 We will be closer to you this year. Mother's day is coming. Shop our wonderful selection of teas for mom on her special day. Give a gift of a healthy drink. She would say how thoughtful you are.
Farmers Market opening for this year: Prior Lake - May 8 from 8 - 12pm Maple Grove - May 13 from 3-7 pm (new this year) Hopkins - June 19 from 7:30-12 pm. We can't bring the whole selection to the market, but you can contact us or let us know in advance if you want certain teas. service@greattearoad.com or simply tell Nate, Katie, or Ying at our booth.
Once a year, we have so much fun putting together our "Holiday Teas" collection. Again, we have Almond, Caramel and Hazelnut black tea with sugar covered fennel seeds. This is a really strong aroma, taste, full body, and overall a delicious tea. We have another lighter tea, Holiday Memories, which is a mix of rooibos, black tea, orange peel, spices and naturally flavored. They both are in a hand-made box and ready to give to your friends and family. Out and about in the city...Hopkins Winter Market - December 7 Arboretum Gift Market - December 13 & 14 Looking ahead"Will you be at Buchman's Eden Prairie?" a customer asked us last winter. Yes! We will participate at Buchman's both Eden Prairie and Plymouth. We will confirm again shortly on which date(s).
With larger varieties of tea, it’s a world full with fusion of taste, blend of varieties and much needed vibrant flavors that adds life to your palate. This any season drink is a paradise to keep your taste buds smiling and keeps you hydrated anytime. Tea can be consumed almost year-round whether the temperature is rising outside or even it is cold. Tea’s popularity has surged over past few decades due to its magical aromatic vibes and unchanged physical health benefits. Tea lends a holistic approach towards your body focusing on human wellness. Just going through a busiest day, one usually consumes several beverages not counting on the calories or over its nutritious value. Incorporating a tea habit can be a great addition to your health and diet. Moreover, it’s easy to brew and get a sip to feel the vibes that mind can’t resist. 1. Rich source of Antioxidants Tea is a rich source of anti-oxidant that help blocking muscular degenerations, DNA damages associated with consumption of tobacco or unhealthy beverages. Antioxidant includes flavonoids that help keeping away certain medical conditions to affect the body such as Alzheimer’s disease, few cancers and also has an anti-aging effect in this stream. World’s most commonly used tea varieties, black tea and green tea have 10 times more antioxidants compared to those found in most of the vegetables and fruits. Teas are mostly rich in polyphenols which is also a type of antioxidant. Antioxidants not only detoxify the body but also scavenge cell-damaging free radicals. Brewed green tea and black tea have more Thearubigins, Epicatechins and Catechins which are also few types of antioxidant. Countries like China and Japan are biggest tea drink less reported heart diseases and low cancer rates compared to the western side of the world. 2. Less Caffeine Content Caffeine is a good ingredient for improving alertness, stimulating metabolism in the body. Caffeine sensitivity can be enjoyed steeping fewer tea leaves however, slightly cooler water extracts less caffeine from tea, possibly suits those who find caffeine unpleasant as it may cause anxiety and restlessness kind of feeling. As per studies, this only happens in case of larger intakes i.e. >500mg to the human body. Caffeine from tea is slowly absorbed by the body in comparison to its ally, coffee. The gentle release of caffeine promotes alertness for a longer period of time with a jittery rush initially or even at the end.  3. Cuts down on Calories Although other consumables drinks contain at least some amount of calories with them, thus does coffee. But tea varieties such as green and white tea do not add much calorie, since it has larger bodily effects when consumed without sugar or other taste enhancers. Delightful taste buds without any adverse corollaries are truly a health paradise. Tea, along with its eternal journey of freshness has not changed much over the years. It has a highly popular vibe being a weight-watcher among the today’s younger generations. You can easily found green or black or oolong tea online with a deserved price and quality at your doorstep with tea houses like Great tea road co. making it much easier for you. 4. Improves Immunity Power Tea masters will always assure you of the immunity benefits of tea. Tea has an aura that is quite disturbed by few non-healthier drinking habits by people of this fast paced generation and ultimately degrading the tranquilities of an active tea drinking culture. It’s about preferences but surely none of them is bad but tea not only increases the metabolic rate but also bolsters the immune defense that helps fighting common infections. Tea’s medicinal value is impeccable and through its existence over the years, it imbibed from just drinking to the thinking. 