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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT THANKSGIVING ENTERTAINING WHAT IS 'HYGGE' 'SURVIVAL KIT INTERVIEW A TEA TASTER

Exclusive interview with

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Manila's Rising Sun

In this Issue

Thanksgiving Entertaining

Moon Milk How to Choose a Teapot

Survival Kit: Create a Reprieve from the Everyday A Career in Tea: John Snell

Thanksgiving Recipes

Letter from the President ITO EN Oi Ocha Bigelow Tea Community Challenge

4 Way to Hygge  With Tea

Jalinga Tea Run RBG Tea Festival

Shabnam Weber THAC President

What is it you do? It’s a question we get asked…A LOT! And one I have to pause to organize my head about.  Because the answer is…A LOT! So I thought the best way to go about

6. Promotion! Weekly Tea Bulletin with news alerts Quarterly tea magazine ‘Sip’ Active social media 

e h t m o fr t n e d i s e r p

this is to list it all out for you right here: 1. Guide you through government regulations that apply to our industry

 Food Labeling Modernization  Safe Food for Canadians Regulation 2. Work with government agencies  to ensure the safe import of tea into Canada 3. Representation of Canadian tea industry at international organisations – co-ordination and alignment Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO-IGG) Codex, and more 4. Marketing Research

market trends and consumer habits 5. Networking Annual Conference Holiday Luncheon

Promoting member products and intiatives Theme based months to promote all things TEA (Hot Tea Month, Entertaining with Tea, Tea and Cocktails, etc) 7. Education Tea Sommelier Certification Herbal & Infusion Modules Webinars 8. Member Services Website presence Marketing Resources (print & video)

And that was just THIS WEEK!! Seriously, we’re here for our members – to protect our industry, to support you and to promote what we all love…TEA!:

CREATE A REPRIEVE FROM THE EVERYDAY by: Adi Baker

With the breezy days of

important, and so is having an

summer behind us, September

arsenal of stress-busting tools.

can bring about a lot of change.

For some, it can be writing in a

Kids are going back to school

journal, calling a friend to chat

and new fall routines kick in.

or doing some yoga. All of these

Maybe like many Canadians you

can be upgraded by the

too find that fall can be a new

addition of tea. To have a cup

balancing act as you’re juggling

of tea ready in no time, make

new routines that cause levels

sure to have a big mug, a

of stress rise now and then.

selection of tea and a kettle.

Knowing your stressors is 

Then it's time to recharge.

SURVIVAL KIT

MOON MILK

by: Shabnam Weber

Trouble falling asleep? Well this is the cure, or so it goes. For an incessant insomniac like myself, I'm willing to try anything. And to be honest, how can you not want to drink something called Moon Milk?? The secret to Moon Milk is an Indian spice called Ashwagandha. You can find it in any health food store. It's believed to have many benefits which include relaxation and reducing stress and anxiety...sign me up!

Instructions 1 cup milk 1/4 tsp cinnamon The writer can also give facts and 1/4 tsp Ashwagandha powder detailed information following 1 tsp honey answers to general questions like Mix what, all ingredients who, when, where, and why bring a boil in pot. and how.

To add extra flavour (and colour) to your Moon Milk, infuse the warmed Moon Milk with your favourite herbal tea - something with butterfly pea flower will give you a vibrant blue and tumeric will give you sunshine yellow

Oi Ocha Tea Please! ABOUT OI OCHA Ito En's Oi Ocha is prized as the best selling brand in Japan! Pioneered as the very first unsweetened bottled green tea in the world, its meticulous attention to aroma and taste, recreates the beautiful flavors achieved when brewing tea in a Kyusu- the traditional Japanese teapot. Brewed with premium whole tea leaves, Oi Ocha offers an authentic and natural taste experience without any added colors or artificial additives. Full of healthy antioxidants and maintaining Ito En's core principles of "natural, healthy, well-designed, safe and delicious", Oi Ocha is the most favored beverage today amongst the Japanese.

