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Author Archives: ellen

Feb 12: Discover The Nuances of Black Tea

Sunday, February 12, 10am-12pm Six countries, nine tea tastings – Savor Chai and dark, malty Indian Assam, delicate Darjeeling, Sri Lankan low-mountain, Kenyan flowery orange pekoe, and roasted Rize from Turkey. Travel to China for two smokey blacks: Qi Hong and Lapsang Souchong, and to the Nepalese side of the majestic Himalayas for silver tips with a flowery finish. All are welcome to join, and no prior knowledge of tea is required. This workshop will be led by our experienced […]

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Feb 26: Uncovering the Mysteries: Pu’er Tea Class

Sunday, February 26, 10am-12pm With this introductory class to Pu’er, journey back to the birthplace of all tea. With Pu’er you can taste the heart of the Chinese Jungles and walk the original paths of the Tea Horse Road through Tibet and the Himalayas.  In the class we will experience this through a sampling of multiple Pu’ers and with pictures from our Travels into the heart itself.  We will discuss history, processing, definitions, terminology and varieties, all the while brewing […]

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Special Treat: Mar 11 & 12 – Japanese Tea Tasting with Our Tea Supplier from Japan

Join us for a very special Japanese Tea Tasting!   Dobrá Tea’s supplier, master and friend, Mr. Masahiro Takadasan is visiting from Japan. He has created a new type of Japanese Tea Ceremony – Chakabuki that he would like to share with you. Five different Japanese teas will be presented including Happy Tea demonstration, tea infusing and eating, roasting Hojicha Cherry Blossom Sencha and a DVD video about Japanese tea harvesting, Matcha and The Norther Japan Tsunami Relief Report. A […]

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Green tea drinkers show less disability with age

Elderly adults who regularly drink green tea may stay more agile and independent than their peers over time, according to a Japanese study that covered thousands of people. Green tea contains antioxidant chemicals that may help ward off the cell damage that can lead to disease. Researchers have been studying green tea’s effect on everything from cholesterol to the risk of certain cancers, with mixed results so far. Read more on the study from Reuters.

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Suitable moments for drinking tea…

From the Chinese Tea Classic Ch’a-su   When we are interrupted while contemplating During a good conversation deep into the night When there is a light soft drizzle With agreeable friends When the children are at school In a bamboo grove on a spring evening Under unusual rocks.   Unsuitable moments: At the theatre While opening letters When the children are not at school In torrential rain.   To be avoided when drinking tea: Sullen servants Bad waters Money worries […]

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Dr Weil: Five reasons to drink green tea

If you haven’t found a green tea you like, it may be be in the the perception and preparation. Time, temperature and tea are all important factors in brewing green tea as it is more sensitive to water temperature and brewing time. Over steeping, especially in near-boiling water will scorch the leaves. We have about 25 green teas available for you to try – ranging from naturally slightly sweet to brothy and savory. We’ve all heard the health benefits of […]

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Jan 6 & 13: Japanese Tea Ceremony with Hiroko

Friday, January 6, 7-7:30 PM, and Friday, January 13, 7-7:30 PM Join us for a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony, also known as Chanoyu, with Hiroko Fogarty. Hiroko is a local Portland resident who is well acquainted with the traditional ways of the Japanese tea ceremony.  This ceremonial presentation of matcha, a powdered Japanese tea, is a choreographed ritual of preparing and serving the tea. The whole process is not about drinking tea, but is about aesthetics, preparing a bowl of […]

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Why is my green tea bitter?

What you brew for tea is as important as how long you brew it. One of the most obvious results of this is with green tea when boiling water and steeping for longer than 1 minute will give you the bitter tea result. When brewing tea, it’s all about time, temperature and the type of tea. With green tea, we suggest boiling the water, waiting 5 minutes for it to cool  before pouring it over the green tea leaves. And […]

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Selling Organic: Pros and cons

by Charles Cain “The complexities of Organic Certification and the differences between the requirements of different consuming countries tilts the scales in favor of the huge tea conglomerates (read: “big business”) with thousands of acres under production. Some of my best tea experiences involve small lot teas from small, family run tea gardens.”  Read more…

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Tea + Craft Fair – Donation Update

UPDATED: The group of crafters participating in this year’s fair has chosen HART as the recipient of the funds raised for an organization. Forty dollars was given to HART based on what was raised at the craft fair as a percentage of total sales, approximately 7%. We are thankful to have an organization such as HART helping the animals that it does in our community! As part of the Shop For A Cause Day, another forty dollars was donated from […]

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Two mentions in Maine print magazines this month

Thanks to Downeast Magazine and Portland Monthly for mentioning us in their latest print editions. Downeast Magazine – Time for Tea – Check out these spots that serve tea with style. Portland Monthly We’re very happy to have this recognition!

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Opening noontime Friday, April 1!

We look forward to opening the tearoom and serving Portland great tea! Barring any obstacles (besides weather), we are on track to open at noontime on Friday, April 1! We’ll have tea samplings brewing randomly throughout the day and evening. Stop in, check out the artwork, our new space and our tea menu.

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