Does Fair-Trade Tea Make A Difference? By Hannah McGimpsey

Oxfam carried out their investigation into "Understand Wage Issues in the Tea Industry" by researching wage levels of tea pluckers in Malawi, Assam (India) and West Java (Indonesia) and comparing them to the average wage for the rest of the country and the World Bank extreme poverty line.
The World Bank extreme poverty line is based on average households with average numbers of earners within that household. The extreme poverty line is currently set at a household living on less than $1.25 a day (US dollars).
Their research found that in all three countries, tea pickers were paid the national minimum wage.
The most interesting finding in the Oxfam research was that tea pickers working on estates certified as Fairtrade International, Rainforest Alliance or UTZ Certified were not paid a higher wage than the workers who picked tea on non certified estates. This does not meant that they didn't gain from other benefits but that they are not paid a higher wage.
My questions then is; where does that extra money you pay for the "Fairtrade" label go to? Unfortunately it is most likely tied up in paperwork or swallowed by certain governing bodies.
This does not really seem very fair if you ask me. If I fork out extra for my tea, I have a lovely image in my head of the tea pickers who are directly benefiting from my decision to be a more "ethical" consumer.
Recently some big tea players have left Fairtrade certification because things had become to difficult to maintain and they knew that their money was not reaching the people who mattered.
Tea farmers and estate owners have come out to say that it costs them too much money to maintain the certification and perhaps that money could be better spent in improving the working conditions.
So is fair-trade all a marketing ploy? I don't want to go that far. I'm sure that there are other benefits to the tea pickers but I do find it shocking that they do not get paid a higher wage.
So what can you do as an ethical consumer?
I would recommend researching how the tea company you buy from sources their tea. Do they source it themselves or use a middle man? Do they buy from large estates or small tea gardens? Look out for pictures of the company employees with tea pickers and read reviews of products. It's hard to be 100% certain because everyone uses marketing to their own advantage so you just need to trust your own judgement and not be distracted by labels.

For Chinese tea sourced directly from small tea farms have a look at the LuLin Teas range of Green teas.

6 Reasons Why I Love To Buy Chinese Tea By Hannah McGimpsey

1. Chinese tea is special to me because it is so steeped (pun very much intended) in history. China has been a tea drinking nation for thousands of years and it is not just a comforting beverage there like it is in the UK. For many people it is their livelihood and the wonderful traditions have been passed down from generation to generation.
2. You know the saying "a change is as good as a rest," well that goes the same way with tea. And the wonderful thing about Chinese tea is that there are literally thousands of different types. I go through phases with what I like and therefore Chinese tea is perfect for me because once I drink a certain brew too many times and I start to lose interest I can change to a different type. What's even better (or sometimes annoying depending on your personality type) is that even year on year the same teas might taste different!
3. Not only is Chinese tea for told by a long and in depth history but also many fascinating myths and legends surround it. Lots of the names of the tea come from strange and exotic stories. Tie Guan Yin and Dragonwell Long Jing are probably the most famous examples of this.
4. I don't like to shout about it or heavily rely on it but there is no denying that tea is healthy! Chinese tea has been used for medicinal purposes for a long time - I can only assume that it's been since it was discovered. Companies make many claims about how healthy and wonderful their teas are and you have to take these claims with a pinch of salt (low sodium obviously!). But it does contain anti-oxidants, it does contain fluoride, it has no calories. Should I carry on? It's not going to make you lose 100pounds in a week but it will help you as part of a calorie controlled diet and it's a wonderful substitute to unhealthy fizzy drinks loaded with sugar.
5. I get stressed easily so one of my most favourite things about tea in general is how good it is at calming me down. Yes it gives me energy but not in that "buzzing" kind of way that coffee does. It brings me up but keeps me calm. In my books, not much compares to making a brew when you are stressed out.
6. Saying that, it really does give me an energy boost. Tea contains caffeine and this is what I need in the morning when I get up, what I crave when I get to work, what I want with my lunch and what I hope I have time for in the afternoon. OK I am extreme but I love that I can rely on my favourite Chinese teas to keep energy levels up!
So that is my 6 reasons why I love Chinese tea! Do you love it? Or what is your favourite drink? Let me know!

If you love to buy Chinese tea too then shop with LuLin Teas. They have a huge range of quality loose teas across many ranges. The famous Long Jing Dragonwell Green tea is available from LuLin Teas.