A Career in Tea AN INTERVIEW WITH JOHN SNELL, TEA TASTER by: Adi Baker John Snell has been tasting tea for the last 35 years, working in the capacity of Importer, Buyer, Blender and Product Developer. While passionate about tea and it’s wonderful complexity, he is as passionate about the environment and people that tea is grown in and produced by. He sits on the Board of the Ethical Tea Partnership and owns NMTeaB consultancy, from which he helps various tea companies realize their potential.

Q: What is a Tea Taster? A Tea Taster is the industry's equivalent of the Sommelier in the Wine Industry or the Nose in the perfume trade. They are the sensory expert who, depending on where they act within the supply chain, dictate the final cup profile that Consumers all over the globe savour.

Q: How do you become a Tea Taster? Long story short, it starts with tasting hundreds of teas every day, with an expert, in order to understand the various merits and shortcomings of each origin, the plant material used, the production process and even the packing and storage process. All of these impart some nuance within

Q: Do you have to look after your palate?

the cup that needs to be described and then translated into

A palate is like any muscle, it requires exercising to remain

your personal sensorial appreciation of the impact of each.

fit for purpose and part of that fitness is the connection to the brain and the ability to decipher what you are sensing

Q: Have you always been a tea drinker?

and what that is a result of. So tasting everything that you

As early as I can remember, my Father would bring my

ingest and remaining engaged as you eat, drink or taste

siblings and I tea in bed so, yes, always a tea drinker and

(during your day job) is the key.

tea lover. Q: What is something about tea tasting that would Q: Do you get tired of tasting certain teas?

surprise most people?

I love tasting all teas, just not too much of any one tea at

I think many people are surprised that anyone tastes tea at

once. After 50 teas of any one growth and/or type, palate

all but, even if they do, given that most teas offered to the

fatigue is a real risk and one should change up the batches

public are blends, they are surprised by the breadth of

to stop the brain from going into autopilot.

taste profiles available through tea.

Q: Which tea type do you find has the most variables in

Q: What does a typical work day consist of for you?

taste?

The ability to taste is just one skill required to be a

As a type; oolongs have the most flavour profiles, they

Producer, Seller, Buyer or Blender of tea, therefore a

occupy the widest range in oxidation, further augmented

normal day includes more than just the tastings of offers,

by numerous production techniques.

approvals, receipts, blends and finished goods, though this is still the irreplaceable part of our day! This chronological

Q: Which teas do you find the hardest to taste

tasting of a tea through the supply chain lends valuable

together?

insight into what works and what does not for our business.

The most homogenous group of Origins are those of East

Add to this the complexity of over 70 different Herbs, Fruits

Africa. Despite there being some excellent teas of all makes

and Spices and the day is always varied and never dull.

coming out of these countries there is also a lot of medium quality CTC tea, tannic, plain and very difficult to grade

Q: Do you have any tips for anyone thinking of

effectively.

becoming a Tea Taster? The difference between good tasters and great tea tasters

Q: On a typical day how much tea do you drink in a

is passion; most people have a trainable palate but it is the

day?

application of this ability that makes it truly useful. So, be

More than the recommended daily intake; at least 3 pots of

passionate about tea and also make sure that you travel to

tea and a few cups (during a day of tasting, when you

Origin, for the majority of positive and negative attributes

come across a scrumptious tea, I always drink it!)

originate there.

Q: What do you love most about your job? While the joy of tasting is real, as tea is both variable and delightful, I really love knowing that my choices support a

"While the joy of

socially significant industry!

Q: What are some of the most interesting, and unique,

tasting is real, as

experiences you’ve had in your tea career? Unique experiences include night manufacturer in the highlands of Sri Lanka (there is no better scent), enjoying

tea is both variable

morning cups of tea in Darjeeling with Kanchenjunga rising pink out of the heavens and the camaraderie of Planters clubs around the world; interesting, includes my time working with the ETP, to really understand the impacts of our industry on planet and people as well as being part of

and delightful, I really love knowing

interventions that measure up to the task.

