Mico's Tea Tips

Great Taste Awards!

2009-07-14T17:49:00.004+01:00

Kingfisher Tea is very proud to have received Great Taste Award Gold Stars from the Guild of Fine Food for two of our teas...Ceylon Ratnapura and Rooibos Orange Eucalyptus!
Check out http://www.finefoodworld.co.uk/content/GreatTasteAwards/86.html for more info on this year's awards. We look forward to bringing you more award winning flavours in the future!

Kinsale Ceramics Teapots

2009-05-12T11:56:00.004+01:00

Oh, my! It has been a very long time since I posted. I'd like to say that I have been too busy, but really, let's put it down to writer's block.
So my new idea is that I'd like to highlight some tea related artists and craftspeople.

Last year at the RDS Craft Show, we met Adrian Wistreich of Kinsale Pottery and Arts Centre in Co. Cork. Adrian did what many people only dream of doing - he left the corporate rat race behind for a life of art, learning, teaching and beauty. Adrian makes very imaginative and innovative teapots, as well as other ceramic art. He also teaches ceramics and host a variety of other creative courses at the centre.

We think that his teapots are amazing and hope that you take a few minutes to look at his work on the Kinsale Pottery and Arts Centre website:

http://www.kinsaleceramics.com/Art-Works.html

I'd like to think that I will follow in his footsteps one of these days and, now that I have left the corporate rat race, will begin to realise my own creative reality!

Tea Bath Bomb Recipe

2009-03-10T12:59:00.003Z

Another way to enjoy your favourite scented tea! Make your own Bath Bomb!
It is quick and easy and you will know there aren't any harsh chemicals in a bath bomb you make at home.
Make sure to do a little skin test first to make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients. We wouldn't want you to immerse yourself in a soothing bath and end up all itchy!

Tea Bath Bomb

1 heaped tsp aromatic tea (we suggest: Earl Grey, Lemon Sencha Green Tea, Rooibos Orange Eucalyptus, China Jasmine Green Tea, China Rose Black Tea)
1 tbsp citric acid powder (from a health shop or chemist)
3 tbsp bicarbonate of soda
10 drops essential oil (we suggest: lavender, rosemary, lemon, rose) (from a health shop)
1 tsp plant-based oil (vegetable or almond oil)

Make sure that the bowl you are using, and your hands, are completely dry - otherwise the bomb will start fizzing. In a glass bowl, mix the citric acid and bicarbonate of soda together.

Add a few drops of essential oil and 1 tsp dry aromatic tea, along with the vegetable or almond oil. Mix everything together with a metal spoon. (If you just want a fizzy bath salt, only use half the almond oil and don't follow the next step below - simply pour your mixture into a clean, dry jar)

Place the biscuit cutter on top of a sheet of baking paper. Put the mixture into the biscuit cutter and press down with the back of the spoon.

The oil now needs to evaporate so the bomb can set as a dry, hard block - leave for a minimum of 30 minutes and preferably overnight.

STORAGE: Store in tin foil to keep out moisture.

Rooibos is a great skin tonic – relieves dry and irritated skin, sooths acne and eczema, is gentle and refreshing. Our other tea suggestions have soothing aromatics and the natural anti-septic properties of tea.

This is adapted from a recipe from “Grow your own Drugs” on BBC2

Special Offer! Mico's Favourite Tea!

2009-02-14T15:54:00.004Z

Often, at the farmer's market, people ask me what my favourite tea is. Well, I drink Earl Grey most every morning, but my real favourite tea isn't a best seller at the tea stand. And I think it should be!

Gen Mai Cha is a Japanese Sencha Green Tea with toasted rice (sometimes they will add popcorn, but I think this isn't as good - I am a Gen Mai Cha purist).

You get the clean grassy flavour of the Sencha and a roasty, toasty flavour from the rice. It is my first choice for a late morning / early afternoon cup. Warming, soothing and always leaves me happy.

