever I got up or changed my music for the afternoon.

‘Heart of Happiness’ Tea

I shared some of this tea with my workmates – they created lil spa moments at their desk whilst we worked.  It’s remarkable how something so simple can uplift your mood. 

Next year for my Easter dessert treat I am picking up the Matcha Macaroon and the Vanilla Bourbon Tea & Kaya Macaroon from TWG Tea and the Urban Tea Merchant.

It is made with a crisp Matcha almond shell, the Matcha Macaroon is filled with a luxuriously smooth Matcha infused ganache. The rarest and most costly of Japanese green teas, Matcha is a finely powdered Gyokuro, yielding a smooth and grassy cup accented by a delicately bitterness which provides an ideal contrast to the inherent sweetness of the macaroon.

Matcha Macaroon and the Vanilla Bourbon Tea & Kaya Macaroon from TWG Tea and the Urban Tea Merchant

The vibrant turquoise shell of the Vanilla Bourbon Tea & Kaya Macaroon encloses a stunning cream made with pandan leaf extract, white chocolate and coconut and one of TWG Tea’s signature red tea blends from South Africa, Vanilla Bourbon Tea to add a rich note of vanilla.

In Singapore, the process begins in TWG Tea’s state of the art patisserie laboratories each morning at the break of dawn to ensure that the tantalizing almond cookies are always perfectly crisp with a chewy centre. Each macaroon is infused with a signature TWG Tea blend and features the freshest and most exceptional ingredients with no artificial flavourings or preservatives.

At The Urban Tea Merchant, TWG Tea macaroons retail at C$4 each and are also available at all TWG Tea Salons & Boutiques in Singapore and worldwide.

http://www.urbantea.com/

Tea Break: The Urban Tea Merchant: TWG Tea – Sakura! Sakura! Tea and White Spring Tea

 I have never been to the west coast in the Spring.  I’ve always wondered what it would be like.

I heard that the The Urban Tea Merchant usually dresses up their store location with Cherry Blossoms at their main entrances and also feature a special Tea Service called the Sakura West coast Tea Service which has savouries and sweets inspired from the West coast with a Japanese fusion.

I’m determined to check that out one day.  Instead I will welcome Spring into Toronto with my own Urban Tea Merchant tea service.  Sakura! Sakura! Tea and White Spring Tea are the perfect guests.

Sakura! Sakura! Tea

Sakura! Sakura! Tea

An ode to spring, this fragrant TWG blend evokes Kyoto’s most celebrated season. A scattering of cherry blossoms and green tea yields a most aromatic and elegant fragrance. 

I’m usually a rose and black tea fan – but this tea was a perfect match for my morning tea ritual.  It was not only soothing but the green tea was invigorating.  Cherry Blossoms in tea – is indeed a sweet combination.  This is dessert and a hot drink in one.  I think I may keep a stash ready for my mom for Mother’s Day.  Who wouldn’t want a cherry blossom bouquet in their tea cup?

White Spring Tea

White Spring Tea

The spring breeze in Kyoto aspired to this fragrant TWG Tea blend. The silver downy tips of this rare Yin Zhen white tea are blended with the most aromatic cherry blossoms as a delightful ode to spring.

This tea is the Rolls Royce of tea right now in my tea cabinet.  Its royal presence made me sit straight in my chair and take notice.   Personally, I am not a big fan of white tea as I find it too weak.  But the silver downy tips of this rare Yin Zhen white tea was mysterious and equally patient in its steep.  Again the cherry blossoms provided a perfect relationship that paid homage to both distinctive flavors.

Stock up on these tea’s for your Easter tea service.  They would make decadent host/hostess gifts or for entertaining in your home.

Happy Spring!

http://www.urbantea.com/

Chinese New Year Tea Service

The Urban Tea Merchant’s Chinese New Year Tea Service

Even if you don’t traditionally and culturally celebrate the Chinese New Year this weekend – I encourage you to change your daily tea service up to open yourself to some new tea varieties from The Urban Tea Merchant and TWG Tea.

The following teas are not only gorgeous but are wonderful drunk alone or with some savouries such as:  “Number 8 Tea” steamed bun with braised pork & hoisin, “Indian Night Tea” curried egg tea sandwich or a “Miraculous Mandarin Tea” crepe with crisp Peking duck. 

Sweets that are worthy of indulging with these teas could look like:  petit fours, seasonal fruit, Moroccan Mint Tea Nanaimo Bar or a chocolate dipped dragon fruit.  These can all be found at The Urban Tea Merchant’s Chinese New Year Tea Service.  I really wish I lived in B.C. right about now.

I’ve opened up these teas today and kicked back in between cooking and cleaning to sip and put my feet up whilst still in my pajamas. 

Lung Ching Imperial Tea

These bright green leaves are beautifully fashioned by hand and shaped into flat needles. The pale yellow infusion reveals a striking scent of roasted chestnuts and a note of sweetness.