5. Reduces risk of Heart related ailments Light, aromatic and a subtle tea taste helps lowering cardiovascular diseases with ease. A study conducted with around forty thousand odd Japanese adults, who drank 5 cups of green tea a day had 26% lower risk of death from heart attacks or stroke and a 16% lower risk of death from all causes than people who drank less than one cup of tea per day. The takeaway from your beloved tea choices is quite healthy and tasteful. So, don’t hesitate to get you a perfectly brewed tea. Serve it cold or hot, it’s your choice. But you will enjoy it for sure. If you are looking to Buy Tea online from a Certified Organic Tea Store then visit our website greattearoad(dot)com Golden Monkey
$2.75 - $16.95
We love this tea! If your goal is a smooth and pick-me-up kind of tea, this is the one! Golden monkey black tea is an exceptional black tea with a hint of cocoa note. A light sweetness can also be found with this tea. It is very smooth and can re-brew using the same tea leaves. It is good for both hot and cold brews. INGREDIENT: 100% Camellia Sinensis (Tea) CAFFEINE LEVEL: High BREWING DIRECTION: About a heap of tea per 8 oz of water. Multiple infusions by removing the leaves from your tea and setting them aside until you are ready to re-steep. For cold brew, use about 1.5 teaspoons per 8 oz of water. Brew overnight in the refrigerator. ORIGIN: Fujian, China. GOOD TO KNOW: Keep in the airtight container, away from strong odor and sunlight. Lavender & Lemon
$2.50 - $12.95
Beautiful aroma with a lemon scent. This delicious green tea is mixed with Lavender, Rose Petals, and Lemon flavored. INGREDIENT: Tea, Lavender, Rose petals, and Nature flavored. TYPE: Green Tea CAFFEINE LEVEL: Low BREWING DIRECTION: About a heap of tea per 6 oz of water. | Low temperature of water| 2-3 min GOOD TO KNOW: Keep in an air-tight container, away from strong odor and sunlight. Unwind & Relax
$2.25 - $11.95
Our popular herbal tea!Amazing aroma with great taste. This tea will help you relax after your long day. INGREDIENTS: Chamomile, Orange Peel, Lemongrass, Cinnamon, Blackberry leaves, Natural flavored. TYPE: Herbal Tea CAFFEINE LEVEL: None BREWING DIRECTIONS: About 1 teaspoon per 8 oz, steep for 4-5 minutes at 212F. ORIGIN: Prior Lake, Minnesota GOOD TO KNOW: Keep in an air-tight container, away from strong odor or sunlight.  It is that time of the year when you are looking for gifts for your friends and family. We are doing 20% off, the biggest sales of the year to celebrate with you. In-store discount from November 23 - November 30. Check out our website for tea selection and use " SMALL20OFF" code during check out to receive 20% off from November 23 - December 7 for online only. See you around the city...Shepherd of Lake Lutheran Church, Prior Lake "Craft Fair": Nov 9
Hopkins Winter Market: November 30 A beautiful sunshine and a hot brewed cup of tea- do make your goal more visible to cherish. So it is often asked, what do people look for just after the first yawn in the morning…a cup of tea or an espresso? Undoubtedly, people all across the globe share their love for a hot energizing drink usually after they wake up. If you look at a global survey, it says almost 70% of the people like to drink tea whereas 50% of the people share their discrete love for coffee. No matter whoever wins, personal choice always remains at the top of the peak. The name “Tea” inspires a tradition which most wants to live upon. However, it turns out into a debate what healthier stimulant should a person considerably choose to start his or her day with. Here are a few takeaways why you should start your day and coherently end up with a steaming cup of tea. 1. Good for health: Tea has more anti-oxidative power Tea has a higher concentration of antioxidants as compared to its ally, Coffee and undoubtedly experts raise their hands in the true case of this divinely taste. Antioxidants are a prominent resource which not only staves off from heart-diseases but keeps the body energized