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Vashon Tea Shop
 
 
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Tea Varieties

Black Teas

Vashon Tea Shop

Regional and Estate teas

These teas are named for the region they are grown in.

Each growing region produces distinctive tea and the tea from the estates in those regions will also vary. The taste of the tea can be affected by the weather in that area that year as well. Regional teas are comparable to regional wines. This makes it an adventure to taste a lot of tea.

If you want to order any of our products don't hesitate to contact us by email or phone

Organic
Assam – Rembeng Estate
$3.50/oz.

Rich and hardy, this dark brew is smooth and satisfying and maintains its rich flavor with milk. One of the first teas the English grew in India after China threw them out. Grown in the fertile valley of the Assam River in the far north. A strong, full–bodied cup that stands up to milk. BOP from the Rembeng Estate, a small organic tea estate on the Brahmaputra River.

Organic
Assam Breakfast– CTC Rembeng Estate
$2.95/oz.

This is from the same plants as above but CTC tea is mechanically processed. The uniform size of the tea pellets makes for an extra strong quickly brewed tea that stands up well to milk and sugar.

Golden Tips Assam
$5.22/oz.

Grown on in the Khongea Estates in the Brahmaputra river valley in Banghledesh, this Assam tea is harvested during May and June during the high quality second flush period. These particular plants have a high proportion of chunky golden tips. It serves up a warm, golden liquor that produces a spicy, malty flavor. As with all Assam teas, it goes well with milk.

Premium Assam
Khongea Estate Tea
$3.50/oz

This premium Assam tea is also grown in the Brahmaputra river valley in Bangledesh. It is an orthodox TGFOP1 tea that gives the drinker a rich, malty flavor with a deep amber tea. As an estate tea, it produces its own unique, unblended flavor.

Ceylon Ventura Estate
$4.50/oz.

Grown in the high mountains of Sri Lanka (formerly called Ceylon), this is a bright brew with a distinctive flavor and a bit of astringency. high mountain estate grown. A light, flowery cup that will take milk well.

Organic
Darjeeling 1st Flush – Makaibari Estate
$6.47/oz.

1st flush refers to the earliest spring tea picking. The tea is tender and light, closer to a green tea than any other black tea. Darjeeling is a region high in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. The first organic tea estate in India, the Makaibari Estate follows the bio–dynamic principals of Rudolf Steiner.

Organic
Darjeeling 2nd Flush – Makaibari
$5.91/oz.

The mid–summer picking produces a medium bodied brew.

Organic
Darjeeling Autumnal Flush – Makaibari
$3.09/oz.

As you might suspect, this is the darkest of the Darjeeling teas. This will hold up to milk better than the other Darjeelings.

Organic
Keemun – Mao Feng
$6.48

Another version of Keemun, this is a bit mellower than the #1

Organic
Nilgiri – Korakundah Estate
$2.95/oz.

A hearty, well–rounded tea. Can stand up to milk and keeps well after brewing so it is perfect for iced tea –– an American invention. From the Korakundah Estate in the Blue Mountain region of southern India.

Organic
Yunnan – Ancient Forest
$4.30/oz.

Another China black – a rich, smooth brew, almost black in the cup. Enjoyed with or without milk. Tea originated the region of Yunnan in the south of China. Some wild tea trees there are 1600 years old.

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Did You Know?
All true tea is from the same plant, camellia senensis, which is related to the decorative camellias we have in our gardens. The differences are a result of growing conditions of various regions and the way the tea is handled after harvest.

Pu–erh

Pu’erh tea is a geographically indicated product that can only be grown in Yunnan Province, China. It is made from sun-dried, green tea cultivars found in Yunnan, Laos, Burma, and some parts of Thailand and Vietnam. All Pu’erh comes from Mao Cha which is called ‘rough tea’ and is unoxidized, green tea processed from a large leaf variety of Camilia Senensis.  Pu’erh is not heated to stop the natural aging process so it continues in the various shapes into which it is pressed such as small cakes, coins, bricks or artistically created shapes like dragons. In earlier days, they were used for barter in trading horses and salt. Pu’erh can be steeped several times and is known for its medicinal properties such as soothing stomach discomfort, weight loss, cleaning out toxins and helping to lower cholesterol

 

Tuo cha puerh
$9.85/oz

This tea begins life as ‘rough tea’ or Mao Cha. It is then pressed into shapes and sold as ‘raw tea’ or Sheng Cha. If the Wo Dui process is utilized, it becomes ‘ripe tea’ or Shou Cha. The Wo Dui process reduces the aging time from 10-15 years to a few months. The tea is then pressed into the small cakes commonly sold. After production, pu’erh is stored in cool cellars or buried in the ground for one or more years.

Organic
Shu Pu’erh Classic
$3.38/oz

Classic Pu’erh is a loose leaf blend of multiple vintages, both young and old, to achieve a consistently bold and full-flavor profile year to year. It has a deep and smooth feel in the mouth with a slightly sweet aftertaste and a woodsy, soothing aromatic finish.

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Black Blends

A bit of this and a bit of that results in a unique tea – each English Breakfast blend, will have slightly different proportions of Indian teas perhaps with a bit of China black for the low notes.

Organic
English Breakfast
$2.75/oz.

The classic “tea–time” tea usually served with milk and sugar.

Organic
Irish Breakfast
$3.25/oz.

