Dear Tea Lover
In this edition of tea news, we focus on the gentle nature of tea and expand on the concept of Teaism.
You'll find simple recipe ideas for using up any leftover tea liquor, plus planting suggestions for herbs and flowers to enhance your summer iced teas.
As always, we cover stock updates, latest tea news and trends.
We hope you can settle in with your favourite cup of Stir and enjoy a read.
With our very warm wishes,
Michelle and the Stir Tea Team.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
‘Teaism’ is the appreciation of tea as more than just a beverage - it’s a quiet
philosophy that values simplicity, mindfulness, and harmony.
|
|
|
As a lover of loose-leaf, you may already be embracing this approach in how you enjoy your tea.
In our latest blog, we share the origins of this idea, first written about in The Book of Tea by Japanese scholar Kakuzo Okakura, and reflect on how it continues to shape the way we enjoy tea today.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Herbs & Flowers for your Summer tea
|
|
|
As gardens bloom, we’re inspired to bring their freshness into our teacups.
Discover what herbs and flowers to plant now to elevate your summer iced teas in our latest blog, Herbs & Flowers for Your Summer Tea – the Pick of the Bunch.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you’ve made a little too much tea there’s no need to pour it away. Your leftover brew can be used in these simple recipes.
|
|
|
|
|
Use Tea as a braising liquid - for this simple and delicious Tea Braised Celery recipe, we used Dragonwell green tea.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combine your Tea with Chia Seeds - enjoy a refreshing dairy free chia pudding or energising and hydrating drink.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As a green tea smoothie base - smoothies are the perfect solution for those who want to drink green tea but don't enjoy it as a hot drink - job done!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As a caffeine-free smoothie base - many of the blends from our caffeine-free herbals & fruits range make a stunning base.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Product - the perfect gift
Our new Discovery Boxes include six of our most popular teas in our discovery size, a spring mesh tea infuser and two tea brewing cards.
Perfect for tea-loving friends, favourite teachers, helpful neighbours, or as a thoughtful corporate gift.
(This replaces our previous Variety Box)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tea - ‘The Wellness Worlds Quiet Champion’
A recent article on plant-based hydration highlighted tea as a great choice for anyone looking to shift from sugary drinks to a healthy beverage option.
Green tea is drawing particular attention in the wellness world, where it is being praised for its antioxidant properties, catechins, L-theanine, and polyphenols, and often linked to longevity.
With demand for green tea booming, global sales are forecast to increase by over 80% in the next eight years.
Explore our range of greens teas - we offer both Japanese and Chinese Green teas.
|
|
|
150 Tea Houses You Need to Visit Before You Die
This new book by London based journalist, Léa Teuscher includes New Zealand’s very own Zealong Tea Estate in Hamilton on the list.
It would make a great gift or a useful guide for planning your tea adventures. Why not start ticking off the list in 2026 with a visit to Zealong.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Glow Boosting Tea Cubes
Continuing our focus on incorporating tea into your daily routines, here’s a trending idea: ice-block facials but with a green tea twist.
Simply pour any leftover brewed green tea into ice-cube trays and freeze. Rub a cube over clean skin each morning (wrapped in a soft cloth) for a quick de-puff, pore-tightening glow. Limit to 1–2 minutes and be gentle on sensitive skin.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tea Rituals - A customer recently shared, “I always smell the tea leaves first - it’s my ritual.”
This is a lovely reminder when we brew to simply pause and enjoy the full sensory journey. Read our Pause when brewing for greater effect article.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tea Tip - Some of our loose-leaf teas lend themselves to multiple steeps. This image illustrates how the hand rolled Jasmine Pearl green tea surrenders and unfurls over the course of several infusions - 1, 2 and 3 steeps. This enables you to extract all the goodness from your leaf.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Parting Message from Michelle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Do you have beautiful teacups and saucers tucked away - too precious to use, too fragile for the dishwasher, saved for ‘one day’?
We gently encourage you to bring them out and enjoy them. Yes, they may get damaged, a chip or crack is possible, but in the spirit of Teaism, beauty remains in imperfection.
So this summer, bring back the cup and saucer - they deserve to be used and enjoyed.
Wishing you Happy Tea Times,
Michelle
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