and refreshed. Teas’ anti-aging potential makes it a treasured choice between all generations of living souls. Green tea also aids to weight loss and makes muscle cells more active. It is good source caffeine that helps you shedding some weight and keeps your waistline fit. Coffee also contains antioxidants but in lower concentrations as compared to tea. Both drinks have their own effects on the body. Based on caffeine levels, tea sounds a good choice compared to coffee when the intake amount is much more and acts as a good acquaintance to the overall balanced diet. 2. Tea keeps you more active throughout the day Although, coffee gives a larger rush of caffeine into the body but its impact lasts shorter and effects drops quicker than expected whereas in case of tea, the caffeine is absorbed in the body slowly and helps you stay active for a longer period of time. Theanine, an amino acid present in green tea and black tea, reduces anxiety as it increases a number of inhibitory neurotransmitters that regulates serotonin and dopamine which balances the mood and keeps you active and stimulate brainwaves with enhanced mental clarity. l-theanine may increase learning, attention and sensations of pleasure whereas L-theanine balances the stimulatory effects of caffeine so you stay alert without feeling jittery.  3. Keeps you hydrated and replenish fluid loss Tea carry an additional advantage of just being pure water with a little flavor-so, it could be more beneficial to sip a cup of tea (hot or cold) to replace lost fluids from the body in a hot summer day. Tea hydrates more quickly than coffee as the later takes time for the water to be absorbed due to its absolute mixture with water. 4. Tea aids to the bone health Drinking tea promotes healthy bone formation. Researchers say, people are less likely to develop later age Osteoporosis due to the high presence of Catechins present in tea. So, people tend to have stronger bones and a little chance for them to become brittle or fragile with the growing age. 5. Tea: A powerful agent to reduce stress Tea acts as a bonding tool for refreshment as many countries around the globe are deeply ingrained with the culture of tea as a part of their customs. In fact, researches show the lower levels of Cortisol, a stress hormone found in human body for the people who drink tea 3 cups of tea every day. Tea is much likely to relax and sooth the mind from a tough mental situation where in case coffee makes one feel jittery. Antioxidants plays a vital role in relaxing and reducing stress helping our blood vessels battle harmful chemicals present in the body and enhancing the capability to relax. 6. Lastly, It’s easier than making coffee With a huge varieties and each coming with different health benefits, Tea is much easier to brew. Placing a teabag in a hot cup of water and you are done after a few minutes. A mild refreshing taste will definitely make you go miles after a cup of it. We must also agree coffee is much easier to brew too, but in the world of gourmet coffees, tea seems a wiser choice to place in a tea-mug with hot water and get relieved instantly. Of course, there is no battle. Preference makes choices. Both tea and coffee has its audience in this world. Asian countries like China, Japan, Sri Lanka and India uphold the rejuvenating and healing properties of tea to their culture. Coffee is a better refreshing beverage than tea owing to its popularity; however, the truth is that tea is and has always been the healthier drink. So, next time you want some refreshment, go through a deeper voyages of the tea world. It truly feels, Exotic!! If you are looking to Buy Tea online from a Certified Organic Tea Store then visit our website greattearoad(dot)com Golden Monkey
$2.75 - $16.95
We love this tea! If your goal is a smooth and pick-me-up kind of tea, this is the one! Golden monkey black tea is an exceptional black tea with a hint of cocoa note. A light sweetness can also be found with this tea. It is very smooth and can re-brew using the same tea leaves. It is good for both hot and cold brews. INGREDIENT: 100% Camellia Sinensis (Tea) CAFFEINE LEVEL: High BREWING DIRECTION: About a heap of tea per 8 oz of water. Multiple infusions by removing the leaves from your tea and setting them aside until you are ready to re-steep. For cold brew, use about 1.5 teaspoons per 8 oz of water. Brew overnight in the refrigerator. ORIGIN: Fujian, China. GOOD TO KNOW: Keep in the airtight container, away from strong odor and sunlight. Sun Moon Lake Black Tea #18