The Pitfalls When Brewing Chinese Tea and How to Avoid Them By Hannah McGimpsey

Pitfall 1: You are using the wrong type of water.
What is the main ingredient in tea? Well it's not tea which is what you might think. It's actually water! So you need to be very careful about the water that you use. Do you live in a hard water area? Does your water have a higher content of chlorine or fluoride? Because these added minerals will have an effect on the flavour.
To avoid this trap, use filtered water or if you can spring water is also great.
Pitfall 2: Brewing the wrong amount of tea
Using too much tea can cause your brew to be too strong and bitter but not using enough means you risk a weak brew.
What you should do is check your Chinese tea packet where there should be a brewing guide telling you how much tea to use per portion. If not a general rule is 3g of loose tea for a teapot for one.
Pitfall 3: Brewing your tea for the wrong amount of time
Similarly with weight, time is very important because brewing your tea for too long means it could be over brewed and taste too strong or bitter but under brewing could result in a weak and tasteless drink.
To make sure your tea is brewed correctly, use a glass teapot so that you can see the colour of your loose tea as it brews. You do risk getting it wrong a few times but once you know the colour your tea is meant to be when it is at your preferred strength you will be sorted!
Pitfall 4: Your tea tastes like other things
This can happen for a number of reasons. Tea will naturally absorb other smells and flavours so if you have left your loose tea open and next to food or where food is cooked because this can be bad for the tea.
Does your tea taste soapy? This could be because your teapot is made of a porous material that will absorb the soap when it is being washed.
Prevent this by keeping your Chinese tea in an airtight container. Store it in a cool dry place and try to keep it away from sunlight, steam and smelly foods. Either just rinse your teapot out with boiling water instead of using washing up liquid or make sure you purchase a teapot that does not hold smells.
Pitfall 5: Your tea tastes of nothing
If your tea is old and stale it can lose its flavour quite quickly and you end up with a tasteless brew.
Don't let this get you down - make sure you buy fresh tea in small quantities and don't hide it away for special occasions because when that occasion comes you may end up with flavourless drinks instead the special brew you had planned.
Any other tips or tricks I am missing, leave me a comment!

For more information on Chinese tea and how to brew it please check out all the green, black, puerh and oolong teas available from LuLin Teas.

Unwind at the End of a Long Day With a Cup of Tea By J. Martinez

The Go-to Comfort Drink
Tea has been around for centuries for good reason. It has soothing and healing attributes. If you think you do not like tea, you probably just have yet to find the right flavor. Anyone who has ever visited or lived in the United Kingdom or Ireland will tell you that if you are having a bad day (or even a good one), the first thing someone does is offer you a cup of tea. It is the go-to comfort drink.
You come home from work, and you have kids to take care of, dogs to walk, dinner to prepare, chores to do, school functions to attend, and on top of that, you need to find time to go to the gym. Before you move into the second part of your day, take a few minutes for yourself while you shift from work mode to mom or dad mode, and sit down with a cup of tea. Below are just a few types of tea to consider.
A Few Popular and Healthy Choices
Chamomile has a sweet, slightly apple taste, and may not even require sweetening. It is well known for its soothing qualities. It contains antioxidants, which help fight disease. Chamomile also has properties that can aid digestion.
Green tea, which contains more antioxidants than any other type of tea, has also been found to lower blood pressure, and help the body burn fat. It does contain caffeine, so if any caffeine in the evening keeps you awake, it's best to have your green tea earlier in the day and drink a less stimulating type in the evening.
If you prefer something a little more exotic, Darjeeling tea is a good choice. It has been found to strengthen the immune system, lower cholesterol, and help maintain heart health. Like all black teas, it contains caffeine, so that is something to consider if you think it will keep you awake. However, if you need a little boost to get through the rest of your day, it could be a good choice.
If you like your tea to have a light, fruity flavor, there are plenty of fruit-flavored teas like raspberry, orange pekoe, peach, and many more. These often have enough flavor that you do not need sweetener.
If you like your tea extra sweet, you can add a bit of sugar, sweetener, or honey. Lemon can also be a good complement, particularly to stronger, less sweet flavors of tea.
Enjoyable Hot or Cold
A cup of hot tea sounds great in the winter, but what about the summer? Any tea can easily be made into iced tea. Just brew it as you normally would, and then pour it over a tall cup of ice. You can do this and keep some in the refrigerator so it is ready to go if you want to take it to the gym or anywhere instead of plain water or an energy or juice drink.
For hard-core coffee drinkers, a cup of tea is a nice change of pace for the evening. Even the best coffees will likely provide more stimulation than you need after a long day. So next time you are buying your favorite gourmet specialty coffee or espresso, take a look at their selection of teas. If you are not sure what kind you like, see if they sell packages of assorted flavors so that you can try a variety to find out which ones you prefer.

