January 29, 2014

Which do you prefer? : Small tea business vs "The Big Guys"


   Small businesses put in a lot of love for their customers and always make sure you are #1 on their list. Which little things do they do while keeping us in mind? Here is a list of points that shows the contributions that small tea businesses make just for you.


1. Support yourself: When you buy from an independent, locally owned business rather than a nationally owned business, significantly more of your money is used to make purchases from other local businesses, service providers and farms - continuing to strengthen the economic base of your community.

2. Support community groups: Non-profit organizations receive an average of 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from larger businesses.

3. Keep our community unique: Where we shop and where we eat and have 
fun is what makes our community home. Our one-of-a-kind businesses add to what makes our community distinct and original. Our tourism businesses also benefit - when people go on vacation they generally seek out destinations that offer them the sense of being somewhere different.

4. Reduce environmental impact: Locally owned businesses can make more local purchases requiring less transportation. They generally set up shop in town or in city centres as opposed to developing on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.

5. Create more good jobs: Small local businesses are the largest employers nationally and in our community, provide the most jobs to residents.

6. Get better service: Local businesses often hire people with a better understanding of the products they are selling and take more time to get to know their customers. 

7. Invest in community: Local businesses are owned by people who live in your community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in your community’s future.

8. Put your taxes to good use: Local businesses in town centres require less infrastructure and make more efficient use of public services compared to nationally owned stores entering the community.

9. Buy what you want: A marketplace of tens of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long term.  A multitude of small businesses, each selecting products based not on a national sales plan but on their own interests and the needs of their local customers guarantees a much broader range of product choices specific to your needs.

10. Encourage local prosperity: Entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.
    
(Via. Sawadee Tea House )
SHARE:

January 19, 2014

Review: Easy Tea, Hard Choice- Three Taiwanese Black tea


    Taiwan black teas were first created from fields that were created during Japanese occupationTodays review is of Easy Tea Hard Choice. They choice focuses on Taiwanese teas and ensures that every tea is vacuum sealed for the day it is finished. The teas are very fresh and each has their own unique notes.



Four Seasons
   Dry leaves, sweet apples and fresh plum.  Wet leaves also held a similar smell with a touch of a toasty smell. It reminds me of thanksgiving cooking and being with family.  The taste has hints of caramel and cinnamon apples. It has a creamy texture that is cool that coats your mouth. The longer you sip it you find notes of freshly baked bread and apples.


Red Rhythm Black Tea
   Dry leaves have notes of sweet grapes or white wine. Wet leaves smell like cooked green grapes.  The taste reminds me  of white wine. It is fruity initially, then has a tannic bite that dissipates.



Red Jade Black Tea
    Dry leaves, white grapes. Wet leaves, apples, Chinese white peach. Grapes. Taste cools the mouth. Grapes taste with apple taste under notes. Smells like Bai Hao oolong. Mouth eventually feels dry, that reminds me of the muscatel in Indian teas.





 



SHARE:

January 14, 2014

How to Travel with tea



 Every tea drinker wants to ensure they always have their favorite tea with them at all times. Now for someone obsessed with tea, I bet that is most of us, we need more than one type.  While packing for Halifax I packed my tea first and thought of an easy way to make it where ever I am.
     In a box I packed up all the teas I thought I might want. This included a few kinds of matcha, samples from various companies and a tea cake.


    The vessel I picked out was my tumbler from the Camilla Sinensis that I got at the Ottawa Tea Festival while talking to Kevin Gascoyne. The exterior is coated in bamboo with a stainless steel inside. The infuser opens up to hold any type of loose leaf tea and screws closed.

Here are a few other options for brewing:

1- Paper Tea filters
       These are great, even for when introducing others to loose leaf tea. It's close to how a tea bag works but allows you to choose your tea. My favorite kind is by Finnum, the extra long ones are great for all teas and for a teapot.

2-  Travel gaiwan set
        Sadly, mine broke while packing, but they are super handy. They come with a small fair cup to decant your tea into and several cups so that A great site I found  in Toronto is from Tao Tea Leaf.It is great for trips .

3. Double walled travel infuser
     These babies are a fantastic way to bring tea with you, even to work. Libre is a great Canadian company that has a plastic wall on the exterior and glass on the inside. This way it keeps your hand cool while keeping the temperature inside.
     
SHARE:

January 6, 2014

Keeping things fresh: How to store your Matcha


After spending good money on a match it is nice to know it will stay fresh till you are ready to use it. The easiest way to keep it tasting as it should be very simple and it's easy to do.

 The trick is to store sealed matcha in the freezer. Although the freezer can be the worst location if the proper preparation is not taken. We do not want our matcha to taste like the various foods in there do we?

   To prevent this, the first thing you will need is a tightly sealed container. This will protect your tea from absorbing smells in the freezer. Thereafter it's a simple matter of finding a place for it in your freezer. I tend to store mine on the door of a fridge freezer for easy access.
 
  If you need the tea, make sure you take it out at least 15-20 minutes before so it can adjust back to room temperature. Put the kettle on, it's tea time!
           
               Follow me for more @bellmanart  /katherine.bellmanart 
Don't forget to follow this blog.  Join the Tea Team!
SHARE:

January 1, 2014

Best of 2013 in Tea

With 2014 finally here, it is time to look back at the best of 2013 together. With the new year beginning today we need to start things off on the right foot together with tea. My goal is to make Tea Journey a fun place to learn about tea, art and  all things connected to them. This year is going to be an adventure to remember for years to come, now it's time to look over my favorite posts from 2013.
______________________________________________________

Japanese Tea Books

The number one thing I am passionate about telling people I meet is that I love Japan and its culture. Being a Canadian there is only 146 years of history to learn about, with Japan there is over 2000 years to drool over.  Part of that history is the cultivation of tea and its own culture with it.  These books each give their own insight into Japan's personal world with tea itself.


Tea- Shirt Shop OPEN!

 As an artist and designer, I always love to give something back to those around me. My secret project completed and I was able to present you with the first design for Tea- Shirts on Spreadshirt. 
   With new beginnings starting with 2014 I can not wait to release the next design!





Teavana neighborhood store: Hit or Miss?

Teavana did it, they created a master piece in the heart of Manhattan. I was very pleased to know it was happening and eagerly waited to hear from my old colleagues in NYC. Who could not be blown away by their artful ceiling of.... TEA!

    This store marked the beginning of something new in the tea world, let's see what happens in 2014~




  Being a Tea Sommelier to me means that you need to keep learning every day. I took the exam not only to complete my journey with the program but to push myself to study intensively and gain new knowledge.
   This guide is perfect if you wish to do the exam or even just to learn a bit more about the complexities and subtleties of teas.


Which posts were your top 3? Comment below, much love.
-Kat xxooo
__________________________________________________________________________

Follow me for more @bellmanart  /katherine.bellmanart 
Don't forget to follow this blog.  Join the Tea Team!
SHARE:
© Tea Journey - Living beyond your cup | All rights reserved.
Blogger Template Created by pipdig