Dragon Gate Tea

A striking blend of white tea, green tea and oolong tea with lusty tonalities of ginger and a hint of sweet mint and citrus.

Royal Orchid Tea

This semi-fermented Formosa oolong is delicately infused with the fragrance of a night blooming orchid, suggestive of a warm summer evening, intoxicating and generous.

White Fortune Tea

This rare Yin Zhen white tea is delicately blended with tart rhubarb and sweet strawberries to create an outstanding sweet and sour blend of exceptional quality. This is a Thirty Four Flavours favourite! 

Happy Chinese New Year! 

http://www.urbantea.com/

Tea Break: The Urban Tea Merchant: TWG Tea – Valentine Tea Ideas

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching.  I’m keen to give friends and loved one lil gifts to tell them how much they mean to me.  Small things.  It doesn’t need to be crazy grand like in yester years.  The Urban Tea Merchant and Twg Tea has some unique tea blends that will fill your loved ones with warmth come Feb 14^th and after. 

I especially loved the Weekend in Singapore Tea, Weekend in Dubai Tea, Weekend in Venice Tea and Miraculous Mandarin Tea.  Talk about magically transporting you to a faraway place whilst sitting at your desk at work, on transit or getting into to bed to read a book.  Pair one of the following teas for yourself with a nice book, chocolate, sweet note or bouquet of roses and get lost in the escape.

Weekend Tea Collection – Haute Couture Quinto Gift Set

Weekend in Singapore Tea

 A TWG Tea tribute to the garden city, this exquisite black tea is embellished with tart red fruits, a fragrant hint of anise and notes of sweet caramel, yielding a complex bouquet.  A voyage of the senses.

Weekend in Dubai Tea

As fresh as a desert night, this glamorous blend of green tea with a cornucopia of wild, rare and exotic fruits and flowers, an insistent, complex and bold infusion which reinterprets a city of dreams come true.

Weekend in Venice Tea

A vision of the Grand Canal, this blend of green tea features lingering notes of rich and luxuriant pineapple and forest berries illuminated by a bouquet of rose petals which infuse into a shimmering, floral cup, enigmatic of this incomparable city suspended in time.

Caviar – Miraculous Mandarin Tea (50g)

Miraculous Mandarin Tea

A TWG Tea mélange of warm, rich black tea blended with the fresh tartness of orchard fruits and notes of delicate sweetness. A miraculous and youthful tea of delight.  This one is a Thirty Four Flavours Favourite!

Happy Valentine’s Day from Thirty Four Flavours and check out The Urban Tea Merchant and Twg Tea below. 

http://www.urbantea.com

Tea Break: The Urban Tea Merchant: TWG Tea – Midnight Hour Tea

The Urban Tea Merchant: TWG Tea –Midnight Hour Tea

I started my evening with some wine but then I started aching for a hot drink. I remembered I had hidden a stash of TWG’s ‘Midnight Hour Tea’ in my cupboards with some biscuits. Oh man – this is how it starts people. 

Two more hours until the clock strikes midnight and it’s a fond farewell to 2012 and hiya to 2013.  This TWG Tea blend unfurls a magical infusion of decaffeinated black tea delicately blended with fragrant tropical fruits. I’ll be able to sleep soundly by the 12:30 a.m. – perfect! This tea is making my mind brew with some life changing goals for the year ahead.  It’s about that time isn’t it? 

http://www.urbantea.com/products/midnight-hour-tea

Starbucks Holiday: Skinny Caramel Brulée Latte

Starbucks Holiday: Skinny Caramel Brulée Latte

I think my favourite of Starbucks’ Holiday drinks is the Skinny Caramel Brulée Latte.  It’s New Year’s Eve and before popping home with my Chinese Takeaway, I thought I’d pop in and pick up a hot drink.  The Skinny Caramel Brulée Latte is made with freshly brewed espresso and steamed milk, flavored with buttery-rich caramel Brulée sauce.  I prefer a milky coffee just like my tea – the creaminess adds a nice touch to mellowing the sweetness.  This baby is going to keep me up to midnight. 

The Holiday Tea Reveal – Mighty Leaf Tea Canada’s ‘Chocolate Mint Truffle’ and ‘Celebration’ Teas & Winner Announcement!

The final teas in the Holiday Tea Reveal are from Mighty Leaf Tea Canada.  Their Chocolate Mint Truffle and Celebration Teas are perfect to ring in the New Year.  Who needs champagne?

Mighty Leaf Tea Canada: Chocolate Mint Truffle Tea

Mighty Leaf Tea’s Chocolate Mint Truffle is an intoxicating blend of chocolate cacao nibs, mint and rooibos leaves – this brew will keep you coming back for more.  Rooibos and chocolate are both known to be good sources of antioxidants.

