Tea Time in May 2024 Box
Tea Time in May 2024 Box
Welcome to the May 2024 edition of our "Tea Time in a Box" blog series, where we explore a delightful selection of teas and pastries worldwide. This month, our box includes the lightly oxidized Bantan Baozhong Green Tea from Indonesia, perfectly paired with vibrant Orange Cookies from India, and the aromatic Blueberry Rooibos from Canada, which luscious Strawberry Sando Biscuits beautifully complement from Korea. Each pairing has been carefully selected to blend flavors and enrich your tasting experience. Join us as we delve into these delightful combinations and uncover the unique stories they convey through their origins and flavors.
Follow our My Tea Time blog series to further explore your monthly tea experiences. Let's get into our May tea experience!
Origins
Get to know your Origins Tea!
Dive into the unique world of Banten Baozhong Green Tea, a specialty of Dr. Alexander Halim from PT Harendong Green Farms. Nestled in the lush landscapes of Banten, Indonesia, near the biodiverse Halimun-Salak National Park, this tea is an oolong so lightly oxidized that it mirrors the qualities of green tea. Its sweet, vegetal flavors and cream mineral undertones offer a pleasant alternative to traditional green teas, ensuring an enjoyable brew without bitterness or dryness.
Tea Name: Banten Baozhong Green
Teamaker: Dr. Alexander Halim, PT Harendong Green Farms
Origin: Banten, Indonesia
Elevation: 900m (2,900ft)
Cultivation: Certified Organic
Harvest Date: November 2016
Brewing Instructions: To best experience the delicate nuances of Banten Baozhong Green, heat water to a temperature between 185-195F. This tea can be re-steeped multiple times, revealing more of its complex flavors with each infusion. Enjoy the ease of brewing this robust tea, perfect for those seeking the essence of green tea without any harsh astringency.
Tea Aroma and Taste
Discover the subtle elegance of Banten Baozhong Green Tea. This tea is mesmerizing with its clear, pale infusion, reflecting a dedication to minimal oxidation.
Appearance: Light golden hue, clear and bright in the cup, showcasing its quality and delicate processing.
Smell: Fresh and vegetal with a hint of sweet creaminess, reminiscent of early morning dew on green leaves.
Taste: A smooth, vegetal flavor profile with underlying sweet notes and a refreshing mineral finish, offering a creamy texture that gently coats the palate.
About the Farm and Farmers!
Explore the verdant slopes of Halimun Mountain, where the renowned Banten Baozhong Green Tea is cultivated. Here, sustainable agriculture merges seamlessly with tradition.
Background on the Farmers:
PT Harendong Green Farms was founded by Dr. Alexander Halim, driven by his vision for sustainable, "green" farming practices. His commitment to organic cultivation enhances the community and environment, inspiring local farmers towards sustainability. The farm's practices ensure the highest quality of organic tea, supported by its lush, tropical climate and rich volcanic soils, which are integral to the distinct flavors of their teas.
Pastry Pairings
The Orange Cookie from India enchants with its whimsical orange cream center and crumbly texture, perfect for adding a magical touch to any moment. On the healthier side, Costa Rica's Lime Lemon Cookie offers a guilt-free indulgence with its sugar-free, fiber-rich formula and the refreshing citrus zest. Both cookies provide unique flavors and textures that superbly complement the vegetal and creamy notes of Bantan Baozhong Green Tea, enhancing the overall tea-tasting experience.
Orange Cookie (India)
The Orange Cookie, hailing from India, is a vibrant and playful treat. The Britannia Treat O'Som Orange cookies feature a delightful cream filling that bursts with the sweet tang of orange. Each cookie is designed to bring a magical touch to everyday moments with its whimsical flavor and crumbly texture. The outer shell is crisp, giving way to the creamy center that offers a flavor surprise with each bite. These cookies are shaped oblong, making them a treat for the taste buds and a joy to behold.
These biscuits are perfect for rekindling the sparks of romance or adding sweetness to your day. They are described as being ideal for intimate moments, where the rich orange cream can evoke a sense of magic and indulgence. Whether for a special occasion or everyday enjoyment, these cookies blend playfulness with gourmet taste, making them a fantastic pairing with the light and creamy Bantan Baozhong Green Tea.
Lime Lemon Cookie (Costa Rica)
Costa Rica's Lime Lemon Cookie is tailored for health-conscious individuals with its sugar-free recipe. These cookies are crunchy, sweetened with Stevia, and boast natural ingredients without any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. Each cookie is individually wrapped, emphasizing convenience and portion control, which is ideal for those on the go or mindful of their dietary intake.
Additionally, these cookies are enhanced with prebiotic fiber, supporting healthy digestion—a benefit not typically found in confectionery. The dual flavors of lime and lemon provide a refreshing zest that complements the vegetal notes of green tea, making these cookies a suitable choice for a guilt-free indulgence. Their crunchy texture contrasts well with the smoothness of the tea, creating a balanced sensory experience that's both healthy and satisfying.
Palate Cleanser (for taste testing): Saltine crackers are provided in our tea box to clean the taste of your mouth, including spicy, bitter, or sweet.
(Read more about Tea J Tea’s recommended way of tasting: Sip-Bite-Sip)
Fruity or Floral
Enjoy the essence of May with our Fruity or Floral tea. This month, we're featuring the Blueberry Rooibos from Canada, a caffeine-free delight that captures the vibrant taste of freshly picked blueberries wrapped in floral notes.
