Friday 16 May 2014

A thing for tea

Yes, I am a tea person. Te, tea, thé, té, τσάι, tsai, चहा, चाय, chai, herbata, çay - call it what you like, but it has always been my drink - whether it is that big steaming hot cup I can curl up in the sofa with, on a cold winter night, ready to chat with that good friend, while seeing the snowy wind outside the window. Or how about that feeling: coming home from the beach in the summer and head straight for the fridge to pour a big glass of that cooling iced tea just waiting to be consumed. Or that lovely moment after strolling at the market and sweaty stumbling in to this small cute shop and being welcomed with a big smile and the question: chai?

And lucky me for being in a country where tea is passion and science. Where the varieties are endless, and the spices and aromas divine. India has taken my love for tea - and my knowledge - to another level. For not did I know that the brewing times differ or that the recommended water temperatures varies. Just to make that perfect cup of tea. The one you sense the aroma of  - long before the first taste reach your lips.


Now, let me assure you: I have (had) a firm stand against having commercials or sponsored products on my blog. I have had some - let us call it pretty interesting and tempting offers, but ... nah... I kind of like the free feeling I get by writing only about what I like, and not what I feel I have to...

But then one day, I had an offer which I could simply not refuse (like the Godfather). This small tea company called the Tea Trunk invited me to test their teas.. Oh, The tea lover in me jumped excitedly. That I could do. That I wanted to do.

Go to teatrunk.com

The Tea Trunk is a Goan based company, and they offer Gourmet Tea. I think their products are beautifully presented with their cute little blue elephant symbol that appears on their gift boxes in tin, and on the tea bags. Each tea bag also gives you a small advice on how to prepare that special tea: recommended brewing time, water temperature and whether this tea goes with milk or not.


The tea trunk sells only tea that are blended with natural ingredients: Our teas are blended with only 100% natural, fresh-from-the-earth ingredients like rose petals, ginger root, and lemon peels. No artificial fragrance. No added color. No nonsense. (from teatrunk.com) The tea trunk also claims that by buying their tea, we get the very best from India’s tea gardens, since they use only the finest quality teas - and delivered directly from tea estates.

So, dear reader, the presentation is great, and according to information on the site: this is quality, but is it enough to satisfy my tea lover? How is the - after all - most important thing - The Taste?

Well, I tasted White tea, Black tea, Green tea with lemon, Oolong tea, Chilli Chai, Saffron Kahwa and Berry Blush. Two other tea lovers in my domestic surroundings: my daughter and a friend was also involved in the tasting process, and some took it more serious than others. We all agreed that the White tea was a bit too light and flowery for our taste, and that the Saffron Kahwa both smelled and tasted d.i.v.i.n.e. But that was all we could agree on. My friend's favorite was the Black tea (which reminded her of masala tea), because that is in general her favorite. My daughter loved the Chilli Chai, but also enjoyed the Green tea. I loved the Green tea and Oolong tea, but I couldn't really say there was any that I did not like. Maybe the Berry Blush, because in general I am not too fond of teas from fruit and berries. Oh, wait, we also agreed that each tea could be perfect for its purpose, right? That Green fresh tea in the morning, and the more spicy ones in the evening? Or the other way around? It comes down to taste, really.

In general, all the teas were very aromatic, and I loved the feeling of opening the box, and just smell the scent of the teas coming out. And great ideas for gifts for people back home, I think. A taste of India - in a cup. 

This was lovely, tea trunk! Thanks for letting me taste, and I'll see you again for sure - my little blue elephant:-)   


More info: teatrunk.com

I wish you a wonderful weekend ahead - with a teacup or two:-)
Ta ta!

42 comments:

  1. Lucky u, Eli. Nothing like a good cuppa tea with good cookies. Right now, gonna have some coffee, but..hehe:) Teatrunk seems pretty cool.

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    1. Thanks Vishal:-) Njoy that coffee - as always: si happy to see you here:-) Best

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  2. Would love to relish those teas too!!

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  3. Tea is my preferred drink too...just had one good sized cup of Indian style chai with elaichi and all :) I like how you say that India has taken your love for tea to a whole other level! India does have a way of doing that, doesn't she? :) Like you I too have no commercial/no sponsored products thing for my blog...but I understand why this tea thing might have been too good to resist for you ;) Enjoyed the aroma-filled post, Eli! Wonderful write-up.

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    1. Thank you so much Beloo:-) Your kind words make my day dear:-) Big hugs your way

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  4. Hi Eli! This is a wonderful post, I too love tea. But have not done much experimentation on it like you did :) I love kahwa and the normal one a lot. Two times a day during my work is a must. Thank you for sharing the info.

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    1. Hi Tara, and thanks for sharing, fellow tea lover:-) Happy to see you here:-)

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  5. Wow - the choices. You make me want to start drinking tea.....well, almost. Interesting post.