Q: What makes a superior quality tea?

that my choices

A superior quality tea is one that stands out from the crowd; for me that means having a discernible character that is in balance with the rest of the teas expected

support a socially

attributes.

significant industry!"

CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Tea Sommelier ® Become a knowledgeable tea professional WHAT IS A TEA SOMMELIER?

WHERE ARE COURSES OFFERED?

A trained and knowledgeable tea professional who has successfully completed the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada’s certification examination, as a result, is well versed on all aspects of tea as it affects the consumer. He or she will have a thorough understanding of tea and its history, processing methods and preparation and will be able to interact easily with anyone on the subject of tea and make recommendations based on their needs in an approachable and easy manner.

Students can take the program in person at select Canadian colleges, or online through the Academy of Tea. The program is also available in Italian at ProTea Academy and in Spanish at Escuela Mexicana de Té. To begin your journey visit the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada at www.tea.ca or www.teasommelier.com.

The writer can also give facts and detailed information following answers to general questions like who, what, when, where, why and how.

THANKSGIVING ENTERTAINING by: Shabnam Weber

The holidays can be stressful. Who are we kidding...they ARE stressful for most people. There is little I like more though, than entertaining and planning a party.  The key word in that sentence of course, was planning.  Lists and plans are truly the only way to entertain and enjoy yourself a the same time.  And as I just admitted that I love to plan, let me do your planning for you.   Why not have a tea themed Thanksgiving? Surprising your family with all the usuals but with a twist. At the very least...it'll have them talking!

In the next few pages you'll see that I've designed your menu, given you a breakdown of how to plan leading up to your big day...and I've included some ideas for all those Turkey leftovers!  There really is no reason at all to not enjoy your guests this year!

THANKS

MENU Cocktail or Mocktail

Starter

Main

Tea Royal

Butternut Squash Soup

Lapsang Souchong dined Turkey Classic Stuffing

Hors d'oeuvres

Orange Cranberry Sauce Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Pu-ehr Caramelized Onions

Lapsang Souchong Roasted Almonds Spiced Olives

Dessert

Pu-Ehr Beet Dip

Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts Roasted Root Vegetables Salad with Pear & Walnuts

Endive Jasmine Salmon Boats

Pumpkin Spiced Chai Latte

Matcha Parmesan Popcorn

Cranberry Apple Orange Spice Pumpkin Pie

Fig & Stilton Squares

Tea recipes on pages to follow Base recipes on last page

THREE WEEKS AHEAD:

2

order your fresh turkey, or buy frozen turkey and put in freezer - plan 1lb per person write out your grocery list - divide into categories (fresh vegetables, meat, dairy, nonperishables) order or pick up alcohol and other beverages shop for non-perishables

ONE WEEK AHEAD shop for heartier vegetables (butternut squash, carrots, potatoes, turnips, etc) wash and iron linen lay out platters, plates, cutlery and glassware Prepare: roasted olives beet dip butternut squash soup cranberry sauce syrup for cocktails

TWO & THREE DAYS AHEAD

WINE TIP: A bottle of wine contains about 5 glasses

3

if you have a frozen turkey, clear space in your fridge and put the bird in now to thaw set your table buy your perishables Prepare:

4

ONE DAY AHEAD

squares for Fig & Stilton Squares peel and cut all root vegetables Jasmine cured salmon caramalized onions for mashed potatoes

The writer can also give facts if you ordered a fresh turkey, pick it up from and detailed information the butcher following answers to general arrange your flowers and decor questions like who, what, Prepare when, where, why and how. par-cook brussel sprouts and roasted vegetables make stuffing wash lettuce brine turkey make pumpkin chai spice latte make pie & bake

1

THE BIG DAY

1

boil potatoes and mash them, they can be reheated before serving make popcorn make salmon for Endive boats stuff turkey and get it in the oven slice pears and place in water with lemon juice to prevent browning

Assemble: Fig & Stilton Squares Endive Jasmine Salmon Boats Matcha Parmesan Popcorn Cut bread and lay out crackers Lay out all hors d'oeuvres Welcome guests with cocktails and drinks

3

mash potatoes and warm heat soup sauté brussel sprouts heat stuffing vegetables in oven to finish roasting assemble salad

2

4

remove turkey from oven, foil tent Theover writerturkey can also give facts to rest and detailed information make gravy following answers to general put all food on table or buffet questions like who, what, when, where, why and how.