J. Martinez is the owner of J. Martinez & Company Fine Coffees, selling gourmet estate and single-origin coffees from all over the world, including Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee and Hawaii Kona Coffee. Learn more about Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee at http://www.martinezfinecoffees.com/specialty-coffee-espresso-blue-mountain/jamaica-blue-mountain-coffee.html

Everything You Wanted to Know About the Pu-erh Tea By Dmytro Fedorev

The dark colored tea that is mainly produced in the Yunnan region of China is referred to as Pu-erh tea. After keeping the leaves in open air for fermentation, they are dried and rolled. This process brings about oxidation through microbial fermentation. The result is formation of dark or black colored leaves. We should not confuse this kind of beverage with the 'black tea' are used in Western countries.
Pu-erh is one of the healthiest teas you can on the face of the earth. It is a very good source of antioxidants since it is one of the most oxidized type. In fact, if you do comparison, you will know that levels of antioxidants in it are higher than green tea. Like other brews, it also contains caffeine but it is well below the limit that can cause any sort of health damage. Also, unlike other teas that get spoiled over time, the pu-erh tea becomes smooth and rich. Like wine, its quality also improves with time.
Pu-erh tea is similar to green tea but it is not dried fully like the green tea. Aging of the these tea leaves helps in retaining good amount of moisture which makes the microorganisms to spring into action and bring about fermentation. Pu-erh tea comes with a very distinct flavor and aroma. What sets this tea apart from other kinds of tea is that it is prepared from a broadleaf variety that is known for facilitating quick microbial action which results in the formation of a tea with plenty of health benefits. Thus, it is antifungal and anti-inflammatory.
Brewing pu-erh is quite easy. The brewing procedure is not different from that of brewing other kinds of similar beverages such as black teas or oolong teas. What you need to do is prepare boiling water. The water should then be poured on the leaves by using a strainer. After waiting for about 15 seconds, you need to throw away the water. You can then add more water to it until it develops color and flavor. Make sure you do not add excess water as it can make your beverage taste bitter. If the leaves are of good quality, you can use it several times.
Pu-erh tea is good for people who desire to lose weight, for increasing weight loss, for reducing serum cholesterol, for preventing cardiovascular diseases, lowering the cholesterol levels, oxidation relation illnesses, for reducing blood sugar and preventing diabetes, and for its antimutagenic properties. Various experiments have been conducted by health experts to study health benefits of pu-erh. In China, some people also believe that this beverage helps in controlling the habit of drinking alcohol.
Many are now realizing the health benefits of this amazing tea from Japan. Also the experiments conducted on it to test its benefits have shown positive results. When you inhale the aroma of this amazing beverage and drink it, it will completely refresh you and kill your stress in no time.

Try the amazing pu-erh tea today!

Pu-Erh Tea Helps You Gain Weight And Also Lose Weight By Dmytro Fedorev

Since the time the pu-erh tea leaves were experimented for the first time in 1973 at a tea factory in Yunnan, the tea has become quite a popular beverage in China. Even though the tea has manifold health benefits, it is best known for facilitating weight loss. This tea helps in normalizing the metabolic activity of your tea and thereby assists in shedding unwanted weight.
Ironically, the pu-erh tea can make you gain weight if you drink the tea at wrong times. If you want to lose weight by drinking this beverage, you need to make sure that you have it one hour after you have finished with your meal. This heals in eliminating all the unneeded fats from the body. Pu-erh tea can cause you to gain weight if you consume it before your meal. It helps in eliminating the fat deposits that remain in your tummy and body and increases your hunger pangs. Hence, the tea causes you to eat more.
Because of sedentary life and also because of stressful life people tend to eat unhealthy foods and gain weight. Gaining weight is not an issue; however, it becomes a great concern when your body starts storing those fats that are not needed for your body. That extra flesh that you will gain can make you look out of shape. The best thing you can do to lose weight and keep your weight in control is do eat and drink things that control your metabolism.
One great beverage that promotes weight loss effectively is the pu-erh tea. If you have excess weight, do not think that you will lose weight immediately. Losing weight is a gradual process and drinking the popular Japanese tea ensures that you shed those extra pounds in the right way. People who are overweight and drink pu-erh tea regularly will become aware of the fact that they have become more energetic, fit and also losing weight.
When you drink pu-erh to shed weight, make sure you to eat regularly but in small amounts throughout the day. If you stop yourselves from eating food, your cravings can make you to eat more. So, have small portions of food throughout the day are a healthy way to lose weight. Make sure you also include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. When you reach your normal weight, you can get back to your old diet without resorting to any unhealthy food items and lastly you should continue to have pu-erh tea to make sure you continue to maintain your weight.