    Carol @ Battered Hope

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    1. Thanks Carol... only "almost" though?:-) :-) All the best

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  6. MMM, love tea. My favourite is Earl Grey Vanilla. Your post made me crave some.

    I would love to be there in India with you sharing a cuppa! *Raises a virtual cup to clink with Eli's*

    I am enjoying reading about your experiences in India. You are a brave and adventurous woman!

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    1. Aaaawwww - thanks for your kind words Cathy! Will def raise my cup to you anytime:-) Hugs to you

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  7. I am a tea person too and I love my daily mug of tea which I make it in my own special way. The variety that Tea Trunk offers is pretty impressive, and their elephant logo is so cute!! I would love to try the Chilli Chai and Safron Kahwa :)

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    1. Great Shilpa - think you will love their teas' :-) As always so happy to see you here:-) Thanks dear:-)

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  8. Lucky you! The varieties of teas at Tea Trunk sound exquisite.Nothing beats a cup of freshly brewed cup of tea made just right.On a recent visit to Kerala I had the chance to sample some amazing and new blend of ayurvedic tea which had cinnamon, ginger and jaggery....it was amazing!

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    1. Oh wow Vinodini - that sounds amazing - Kerala next:-) ! Thanks for sharing:-)

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  9. Oh wow, Eli. I'm off to check out Tea Trunk!

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    1. Great Corinne dear, hope you will like:-)

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  10. It was your lucky day considering how much you love tea! My husband is a big iced tea drinker too. Simply loves the stuff. I have never developed a taste for the stuff.

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    1. Yes, very lucky, Kathy:-) Thanks for sharing dear:-)

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  11. I want, I want! I drooled all over my keyboard as I read your post Eli! Sounds like so much fun. I have a few flavors I enjoy alternating on a daily basis. :D

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    1. Ha ha ha Vidya - so happy you enjoyed it:-.) Thank you, and big hugs your way

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  12. Hehe.. what a coincidence, even I had written a tea post just now :) I'm also a tea lover. Nice post, Eli !!

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    1. Oh, great - will check out yours, fellow tea lover:-) Thanks, Jahid!

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  13. I do love tea as well, and some of those flavors (specifically Chilli chai) sound wonderful. Thanks for introducing us to Tree Trunk (and I love that little story about sharing.)

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    1. Thanks Rhonda - so happy for your kind words, and to see you here:-)

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  14. I loveee tea. Too bad I didn't try these when I was in India. Hope you have tried Assam tea, the authentic ones. They are pretty strong.
    Right now I am addicted to my lemon green tea.

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    1. I love my lemon green tea too:-) Thanks for sharing Rajlakshmi, happy to see you here:-)

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  15. I get the bit about flowery teas .. Im not a big fan of jasmine tea personally because it can be a bit overpowering...
    But in general, I have oscillated between tea lover and coffee lover (south indian genes at play) throughout my life :D

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    1. He he - true - thanks for sharing Roshan! As always- happy to see you here. All the best

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  16. Loved reading about tea....I don't really have a longing for tea except for my morning cuppa...But this post makes me want to try!
    My Own Famous Five...

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    1. Great Nabanita- happy you liked it:-) Thanks for following

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  17. Dearest Eli,
    Indeed is India a heavenly place for the Tea experience and you got lucky for tasting a few more blends!
    Happy weekend to you and hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Thank you so much dear Mariette. That is so true- India is perfect for tea lovers like me:-) Big hugs your way my friend

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  18. I am a tea person too.. start my day with a cup of green tea. Lots can happen over a cup of tea!

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    1. Great, fellow tea person:-) He he - so true:-) Happy to see you here:-)

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  19. Loved reading your little tea tale Eli. I didnt know there exists something called White tea. Well, honestly, I just know my regular cuppa of chai and the more healthier version these days which is the green tea. Thanks for the information Eli. Hopping on to their site :)

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    1. So happy you liked it Jyotsna:-) Thanks for sharing and for your kind words:-)

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  20. Ahhh tea. I love it too Eli- chai is my cup of life ;-) What a nice invite, white tea sounds tempting. There really is an art to tea! Enjoyed reading your post!

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    1. Great Amelia - yes, perfect for you:-) Thanks dear friend, always so happy to see you here:-)

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  21. Αγαπητή μου φίλη Eli
    Πολύ ωραίο αφιέρωμα στο τσάι!!!
    Ευχαριστούμε για τις εξαιρετικές πληροφορίες!
    Πολλά φιλάκια

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    1. Να σαι καλα αγαπημενη μου φιλη. παντα χαιρουμε τοσο πολυ που σε βλεπω εδω, και με τα ομορφα σου λογια. Πολλα φιλακια

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