INSTRUCTIONS

by Tea Squared Combine equal parts: Water Sugar Tea Squared Buddy Berry Tea Bring to a boil & simmer. Strain and chill. Add 2-3 tablespoons of tea syrup into champagne flute Pour Champagne or Sparkling water over syrup to combine.

LAPSANG SOUCHONG

7 tsp lapasng souchong tea 2 tsp sea salt 1 tsp peppercorn 1 tsp chipotle powder 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder Grind all ingredients together with mortar and pestle or spice grinder

Use this spice mixture on your roasted almonds and in the brining liquid for your turkey.

ECIPS

SPICE MIX

ENIRB

LAPSANG SOUCHONG BRINED TURKEY Turkey can be notoriously dry. One of my favourite ways to solve this dilemma is brining. Brining adds moisture to your bird and in this case, even added flavour through the smokey tea rub. Be conscious of salting your bird again when cooking, as it will also absorb a lot of salt during this brining step. INSTRUCTIONS A basic brining ratio is 1 cup salt to 1 gallon of water. For our Lapsang brined turkey, add 4tbs of Lapsang Souchong Spice Mix. Dissolve salt and spice mix in water and allow your turkey to sit in this bath overnight.

Matcha Parmesan Popcorn The secret to great popcorn is...there is no secret to great popcorn! It's great because it's popcorn and it's simple. Use an air-popper, a microwave or make it stove top. It's truly difficult to go wrong with this cocktail snack. I'll fancy up my popcorn with herbs and spices. This combination requires parmesan cheese and Matcha salt. That's it! And because it's Thanksgiving, we're going to use the really fancy salt.

Matcha Salt 1/4 cup Fleur de Sel 1 tsp Matcha Combine ingredients well. Sprinkle as desired on popped corn and add parmesan

Cooking with Pu-Ehr Pu-Ehr is an aged tea from China and its flavours are truly complex. It's not a tea that everyone loves, but sometimes, being challenged by a tea is part of the beauty. I have always loved Pu-Ehr. So much so that it used to be my breakfast tea. Since then, I've experimented with those complex flavours in my cooking and found some delightful combinatinos. Keeping in mind that Pu-Ehr has earthy sweet rich deep flavours, it's a natural to add them to these two recipes

Pu-Ehr Beet Dip 1 lb cooked beets 1/4 cup brewed Pu-Ehr tea 1 can drained chickpeas 1/4 cup yogurt juice of half lemon salt and pepper to taste Blend all ingredients in food processor Pu-Ehr Caramalized Onions 3 onions sliced thin 3 tsp olive oil 1/4 cup crewed Pu-Ehr tea 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar Heat oil in frying pan, add onions and allow to become golden brown over medium/high heat. Add Pu-Ehr and balsamic, cook until liquid dissolves

If you are cold, tea will warm you; if you are too heated, it will cool you; If you are depressed, it will cheer you; If you are excited, it will calm you. William Ewart Gladstone

No truer words exist than to describe a delicious cup of Jasmine tea. The combination of aroma and flavour though, marry so well in food. And for me, that marriage is with salmon. This recipe requires you to first cure your salmon. It sounds more daunting than it is and you'll make this ahead of time. Trust that you can do it!

Endive Jasmine Salmon Boats Jasmine Cured Salmon 1 1 1 1

side of fresh salmon cup sugar cup kosher salt cup ground Jasmine tea

Combine sugar and salt. Cover salmon with ground tea. Pour enough sugar/salt mixture into pyrex dish to cover the bottom. Lay salmon on top of mixture and cover with remaining salt/sugar. Wrap well with saran and place in refrigerator for at least 24hrs. Place something heavy on salmon to weigh it down. When ready to serve, remove salmon from mixture and wipe off salt/sugar and tea.

