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Dear tea drinker, How are you presently enjoying your beverage? Is it by steeping an usual tea bag in your cup, or are you preparing it using loose leaf gourmet tea? Which is it? At the conclusion of this article, tea bags may be a thing of the past for most folks! But don’t throw them away, they make good odor absorbers in the refrigerator, in fact, that is all they will seem good for after experiencing tea the way it was meant to be consumed. Five Interesting Things To Know About Gourmet Tea 1) As hinted above, gourmet loose tea will provide much better aroma and flavor over general tea bags. The simple reason why is that loose leaf tea holds more necessary oils since there is more surface area. The result is a fresh cup with a very likeable aroma which tastes very inspiring. Each sip will reward the senses. Did you ever have a great cup of gourmet coffee, or even a good glass of wine that is remembered? The same may go for your new tea experience… Tea bag tea holds fannings, also called “tea dust”, and while this may be great for tea leaf reading, will never yield a cup that rivals it is more spectacular loose leaf brothers. A big reason behind it is due to the fact that these leaves are crushed which abates the amount of oil they have. Another is that most tea bags may be over a year old, which means more of a stale flavor. All tea is best enjoyed within 6 months. 2) Gourmet tea also holds more antioxidants and polyphenols which are responsible for teas astounding health benefits. Some gains include, lowered blood pressure, lowered cholesterol, a more inviolable immune system, and even weight loss! Since loose tea is fresh and holds more oils, naturally they will give us more of the goodies health conscious folks are looking for in each cup. Tea bags will offer little of these benefits, and though you may receive some, they are not in the numbers as with loose leaf. 3) Gourmet loose leaf yields way more varieties equated to what a selection may be at a supermarket! There are four main types of tea, white, green, oolong, and black. But each type segmentations out into thousands of varieties. Seasoned tea drinkers are always looking for a new cup to discover, and this is one of the most simple delights gourmet tea is known for. 4) Another thing gourmet loose tea excels at is it makes a great gift idea! Everyone is always looking for a distinctive new way to impress somebody with a cool gift. Depending on a person’s likes, loose leaf tea is a good choice and one way to fetch out a “WOW!” when they open the present. Purchasing little tea tins with an infuser, cup set, tea pot, and fitted in a little box or gift basket is the perfective way to make a person feel surprised. It may very well make them form a healthful new habit as well! 5) Are you thinking that gourmet grade tea is expensive? The truth is, loose leaf will cost a little more, but in the long run, you are getting what you recompense for. In the long run, you’re saving money. Look at it this way, a normal cup of tea-bag brewed at a restaurant will cost around a dollar. Loose leaf when purchased in the ordinary 2 or 4 ounce tins may be an intermediate of 10 to 25 cents per cup. That is not too bad for something that you will take delight in is it? In addition, 2 ounces of tea will make a good deal of servings too! Now while these are five top reasons to get enjoyment from gourmet tea, I’m sure you’ll find others. It is a good way to impress company, and is a perfective associate for a social gathering. In time, you may find yourself shaking your head each time you see someone dunking a tea bag and smile that it was the way you once enjoyed what you thought was “tea”. |
The brother and sister duo behind Numi Tea |
Ahmed, the master alchemist behind Numi’s blends, encountered the calming simplicity of tea and herbal teasans while living in Prague, Czech Republic, where he co-owned and ran two teahouses. A distinguished photographer, Ahmed used his artistic and intuitive nature as a foundation for his progressed and artisan approach to the blending of teas.
Fluent in English, Arabic, French, German and Czech, Ahmed is a citizen of the world; each pot of Numi tea is an amalgamation of his worldly cultural knowledge, his in-depth understanding of teas, and his appreciation for quality.
Ahmed’s sister Reem has a background that is almost as diverse as the selection of Numi teas. Before the advent of Numi, Reem, a biomedical engineer, moved to Italy to nurture her artistic aspirations. Reem has exhibited her art around the world in San Francisco, New York City, Melbourne, and Florence. But you don’t need to be a globetrotter to admire her artwork–Reem’s initial paintings are also exhibited on each one of Numi’s packages. Inspired by her brother’s photos and by the meditative nature and timeless essence of tea, Reem painted Numi’s art using oil on little tin plates, with imagery that evokes a slower, more contemplative way of being. Reem believes that tea, like art, has a universal essence and is a portal for self-reflection.
