Tea Briefings at the Tea Embassy

This morning I was in a hurry, so I bought breakfast at 7-11.  I would advise against this, because doing so gives one a stomachache almost immediately.  Jonathan suggested that I have a cup of our Ginger Pu-Erh to settle my stomach, so I brewed an entire pot, so it could serve as one of our three sample teas today.  I had never tried this tea before, and was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoy it very much.  I like ginger, but many times I find foods and teas that contain it to have too much ginger.  This was not the case with the Ginger Pu-Erh—there is just the right amount of spice in this tea.  Also, I found that the Pu-Erh itself is not near as earthy as I’d been led to believe.  Folks have been known to say Pu-Erh teas “taste like dirt,” but I couldn’t disagree more.  It’s really quite smooth.  If you haven’t tried it yet, come in today and find a new favorite tea, as I have this AM.

Chocolate Almond Cookie:  Delicious black tea blended with orange peels, cocoa, coconut, almond bits, peanut bits, rose blossoms, and flavoring.

Ginger Pu-Erh:  All natural, organic and fair trade delightful blend of the earthy and sweet Pu-Erh from Yunnan, China blended with organic ginger bits. The ginger pairs well with the naturally sweet taste of pu-erh.

Blue Spring:  Oolong tea grown in Anshi, Fujian Province. The same leaves can be re-steeped several times for multiple infusions.

If you are both a bargain-hunter and a fan of white tea, today is the day you should drop by Tea Embassy.  The white tea we are sampling today, Pai Mu Tan, is a steal at six bucks an ounce.  If you’re like me, and haven’t quite made the jump to white tea yet, you should know that white tea’s health benefits are numerous, primarily because of its high concentration of antioxidants.  Stop by our 1872 structure in downtown Austin and try a cup for free.

Tippy Assam:  Golden-tipped, smooth Assam blend, brews smoothly weak or strong. Decafs well. At five minutes: full-bodied, brisk and bold.

Pai Mu Tan:  White peony tea from China.

Chocolate Ginger Rooibos:  South African herbal tisane, flavored with chocolate and ginger. A tasty and healthful infusion. 

Iced tea.  It’s a summertime staple.  If you’re looking for a premium quality tea to ice at home, today is your day at Tea Embassy, because the black tea we’re sampling is perfect for that.  I’ve been chilling a lot of teas at home lately, and after tasting Black Currant this morning, I know I have another flavor to steep and then refrigerate at home.  Also, the rooibos blend we’re sampling today would be great chilled, as well.

Black Currant:  Grapy, currant-flavored, full-bodied black tea. Makes a great iced tea as well as a great afternoon hot tea.

Formosa Oolong:  Peachy Oolong. Everyone likes this tea. Nice afternoon tea.

Tropical Sunrise Rooibos:  This flavored Rooibos blends fruity tropical flavors with hints of spicy cinnamon and red pepper. This naturally caffeine free herbal tisane is great hot or iced. The blend contains rooibos, apple bits, orange peels, ginger bits, cinnamon sticks, lemongrass, grated coconuts, red pepper, cardamom, flavoring cornflower blossoms, and red currants.

Today’s selection of free sample teas includes an Earl Grey.  Earl Grey is a relatively new tea, it being only about 200 years old.  It was named for an 1830s-era British prime minister, who received a gift of tea flavored with bergamot oil.  If you’re an Earl Grey drinker, come in today and try a cup.  If you’re not an Earl Grey drinker, come in anyway!  We’d love to chat with you over a cup of one of our other two sample teas.

Manhattan Earl Grey:  This floral Earl Grey tea is blended with black tea, bergamot taste, sunflower blossoms, flavoring, and mallow blossoms.

Green Treasures:  Blend of five different Japanese green teas, strawberry bits, and red currants.

Hook ‘Em Horns:  Naturally caffeine free herbal blend of apple bits, hibiscus, rosehips, orange, and lemon peels.

Not a sophisticated tea drinker?  Me either.  I enjoy all three of the free samples we are offering today at Tea Embassy, and that doesn’t happen very often.  The Palm Court is a premium black tea that I would drink with sweetener.  The Genmaicha has a cereal-y smell and a delicious taste that I don’t always find in a green tea.  Lastly, the Chamomile is sweeter than I thought it’d be, and I thoroughly enjoyed discovering it.  Stop by today and discover these teas for yourself.

Palm Court:  Plaza Hotel Blend—Assam, Keeman, Ceylon and Oolong. Full bodied smooth breakfast tea.

Genmaicha:  Genmaicha used to be a poor man’s tea, since the peasants couldn’t afford to have enough tea for their cup, they added roasted rice. Now popular in Japan, this blend of green tea has roasted rice and popcorn, making a savory infusion. Great with sushi!

Organic Chamomile Flowers:  Chamomile is known for its ability to promote relaxation. Enjoy this organic chamomile especially before bed for it’s relaxing qualities.