1 red onion finely chopped capers 1 bunch dill chopped fine 1/2 lemon juiced Cut salmon into cubes, mix in red onion, dill and lemon juice. Scoop into endive spears and garnish with capers

The 31st Annual Bigelow Tea Community Challenge will take place on Sunday morning, September 30, 2018, at Wakeman Boys & Girls Club, Southport, CT. BTCC has become a major source of support to local non-profit organizations that find it increasingly difficult to compete with the more prominent national charities for significantly needed dollars, by providing more than $1.5 million dollars since the first took place.

INGREDIENTS

pumpkin spiced chai latte

- Spiced chai - 1/2 cup milk of choice - 2 tablespoons puréed pumpkin - 1 tablespoon maple syrup - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - Dash cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, cloves

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Steep spiced chai in 1/2 cup of water. 2. Mix steeped tea with all ingredients listed above. 3. Pour mixture into blender until smooth and creamy. 4. Pour mixture into pot over low heat to re-warm until desired temperature. 5. Pour into mug and top with whipped cream.

CRANBERRY AND APPLE ORANGE SPICE PUMPKIN PIE

by Daniel J Lestrud compliments of Bigelow Tea

INGREDIENTS 24 ounces evaporated milk 4 tea bags of Bigelow Cranberry Apple Herbal Tea 4 tea bags of Bigelow Orange Spice Herbal Tea 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon kosher salt 32 ounces pumpkin puree 2 pie crust, mealy or graham cracker style both work well

INSTRUCTIONS Heat milk and add tea bags and let steep 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile whisk egg, sugar and salt together. Add pumpkin puree and blend till smooth. Slowly stir in tea steeped milk and blend till smooth. Pour into prepared pie shell and bake till center does not move when lightly shaken. Pies may take 30 to 40 minutes, shallower squares may take 20 to 30 minutes.

S R E V O T F E L Turkey Salad with Lapsang Mayo by: Caroline Samson chopped left over turkey 2 celery ribs, diced 1 green onions, minced (optional) ¼ c dried cranberries ½ c lapsang mayo Salt and pepper to taste Lapsang Mayo 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 tsp Lapsang Souchong tea Grind the lapsang tea into fine powder removing remaining pieces of twigs. Mix the ground tea into the mayonnaise and set aside. This mayo can be prepared ahead of time to let the smokiness infuse thoroughly. Combine turkey, celery, and green onion if using. Chop dried cranberries if you find them too large and add to the turkey mixture. Add the lapsang mayo and mix well to cover all ingredients. Season to your liking. Serve this lapsang turkey salad on your favourite bread or wrap, or simply add to a bed of greens.

The writer can also give facts and detailed information following answers to general questions like who, what, when, where, why and how.

Back to Basics: How to Choose A Teapot by: Camellia-Sinensis

Glass, cast iron or ceramic? Before choosing a teapot, it is good to have an idea of how we will use it. While most teapots are versatile and can be used for a full range of teas, others are more suited for certain family of teas.

previous infusion. If you’re looking to experiment with a wide variety of teas, this vThe e rwriter s a t can i l i talso y m ake it the prime give facts and c h o i cinformation e . A l s ofollowing recommended for detailed d elica e , s uquestions b t l e like teas such as answers totgeneral who, w h iwhat, t e twhen, e a swhere, o r Cwhy hinese green and how. teas. 

Ceramic A glazed ceramic surface allows all styles of tea to be infused without the taste of the

Glass Similarly to ceramic teapots, glass teapots are also known for their versatility and neutrality.

They are created with a delicate clays that add lightness to their ergonomic designs. They can be used for a classic green tea infusion or for a senchado technique.

