I was first introduced to loose leaf tea a few years ago. Before then, I equated tea drinking with dumping a pre-portioned bag into hot water and waiting for it to work it’s magic. Then, after +/- two minutes, I’d add copious amounts of sugar and sit back to “enjoy.” Not really.
Hubby has always been a loose leaf tea enthusiast; in fact, it is his preferred souvenir from all his worldly expeditions. Mint tea from a gift shop in Brazil. Red Rooibos Vanilla tea from a tiny corner in Old Montreal. Even a simple Earl Grey Black tea from a popular tea house in London. He was the one who taught me the difference between the preparation of tea and the ritual of tea – appreciating the smell, flavour and serenity that comes from a perfectly steeped cup. When we moved in together, I inherited a small glass teapot, a stainless steel tea ball, and hundreds of paper filters.
Of course, as Mike will tell you, it’s not always practical to jump on a plane to find high quality tea, and unless you happen to have a tea house around the corner, you may wonder how you too can enjoy premium loose tea. That’s why I love RedUmbrella Tea.
Established in 2006, RedUmbrella Tea built its business plan around the concept of high quality tea at fair prices, under the broad objective of becoming Canada’s first and preferred choice to online loose leaf tea purchases. Co-owner Tim explains: “We feel our slogan ‘Indulge for Pleasure. Indulge for Life.’ really represents what we are trying to do at RedUmbrella Tea, by making loose leaf tea as affordable as possible – so it can be enjoyed, but also we try to highlight its many wonderful health benefits, that it can help anyone lead a happier, healthier, more full life.”
Wondering what some of those health benefits are?
Protects against heart disease
Reduces the risk of cancer, especially stomach, esophageal, lung and skin cancer
Reduces Arteriosclerosis
Lowers Blood Pressure
Lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol
Fights infections
Promotes against and destroys harmful bacteria and viruses.
Promotes weight loss
Online shopping at RedUmbrella couldn’t be easier. Simply select your category of tea (Black, Oolong, Green, etc.) and you’ll find a variety of premium teas, all portioned into 20+ cups and described for your pleasure. Some of my faves:
Red Rooibos Chocolate Mint
Dramatic mint notes tempered with fruity rooibos. The inclusion of cocoa pieces and organic peppermint give a refreshing palate cleansing finish.
Green Tea Chai
Superb green tea blended with fresh Indian spices for real chai! Delicious, especially with milk and sugar.
Black Forest Black Tea
Piquant and astringent chocolate flavour with lovely cherry and cream notes.
Now according to Mike, who always thinks twice before scooping up specialty tea as he’s married to a frugal mama, RedUmbrella’s prices are some of the most affordable he’s ever seen. He literally giggled with delight when I showed him the website – marvelling at the quality, selection, and above all, price!
And if you aren’t tempted to buy for yourself (how can you not be, with varieties such as Jasmine Flowers tea and Red Rooibos Caramel?) RedUmbrella Tea also offers tea gifts, certificates and accessories for that special tea drinker in your life. I’m particularly loving the “Little Black Book of Tea” – What’s hot? It’s tea, in all its delicious and dizzying varieties! This tribute to tea offers a brisk and full-bodied look at tea varieties and grades, teas or the world, and brewing basics, with 60 recipes. Steep yourself in this user’s guide to tea – the new coffee.
BONUS! Listen to Lena! readers can enter code LENA15 at checkout for a 15% discount on your purchase! Coupon expires September 1st, 2010.
Click here to shop at RedUmbrella Tea.
Contest Time: Start a tea ritual of your own!
One lucky Listen to Lena! reader will win a Six Tin & Tea Book Gift Starter Set (value $44.95)! This is the perfect place to start for those new to loose leaf tea! The set includes six superb loose leaf teas as well as “The Little Black Book of Tea.” This tribute to tea offers a brisk and full-bodied look at tea varieties and grades, teas or the world, and brewing basics, with 60 recipes.
This set features: St. Coombs Ceylon Black Tea, Formosa Oolong Tea, Jasmine Flowers Green Tea, Blueberry White Tea, Organic Rooibos Tea and Tropical Fruit Cocktail Herbal Tea. This all comes packaged in a white box with tissue paper, a handful of loose tea hemp infuser filters, and is ready to gift!