$4.15 - $22.95
Taiwan is an island near China. Although mountainous, its climate conditions make it ideal for farming. Many Taiwanese have either Chinese and/or original tribal heritage, and the country's main languages are Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese. This tea is uniquely produced with a mixture of local Taiwanese tea cultivars and Burmese tea cultivars. The leaves were picked by hand. Its smell is like light lotus and cinnamon which is uniquely produced in Taiwan. Read more in our blog. INGREDIENT: 100% Camellia Sinensis (Tea) TYPE: Black Tea CAFFEINE LEVEL: Medium - High BREWING DIRECTION: About 2 teaspoons per 7 oz, steep for 2-3 minutes at 212F. Multiple brewing. ORIGIN: Sun Moon Lake area, Taiwan GOOD TO KNOW: Keep in an air-tight container, away from strong odor or sunlight. Tea Culture Tea has been surfaced over earth’s classic veneer over a thousand years ago. This blessed savory delight has gone through hundred taste buds and mystical researches to be known as a profound beverage across the globe, only second to water. Extracted from the most tropical lands, tea is a rich source of health boosting antioxidants and other natural ingredients such as polyphenols that benefits human health in many ways. Tea related beverages are a subtle interest in the modern day culture. A fine cup of tea just makes your mood or a fragile moment is re-build. Today’s lifestyle of people has changed a lot. A smooth cup of tea has sheer capability to remove the peer pressure in mind. Its divine taste varies in choices of individuals. Fortunately, there are more benefits to count than the reasons to stay away from it. Origins of tea literally comprise of stories from far behind 2737 BC. Chinese Emperor, Shen Nong accidentally enjoyed drinking tea infused water while boiling his water in the garden and a leaf from a wild tree (possibly a tea leaf) drifted into his pot. This made him to find out more about this palatable plantation. During his researches he found more about its medicinal properties, impacts over stress and mind. The mighty tea leaves carry a 5000 years of rich history within themselves. During the early days of Tang dynasty (618-907), tea has a widespread popularity and was even perceived as China’s national drink. This recreational beverage has continued making its statements across Asian countries and later flowed its vibes across borders. Healthy Tea - On the Run Moving life with a 2x speed in a modern day lifestyle, we are always in a need of a powerful savor to glide down the epiglottis in order to stay active in the mainstream. It becomes a ice on the cake when this quick adore comes with as many health benefits as its variety. We can understand the lifestyle we live today and our daily bodily consumptions. From packaged drinking water, sugary carbonated drinks and other beverages from prepackaged containers, we harm ourselves with every unnatural drinks we take inside.  Value of Tea With the time flowing like winds, mystic researches helped tea masters to found large varieties of tea with different nutritional and health values within them. Green tea is the mostly accepted and considered as one of the healthiest beverage. All tea varieties contain antioxidants in them known as Catechins, that battles free radicals in the body and repair damaged body cells. With many forms of tea like black tea, white tea, puerh tea, herbal tea and many other variants have commonly outspread health beneficial factors with them, that when infused with our system gives delight, calmness, attentiveness and an absolute pleasure. The goodness of tea comes from the plant, Camellia Sinensis which is a flavorful, full of vitamins, mild refreshing and aromatic uprooted creation of the mighty. These herbaceous plants products, when are mildly blended and served over a cup gives a pleasure to eyes, body and mind. Its recreational effects on the body help you keeping healthier and happier. It increases metabolism or energy levels, regulate blood flow that increase alertness in the body. Many tea forms helps in preventing cancer, Parkinson’s disease, heart related ailments, dermal issues and much more. So, it’s just a drink to thirst upon but also it’s a bodily toxin cleanser. More than 1.42 million pounds of tea is consumed by Americans every single day. This ancient beverage has a lot to give in the modern day lives. Its consumption keeps on increasing with every taste buds feeling its greatness and a tendency with its lovers to pass on the vibes. After being consumed for more than 5000 years, tea has changed very little - until now. It's been served hot, it's been served cold. But now tea is being served in a style that suits the most frantic lifestyle - you can get it to go. If you are looking to Buy Tea online from a Certified Organic Tea Store then visit our website greattearoad(dot)com Golden Monkey
