With the promise of a hot NZ summer ahead the theme for this newsletter is keeping cool with tea.
Explore cooling tea from two perspectives as we touch on the Yin perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine and then a literal interpretation of using tea as the base for your iced teas and popsicles.
We hope you are inspired by the diversity of loose-leaf tea with the latest news of tea featuring in current food and fashion trends.
With our very best wishes, Michelle and the Stir Tea Team.
Under the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine some teas are considered cooling and some warming.
This quality is unrelated to the water temperature of the brewed tea but rather the energy and the heating (Yang) and cooling (Yin) properties of foods and drinks.
Cooling Teas are those that undergo minimal to no oxidation. This makes greenand white teas a useful way to help lower your internal temperature this summer.
Choosing the Perfect Tea
Tea makes a great gift for yourself or someone else. We have put together a guide to help you choose the perfect tea at any time of year.
Sugar Syrups We think you will find having a jar of simple sugar syrup prepared in your fridge an entertaining essential this summer. Use it to easily whip up a jug of iced tea or as a sweetener in your Tea Popsicles.
Tea Popsicles Turn your favourite tea into a refreshing popsicle this summer. These are simple to make, easily adaptable to your taste, and can be made using any kind of tea. Popsicle blog and recipe here.
For our white tea devotees, we apologise that our stock levels are getting low and may sell out as we await delivery of the new season's harvest in February. If your first choice of flavour or bag size is not available when you go to order online then please click the "notify when available" request off the product page and we shall let you know when it is back in stock.
2. Stir Holiday Closure - Our offices will be closed from midday Friday 22 December and reopen for the new year on Tuesday 16th January. You will still be able to order online during this time and we shall dispatch your order on our return.
4. Price Update - To maintain the quality of our tea offerings, we have recently implemented a modest price increase of around 5% across our website. This marks the first adjustment in two years, as regrettably, we can no longer absorb the additional operating costs across our business. Our discounted larger-size packs remain the most economical choice for enjoying your loose-leaf Stir tea. We thank you for your ongoing support of Stir and hope to be of continued service to you.
Tea Trends
Tea features in the current beverage and fashion trends.
Reduced Sugar - food industry survey results are finding that NZ consumers are drawn to reduced sugar drinks as a way to cut down on sugar intake.
We think tea continues to offer the perfect solution here. Instead of purchasing bottled options, why not create your own iced tea. Brew it to your liking, with your preferred sweetener.
Tea Syrups - bottled tea syrups are in the news as a great way to customise and enhance beverages.
Red Rooibos - makes the Top 10 Colour Picks for 2024
This leaf brews a beautiful warm red colour liquor and it appears you may be seeing more of this colour outside your teacup.
It has just been included in the Pantone top 10 colour pick list for 2024 where it was described as a “full-bodied red imbued with rich, woody notes.â€
The South African Rooibos Council said “Aside from seeing the colour popping up in new fashion collections, experts predict it will be used across industrial designs, from cars, electronics, AI, and technology to interiors, films, and animation."
Stir Parting Thoughts
As the end of another year draws near, I would like to take a moment to express my appreciation for your decision to drink loose-leaf tea and your continued support of our business.
Our team cares greatly about your tea experience and we hope to be able to be of service to you in 2024.
I wish you a Happy and Healthy year ahead full of exquisite tea, brewed just how you like it.
Warm Regards, Michelle
Celebrating the little and big moments in life with a great cup of tea