To enter, visit RedUmbrella Tea’s website and choose three (3) teas that peak your interest, OR suggest a tea you’ve enjoyed before to recommend to loose leaf novices. I’ll draw for a winner at the end of the month. Thanks to RedUmbrella Tea for sponsoring the giveaway, and good luck everybody!
I suggest vanilla cream black tea, white tea with peach,and cranberry apple tea
ok so the chocolate mint tea may have sucked me in I will admit! That sounds amazing to me as it is one of my fave combinations in life!! haha
I love tea!!!! I have always been a coffee person, but recently was told that it migbt be better for me to switch and since Starbuck's intro their full leaf teas I have to say life is getting easier for tea drinkers! lol Although it's never as good as doing it yourself! Suggestions, if your like me and have a hard time sleeping Camomile Mint right before you go to bed helps a lot! It also has other great benefits for women, ie: helps with cramps! And for the odd day when I have a sweet tooth, and don't want to gain a few extra from chocolate cake I take a little bit of Red Rooibos Vanilla, its sweet and hits the spot! I love green tea's and would love to try Jasmine Flower Greent Tea! Great post Lena!
My 3 votes go to Camomile Mint, any and all blooming teas cuz they are pretty and Green Tea Chai because chai rocks my world!great post ;)
I happen to love red tea, so I would try the red rooibos chocolate mint, red rooibos vanilla and just plain organic red rooibos. This is another fabulous giveaway Lena!
Love to try green tea chai, camomille mint andchocolate mint tea.
Love to try the green chai, jasmine and white teas.Thanks for another fab contest !
I love any type of ginger tea! My fav loose leaf combination is lemongrass with ginger pieces
I can't pick just three but I've narrowed it down to four choices: the cranberry apple herbal tea, the earl grey black tea, the Irish breakfast and the red rooibos vanilla. Thanks for the awesome contest.
I love trying new teas. I would love to try the Cocomint Green Tea, Blueberry White Tea, Jasmine Flowers Tea…mmmm….makes me want to go make a cup!
Sadly I'm such a sucker for anything chocolate mint.. including tea! Sounds fantastic! Although Peppermint has been the flavour of the month along with decaf
Green teas are my favourite so Jasmine Tea would be my first choice.Then add Camomile Mint and Green Tea Chai.Cheers, Vanda
The Cocomint Green Tea, Genmaicha Green Tea, and the Silver Needle White Tea all sound wonderful.
1) Jasmine flowers green tea because it's so hard to find a jasmine green tea. 2) Chai tea.3) Anything ginger.
Camomile Mint is always my favourite, and I'd like to try the cranberry apple – that's always a good combo. I would also try the red roobois vanilla
I'm a big fan of black tea, so I would love to try the earl grey, the vanilla cream, and the black forest. Yum!
Choco mint – numnums!!!! I just love tea in general.
My top three – camomille mint, organic earl grey tea and organic red rooibos.
I would love to try camomille mint, green teas chai and chocolate mint tea.
I am a lifelong Earl Grey fan so the Earl Grey Black Tea would be first on my list. Irish Breakfast Black Tea would be second and Blueberry White Tea would be third. I LOVE loose tea and have purchased it at 'Tea At The White House' in Waterdown in the past. Standard tea bags don't compare. I'll definitely be checking out this site! Thx!
I'd love to try the Irish Breakfast Black Tea, the Gyokuro Loose Tea, and the Red Rooibos Chocolate Mint Tea.
I would love to try:camomille mint tea,chocolate mint tea,and the earl grey.Thanks for the giveaway!!mommakoala(at)cogeco(dot)ca
The Blueberry White Tea, followed by Golden Monkey and The Green tea Chai. (also, I didn't know you could steep a tea blossom THREE times!)Thanks for the great contest, this website is wonderful!
definitely blueberry white, black forest and rooibos chocolate mint!
I would love to try the White Tea with Peach, Green Chai Tea, and Vanilla Green teas.
I would love to try the vanilla green tea, Red Rooibos Chocolate Mint and Vanilla Cream Black Tea. They sound delish. I really need to try and kick my coffee habit! Thanks for the chance and the fab post!
Camomile mint – for sure.
I love tea!!!! I would love to try the Guava Green Tea, Cocomint Green Tea and Blueberry White Tea
Hmmm!Would like to try vanilla cream black tea, white tea with peach and Herbal Mango Melange!
My family are mad tea drinkers, having lived in England before coming here, so trying some new tea is always a good thing. I'd choose Rooibos, Tropical fruit, or Jasmine green tea.