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Hello and I hope you are well! :)
The leaves here are at peak color and there is so much beauty all around. Unfortunately, pictures can't fully capture this beauty, but I'm sharing a few anyway. I tried capturing the beautiful color on the side of the mountain between the trees in the middle one - zoom in if you can. The one on the right shows a deer that was welcoming me home the other day :)
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As a reminder, autumn teas are available in the online shop at https://www.pleasuresoftea.com!! Holiday teas are on their way and will be available on Monday 11/17. See below for your returning favorites.
This month we continue our journey through the tea-producing provinces of China. In September we "visited" the Yunnan Province and Fujian was last month. If you missed either of these newsletters, you can view them here (scroll to the bottom). I wanted to correct a statement I made in last month's newsletter. I said that "Fujian is the largest producer of tea in China and manufactures tea in all categories (except for dark teas)." I should clarify by saying that Yunnan is actually the largest producer in volume of tea; however, Fujian is the largest producer in styles of tea. This month we will be exploring the production of teas from the Hunan Province and we'll continue our journey next month in another province!
As a reminder, orders are shipped on Mondays and Thursdays and deadlines are Saturdays and Tuesdays at 5:00PM EST, respectively. If the orders are not picked up by my postal carrier on either of these days, then they will ship the next day. As always, I fill and ship orders as quickly as I can. Even though there is a schedule, if I am able to fill an order that comes in past the deadline then I will!
As always, I appreciate your continued support of my small business!! Wishing you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving :)
-- Kristine, NBC-HWC, FDN-P, CIMA
| | Greek Mountain Tea Cut Leaf Herbal Tisane is back in stock! Raspberry Black Tea and Salted Chocolate Caramel Black Tea are just about out of stock, but should be fully restocked by the end of the week. Blended up fresh batches of Lemongrass Spearmint Organic Green Tea and Immune Support Organic Herbal Tisane! | | |
Anyone live in the Greater Chattanooga Area of TN?
Then visit me at the upcoming outdoor artisan market!
I will have a very small selection of items, mostly the holiday teas that will have newly arrived. So, if you're planning to stop by, feel free to place an order in the online shop for pick up to ensure I have what you need.
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Teas of Hunan
For the past few months, we've been "traveling" through the tea-producing provinces of China. So far we have explored the Yunnan and Fujian Provinces. This month we are "traveling" to discover the Hunan Province.
Hunan is a land-locked province that is located in the southeastern part of China. It is translated as "south of the lake" because it is situated south of the massive Dongting Lake. It is ringed by mountains on three sides and its geography is varied with hills, plains, and basins. It has a subtropical climate with hot and humid summers, short and cool winters, and plenty of rain that is ideal for growing tea. Tea production spans back over 1,800 years in Hunan and it currently produces about twenty percent of China's overall tea output. Hunan is known for its production of Hei Cha, translated as Dark Tea, which accounts for almost fifty percent of total tea production in the province. It also produces black tea, green tea, and the yellow tea, Jun Shan Yin Zhen.
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 | | The majority of Hei Cha is produced in Anhua County, which is located in the northern part of the province at lower elevations of only a few hundred feet. Dark teas are fermented and aged, similar to Pu-er teas from the Yunnan Province of China; however, the process used to craft them is different. Hunan tea producers utilize a wet-piling process to produce the many different styles of dark tea, but only the high level points will be discussed here. Fresh leaves are withered and then heated in a pan. While the leaves are still hot, they are rolled and then piled about two to three feet high. This pile of leaves is then covered with wet cloths that will keep the heat and moisture in and allow the leaves to begin to be fermented by the beneficial bacteria that is present. After about 24 hours, the leaves are rolled again and then dried and stored for additional fermentation and aging. If the leaves are going to be formed into bricks, logs, or other pressed options, then the leaves are steamed after being dried and then pressed into the desired shape for storage, additional fermentation, and aging. Whether in loose or pressed form, Hunan Hei Cha is very approachable and easy to drink. The infusions tend to be medium-bodied and smooth with sweet and hay notes.
Regarding the black, green and yellow tea that is produced in Hunan, each one to date that I have experienced has been smooth and approachable. I offer two black teas from Hunan, which will not disappoint. They are medium-bodied and smooth with their own distinctive characteristics. Even though Hunan produces a sizeable amount of these types of tea, they are not often exported and are, therefore, not always readily available here in the US.
I offer a selection of black and dark teas from the Hunan Province of China. They are available in the online shop https://www.pleasuresoftea.com. While it is not an extensive selection, it is enough for you to experience these wonderful teas. To easily find them, type Hunan in the search box. Each tea will have a description about where and how the tea is grown, cultivar information and/or aromatic and taste profiles. Enjoy your "travels" to Hunan and feel free to share your experience! :)
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New Teas
Your favorite autumn blends are still available in the online shop! Here's the line-up: Apple Molasses Black Tea, Gingered Vanilla Toddy Black Tea, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Black Tea, Pumpkin Pie Black Tea, Roasted Chestnut Black & Green Tea with Yerba Maté Blend, Maple Walnut Green Tea, Rooibos Maple Walnut Herbal Tisane, Rooibos Pumpkin Crème Herbal Tisane, Rooibos Pumpkin Spice Herbal Tisane and Mulling Spice Organic Tisane.
The following holiday favorites will be available on Monday 11/17: Christmas Blend Black Tea; Chocolate Peppermint Black Tea; White Chocolate Peppermint White Tea; Rooibos Chocolate Peppermint Herbal Tisane; Rooibos Christmas Cookie Herbal Tisane; Rooibos Orange Gingerbread Herbal Tisane; Candied Pomegranate Herbal Tisane; and Holiday Punch Fruit Tisane!
Assorted samplers and holiday mug gift sets will also be available in the online shop. And don't forget about the assorted sampler options that are available year-round. All make a great gift!
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The Pleasures of Tea
www.pleasuresoftea.com - online shop
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500+ Loose Leaf Teas, Herbal Tisanes & Functional/Medicinal Herbs
Certified - Tea Professional, Tea Sommelier & Tea Health Expert
Forever Student of the Art & Science of Herbalism
NBWHC Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach, Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, MRC Certified Healthy Gut Practitioner, Certified Terrain Advocate, & Certified in Functional Nutrition - Vitality Holistic Wellness
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