$2.75 - $16.95
We love this tea! If your goal is a smooth and pick-me-up kind of tea, this is the one! Golden monkey black tea is an exceptional black tea with a hint of cocoa note. A light sweetness can also be found with this tea. It is very smooth and can re-brew using the same tea leaves. It is good for both hot and cold brews. INGREDIENT: 100% Camellia Sinensis (Tea) CAFFEINE LEVEL: High BREWING DIRECTION: About a heap of tea per 8 oz of water. Multiple infusions by removing the leaves from your tea and setting them aside until you are ready to re-steep. For cold brew, use about 1.5 teaspoons per 8 oz of water. Brew overnight in the refrigerator. ORIGIN: Fujian, China. GOOD TO KNOW: Keep in the airtight container, away from strong odor and sunlight. Unwind & Relax
$2.25 - $11.95
Our popular herbal tea!Amazing aroma with great taste. This tea will help you relax after your long day. INGREDIENTS: Chamomile, Orange Peel, Lemongrass, Cinnamon, Blackberry leaves, Natural flavored. TYPE: Herbal Tea CAFFEINE LEVEL: None BREWING DIRECTIONS: About 1 teaspoon per 8 oz, steep for 4-5 minutes at 212F. ORIGIN: Prior Lake, Minnesota GOOD TO KNOW: Keep in an air-tight container, away from strong odor or sunlight. Siam Ruby Oolong
$1.40 - $9.05
From a high elevation mountain of Thailand. The steeped tea has a golden color. The aroma of dry tea is more like spinach but when brewed its floral aroma is released. Smooth, complex, and rich flavor. It has notes of toasted hazelnut. INGREDIENTS: Tea TYPE: Oolong CAFFEINE LEVEL: Medium BREWING DIRECTIONS: 1 Teaspoon | 7oz Water | 2-3 Minutes | 195 F | Multiple infuses. ORIGIN: Chiangrai, Thailand GOOD TO KNOW: Keep in an air-tight container, away from strong odor or sunlight.  Golden Monkey Black TeaWe love this tea! Years ago, when we took a certified tea professional certificate, the final exam was to examine a type of tea leaf. Golden Monkey was in the exam. Because of its thin, light golden twisty leaves with a unique taste that is so smooth. We knew it right away that it was Golden Monkey Black Tea. If your goal is a smooth and pick-me-up kind of tea, this is the one! Golden monkey black tea is an exceptional black tea with a hint of cocoa note. A light sweetness can also be found with this tea. It is very smooth and can re-brew using the same tea leaves.It is good for both hot or cold brew. See you around the city...Hopkins Farmers Market:- October 5 & 12
Prior Lake Farmers Market: October 5 & 19 The Garden by the Woods, Chanhassen: October 12.  We are excited to show you a new product. Our wild cherry black tea is based with Sri Lanka black tea. We garnished with safflower and rose-hips. Its flavor is cherry and a smooth tea. You can enjoy this tea with or without milk or cream. Come on in to check them out, we think you’ll love them as much as we do. We also travel to be closer to you. Check out our schedule below
 We all know, and it has been scientifically proven many times, that tea is indeed good for us, our health, body and mind. It cleanses our system as well as relieving us from stress. If tea is such a good product for us, we have to make sure it is great toward the environment too. There are about 4 millions of tons of tea produced every year so if all the tea drinkers had an eco-responsible way of drinking, it could have a great impact, in a positive way. In order to do so, we have to watch our consumption and make sure it is an eco-responsible one (no need to reduce your intake of this glorious beverage!). We have gathered a couple of advice for you so that you don’t feel guilty when drinking tea and it will even benefit other parts of your life. Here are our 7 advice:
So here are a couple of tips that could, at a human level, have a positive impact on the environment. We hope you enjoy your summer! The Great Tea Company
 Dear Tea Lovers,
