Lucky Dragon Hyson tea still LOVED by Americans and British alike.

While we are still in the middle of summer and our reenactment season, it reminds me of great quality tea that is great iced.  Lucky Dragon hyson tea can be enjoyed hot with your favorite pastry treats or finger sandwiches.  I enjoy drinking it iced with some mint leaves, especially on those very hot days, without any sweetener. 

This young hyson green tea became highly favored in the 1700s that the British Tea Tax was actually higher for this variety over other teas.  Right from the first sale of tea in England in  the mid 1600s, the English took a shine to tea.  The government quickly realized the possibilities and levied taxes on tea that remained until the late 1700s.  With all the associated taxes on tea and young hyson being taxed even higher, there were all sorts of various schemes done to dodge the taxes.  Servants in upper class homes would dry the used leaves and resell them.  Smuggling China teas into England reached a feverish peak in the mid 1700s and the ports of France and Belgium were used as the 'jump-off' points for night voyages to Cornwall and Wales.  The chancellor of the Exchequer and the East India Company were aware of the extent of their losses and realized that only a large tax cut would make legal imports competitive with contraband tea.  Thus finally passing the Commutation Act in 1784.

Young Hyson tea was one of the types of tea that was dumped into the Boston Harbor along with Congou and Lapsong Souchong, which we carry both types of tea as well.  The term 'young' was added  to distinguish that the tea was made from young leaves (new shoots), which produces a better quality and better tasting tea.

So whether you are an reenactor or a tea drinker that enjoys drinking a fine tasting tea with a bit of history, try having some Lucky Dragon Hyson tea.  Definitely not the type of tea you find in tea bags, which are the fannings of tea.  Check out our etsy shop for other tea selections that have some history behind them or contact us directly.  Makes a great gift for that special tea drinker in your life.

CHEERS!

Tea of the Month - Jasmine with green tea

Jasmine tea is one of the most pleasant tasting green teas available in the market. On the nose, the dry tea has a floral bouquet, which will make your senses come alive. The green tea is layered in jasmine blossoms. The grade is Jasmine Grade #1, coming from the region of Fujian Fuzhou at 1500 feet above sea level. Enjoy it hot or iced.

What's new for April.

Start the new season with something to wake up your taste buds after a long winter. We have an assortment of teas for every picky tea drinker. Upon receiving them, you will notice how different the leaves are when compared to the tea in your tea bags. The leaves are whole or rolled, just waiting to burst into a great cup or mug of tea. Try it either hot or iced, whether you drink it during low or high tea time. Check out our assortment of black, green, herbal, rooibos and white teas. We also have a collection for the person who loves to try out different teas or for the re-enactor in your life. Try out our "Colonial" or "Bound for America" collection. Once you try our teas, you will never go back.

Talk About Teas!

We offer a line of teas that were similiar to what was available during the 16-18th centuries. When researching different teas, it made me realize what tea leaves really looked like - instead of the dustings available in tea bags. The types of tea that we carry come from different parts of the world, some contain a mixture of different teas blended, herbal ingredients or botanicals that add color and flavor.

My favorite is a "French Blend" that would take you into the hills of Provence, France at one of their outdoor cafes. Has a blend of black and green teas, having a flavory Ceylon, pungent Assams and malty Kenyas, with a small touch of lavender.

As a plain green tea, I enjoy drinking the Lucky Dragon Hyson Tea in the morning. Young Hyson Teas were purchased by the weathly during the 1700's, was the highest taxed tea and one of the types of teas that was dumped into the Boston Harbor in protest of the tea tax. It has a good smooth body taste.

Let us know what your favorite type of tea you enjoy drinking.

Check out our etsy shop at: http://www.bayberrymeadowherbs.etsy.com/