Tea
| Jan '12 |
January Teas |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Indulge in too many sugarplums? We all do it this time of year and then face January with regret. What can we offer the customer wanting to lighten up and re-point their dietary intake? What flavors are popular with the post-holiday side of winter? |
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| Jan '12 |
New! Cast Iron Teapots |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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It is always great to receive new products, but we are especially pleased to announce the addition of cast iron teapots to our wholesale offering. Long used in Japan and revered for their elegance, durability and heat retention, cast iron teapots have become a popular choice for tea enthusiasts in the western parts of the globe. |
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| Oct '11 |
The Pumpkin Craze |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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It's October and all palates turn to the seasonal goodness of pumpkin! The highly celebrated king of squash, pumpkin reigns supreme over the late part of the year. |
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| Sep '11 |
Finally Fall! |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Our local meteorologist, who has been busy as a bee with Hurricane Irene, tweeted this morning that September 1 is the meteorological beginning of fall. For tearooms, tea purveyors and moms, autumn brings relief. For us teafolks, cooler weather and back to school signal the end of summer and the beginning of increased tea enjoyment. |
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| Aug '11 |
Late Summer Planning |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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August is here and so we have reached late summer. As the season starts to wind down remember to squeeze in some beach time, lake time, picnic time and fall planning time. The latter does not sound nearly as fun as the others, but you will be thanking yourself once the fall hits and things get back to their hectic pace. |
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| Jun '11 |
June is Iced Tea Month! |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Don't forget (how could we?) that June is National Iced Tea Month! An American favorite, iced tea still makes up about 85% of all tea consumed in the US, so make sure you have some delicious offerings. A great substitute for sugary sodas and juices, iced tea is refreshing and needs little to no sweetening if made properly. |
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| May '11 |
The Merry Old Month of May |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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May has always been one of my favorite months. Spring begins to fully bloom where I live in the Northeast with its promise of April showers bringing May flowers. |
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| May '11 |
China Trip |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Last month, as many of you know, I went on a tea trip to China with two colleagues for Adagio Teas. Suzette Hammond was kind enough to write about our trip as we went along, but I'd also like to share a few personal impressions of the trip. |
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| Apr '11 |
April Tea Travel |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Spring has finally sprung and all things in nature are sprouting - flowers, grasses and our favorite sprout - tealeaves! Happy and excited (practically delirious) to announce that this month I will get the honor of witnessing these sprouts and their transformation into the various kind of tea on a trip to China! |
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| Mar '11 |
Lemon Clouds and Lavender Fields |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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We've been slowing adding requested blends to our selection over the past few months and February was no exception. In case you missed the direct email we sent mid-month we are happy to introduce a lemon-cream rooibos blend we lovingly call Rooibos Lemon Cloud. |
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| Mar '11 |
For the Leaf of It |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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In years past, March has given the first whispers of the tea harvest season. Sometimes, when the weather is right and conditions are prefect, you might even see a first flush Darjeeling harvest oh so early. If we get so lucky this year, it is always a treat to have the first leaves of spring in our cups. Be sure to keep a close watch on your tea vendors, if you are interested in early crops. |
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| Feb '11 |
Be My Valentine (Tea) |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Without Valentine's Day what would frosty February really have going for it? Boasting only a couple of presidential birthdays and a questionable marmot weather forecaster, February would be a winter wasteland and 28 (or 29) days of dismal mid-winter doldrums for anyone living in the colder regions. |
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| Feb '11 |
Tropical Getaway |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Recently we had he pleasure of adding green rooibos to our tea offering. I'm happy to say they could not have come at a better time. Some of our wholesale customers needed to replace a few green rooibos blends from a vendor who is no longer in business but also because of this darned winter. |
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| Jan '11 |
Tea Taster's Lament |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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The past couple of years have certainly been a challenge for most tea retailers and 2010 was no exception. While tea culture in the US is certainly on the upswing and many tea centric businesses saw a delightful bounce back in interest, traffic flow and sales, this year still found a way to kick us in the shins - or in the teacup, as it were... |
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| Dec '10 |
Holiday Spice! |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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In case you are looking for some holiday teas to add merriment to your tea offering for the season, we would like to suggest the following time tested deliciousness... |
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| Oct '10 |
Mate Maddess! |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Yerba Mate has long been a social beverage in South American countries such as Argentina and Brazil. It is customary to enjoy a gourd-full of brewed mate and sip through a metal straw while enjoying the drink and the company of friends and companions. |
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| Sep '10 |
Conquering the Digital Landscape |
Stepas Parulis |
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It is hard to imagine a modern tea business without at least a simple website, serving as a digital "storefront" to attract and inform customers. However, your online presence and marketing can and should go far beyond this initial phase at a time when people spend an increasing amount of time browsing, shopping and sharing information online. |