I think most people just aren't sure if they want to try it - the flavour is hard to describe - but lots of people love it. Especially if you are looking for a green tea that is a little different, but not fruity, this is a great one!

So, in the spirit of shameless self promotion, if you want to try Gen Mai Cha, just order anything from www.kingfishertea.com and then in the comments section when you order, just write Free Sample of Gen Mai Cha, and I'll send you a 50g bag to try for yourself.

I am trying to convert others to the joy of Gen Mai Cha! So be adventurous, try something new, and if you don't like it, pass it on to someone else who might. Either way, write to me about what you think of the flavour.

Enjoy your cuppa!

Springtime and Nettles!

2009-02-03T16:28:00.003Z

We have about 6 inches (15cm) of snow on the ground here in Southeast Ireland (and in most of the country), but spring is starting to arrive in small steps. The tulips are inches above the ground and one has a flower bud nestled in the cocoon of leaves. Birds are singing, courting and looking for a good nest spot. The grass is starting to get long in the garden and the weeds are waking up. Early Spring (late winter) is a great time for a cup of hot tea while looking out at the rain (or snow), as well as a great time to thing about spring cleaning - of house and body!
So, to that end, I am going to share some information on a hated weed that springs up in the damp and exposed areas - The Stinging Nettle!
While you can use them fresh to good effect, it does take some time and care to avoid those stinging hairs. Very young nettles can be quite nice in a soup or even fried in a light tempura batter. But here I'll mostly talk about dried nettles, since that is how we sell them.

Dried Stinging Nettle looses its sting and instead brings great health benefits and amazing versatility. The flavour is similar to spinach, so I like a fairly light infusion. I also prefer it at room temperature (maybe that is strange, let me know how you like it best). You may find it nice with a little lemon and honey.

Nettle is very rich in iron, protein, potassium, and vitamins A, C, D & K. Nettles purify and nourish blood, build liver, kidney and adrenal functions.

They can also help with allergies, although it contains histamines, so best to check on your particular allergy before using it to relieve this ailment.

For women, Nettle can be effective in PMS relief and functions as a diuretic. It also is beneficial for pregnant women and increases milk supply in nursing mothers.

Nettle stimulates circulation, also good on these chilly early spring days. In addition, it relieves aches caused by arthritis, rheumatism and gout.

Nettle has antiseptic properties which help fight infections, so it can be helpful in fighting coughs, colds and congestion.

In addition to all of these wonderful health properties, Nettle tea can also be used in the garden. A strong nettle infusion can be sprayed on plants as an effective aphid deterrent, while being safe to the plants and animals in your garden.

So enjoy your spring and enjoy your nettles!

New Year, new flavours!

2009-01-08T16:20:00.003Z

Hi All!
It has been nearly a month since I last wrote and I am sure that you have been as busy as I have been over the holidays. And we have some new treats to bring you this year...

We are introducing Sampler Sets - a range of teas in smaller packets (25-50g) all wrapped up together. These are a great way to try out a few new flavours or to give an interesting gift. I have the descriptions up on the website today, but will have photos up next week.

Another addition to the website this month will be a Special Offers section. This will include teas and tisanes which we are discontinuing or of which we have ordered too much. Some are also teas that we feel are too similar to other teas in the assortment. Prices are up to 50% off and we offer 100g and 250g bags for most types of tea. There are some good flavours here, so get them while you can!

We will also be adding new accessories, so keep an eye out for these, too!

Kingfisher Tea wishes you a Happy New Year!

Happy Christmas!

