Lately, there has been so much interest on this list regarding the
various types of Indian teas.
I have, in the past, stated my appreciation of the Lochan tea products
and the family of producers for their excellent quality and ethical
behavior in marketing and in dealing with tea workers.
Lochan Teas are offering a great deal for those of us who may have not
tried Indian teas before or just want to get to know the various
selections and subtleties of the varieties grown in different tea
gardens.
On their web site, www.lochantea.com, they are offering a taste of TEN
teas of your choosing for FREE. Just pay the postage.
I think this is a great opportunity to sample unfamiliar selections or
have a sip of the unknown.
Indian teas are quite new to me and I admit I was doubtful that they
would offer the complexities of my China favourites, but I am learning
to relish the nuances of seasonal Darjeeling picks or the layers of
flavours found in myriad Indian tea plantation leaves.
I am passing this information on because of the revelations Indian
teas have offered me lately as I have overcome my myopic, and often
prejudicial, approach to these teas I knew little of, except for my
early childhood teacup of Lipton at my grandmother's table laden with
sugar and milk and served with puddles of unappetizing coddled eggs.
These are not my grannies teas !These Lochan teas have knocked my
socks off and I just wanted to share this sentiment with you because
this sampling sounds like an excellent introduction to the unexplored
for those of us who have dived into the depths of Chinese teas with
such gusto.
Please join me in giving these samples a try so that we can discuss,
compare and review them here with all the enthusiasm that we give to
our cherished Chinese selections.
Also, note, I have nothing to garner from this recommendation. As you
can tell by my posts, I love tea! I love to rave about my discoveries
and enthusiastically share news of a find or a bargain.
Lochan has impressed me; not only with a dedication to high standards;
but, too, with a commitment in fairness to small farmers and workers -
a cause dear to my heart.
Cheers!
Shen