What started as a dream in Reem’s little Oakland apartment moved to a lovely 25,000 squrare-foot space on the Oakland waterfront and has innovative into an stimulating and delicious journey. Since it is beginning, Numi has carved a distinct path in the U.S. tea world by introducing exotic teas such as Rooibos (Red Tea), Lemon Myrtle, Honeybush, and Dry Desert Lime, and likewise by providing full-leaf tea in teabags, without added oils or flavorings. Numi proceeds to pave the way and set new tea trends, most lately with it is creation of the hand-sewn and handcrafted “Flowering Teas.”
Most helpful customer reviews
192 of 195 people found the following review helpful.
Very beautiful and delicious
By Working Mom
I’ve waited a long time to get this set as it was very expensive when it first came out. It was well worth the wait, actually would’ve been well worth the cash had I spent it earlier. Amazon has a really low price on this.
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Handy little tea maker, even if a little cheap feeling
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Bought this directly from Adagio along with their ‘clarity mug’. The mug is a bit fragile, if pretty, but the IngenuiTEA works quite well. Just make sure the filter is pressed all the way down. I’ve used it in the microwave as well as adding boiling water from another container. I prefer that since the leaves don’t float on top as they do if you add them into the hot water. I guess they could be stirred around, but I’ve read that the hot water hitting the leaves releases the flavors better. I use it at work all the time, after considering more complicated and expensive gadgets. I’m new to teas and am very impressed with this little gadget.
Purchased as a gift – great tea
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I bought this as a gift for my mom. Of course, I had to try it out too.
The item works well, and is very convenient. Add water, microwave, add tea, wait, then serve. When you’re done, it’s dishwasher safe – although the filter looks very delicate to be putting in the dishwasher.
I wasn’t expecting as big a difference between loose leaf tea and the bagged stuff. But you absolutely can taste a difference. I tried two of the teas that came with the set, and they were both great.
This is a great gift idea for anyone who really likes tea.
Gourmet Green Tea Set
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
Very good choice for loose tea. The tea with the set is a little too weak for me. I tend to like the bolder flavors…
Gourment Green Tea Set
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
This was a gift for my son-in-law. He loved it. It is a great concept for making your favorite tea anytime. The variety pack was from various countries. The brewer was very unique. Would recommend this item for any tea lover.
Got this as a gift for a friend
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
She loves it and uses it at work. She said the teas are delicious and strongly suggested I get one for myself, which I will definitely be doing.
Teapot is defective and Adagioteas won’t cover it
Rating:1 out of 5 stars
Bought the ingenueTEA sixteen ounce teapot back on August 15th as a present for my wife, along with a bunch of tea. Tea’s good but ingenueTEA pot has been used ten to fifteen times and is already defective. The filter always falls off the post and floats to the top of the pot each time hot water is poured into the pot, thus mixing tea leaves throughout the pot. So when it’s time to let the tea fall into the teacup, it’s contaminated with tea leaves.
Tried to call Adagioteas but they have a policy of not providing a customer service phone number. Went to the chat line and spoke with Adagio’s chief technology employee, Ilya Kreymerman.
Conversation was pathetic and took way too long. Ms. Kreymerman said that the product would have had to have been returned within thirty days to be covered. Then she said they would have covered it if I’d complained within ninety days, and sadly I was a 120 days. Then she said that it was unreasonable for anyone to expect them to cover a $19 product after ninety days–what other company would do so? She asked me to look at the recommendations on their web page for this product and I pointed out that the final recommendation actually was a complaint about this same defect. She didn’t acknowledge this complaint. Then I pointed out to her that there is page here in this “Feedback” forum on this same defect. Again, she was unresponsive to my complaint and only offered to send me a new filter (which she admits is the problem) if I spend more money with them and place a new order.
I responded that despite everything she had written to me, I had purchased a product from her that has a known defect that others are complaining about, and that she should send me another filter without asking for money from me. Fair is fair, I said.
She refused, saying if I’d asked within ninety days she would have agreed. But 120 days is too long.
I told her we’ve only used the product between ten and fifteen times.
She talked on and I decided discussing matters with her was taking too much of my time. So I reponded saying I’d take my complaint to the internet and wishing her a merry Christmas.
The morale of the story is two-fold: first, don’t buy an ingenueTEA pot because they’re defective; and second, don’t expect Adagioteas to stand behind their products, even if it’s a $3 filter and a dollar in postage that’s at stake.