2008-12-12T09:29:00.005Z

Tis the season for warmth and merriment! And lots of hard work before we all get a well deserved break with our family and friends.
We just finished the RDS Craft Fair in Dublin last Sunday and overall, it was a good show. We sold out of nearly all of our teapots and only have a few of our lovely cups with strainers left. We also sold out of all but two of our special Christmas teas, so get some Winter Apple (cinnamon and spiced apple) or Rooibos Chai (warm spices and mellow rooibos) to enjoy in from of a roaring fire!
So a good Craft show - lots of work and long hours, but we get to see returning customers, meet new tea lovers and share our love of tea with the crowd. We also enjoy seeing all of the lovely artists and food artisans again and see their new work over the past year.
I picked up some beautiful gifts this year, though I think the selection is a bit more careful this year (and we are making a few gifts - Colm also makes furniture and he is whipping up some lovely solid wood cutting boards for friends and family - take a look at his portfolio at www.hassettdesign.ie), spending our money wisely is key!
Best quote overheard from a customer at a jewelry stand, "I just got tired of all of the rude shop girls and decided to do all my shopping here at the craft fair this year instead!" Customer service is always better when you are dealing with the creative force behind a small business. In these difficult economic times, it pays to be good to your customers! We certainly appreciate ours!
We wish you a very happy Christmas, Channukah, Solstice or Holiday this winter season!
All the best to you and yours,
Mico and Colm

A Very Festive Season

2008-11-24T11:35:00.003Z

Well, we missed the Dun Laoghaire People's Park Sunday Farmers Market yesterday, but promise we will be there every Sunday from now until Christmas (weather permitting!).

And we will be at the Dublin RDS Craft & Design Fair in the spectacular Christmas Food Emporium Hall at Stand S45 again this year from 3-7 December! The Craft Fair is a great place to do all of your Christmas shopping. You will find thoughtful gifts for everyone on your list and support local artisans and small business people at the same time. Keep the local economy thriving!

We may add some other Christmas markets if we can find the time and I'll let you know as soon as we do. Maybe we will pop up in your area, too (if you know of a great market in your area that you'd like to see us at, drop us a note and we'll see what we can do!).

Also, we have added a new section to the website with our Christmas Teas and Tisanes - special flavours just for the season and packed in lovely red bags. The flavours are fruity, spicy and very festive. Great for these chilly winter days and nights!

I will also be adding some special sampler packs to the website - these have been requested in the past and are great gifts for those who like trying out new flavours or are looking for an introduction to a type of tea.

Matcha - the new health craze!

2008-11-09T11:22:00.003Z

Two years ago the craze was all about Pu Erh (you know, that tea that Victoria Beckham claimed helped her stay thin). It was being sold in spas here at over 20euro for 15 teabags! Yes, according to Chinese medicine, it does have lots of health benefits, but I'll leave that for another issue.

This time I wanted to talk a bit about Matcha, which has suddenly gained popularity on out shores. While we are not experts or connoisseurs, we know a bit which you may find interesting. And I've got a recipe at the end...

So, Matcha is a finely ground green tea which is used in the traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony. The veins and stem of the Sencha green tea leaf are removed and the leaf that remains is steamed, dried and then ground. The resulting powder is quickly used or vacuum packed to keep the nutrients in the powder and the flavour fresh. Once the tin is opened, it is best to use all of the Matcha within 3-7 days and it is best to store in the refridgerator. The less access to air, the better.

To prepare a hot cup of Matcha, place about 1/2 teaspoon of powder into a small teacup. Add about 2/3 cup (200ml) water at about 70celcius (below boiling) and whisk quickly until foamy. Traditionally, a bamboo whisk would be used, though a small metal whisk could be used in a pinch.

The reason for the recent interest is that when you drink Matcha, you are ingesting the whole leaf and therefore a greater amount of the anti-oxidants and polyphenols inherent in the plant. The caffeine content is higher than a cup of green tea, though not as great as a cup of coffee. The interesting thing is the caffeine gives a different buzz than both tea and coffee. It is a gentle energy release which lasts 4-6 hours and fades without the drop associated with coffee. Green tea is also considered helpful to de-toxing your system and possibly to assisting weight-loss.