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| Sep '10 |
Cinnamon, Spice and Everything Autumn |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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September signals our "prepare for autumn" response and thus, many tea businesses are already seeking suggestions for fall teas. Nothing quite embraces the season like a delightful array of teas to brew. Make sure you have the flavors well represented by the following blends. |
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| Jul '10 |
Blueberry Dreams |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Are you berry crazed? We love berries, especially July's beautiful blueberries. Some blueberry tea suggestions for your iced tea offering and an ingenious brew method. |
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| Jun '10 |
Strawberry Season! |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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June kicks off the season of summer berry-liciousness! Berries are one of nature's gifts of wonder. Not only do they offer antioxidants galore but more importantly - fresh, ripe, in-season berries really deliver fabulous flavor. As tea people, we are incredibly spoiled - strawberry teas are available all year to delight our palates. Even so, every June thoughts turn to strawberry teas with more intensity. |
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| Jun '10 |
Making the Perfect Iced Tea |
Christine Rillo & Cynthia Fazekas |
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As warmer weather approaches, many tea drinkers will find themselves wanting to swap their cups of steaming hot tea for tall glasses of iced tea. Though the beverage market is swamped with a wide variety of ready-to-drink teas-everything from sugary and flavored to plain and sublime-making your own iced tea gives you the creativity to make your very own concoction with whatever tea you decide upon. It's easy to make and the options to personalize it are endless. |
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| Jun '10 |
Minty Fresh for Summer |
Angela Justice |
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Nothing is quite as refreshing as soothing and cool mint tea. Some history and a recipe on this ubiquitous, helpful herb. |
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| May '10 |
Tea Appreciation for Troubled Times |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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A little reminder about tea enjoyment and how it enhances life in tumultuous times. Refocus yourself and guide your customers through tea appreciation. |
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| Apr '10 |
White Tea from China |
Adagio Teas |
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Proclaiming white tea to be the culmination of all things elegant, a Song Dynasty emperor sowed the seeds of its modern-day popularity. And while it has been shrouded in obscurity outside of China until very recently, this much-beloved variety has now been discovered by tea lovers around the world. |
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| Mar '10 |
Brewing of the Green |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Looking to refresh your tea service? March is a great month to celebrate Irish heritage with St Patrick's Day and the awakening of Spring with fine green teas. While Irish Breakfast might be the traditional brew of the occasion, the great popularity of green teas should also be embraced. |
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| Feb '10 |
February Tea Themes |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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From ground dwelling prognosticating rodents to chocolate hearts to presidents, February certainly has an eclectic lot of themes. Valentine's Day and all its sweetness gets the most amount of attention of course, because what else can so effectively distract us from our winter doldrums than love and sweet treats? |
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| Jan '10 |
How To Introduce New Teas |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Cross-sell by providing small lists of teas that people who buy a particular tea also enjoy. For example, if a customer is deeply attached to Irish Breakfast, they may also enjoy a hearty Assam or a full-bodied China black tea. A green tea aficionado may enjoy a lightly oxidized oolong. Darjeeling lovers also seem to enjoy Fancy Formosa Bai Hao style oolongs. |
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| Jan '10 |
Snowbirds (and Tea) |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Winter is upon us and entered in grand style this past week by besieging those of us in New England with unrelenting snow and wind. Now that the holidays have past, we take a moment to catch our breath and consider the dark-eyed junco. |
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| Nov '09 |
What's New? - November 2009 |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Just in time for the holidays, Adagio Teas Wholesale has added two new lines to our bulk tea offerings. Fabulous chai blend and some rather cutting edge new teas to tantalize taste buds! Also our ever-popular holiday teas are ready to go! |
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| Oct '09 |
A Ten Year Journey |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Growing up in New England, I've always come to think of autumn as the season of change. Deciduous trees shedding their leaves denote this transition of nature clearing out the old in anticipation of the new. And so it was for me one autumn ten years ago as I was leaving behind an old career in anticipation of something new. |
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| Sep '09 |
Ramping Up for Fall |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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If your tea business is like most, you are about to get busy. Finally! After the long, slow pace of summer, people are getting back to school, back to work and that means...Tea Time! |
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| Aug '09 |
Tea vs. Teatime |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Recently it seems more and more people are going to tearooms for the first time. This is a very good thing, and generally they enjoy it immensely, however the comment frequently heard is lack of a strong tea presence. They expected more tea selection and to learn more about this previous brew. How can this be in such an enlightened age? |
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| Jun '09 |
Making the Perfect Iced Tea |
Christine Rillo & Cynthia Fazekas |
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As warmer weather approaches, many tea drinkers will find themselves wanting to swap their cups of steaming hot tea for tall glasses of iced tea. Though the beverage market is swamped with a wide variety of ready-to-drink teas-everything from sugary and flavored to plain and sublime-making your own iced tea gives you the creativity to make your very own concoction with whatever tea you decide upon. It's easy to make and the options to personalize it are endless. |
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| Jun '09 |
June is Iced Tea Month |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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This time of year is magical for those of us who have suffered through a long New England winter now that the weather has stabilized and summer will soon officially arrive. As picnics, patio dinners and grilling almost anything you can eat become popular pastimes, iced tea becomes the beverage of the season! |
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| May '09 |
Spring Favorites 2009 |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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May is usually quite a glorious month, with all of nature kicking it into high gear, and numerous special occasions to celebrate! Aside from the annual pollen attack, it is one of my favorite months of the year. |
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| May '09 |
Blooming Teas |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Over the past couple of years blooming teas have really blossomed (sorry – couldn't resist) in popularity. The visual impact of the slowly unfurled hand-tied leaves accounts for the immense draw these teas possess. Their beauty and exquisite nature make any tea moment a celebration. |
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| Apr '09 |
Sweet April |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Finally with winter in our rear view and nature slowly reawakening we can enjoy the renewal and hope of this trans-formative season - Spring! There still may be rain and snowstorms about but even the massive yield of a blizzard is no match for the warm weather hopping down the bunny trail. |
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| Mar '09 |
Top O'the Morning! |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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One of the most popular tea blends for any tea company is Irish Breakfast. Traditionally a hearty brew that usually gets its familiar malty character from a rich Assam and is good with cream and sugar. It is bold enough to stand up against a stout TIB - traditional Irish breakfast - or a hearty plate of corned beef and cabbage. |
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| Feb '09 |
Valentine's Teas |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Many of you have already planned your special events for Valentine's Day and are hoping for booked tearooms. In making your event a success, give special consideration to your tea offerings. It's always good to offer both flavored and non-flavored teas especially when a meal is part of the special event menu. We suggest either a nice second flush Darjeeling or a more intriguing choice such as a fine Ti Kuan Yin oolong. |
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| Jan '09 |
Selecting a Tea Supplier |
Michael Cramer |
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Tea is a relatively simple product. So it may come as a surprise to discover that the industry is among the murkiest. Perhaps that's an overstatement. Still, it is safe to say the tea industry is far from transparent. And the small wholesale market may certainly be its most opaque segment. |
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| Jan '09 |
Tea Scrying 2009 |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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What a year 2008! Many of us are still scratching our heads or reeling from all the upheaval and uncertainty. Hopefully, the worst is behind us and as we move into 2009 we can focus on healing, rebuilding and re-growth. |
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| Nov '08 |
Genmai Cha: The History of a Unique Taste |
Chris Cason |
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Unlike tea, the Japanese during difficult times rice was both plentiful and inexpensive. Diluting tea with a handful of roasted rice was one way that a limited amount of tea could be made to last longer. Out of this opportune desperation, a tradition was born of combining tea leaves with rice, producing a mixture called Genmai Cha. |
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| Nov '08 |
Tumultuous Autumn 2008 |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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The autumn colors are more muted now. The bright yellows and reds have given way to mellow honeys and russets. Some trees are nearly naked with only the most tenacious leaves still clinging to their branches. With so much beauty surrounding us it is important to take moment to appreciate these little things in life. During this season of change as we all wait and watch, financial markets and the future seem to quiver like willows on a fault line. |
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| Oct '08 |
Honeybush: The Other South African Beauty |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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Roobos' Sweeter Sister - In recent years, Rooibos also known as African Red Tea has become quite the celebrity. Appearing in wild blends, hip new pyramid bags and even in super trendy RTD bottles, Rooibos is as popular as a young starlet. But Rooibos is not the only caffeine-free herbal beauty Africa has to offer. Just out of the limelight, is her lesser-known sister, Honeybush (Cyclopia spp.) Equally as rich in reputed health benefits, just as valuable as a tea placebo for the late night sipper, and perhaps just a bit more approachable. |
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| Sep '08 |
Monthly Profile: White Teas |
white tea from China |
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Monthly Profile: White Teas |
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| Aug '08 |
Tea Profile: Ceylon |
Diana Rosen |
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Tea Profile: Ceylon |
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| Jun '08 |
World Tea Expo: Good Showing in Tea Competition |
Angela Justice |
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| May '08 |
Spreading Tea Joy |
Adagio Teas |
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Spreading Tea Joy |
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| May '08 |
Minty Fresh for Summer |
Angela Justice |
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Few herbs are as well recognized as mint. Mint has been used as a remedy for freshening the breath, improving digestion, relieving headaches, reducing fevers, and minimizing congestion from sinus troubles since antiquity throughout the world. This herbal infusion has remained a staple for tea purveyors. Mint teas, most popularly made with peppermint or spearmint, continue to have a most devoted following. |
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| Apr '08 |
Tea Profile: Darjeeling |
James Norwood Pratt |
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Tea Profile: Darjeeling |
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| Apr '08 |
Masala Chai |
Angela Justice |
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Masala Chai |
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| Mar '08 |
What's In Your Cup? |
Cynthia Fazekas |
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What's In Your Cup? |
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