Tuesday 30 September 2008

Festival of World Food

Come see us this weekend, 4-5 October, at the Festival of World Food in Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin! We will be in the cafe area across from our coffee-selling friends. There will be all sorts of great food, music and culture from around the world. Hope to see you there!
Also this week, we are at the Shop Expo at the RDS in Dublin, talking to current and potential wholesale customers for Kingfisher Tea. So, if you are in the business, come on down and see us at Stand F20!
I will post pics from these two events early next week and let you know how they went!
And another note, we were in Paris last week and visited Mariage Freres, one of the most amazing tea shops on the planet. We picked up some new darjeelings for Colm and a nice scented Tibetan tea for me. Had a great time!
More next week...

Sunday 21 September 2008

Amazing Rooibos

Rooibos is a plant native to South Africa, where it has been used to make a beverage for generations. The 'tea' has no relation to ordinary tea and thus should be called a tisane or infusion. It is also called Redbush Tea, for the dark red needles and stems.

The infusion is a lovely deep reddish-orange shade and has a sweet and earthy flavour. It blends well with fruits and spices and so many of your favourite flavours in ordinary tea blends can be very tasty when blended in a Rooibos base.

Rooibos has no caffeine and very little tannins, making it easy on the stomach and gentle enough for children. Rooibos can also be made with milk and sugar and so can be a non-caffeinated drink for those looking for a tea substitute. It is a great evening and before-bed drink, too, since it is caffeine free.

All this aside, Rooibos has additional health benefits that can make it even more enjoyable. Studies have shown rooibos to be anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral. Rooibos is just full of anti-oxidants, one of which is unique to rooibos alone.
Health benefits:
  • alleviates nervous tension
  • aids digestion
  • can be used to alleviate colic in babies
  • can alleviate allergies, such as hay fever
  • anti-inflammatory
  • anti-bacterial
  • anti-viral
  • anti-oxidant, reducing free-radicals
  • promotes healthy liver function
So, especially for those who want a healthier option than traditional black tea or with less caffeine than green tea, rooibos can be a tasty and enjoyable beverage!
I love our Rooibos Orange Eucalyptus when I have a head cold - soothing and great for opening the sinuses! Colm has a cup of Organic Rooibos most evenings before going to bed - calming and warming!
We hope you try this great infusion...let me know your favourite way to drink rooibos, too!

Sunday 14 September 2008

Traditional Chai

For my very first posting, I thought I'd respond to the most asked question at our little tea stall at the Dun Laoghaire Farmer's Market - Dublin
"How do I get my Chai to taste like your Chai?"
The answer?
It may take a bit more time, but the flavour is worth it!

Directions are for a 4 cup teapot
Put 3 cups of water into a saucepan and bring to a boil
Add 4-5 heaping teaspoons of our Kingfisher Tea Pure Chai Black Tea (or Rooibos Chai)
Gently boil for 15-20 minutes
Add sugar or honey to taste (I usually use about 1 teaspoon per cup)
Add 2 cups of milk or soymilk
Bring just barely back to a boil (milk doesn't like boiling)
Strain off the tea leaves/spices, pour into cups or a teapot and enjoy!

Some notes - Chai needs to boil in order for the flavour of the whole spices to be released. The sugar/honey also helps these flavours come through. If you don't want to add sugar, try using rice milk, which is naturally sweet.
www.kingfishertea.com

Next week - The Amazing Benefits of Rooibos!