Tea Name: Blueberry Rooibos
Processing: The Blueberry Rooibos is carefully crafted with a blend of rooibos, elderberry, blueberry, bilberry, raisin, apple pieces, cornflower petals, hibiscus, and natural flavors to achieve its remarkable fruit character.
Year: Not specified as rooibos teas do not have vintage years due to their herbal nature.
Caffeine Content: No Caffeine
Brewing Instructions: To enjoy the full flavor of Blueberry Rooibos, use fresh, filtered water heated to a boil (100°C/212°F). Steep one teaspoon of tea per cup for 5-7 minutes, allowing the rich and fruity flavors to develop fully. This herbal tea can be enjoyed hot for a cozy drink or served over ice for a refreshing summertime beverage. Adjust the steeping time according to taste, as this tea is very forgiving and won't become bitter.
Tea Aroma and Taste
Experience the delightful sensory journey of Blueberry Rooibos, where each sip brings you closer to the lush orchards of fruity delights. This tea combines a visual and aromatic appeal that invites a relaxing moment any time of the day.
Appearance: A rich, deep red infusion that visually pleases and hints at the robust flavors to come.
Smell: The aroma is intensely fruity, with dominant notes of blueberry and subtle hints of floral hibiscus, creating a comforting and inviting fragrance.
Tasting Notes: Blueberry Rooibos offers a naturally sweet and slightly tart flavor profile, reminiscent of ripe blueberries with undertones of smooth, earthy rooibos. The finish is clean and refreshing, with a floral aftertaste that lingers pleasantly on the palate.
Pastry Pairings
This month, we explore how the subtle, refreshing flavors of these treats enhance the fruity notes of our featured Blueberry Rooibos tea, creating a perfectly balanced tea-time experience.
Strawberry Sando Biscuits (Korea)
Strawberry Sando Biscuits are a classic delight from Korea, consisting of rich strawberry cream nestled between two soft, buttery vanilla biscuits. The smooth, creamy filling contrasts with the crisp outer layer, providing a texture that's both satisfying and indulgent. This pairing is a delightful complement to Blueberry Rooibos tea, as the strawberry cream aligns beautifully with the tea's blueberry notes, enhancing the natural sweetness and fruitiness of each sip.
The light, airy texture of the biscuits complements the smooth, full-bodied nature of the tea. As you enjoy the tea, the strawberry flavor from the biscuits subtly mingles with the blueberry and rooibos, creating a layered taste experience that is both refreshing and comforting. This combination is ideal for those seeking a sweet, fruity break in their day.
Blueberry Cake (Taiwan)
From Taiwan comes the exquisite Blueberry Cake, featuring a crisp crust and a lush, tart blueberry filling. The rich flavor of the blueberries, coupled with the soft, fragrant outer layer, makes this cake a wonderful treat. It pairs exceptionally well with Blueberry Rooibos tea, as the similar berry flavors create a seamless blend of taste and aroma that enhances the overall sensory experience.
The contrast between the cake's crunchy crust and the soft, juicy filling of real blueberries offers a delightful texture that complements the silky nature of rooibos tea. This pairing not only echoes the fruity theme but also enhances it, giving each bite and sip a deeper dive into the essence of blueberries. Perfect for afternoon tea, this pairing invites you to relax and savor the nuanced flavors of both the pastry and the tea.
Explorer
Try Something New
Start your journey with Devan's Legacy Chai, a unique blend that promises to delight every tea enthusiast. Infused with rich spices and aromatic notes, this chai is crafted to honor the memory of Devan Shah, bringing a legacy of flavor to every cup.
Tea Name: Devan's Legacy Chai
Processing: This chai is expertly blended using traditional spices, including cardamom, lemongrass, and vanilla. It offers a warm and inviting flavor profile, and its careful processing ensures that each spice contributes to the overall harmony of the tea.
Year: Not specified as chai blends do not typically reference a vintage due to their composition of spices and tea leaves.
Caffeine Content: Medium
Brewing Instructions: To fully enjoy Devan's Legacy Chai, start by bringing fresh, filtered water to a boil. Use one teaspoon of chai per cup, adding water just off the boil to preserve the delicate flavors of the spices. Steep for 4-5 minutes. Brew the chai with half water and half milk for a traditional touch. Sweeten with sugar or honey to enhance the richness of the flavors. This brewing method allows bold spices and soothing vanilla to create a beautifully balanced and richly flavorful experience.
Tea Aroma and Taste
This unique chai, honoring the legacy of Devan Shah, offers a warm, aromatic experience that engages the senses.
Appearance: The tea is vibrant amber, signaling its robust and spicy nature.
Smell: Aromatically rich, Devan's Legacy Chai exudes the warming scents of cardamom and vanilla, balanced by the fresh, citrusy undertones of lemongrass. This inviting aroma sets the stage for a truly sensory experience.
Tasting Notes: On tasting, the chai first delivers a bold spiciness from the cardamom, which then mellows into a smooth, sweet warmth thanks to the vanilla. The lemongrass adds a refreshing finish, cleansing the palate and inviting another sip. This balance of flavors makes it an excellent tea for new enthusiasts and seasoned connoisseurs, perfect for enjoying alone or enhanced with milk and sugar to achieve a creamy texture.
Are you interested in previous subscription boxes from earlier months? Check out Last Month’s box (April Blog).