The inner surface allows for any type of tea to be infused but the distinct sensorial advantage is the spectacular visuals through the glass the as your infusion opens before your eyes. Yixing These are handmade teapots, known to absorb a tea’s aromas. The porous surface adds mineral content changing the water quality and making it the perfect choice for any tea lover looking for dedicated teapot for one family of teas. Over time, the teapot will build a mild “memory that adds a layer of taste to the  profile. Notably ideal for for black teas, wulong and Pu Er. Kyusu Kyusu teapots are lesser known in the Occident but are ideal for preparing small leaved Japanese teas.

Cast Iron Originally used as kettles in China, cast iron teapots are now a Japanese speciality. The enamelled interior surface allows for any tea to be infused without memory. Metal There are many different types of metal teapots each of a different quality. If you’re looking to infuse mint tea, we recommend the traditional teapots of the Magreb as they maintain heat very well. However, for infusing more delicate teas metal teapots are not recommended.

Diwali is the most celebrated day on the Hindo calendar. It's the festival of lights; the day celebrates light triumphing over dark, or good over evil. For Hindus, Diwali signals the return of Rama, the lord of virtue and a major Hindu deity, to his kingdom after being exiled for 14 years. As the legend goes, a demon had kidnapped Rama’s wife, Sita. Rama travelled with another devoted deity Hanuman, who takes the form of a monkey, to rescue her. When they returned home victorious, their kingdom was lit up with lamps to celebrate. The story is a Sanskrit epic known as “Ramayana”.

Those who follow Jainism, Diwali commemorates a respected ascetic called Mahavira who is credited with reforming the faith, and reached a state of nirvana after dying. For Sikhs, Diwali falls on the anniversary of when Guru Hargobind was released from prison in 1619. Guru Hargobind was the sixth of 10 Sikh guru and founded the military tradition. And for Buddhists, this day is called Ashok Vijayadashami, and represents when an enlightened Indian ruler, Emperor Ashoka, gave up violence to take on a peaceful path.

Diwali/ Deepavali November 6-10

4 WAYS TO HYGGE WITH TEA by: Adi Baker

Over the last few years you may have heard the term hygge being used, especially during the chilly winter months. Hygge is a Danish concept that promotes a feeling of well-being through simple creature comforts. It’s not meant to be hard, and you can create this feeling anywhere with what you already have (warm drinks, slippers, candles, cozy blankets, etc.). The ritual of tea has been creating hygge for millennia. Here are five ways to hygge with tea:

1

The simplest way is simply to brew yourself a cup of tea. This is a time to slow down and focus on the moment and reflect on what you are doing and tasting.

2

Create a comfortable atmosphere. Light some candles, snuggle up with a good book and a blanket, and let the warming aroma of a pot of tea fill the room. May we suggest something extra aromatic such as a chai, or anything with pumpkin pie spices.

3 4

Hygge

Break out the face masks and bubble bath, and relax in the comfort of a home spa. After steeping your tea cool the tea bags in the fridge. Once fully chilled rest them on your eyes to sooth them from your long day in front of the computer.

pronounced

Channel a little bit of hygge in the office by using a teacup to plant your favourite succulents that can sit right on your desk!

"hoo-gah"

Whether pursuing a career in the retail or hospitality industry or enhancing your enjoyment of tea, this course provides an introduction on the historical origin of herbs and spices as they are used in tea. This course will provide a general history of herbal remedies throughout the ages with emphasis on how it is used in China as well as in India over thousands of years. Students will be introduced to the basic concepts and philosophies and learn about the common herbs used in each of these practices.

HI-101 is a 4-week online course. Register at www.tea.ca

HI-101 INTRO TO HERBS & I N F U S I O N S   WWW.TEA.CA 

Recipes Fig & Stilton Squares epicurious.com Butternut Squash Soup jamieoliver.com Classic Stuffing foodnetwork.com Orange Cranberry Sauce jessicagavin.com Roasted Turkey foodnetwork.com Creamy Mashed Potatoes cookingofrkeeps.com Maple Roasted Brussel Sprouts cooking.nytimes.com Roasted Root Vegetables canadianliving.com Salad with Pear and Walnuts hurrythefoodup.com

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