Reap the pu-erh tea weight loss benefits now!

3 Factors to Consider When You Want to Buy Matcha By Dmytro Fedorev

There are various kinds of green tea available in the market. However, if you are looking for a green tea that offers manifold health benefits, you should consider buying matcha. There are many wholesale dealers available through whom you can buy Match and cheap rates.
The wholesale dealers offer a wide range of Matcha green tea according to quality. When you place an order, your tea powder will be directly shipped from Japan. Japan is the birthplace of the Matcha leaves. Everything from cultivation to processing and packing are all carried out in Japan.
The quality of the Matcha green tea can be influenced by various factors like tea bush location, cultivation and processing. The quality can differ from harvest to harvest. In Japan, Matcha that come from Kyoto and Aichi are known to be of best quality. However, this does not mean that Matcha tea from other places in Japan is of inferior quality
There are many brands that sell Matcha green tea. If you have not tried the tea before, you should not purchase the premium quality Matcha green tea. Instead, you should try the tea from various brands. At first, you may not be able to enjoy its smell and unique taste. However, after trying couple of brands, you will be able to find the most suitable and tasty Matcha tea for you.
When you want to buy Matcha, make sure you keep the following things in mind:
1. Avoid buying Matcha that are available in tea bags. Matcha tea's processing does not allow it to be sold in tea bags. If you find a store selling Matcha in tea bags, you should avoid it as it may be some other kind of green tea that are grown under the sun with a small amount of Matcha added to it for flavor.
2. When you purchase Matcha, make sure the seller offers Matcha from early harvest. Matcha from later harvests are known to be of inferior quality whereas of earlier harvests are known to offer the best quality.
3. If the vendor allows you to have a look at the Matcha powder before you place your order, make sure you choose Matcha appears to bright green in color. If the color appears to be dull or does not appear bright green, you can understand that it is of inferior quality. Matcha loses its original bright green color when it is exposed to sun. You should refrain from buying oxidized Matcha.

Checkout the TeaLux online tea store to buy matcha at affordable price.

Matcha Green Tea - A Rich Source of Antioxidants By Dmytro Fedorev

The Matcha green is one of the herbal teas that have gained huge popularity. Few decades ago, the tea leaves were only used during Japanese tea ceremonies. However, now the tea has become quite a popular beverage across the globe. There are many health benefits associated with Matcha green tea. It helps in reducing stress, normalizing your metabolism, making your immune system strong and lowering the levels of cholesterol.
The reason why it is called green tea is called the tea leaves are developed in the shade in order to promote its chlorophyll content. The leaves that appear rich green in color are handpicked and then finely ground. The resultant Matcha green tea powder is then made available in the market for sale. The most important thing about this tea is that it is a very rich source of antioxidants. One cup of Matcha tea is enough to deliver the amount of antioxidants that you can get from ten cups of your regular tea.
What's interesting about this tea is that whole Match green tea leaves are kept immersed in the water. Since nothing is thrown away, you are able to get maximum dose of antioxidants when you consume this tea.
Free radicals that enter our body are usually neutralized by our body but elements like chemicals, smoke, pollution, UV rays and radiation can result in building up of free radicals inside our body. The cells of your body are constantly in danger from these elements that you ingest through your food and breathing. Such elements are responsible for ageing and it can cause you to easily contract any disease.
When you eat foods that are rich in antioxidants, your overall health will start improving. You will not become easy victims to infections and illnesses. There are several good sources of antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables. Foods that are considered to be rich antioxidants are foods that are actually contain higher amounts of vital nutrients like Vitamin A, C, E, carotenoids and phytochemicals. Even the Matcha green tea can do wonders for getting rid of free radicals from your body.
Apart from fresh fruits and vegetables, you can find many antioxidants supplements in the market. Instead of buying supplements, you can add the Match green tea to your diet to regularly intake good dose of antioxidants. Since Matcha green tea is a powerful antioxidant, drink this tea regularly will ensure that you are free from the risk of contracting various health conditions like cancer, diabetes, dementia, and cardiovascular diseases.

