Silver Tips Tea Blog

More on Green Tea

Anupa — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:30:52 +0000

Interesting article on Green Tea in The New York Times today. As a vendor with well over 2 dozen selections of green tea, we get questions on Green Tea all the time – is it really as good for you as they say, which one should I have, why are they so bitter and on it goes. Here’s our summary:

Tea is like any other agricultural product – it reflects the soil and environment in which it was grown.
Find one you like – there is a wide variety; China Green tastes different from Japan or Ceylon or India.
Loose leaf Green tea will always provide more benefits than teabags or bottled tea.
Follow the directions when steeping. The most frequent errors made are using too much leaf and steeping too long.
Choose Organic if you can.
Buy from a reputable vendor.

We’re open Memorial Day!

Anupa — Tue, 21 May 2013 11:50:54 +0000

We will maintain our regular hours over the long holiday weekend:

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Open 11 am to 6 pm.

Monday, Memorial Day, May 27: Open 11 am to 5 pm.

If the weather is good, look for some hot weather specials!

Raw movement coming to tea?

Anupa — Mon, 13 May 2013 22:37:48 +0000

A company called Harmless Harvest has introduced a bottled tea made from Hawaiian-grown organic tea leaves that are quickly frozen after harvesting to retain much of their flavor. They are then pulverized and blended with water using a cold-brew process. As you know, all other tea is produced by drying the tea leaves. Harmless Harvest’s Raw Tea processes the leaves at the final step through a high-pressure food-processing machine that makes it safe to drink. This company also makes certified organic raw coconut water. Always something new and interesting in Tea!

Beauty around us

Anupa — Fri, 03 May 2013 00:49:43 +0000

We got new landscaping this week at our office/warehouse. We saw shrubs and trees ready for planting and wondered what the plan was and by the end of the day, we were pleasantly surprised to find these beautiful shrubs planted outside our door. What’s more, our picnic table was removed, re-painted and returned. Now this will be a good summer to enjoy.

Makaibari 1st flush 2013

Anupa — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:45:27 +0000

Each year, we have some devoted fans who order the new vintage immediately upon arrival. This year was no exception. We’ve already received some feedback on the 2013 crop which, in our view, is one of the best we remember. Here’s an e-mail that arrived in this morning’s inbox:

I don’t need to go any further than my first cup of 2013 Makaibari Darjeeling first flush tea. In my mind, this is a high quality first flush tea. It has the typical floral brightness associated with a premium Darjeeling first flush tea. It reminds me of the Darjeeling first flush tea I was continually served when I visited the Makaibari Tea Estate during the first flush season in April, 2005. Sipping a cup of this tea puts me in a state of peace and reflection. Outstanding! My compliments to Rajah, Srirupa, and the extended Makaibari Estate family. Your friend in Tea, Mike.

I couldn’t agree more – thank you, Mike.

Tea Tasting at Greenburgh Public Library April 26

Anupa — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 13:14:30 +0000

The Greenburgh Library has been hosting a series on Food & Cooking and Silver Tips has been invited to do a Tea Tasting next week. Details are:

Friday, April 26, 2013

11 am – 12 noon

At Greenburgh Library, 300 Tarrytown Road, Elmsford, NY 10523

New Desserts

Anupa — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:16:27 +0000

We’re giving you fair warning – we have new desserts! First, we’re introducing Raspberries & Cream. Next month will be Guava/Mango in a sorbet glass. These are no ordinary sweets. The Raspberries & Cream comes in a beautiful glass cup and starts at the bottom with a delicate sponge cake which is then topped with a layer of raspberries followed by mascarpone cream and finally decorated with crushed pistachios. If you can stay away from this, you’re a better man than I am, Gunga Din! We will be continuing the Sticky Toffee Puddings for another few weeks. During the summer, we will be replacing those with a very decadent Chocolate Salted Caramel Souffle which should satisfy any chocolate addictions. Stay tuned – details of the Guava/Mango to follow.

A Nice Cup of Tea

Anupa — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:11:42 +0000

Tea is one of those areas where you can be amazed and delighted at what you don’t know. Every column and media coverage presents a point of view and information that adds to your knowledge. We came across this great article earlier this week on BBC Food and would like to share it with you. It also presents the significant quality difference between teabags and loose leaf citing the same analogy that we use – instant coffee and fresh ground coffee beans. No one questions that one is vastly superior to the other. Read on and discover your own enjoyment of tea.

Makaibari being enjoyed in Australia!

Anupa — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 11:44:42 +0000

A very good friend of ours and a loyal die-hard fan of Makaibari asks us occasionally to ship Makaibari to her friends in various parts of the world. Although they have mainly been in the U.K. in the past, this year, she got adventurous, spread her wings and asked us to ship Makaibari 2nd flush to her friend in Australia. We obliged. This morning, we got a wonderful e-mail in our in-box as follows:

I am writing to let you know that my friend in Australia got her tea yesterday and she is over the moon about it. She said the 2nd flush Makaibari is the best cup of tea she ever had and she has not yet had the chance to taste the others yet. Thanks so much for sending it. I am on a mission to let the world know about your amazing teas.

By the way, the other teas included a White and a Green as well as a robust Assam. We think starting with Makaibari was an excellent choice! She ended her e-mail by saying, “We are full of anticipation of the new 2013 First Flush…It is one of the very best things about Spring”. We couldn’t agree more. We expect our Air Freight to arrive next week and we will post prominently on our site as soon as it is in our warehouse.

Mother’s Day 2013

Anupa — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 13:28:26 +0000

We’ve already begun receiving queries about Mother’s Day so here’s our preliminary announcement. Posters go up at the Tea Room today together with a sign-up sheet. We’re doing 4 seatings with a twist this year for the 4.30 pm seating. Our first 3 seatings – 10.30 am, 12.30 pm and 2.30 pm sell out fairly soon. What we discovered in the past couple of years is that there are many families who find themselves without a plan or a place to go and look for a solution that same day. Last year, we allowed walk-ins at the 4.30 seating and it worked very well. So although the 1st 3 seatings will be our Special Afternoon Tea Menu only, we will serve a sandwich plate or just scones and dessert at the 4.30 pm seating for those who have not made reservations. They will be priced as individual items of course. Our Mother’s day “Special Afternoon Tea” service includes assorted tea sandwiches, a petite scone with cream and preserves and an assorted dessert selection. We usually offer about 6 – 8 teas that day as well as our Fruity Summer Lemonade. A Free Gift is on hand for every Mom! We love this day – our busiest of the year and look forward to seeing everyone – our regular customers and new friends. Sign up soon!