If you are a customer of ours, you know we are different from other tea shops, especially when it comes to our process of hand selecting teas from around the world and our love of unique flavors. What some of you may now know, however, is how some of these unique flavors came to be. As one example, 3 holiday seasons ago, my family and I were trying to figure out a tea we could make that everyone could enjoy. We decided to add some orange peel and cinnamon into our full caffeinate black tea, and thus, a new delicious flavor was born, one that is warm and cozy and perfect for the holidays. However, I don’t have a name for this tea. I don’t want to name it “Orange Cinnamon” because we already have an Orange Cinnamon Decaf Black Tea in our shop. The difference between two is decaffeinate versus full caffeinate tea as we often hear from our customers “I want caffeine!” What do you think we should name this tea? In addition to this unique and tasty flavor creation, we also developed another flavor. It is nutty, chocolatey, and indulgent. We took our Belgian Chocolate Black Tea and added almond, hazelnut, and sugar-coated fennel seeds. I think the seeds look like little holiday light bulbs. What do you think we should name this second tea? We invite you to send us name ideas for these hand-crafted tea flavors. If you are picked, your tea name will become the official name for one of these teas and we will send you the tea you named! For our runner-up, we will send you a fun tea infuser. To enter this contest, please send us your tea names along with your contact information by October 15th. Please submit your entry using the text below or something similar: Tea 1 (Orange Cinnamon flavor) - Tea 2 (Chocolate Hazelnut flavor) - We will aim to announce the winner around October 20th. We would prefer that you pick up your prize at our shop because we would like to take a picture with you. Thank you in advance to all who participate. We wish you luck and can’t wait to see what the new names for these scrumptious teas will be! All my best, Titima Always online at www.greattearoad.com service@greattearoad.com or by mail PO Box 594, Shakopee, MN 55379 Like us at https://www.facebook.com/greattearoadco/ https://www.instagram.com/greattearoad/ https://twitter.com/greattearoad  Dear Tea Aficionados:
I hope you are having a good summer. I always get a bit sad when I drive past corn fields in the summer, as corn fields are summer’s timekeepers and inevitably signal the season’s gradual exit. I live right by a corn field in Shakopee, and recently when I drove by it with my children, I told them, “Now the corn is taller than me. You all know what that means. Our summer is coming to the end soon. And then you will have to go back to school.” This also means that our hot summer days are coming to an end too (remember the 104-degree day we had earlier in the season?!), and before we know it, it will be time to welcome in the cooler days of fall. Just as the temperature changes with the season, so too do the teas I carry. The summery flavors are going fast, including fruity flavors and several varieties of refreshing green and white teas, among others. Some of my personal favorites include the Fruity Sangria and Organic Chamomile Dream. If you hurry, you can enjoy 15% off select flavors before they’re gone. Don’t wait though because once fall rolls around, we will have limited stock of our summer flavors. To redeem your discount on select teas online, use code “Summer15%OFF” when you check out. Otherwise, we’d love to see you in our new brick-and-mortar location in charming downtown Prior Lake or at one of our farmers market locations. Here’s where we will be in August: Our shop at 16228 Main Ave SE #113, Prior Lake, MN 55372 TH 2-6pm, F 2-5pm, SAT 9-3pm Hopkins Farmers Market- August 11 & 18,7:30-12pm Prior Lake Farmers Market - August 11, 2018 8-12pm Golden Valley Farmers Market - August 12 & 19, 9-1pm Here at the Great Tea Road Company, we are wishing you a great rest of your summer and that you find the perfect tea to complement your summer memory-making. As always, we are happy to provide recommendations on flavors and brewing instructions. Until we meet again… All my best, Titima Always online at www.greattearoad.com Like us at https://www.facebook.com/greattearoadco/ https://www.instagram.com/greattearoad/ https://twitter.com/greattearoad   Thanksgiving day centers on cooking and sharing a bountiful meal with family and friends. It is another year, we blended orange black tea. Deliciously sweet and fruity with the underlying support of a robust (decaf) black tea.
The weather is getting colder. Please take care of yourself and have this wonderful Orange black tea to warm you up!  We met Karen at the church in November. We remembered that she purchased "Strawberry White" and "Blueberry White" sample tea. Since that day, she called us when she needs new teas.