Go ahead and purchase the antioxidant rich matcha green tea today!

Tea Facts - Why the Shape of the Japanese Tea Bowl Is So Important By Anne Therese

Japanese tea sets are considered today as a status symbol in Japanese and Asian homes, and they come in certain shapes and a great variety of colors, sizes, and styles, both to give every tea enthusiast a fine tea-drinking experience and the chance to enjoy the creativity and ingenuity of the Japanese potters and artists in creating superior quality tea pots, tea bowls, and tea cups, which transcend both time and culture.
A Basic Guide to the Shapes of Japanese Tea Bowls
The relationship between Japanese tea bowls, also known as Chawan, and Japanese teas can be slightly compared to that of wines and wine glasses, or of beer and beer steins, in that their shapes, basically answer the preparation, serving requirement, and serving temperature needs of specific or certain varieties of Japanese tea, which, in effect, brings out the best flavor and aroma of the latter, as well as answer the needs of their user.
The Common Shapes of Japanese Bowls for Tea
Japanese bowls for tea are found in various shapes, among which are half-circle shaped; circle-shaped, which is usually distinguished for its tapered rim; cylindrical, which are usually found among the everyday tea cups, called Yunomi; half-cylindrical, which appears almost rectangular due to its low height and the equal diameter of the bowl from the bottom to the rim; funnel-shaped, which includes the shallow but wide summer tea bowls; inverted bell-shaped; triangular, and square-shaped, among many others.
Which Shape to Choose when Preparing or Serving a Japanese Tea?
Basically, it depends upon a few factors, like the:
The Type of Japanese Tea: Aromatic varieties, like the Ryokucha and Sencha, for instance, are usually served on the half-circle or bell-shaped bowls, which wide and concave rim allows their aroma to escape and linger easily, while the same shapes are preferred for preparing and serving the Matcha, or the powdered green tea that is used during Japanese tea ceremonies, as their wide bowl shape allows a good space for the bamboo tea whisk to be worked with ease and to efficiently mix water and Matcha together without spilling.
The Bancha and Hojicha, on the other hand, are customarily served on a Yunomi as its taller than wide shape not only proves easy to hold for everyday tea drinking, their generally thick walls also helps to keep the Bancha and Hojicha warm for a long time.
The Season: Low and wide-rimmed bowls are used in summer, which allow tea to cool easily, while the narrow and tall varieties are used during the winter to keep the tea warm for a long time.
The Occasion: Certain Chawan flaunt a rare shape, like the diamond-shaped tea bowls, which some people reserve for special occasions or choose according to their design aesthetics, or are designed for a purpose, like the Rider's Cup, which tall stem or foot makes them convenient for the ancient horse-riders to drink tea from.
Pick the Right Japanese Bowl for Your Tea
Enjoy drinking your Japanese tea on the right tea bowl shape and don't stop there though: Pick the shade, color, and style of tea bowl that suits your style, the occasion, or your guest; the appropriate size for serving a specific type of tea; and, don't be afraid to try those in fancy shapes to make your tea drinking experience more fun and exciting.

Learn more about the history and guide on how to drink Chinese and Japanese Tea and view samples of the common shapes of Japanese tea bowls.

