Shippers Increase Rates
Effective January 4th, the Postal Service, Federal Express, Fedex Ground, and UPS are all increasing per pound rates as well as surcharges for rural and residential delivery (Fedex and UPS).
The most notable change for devotea customers is the Postal rate change for 1 pound Priority Mail packages (one or two tea cozies; tea under 1 pound). The new rates have added zone based pricing. Previously, 1 pound was a flat rate to all 50 states.
Royal Patrician Closed
Bad news for lovers of English made china teaware! US importer Royal Patrician closed as of May 8th. We still have some inventory left on the four patterns we carry. If you’ve been thinking about buying or adding to a tea service, don’t delay. We expect to the line to be gone by year end.
Chatsford Teapots
The Chatsford teapot system was originally designed and patented by The London Teapot Company. Their unique method of incorporating a large nylon mesh infuser within the Chatsford teapot continues to make the Chatsford one of the best teapots for preparing loose leaf teas. The fine mesh works equally well with whole leaf or finely cut (CTC) teas. Originally produced in England, the London Teapot Company currently manufactures their product in Thailand. We stock all available colors in the 2, 4, and 6 cup sizes. We also stock their large 10 cup teapot in Rockingham Brown and white.
Organic and Bio-dynamic Teas
Certified Organic Teas
Organic farms raise their produce without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. To be certified Organic, the farm is inspected by an independent agency, which also tests both the farm and produce from the farm for chemical and pesticide residues.
When we select a tea, it must first of all be an excellent tea. If it is also organic, that is an added benefit. When the price is also good, that’s outstanding!
Bio-dynamic Certification
The Bio-dynamic farm concept goes far beyond the Organic certification idea. A Bio-dynamic farm is by definition also organic, but the Bio-dynamic concept for certification extends into everything done on or by the farm. For example, compost used for fertilizer must be made on the farm, and everything used to make the compost must be grown on the farm. Likewise, animals used on the farm must be fed from farm produce. The concept also extends to the farm workers. The Bio-dynamic standards require levels of employee involvement in management, benefit and wage standards, and even housing and living standards. In short a Bio-dynamic farm must be sustainable and beneficial both environmentally and socially.
When we select a tea, it must first of all be an excellent tea. When we find such a tea produced by a Bio-dynamic certified farm, that’s exciting!
Measuring Tea - Weigh or Scoop?
Have you ever bought an expensive loose Oolong tea, made it according to your usual procedure, and been disappointed by the cup of colored water that resulted? If you used a scoop to measure the tea, the result was predictable. (more…)
Fast Iced Tea
At this time of the year, iced tea seems to disappear incredibly quickly. That’s why a good, quick method of making more is a good thing to have! (more…)
A word about web browsers
If our website doesn’t look quite right… read on! (more…)
More on Caffeine
Ever noticed that drinking a green tea at night is more likely to lead to a sleepless night than drinking a strong black tea? We have. At first we thought we were crazy. Then we encountered many other people with the same observation. (more…)
Removing Caffeine from Tea
For those of us who love tea but don’t get along well with caffeine, the lack of variety and availability in factory decaffeinated teas can be frustrating. Fortunately, removing the caffeine (80 to 90 % of it) from tea is very easy. (more…)
TE3017 Welsh Morning
Welsh Morning is fundamentally an English Breakfast blend. Expect a cup with good body and a mix of Ceylon brightness with Assam maltiness. This blend is heavier on the malty side than typical packaged English Breakfast blends, though not as much as an Irish Breakfast tea. It takes milk well. Take care to limit the infusion time or it will get bitter. If you want it stronger, use more tea, not more time. Welsh Morning is a consistently reliable tea.