Mighty Leaf Tea Canada: Celebration Tea

Whereas the Celebration tea is a beautiful and exotic blend of high-grade China tea leaves infused with Chinese fruit, dances with notes of chocolate liquor. Elevate your tea drinking experience with the round body and long lasting finish of this memorable black tea.

http://www.mightyleaf.ca/en/tea/product/5232/chocolate-mint-truffle-tea

http://www.mightyleaf.ca/en/tea/product/5012/celebration-tea

Now to round up the tea’s I explored during in this Holiday Tea Reveal.  Don’t forget to keep these teas in your purse when you are looking for some new flavours for the year ahead.  Holiday teas are a great way of reliving the romance and good times you shared with your friends and family over the holidays year round.

The Urban Tea Merchant’s ‘TWG Tea’

White Christmas

Red Christmas

Noel Noel

Oud Night

Mighty Leaf Tea Canada

Orange Dulce

Black Gold

Chocolate Mint Truffle

Celebration

Finally, the winner of the Holiday Tea Reveal is Paul from Calgary.  You win the The Urban Tea Merchant’s TWG Tea Caviar – Sweetheart Tea Set (retail value $70.00) and Mighty Leaf Tea Canada’s Black Tea Variety pack (retail value $11.50) and a Mighty Leaf Travel Mug (retail value $19.95). I will email you shortly for your postal address!  Enjoy!  Thank you to the Urban Tea Merchant and Mighty Leaf Tea Canada!

Happy Holidays!

http://www.urbantea.com

http://www.mightyleaf.ca

The Holiday Tea Reveal – The Urban Tea Merchant’s TWG Tea ‘Noel! Noel!’ and ‘Oud Night’ Tea

The Urban Tea Merchant’s TWG Tea ‘Noel! Noel!’ Tea

This week’s Christmas Tea Reveal is from The Urban Tea Merchant’s TWG Tea.  The ‘Noel! Noel!’ Tea is as joyous tasting as it sounds.  An elixir that will surely inspire wintry fireside reunions and joyful Christmas celebrations, this TWG Tea black tea and white Yin Zhen tea blend combines fragrant spices and tones of clementine with rich Tahitian vanilla. A warm and generous tea.

I was really keen on the clementine and Tahitian vanilla notes in this blend.  It was very yummy and having milk with this tea was a necessity. 

The Urban Tea Merchant’s TWG Tea ‘Oud Night Tea’

If you like this tea, you will like the ‘Oud Night Tea’ also from The Urban Tea Merchant’s TWG Tea.  The ‘Oud Night Tea’ is like a precious fragrance that warms the evening air, laden with a rich infusion of rare calambac, incense and smoky black tea.  Dissolving into an earthy potion of molten resin, cedar and smouldering tera flowers.  The ‘Oud Night’ Tea is an ardent offering a luxuriant and incandescent dream sweet eternity.  You can really taste the smoky black essence in this tea.

Don’t forget to enter my The Great Holiday Tea Giveaway!  Here’s how it works – once a week until December 24th 2012 I will highlight a gorgeous tea from The Urban Tea Merchant’s TWG Tea or Mighty Leaf Tea Canada.  All I ask is that you subscribe to my blog (already subscribed readers consider yourselves entered).  Easy right?  Only one more week to go!

What’s up for grabs?  One reader will receive a massive tea selection from The Urban Tea Merchant’s TWG Tea and Mighty Leaf Tea Canada!

http://www.urbantea.com/products/caviar-noel-noel-tea

http://www.urbantea.com/products/oud-night-tea

The Holiday Tea Reveal – Mighty Leaf Tea Canada’s ‘Orange Dulce Tea’

Mighty Leaf Tea Canada’s ‘Orange Dulce Tea’

I find since the holidays are amongst us, I am constantly channelling teas that have a liquor element to them but without the knock out effect.  I love the holidays for the indulgence but also finding the balance in being kind to my body.

Orange Dulce from Mighty Leaf Tea Canada is a luscious, rich brew teeming with notes of orange, vanilla and jasmine blossoms. Made with Ceylon and China black teas, Orange Dulce brews up a fragrant and full bodied dark tea. Reminiscent of an aged Port, the flavour is sure to please.

Orange Dulce can be drunk like Organic Earl Grey, in the afternoon and after dinner. Instead of serving port after dinner, surprise your guest with this rich, chocolately tea. It pairs well with spicy and nutty foods.  Imagine wintery nights or coming in after trekking through snow and ice to this hot cup of tea. It doesn’t get any better than this.

Don’t forget to enter my The Great Holiday Tea Giveaway!  Here’s how it works – once a week until December 24th 2012 I will highlight a gorgeous tea from The Urban Tea Merchant’s TWG Tea or Mighty Leaf Tea Canada.  All I ask is that you subscribe to my blog (already subscribed readers consider yourselves entered).  Easy right?

 What’s up for grabs?  One reader will receive a massive tea selection from The Urban Tea Merchant’s TWG Tea and Mighty Leaf Tea Canada!

http://www.mightyleaf.ca/en/tea/product/5030/orange-dulce-tea