We are very happy when someone is happy. This is a reason why we keep going with our tea journey -- to put smile on your face. Thank you for being a part of our tea journey.  One of our friends suggested to change the current recipe of sweet mint tea. We took his suggestion to heart! Now it is called "Organic Exquisite Mint" Tea. We LOVE mint (peppermint, spearmint, wolly mint, etc). Do you know why mint is such a good plant? Here are 10 Reasons why drinking mint tea would be good for you:
Just a quick note. We have moved from Minneapolis Farmers Market to Hopkins (Sat) and Linden Hill (Sun). If you can't find us, you can always contact us via our website or a phone call. We are always here to help.
 I’ll be short and sweet with this newsletter. How about “Let’s have a Spring Tea Party”.
Spring tea party ideas include:
 Consider these health benefits of tea and the next time you have to choose. Tea is officially awesome for your health. But before loading up your cup, make sure that your “tea” is actually tea. Real tea is derived from a particular plant (Camellia sinensis) and includes only four varieties: green, black, white, and oolong. (there are “Yellow tea” as well but it is very few produced) Anything else (like herbal “tea”) is an infusion of a different plant and isn’t technically tea. The real tea may lack in variety but it makes up for with serious health benefits. Most people know about tea’s health properties of antioxidant. Most studies have focused on the better-known green and black teas, white and oolong also bring benefits to the table. Read on to find out why coffee’s little cousin rocks your health.
The takeaway: Tea is safe to consume — just not in excessive amounts. So brew up a batch of the good stuff — hot or cold — and enjoy. Source: Adapted from Time magazine 9/4/12
Have you ever attended Japanese Tea Ceremony New Year Style? Hatsugama (初釜) means boiling of the first kettle tea ceremony. It is a tradition that passes down from several generations. It has always been an honor to be served by tea teacher. This meeting is seen as something very special. Hatsugama is the only time when my tea teacher himself prepares tea for all his students. This does not happen often in Asian culture because students uphold the teacher highly. However, this year, we, students, were gathering at his place and our most senior students served the tea in his place as our teacher's health was not his best. Most of us were wearing formal Kimono. In the traditional way, kaiseiki meal would be served. Since we could not complete the ritual with Kaiseiki meal, well, none of us was capable enough to prepare such a formal and beautiful meal. Instead, we came and shared a dish. Everyone placed one’s dish on the table provided in the room. Fifteen minutes later after everyone was chatting and laughing, we were told to be seated. There are 2 tea sessions, thick tea (or Koi Cha performed by our male student) and thin tea (or Usucha performed by a female student). Our most senior students began to work his and her magic. It was quiet and calm. People were looking at the tea hosts. I have always loved the sound of water whether is boiling or running. It sounds so pretty to me. Talking about 2 different type of tea being served. Koicha was also prepared and shared among all students. Koicha is a thick tea that looked like a pea soup (really). Each one of us shared the same bowl. Yes, it may sound a bit strange to many people but we are bonded together this way. Then we also got served a thin tea. This year, I got an honor to help out as the first guest. The first guest is the most important guest. He or she receives the dessert and tea first. He or she can have a conversation with the tea host. It also shows the rank among the guests as well.
Tea of The Month: Haru no Uji Matcha (Translation: Spring of Uji City). It is our new tea. The tea is grown around Uji, the birth place of tea growing region in Japan. Please check it out with this link.
 One of our popular teas is Oolong tea from Northern Thailand. Northern Thailand is a popular destination for Thai and foreigner visitors. It is also renowned as a scenic wonderland of orchards, flowers and forests. The area attracts tourists to enjoy the picture-perfect valley in the mountains 1,400 metres above sea-level. Here, the ever-present influence of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, can be sensed, from the Royal Agricultural Station to his agricultural affluence and an effort to better the quality of life to the ethnic people there. Please enjoy the scenery of this village. It is truly beautiful place. Credited: Great Tea Road. Tea of the Month –Angkhang Oolong and Homemade Ginger Cinnamon Black Tea (new seasonal tea)
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Disclaimer: We are not associated with any local or oversea tea organization.
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September 2021
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service@greattearoad.com (612) 278-2362 Address: 16228 Main Ave SE #113 Prior Lake, MN 55372 |
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Sunday - Wednesday: By Appointment Thursday - Friday: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM |