The Delicacy of Oolong

Jen Biro

For the consummate tea drinker, oolong teas hold a special place in their heart. While there is great attention given to the processing of all teas, oolongs require the hand of a skilled tea master to fully capture the spectrum of flavors oolong holds. The beauty of oolong, aside from the sweet- savory flavor, is that it falls somewhere between a black and green tea. So, when the afternoon sleepies start to come around and you need a little pick me up that won't keep you up all night, turn oolong. The caffeine content will be lower than black tea...

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Loose Leaf, Pyramid Sachets, & Paper Bagged Teas

Jen Biro

Take a moment with Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea Co. to check out our breakdown of the differences between these three tea varieties for a deeper understanding of their qualities. Make sure to check out the tea brewing guidelines below for how to brew your own perfect cup! Loose Leaf Tea Qualities Hand picked, hand rolled for quality control.  Whole, unbroken leaves. Contains more essential oils which offer a fuller flavor. Can be steeped several times, depending on the type of tea. Contains higher amounts of polyphenols (a type of antioxidant) and chlorophyll (the cancer fighting compound found in green tea)....

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Wild About Matcha

Jen Biro

The Origin of Matcha Stretching all the way back to the 17th century, matcha was first enjoyed by the Tang Dynasty in China. They found that by steaming the leaves they could form bricks, which would make it easier for sellers to take on trade travels. The tea bricks were prepared by roasting and grounding the leaves then mixing the tea powder with water and salt.  Around the 10th century, a Japanese Buddhist monk, by the name of Eisai, returned to his home country after many years spent studying Buddhism in China. He brought with him the much revered matcha...

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Cold Brew Tea Benefits & Concoctions

Jen Biro

If you're looking to cut down on your caffeine intake, develop fuller flavors within your tea and increase the overall health benefits you receive from enjoying your favorite cup... look no further than the beautiful simplicity found in cold brewing. Cold brewing tea is just about the easiest thing in the world to do. Pop some loose leaf tea into a container of cold filtered water, let sit for up to 12 hours and strain. Viola! The result is a tea that has fewer tannins, producing a flavor that is much less astringent than hot brewed tea with a smoother,...

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How The Tea , Bar and Restaurant Communities Can Flourish Together - A White Paper Presented by The World Tea Expo

Chris Chantler

Tea: An Overlooked Menu Item A White Paper Presented by : The World Tea Expo & The Night Club And Bar Show By Chris Chantler, Co Founder - Vail Mountain Coffee & Tea Co   You don’t have to be a fortune teller to be mesmerized by tea. This simple drink is the world’s most popular beverage, second only to water. No other beverage has had such a long and prolific impact on the world. From the opium wars in China to the Boston Tea Party, countries have been colonized, conquered and lost all for the sake of this far...

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Update on VMCT's contributions to Costa Rica's Coope Tarrazu

Jen Biro

The Tarrazu region is the only place in Costa Rica where coffee production is actually growing. Around 19,000 pickers come to the area during harvest time, of which 10,000 will pick for the Co-op. The Co-op provides nurseries agronomy support, training, and a whole host of services. Coffee pulp is converted into organic fertilizer, coffees trees are given to farmers to maintain crop health, and power for the offices is generated from solar panels. The Co-Op also owns businesses such as  gas stations , supermarkets, and veterinary clinics which   generate profits to the cooperative members at the end of the year. Because...

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