TEA LOVER’S DELIGHT
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
SERVICE WAS 5 STARS. GOOD QUALITY TEA. GOOD WAY TO LEARN ABOUT TEAS. NOW I’M A TEA LOVER. GOOD VALUE, THE LITTLE TINS LASTED MANY CUPS.
HARNEY AND SONS ALSO VERY GOOD.
THE INGENU WORKS WELL JUST MAKE SURE FILTER IS IN ALL THE WAY OTHERWISE IT WILL FLOAT UP AND NOT WORK. GOOD FOR THE OFFICE. I DRINK TEA ALL THE TIME NOW.
Delicious green tea!
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
First, I just have to say how incredibly convenient the IngenuiTea tea maker is. It’s so easy to use, and dishwasher safe, a great convenience.
The teas are very good. The flavor is subtle, and may seem weak if you are used to very strong tea, but I prefer the milder flavors. Two of them particularly stand out. The citron green is mildly sweet, with a fruity note, that actually reminds me of Froot Loops cereal, in a very good way.
The hojicha is a traditional Japanese style green that you may have tried at sushi restaurants. It’s a little woody with a smoky undertone. I think I’ll shortly be ordering full sized packages of those.
If you’re a fan of subtle, exotic green teas, you will really enjoy this assortment.
Neat little contraption
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
When I saw Kevin Rose use this thing on Diggnation, I knew I had to get it. I had never seen anything like it. I like that you have plenty of space for the tea leaves to expand. I haven’t yet experienced the mesh strainer popping out or “stuff” getting into my tea. It’s easy to clean, even if you don’t pop it in the dishwasher. Even though it’s made of plastic, it seems like a sturdy plastic and hasn’t broken even when I’m rough with it.
Everyone is intrigued in this device whenever I use it. There’s just something about the tea leaves dancing and then the water emptying out when you put it over your cup. I’m at the point now where I can’t imagine making tea without it. It’s just so convenient and interesting to watch.
Unfortunately I wasn’t a huge fan of three of the teas I received with this set. I received Citron Green, Gunpowder, Hojicha, and Genmai Cha. I only liked the Citron Green, even though I normally hate citrus anything in my tea. I wish that there was more of a “simple” and “unroasted” green tea that came with the set. If you’re thinking of purchasing this for yourself or as a gift, you may want to go to the Adagio Tea website and pick out flavors that are better suited to the tastes of whoever is drinking the tea.
Did exactly what I expected, which is a first for online shopping!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I don’t really have much to say other than I just bought another one for me to keep at the office. Easy to use, easy to clean, and the sample teas are of good quality.
Nice little teapot
Rating:4 out of 5 stars
Bought this set for my mom for her birthday. She prefers tea in the afternoon as a pick-me-up instead of coffee. She was able to get the hang of brewing loose tea after an initial time or two. Has had no difficulty with the teapot and reported that the teas were really good tasting.
Fabulous tea maker!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I received this as a gift and am I ever grateful! It was a wonder to see the tea just drain into my cup! I’m looking forward to bringing this to work and buying some for my friends. I must say that the green tea took me a bit by surprise- I think I put too much into the pot to start (2 tsp; I’m going to reduce to 1) or I brewed it too long. Regardless, the process is incredibly easy and the pot is worth the money. Go and get one!
Somewhat Disappointed
Rating:3 out of 5 stars
I bought this for my husband as a gift, as he enjoys a cup of green tea (teabag form) every night. I had heard that once you try steeped tea leaves, you’d never go back to teabags. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. It is difficult to determine the amount of tea to use, as some are milder, some are stronger. The concept is good and I like that it can be made quickly in the microwave. I just wish there was more information on amounts to use. Husband is back to using teabags for now.
I used to like tea
Rating:2 out of 5 stars
This looked like a great way to make tea at work – it wasn’t. The tea maker worked well – that covers the two stars but the tea was terrible!
I’ve tried different types of green tea, love lady earl grey and lots of fruity flavored kinds. One of the tea samples that came with this smelled sooooo bad that as soon as it was done brewing, I immediately dumped it down the drain and fumigated the kitchen. The citron tea was the closest to being drinkable and I had to use 2 to 3 times as much tea as was instructed and still it was like drinking hot water. So my advice is keep the tea maker and quickly dispose of the tea.
Love it!
Rating:5 out of 5 stars
I bought the Green Tea Set with the ingenuiTEA teapot as a present for myself. I love tea but hadn’t tried making tea with loose leaves before. The teapot works great, very convenient for making tea at my desk at work. I want to order other loose teas to try them out.