There are different grades of Matcha, depending on the type of leaf it is made from. I am not an expert on this, but that information is around, if you want to get specific. You can get Matcha from Japan or China, though the flavour of Japanese Matcha is generally considered preferable (though the cost is much greater!). The flavour should be clean and fresh with grassy or seaweed notes, a slightly chalky feel in the mouth and a sweet aftertaste. Think of it as an alternative to wheatgrass juice - with a caffeine kick!

Also, just a note - it is generally preferable to use organic Matcha, as the leaf is being ingested and non-organic could contain pesticides that you might not like to introduce to your body, especially if produced in a country with lax pesticide regulation.

We are coming into winter, but this recipe is still a great flavour and can be made hot too!
Making An Iced Matcha Latte

1 teaspoon (or to taste) matcha
3 teaspoon sugar or 1 tsp honey
1/2 cup hot (not boiling) water
1/2 cup of cold milk*
1 cup of ice cubes

Put matcha into matcha bowl or teapot, add hot water & then sugar or honey. Stir to dissolve matcha preferably with matcha whisk. Pour matcha mix into a tall glass with ice and then fill the glass with cold milk. Alternatively, put the matcha mixture and ice cubes into a blender and blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Our Summer Report

2008-10-19T18:13:00.002+01:00

So, we had a busy summer and are gearing up for a busy Winter season (what better on a cold winter morning than a steaming cup of your favourite cuppa??).
First off was a number of rainy Sundays and a few picture perfect ones at the Dun Laoghaire Farmer's Market in the People's Park. Nice to see our regulars and meet new folks there. Best sellers for the summer - Mango Black Tea, Sencha Rose Garden and, of course, Pure Chai Black Tea, which I brew up every Sunday morning to bring hot to the market. Get there early - it often sells out by 3pm!
Next up was the Green Gathering near Kiltealy, Wexford. A great weekend with the ubiquitous mud, music and great food! We sold tea (and milkshakes and matcha lattes and lots of chai) in the Love Cafe with our coffee/hot chocolate friends.
Then the Festival of World Cultures in Dun Laoghaire - first day was rainy, but tea is perfect on a rainy day, so we did ok. Sunday was beutiful and sunny - great for the wonderful ice cream next to us! And good for us too!
We just went to the Shop Expo at the RDS in Dublin and met lots of other small Irish business showing there - we've got some great entrepreneurial spirit in this country! Also, quite a few people who are hopeful about business in spite of the gloom and doom in press and government and economy these days. The small businesses will be the backbone of our future prosperity.
Two weeks ago we went to the Festival of World Food at Marlay Park. Once again, Saturday was hit by bad weather - howling winds and rain, but lots of people showed up anyway and enjoyed lots of great food. Sunday was much milder and a great day was had by all!
So, now for a bit of down-time before the next run comes along. See you at the Sunday Market until then!
Until then, enjoy your hot cup of Kingfisher Tea (I had Gen Mai Cha and Earl Grey today)
Mico

Ginger - Tasty and good for you, too!

2008-10-19T17:40:00.002+01:00

As you may already know, we have a great assortment of tisanes - fruit and herbal blends without caffeine. One of the most popular is the Fresh Ginger blend, because of its great taste, but it also has some great benefits, thanks to the abundance of dried ginger root. Fresh cut ginger root is even better and you can always try adding some to other types of tea and tisane to get more benefit in your favourite beverage!
Health Benefits of Ginger!
- relieves symptoms of cold, flu, and coughs
- helps relieve indigestion, cramps, nausea
- increases circulation, warms and increases energy
- cleanses colon, fights colitis and diverticulitis
- eases symptoms of hangover and general debility
- helps relieve arthritis

Our Fresh Ginger blend also contains liquorice root (natural throat soother), lemongrass (cooling and relaxing to the stomach), peppermint (relieves bloat), black pepper and lemonpeel (for more flavour!)
Enjoy in good health!

Festival of World Food

2008-09-30T09:01:00.002+01:00

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...

Amazing Rooibos

2008-09-21T17:01:00.002+01:00

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!

Traditional Chai

2008-09-14T11:34:00.001+01:00

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!