Today at Tea Embassy we’re sampling a couple of favorites as well as a new herbal that we have just added to our stockroom.  As always, you can come into our historic structure at 9^th & Rio Grande and sample three of our teas for FREE.

Natela’s Gold:  Handmade in the peak of the spring season, Natela brings this treasured tea to you from the Caucasus Mountains in the country Georgia. This black tea has sweetness with hints of pine and cedar, making it a wonderful tea for afternoon or evening. Enjoy it while supplies last! This tea is similar to the Georgian Beauty tea we also sell, so if you like the Georgian Beauty you’ll also enjoy this one!

Strawberry Cream:  Aromatic green tea blend of organic sencha, Fog tea, Pai Mu Tan, Lung Ching, Genmaicha, strawberry bits, sunflower blossoms and flavoring.

Hydrangea:  This herbal tisane is a new addition to our inventory.  It is so versatile, and has so many uses, you can practically spend the day with this one.  Use #1:  Wake up in the morning, steep and drink it with breakfast.  Use #2:  Get home from work, wrap it around the chicken breast that you’re throwing on the grill.  Use #3:  After dinner, rinse it off, then use it as a facial scrub to remove the day’s toxins from your skin. 

Q: Why did the oolong go to prison?  A: Because he was always in hot water!  But seriously, folks, if you’re a fan of oolong teas, come in to Tea Embassy today and try a free sample of our Jade Oolong.

Nutcracker:  This tasteful Nutcracker blend is a black tea blended with apple bits, orange peels, currants, cinnamon, almond flakes, cloves, safflowers, and flavoring.

Kyoto Cherry Rose Sencha:  Green tea with rose petals and cherry flavoring. Very fragrant and refreshing!

Jade Oolong:  Most delightful high elevation Oolong from Taiwan.  This unique form of rolling traps the delicate flavor and releases it very slowly.  Yields three good infusions.  Beautiful tea to steep in glass teapot to view the unfurling of the leaves.  When the leaves reach the bottom of the pot, the tea is ready to drink.

Attention, artists of Austin! Musicians, writers, stand-up comics—need some inspiration? The herbal tisane that we are sampling today is Creativity Rooibos, and whether you drink it in a tumbler or a mug, it’s sure to help you finish that song, poem, or painting that’s been keeping you up at night. Come in today and try a cup for free!

Winter Dreams: A Chocolate Mint Treat! This blend includes black tea, peppermint leaves, cacao bits, nut crunch, flavoring, red pepper, and wheat crisps. Great with a little milk and sugar. Not just for the winter season.

Seven Wonders: Exotic blend of Chinese green tea, green Darjeeling tea, green Mate, green Rooibos, papaya, pineapple, and lemongrass. Flavors from around the world make this green tea blend an exciting and fruity tea.

Creativity Rooibos: This flavored Rooibos blends lemon flavors with a touch of spiciness. This naturally caffeine free herbal tisane is great hot or iced. The blend contains rooibos, lemongrass, apple bits, lemon peels, ginger bits, orange peels, basil, red pepper, cardamom, natural flavoring and rosemary leaves.

If you’re on the lookout for something to drink after dinner, as a dessert, then come in today and try a free sample of our Chocolate Mint Rooibos. This caffeine-free blend is great for right before bed, and it’s sweet enough to not require any sugar or honey added to it. It is a favorite of both Carol and myself.

Wedding Chai:  Assam with vanilla & cardamom.  If you like cardamom, you’ll love this chai blend.  The robust Assam tea gives it a bold, full-bodied flavor accented by the smooth cardamom and sweet vanilla flavors.

Silver Needles Bai Hao:  Organic Chinese white tea from Hunan with a smooth, sweet, and extremely elegant taste. Rare and extraordinary! This is a true connoisseur’s tea.

Chocolate Mint Rooibos:  Rooibos flavored with chocolate bits and peppermint leaves.

You’re a guy.  You work hard and play hard, and you have no time for tea.  We at the Tea Embassy would like to dissuade you from that line of thinking, and encourage you to come in today for a free sample of our “Men’s Tea”.  This herbal tisane, developed especially for those of us with a Y chromosome, has ginseng for your mental alertness, St. John’s Wort to combat depression, and eryngo to promote healthy kidneys.  So visit us today, men!  Whassa matter?  Are you chicken?

Margarita:  Taste this “tex-mex” blended tea! Black tea blended with margarita flavors and a little bit of salt to accentuate the taste. This is a great tea hot or iced.  To serve as a refreshing iced tea, brew as a hot tea and add sweetener while still hot. Let cool and refrigerate. Once chilled, serve over ice with fresh lime wedges. It makes a great summer beverage and tastes just like a margarita.

Fancy Formosa:  Delightful premium oolong.

Men’s Tea:  Ayurvedic blend of herbs and spices, including apple bits, cinnamon, bean peels, ginger, mistletoe, perforated St. John’s Wort, lemongrass, field eryngo, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, lemon peels, ginseng roots, and flavoring. This herbal tisane is very soothing and a great caffeine free infusion for the evening or night.