Matcha Green Tea Powder - How to Find the Best Quality By Dmytro Fedorev

Matcha green tea is a refreshing tea from Japan which was once exclusively available for the Japanese but now it is shipped to various countries of the world. The Matcha green tea leaves are hand-picked during the month of May in Japan and then the leaves are steamed in order to prevent fermentation. If the leaves are allowed to ferment, it can lose its original color and turn black. However, by avoiding fermentation, the leaves can retain its green color.
The leaves are then kept for drying in the shade. After this, the leaves are transferred to airtight tea jars. The leaves are stored until the month of November. The stems and veins from the Matcha green leaves are removed and then the whole leaves are then finely ground. At this point, even other kinds of tea leaves are added to the Matcha green tea powder to enhance the flavor, color and delicate scent.
Compared to other kinds of herbal teas, the Matcha green tea is quite expensive but also has manifold health benefits. The expense of the tea depends a lot on the quality of the tea. Here are some factors that decide the quality of the tea.
Place of the Tea Bush
The location from the tea leaves are picked is vital The upper part of the growing leaves from the tea bush should be soft and supple. The resulting tea powder will be of high quality with finer texture. When the leaves grow even more, they become harder which can result in lower quality tea powder with sandy texture. The tea powder produced from developing leaves has better flavor.
Process Before Grinding
Before the Match green leaves are finely ground, the leaves are kept for drying in the shade. Efforts are made to ensure the leaves do not come in direct contact with the sunlight. To avoid contact with sunlight, the leaves are dried indoors. The resulting tea powder attains fine green color.
Grinding
If the tea leaves are not ground properly, it can appear burnt and such leaves are of poor quality. Hence, Matcha leaves are stone ground until fine powder is not formed. In Japan, some tea manufacturing centers have granite stone mills for finely grinding the tea leaves.
Exposure to Oxygen
If the Matcha tea leaves are exposed to oxygen, it will lose its quality. Oxidized Matcha leaves can be easily identified through its peculiar smell and dull color.

Purchase the best quality matcha green tea powder now!

Tea: The Wonder Drink By Prerana Roy

It's a drowsy cold winter morning and you are cozily wrapped in thick blankets. You wake up fighting the morning lethargy, yawning pathetically and then suddenly there arrives a roll of newspaper with a steaming hot cup of ginger tea. And you bet: it's a moment of paradise. Early morning air, fresh news, crispy biscuits and the cup of tea to blend them all, nothing could possibly be more satisfying. The things which easily bring us pleasure and contentment are quite simple more often, and tea is one of those. It is simple to prepare although definitely dynamic in its style of preparation. And when it slides down the throat, it gives you just that right punch. Whether it is the old ginger- cardamom touch which simply tunes your gray cells to the right frequency or maybe, the tangy essence of lemon which soothes down your tired thinking tank, the power of tea is just magical.
Discovered by the Chinese emperor Shennong and popularized mainly by the West, tea is now one of the most popular beverages of the world. The maximum production of tea however is borne by India and Sri Lanka. The histories of its discovery and cultivation zones are in itself quite mesmerizing. But finally it's the taste which rules.
Red tea: the simple amalgamation of tea leaves, sugar and boiling water has actually been considered beneficial down the ages. Regulated amounts prove to be quite fruitful for the nervous system. But then, caffeine is a good friend only in a minimal amount. Tea lovers or let us say tea addicts, do a pretty good damage to their body by the dangerous amounts of caffeine intake which quite easily leads to problems of high blood pressure, insomnia and anxiety. But medical regulations happen to be a side story after all.
Tea has proved to be a pleasure for those who have explored its manifold variations. Available in the market in its grounded and roasted form, tea itself comes in a whole lot of varieties. Once you chose the one sporting the flavor of your choice, you are free to experiment with it, have it simply or maybe not have it all; as it happens tea has cosmetic applications too! Anyways, the diverse styles which it carries of this well are quite commendable. Cardamom tea, ginger tea, masala tea, lemon tea, iced tea... and the list is endless. Just handle the sugar count well, pour in the stuff of your choice and add the liquor. You have a brilliant blend of plain ingredients into an amazing hot drink. Oops! Did I just say hot? Actually, you can have it iced cold as well. Lemon is the traditional flavor but there are other choices as well. Even a dash of cocktail goes well with it. The sight of the crystal mug full to the brim with the reddish brown liquid with those ice cubes floating at the top and the slice of lemon stuck at the edge just sets off that chilly fresh momentum; just the right thing after a tiring day of work in the sweltering heat.
A comfortable assortment of cushions and a fresh new novel; nothing complements better than a cup of tea. A breakfast out in the gardens in the crispy morning air; nothing sets the scene better than a tea tray. A hushed discussion in the corner of the living room; nothing fits in between but a quick sip of tea. An important conference with the prominent business delegates; nothing rolls the wheels better than the aroma of fresh strong tea. So, here's for you: A cup of tea with the best wishes for the day.