Stronger and darker than the English blend – this is a good substitute for coffee

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Flavored Black Teas

Jasmine and rose petals were early Chinese tea flavor enhancements, now the varieties of flavors available are endless

Apricot
$2.75/oz.

Natural flavors for a sweet, rich blend

Black Currant
$3.59/oz.

A favorite English tea–time treat.

Blackberry
$2.67/oz.

you are probably familiar with this fruit

Orange Cinnamon Spice
$2.60/oz.

A perennial favorite. This is lighter on cinnamon than some since it uses pieces of cinnamon

Earl Grey
$2.75/oz.

The highly aromatic oil of bergamont enhances the rich black tea

Tiger Eye
$2.81/oz

Our Tiger Eye tea is a flavored black tea that tickles your palate with rich notes of chocolate and caramel. Black tea is combined with caramel flavor, cocoa nibs, natural chocolate flavor and natural vanilla flavor.

Lapsang Souchong
$3.24/oz.

A rich, smoky, tarry cup, the result of being smoked over a pine fire, it has a much sweeter taste than the sniff test would suggest

Czar's Caravan
$2.60/oz.

This is a version of Russian Caravan with a bit of jasmine white tea for a brightening effect. originally scented by the nightly campfires as the tea traveled by camel for one year from the Chinese border to Moscow. (10,000 camels a year were employed in caravans by the mid 1800s.)

Masala Chai
$2.95/oz.

Black tea with a traditional blend of cardamom, cinnamon, clove

Peach Black
$2.75/oz.

Another good fruity enhancement

Vanilla
$2.50/oz.

A perfect compliment, almost creamy

Earl Grey Moonlight
$2.75/oz

This tea is a soft blend of black, bergamot-flavored Earl Grey with sweet creamy notes that soften the bergamot and citrus of traditional Earl Grey.

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Decaffeinated Black Tea

Organic
Apricot Black
$2.75/oz.

A flavorful decaffeinated tea that holds up to milk well.

Organic
Decaf Masala Chai
$2.75/oz.

Same spice blend as our black tea chai

Organic
Decaf English Breakfast
$2.75/oz.

Strong tea flavor for a decaf.

Organic
Decaf Earl Grey
$2.81/oz.

If you are a fan of Earl Grey, this is almost identical, but without the caffeine.

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Chai

Organic
Masala Chai
$2.50/oz.

Black tea with a traditional blend of cardamom, cinnamon, clove

Organic
Decaf Masala Chai
$2.50/oz.

Same spice blend with our decaffeinated black tea

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Oolong

The true artisan teas

These teas bridge the space between fully oxidized black and green and white teas. They are oxidized to various degrees so the flavors and aromas can vary widely. Oolong teas are designed to be re–steeped, some up to 8 times.

Oriental Beauty
$11.79/oz.

Oriental Beauty is one of the most famous Taiwanese Oolongs. This tea is only produced once a year. This tea carries overtones of honey. The sweetness is the tea leaf's response to being nibbled by microscopic summer insects. It's a great tea to introduce to people who want to venture out of their black teas.

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Green Tea

Now well known for its healthful properties, green tea is the preferred tea in China and Japan. Green tea needs to be brewed with water no hotter than 170–180 F and for no longer than 3 minutes. Multiple infusions may be a bit longer.

Organic
Floating Leaves Green (House Green)
$4.75/oz.

Its Chinese name is Yang Shen Mao Feng. This green tea is produced in Zhejiang China and it's one of the tribute teas. The farmer uses organic farming practice. This tea is vegetal and sweet.

Organic
Gunpowder
$2.00/oz.

Steamed and hand rolled into pellets, it was named by the British in China.

Sencha Fukamushi
$6.50/oz.

The classic Japanese steamed green leaves impart a grassy crispness with higher concentrations of chlorophyll, vitamins and anti–oxidants than all other green tea.

Gen Mai Cha
$5.36/oz.

The other Japanese classic, a fresh green with the added toastiness of rice

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Flavored Green Tea

Organic
Moroccan Mint
$3.50/oz.

The classic blend of gunpowder and mint favored in the North African and Middle Eastern regions

Jasmine
$5.07/oz.

Scented with the delicate aroma of the flowers

Jasmine Pearls
$11.81/oz.

The highest quality buds are scented and hand rolled.

Organic
Kyoto Cherry
$3.50/oz.

A sencha flavored with cherry and embellished with cherry blossoms

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White Tea

The least processed, lightest of teas

Organic
Pai Mu Tan––White peony
$4.28/oz.

A broken leaf white – a slightly smoky, light cup

Organic
Silver Pear
$4.37/oz.

White tea enhanced with juicy pear flavors. A big favorite, hot or cold. Holds well in the pot.

Organic
Moonlight Melon
$3.00/oz.

Melon is a favorite flavor in Asia. An unusual and delicious tea for us.

The Blue Note
$3.09/oz

This tea's named was inspired by the incredible Miles Davis. A white pai mu tan tea from Fujian, China, it is flavored with juicy blueberry flavor and dried blueberries. It gives you a very fragrant, soft mouthful with a refreshing finish.

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Tisanes/Herbal Teas

Caffeine free herbal and fruit infusions. “Tea People” balk at using the word tea with any brew that doesn’t come from the leaves of the camellia senensis,

Berry Berry
$3.65/oz.

Mixed berries and more berries, sweet and delicious hot or cold

Organic
Chamomile
$5.00/oz.

Classic herbal – shown to have natural antibiotics, and known for its soothing effect

Organic
Chrysanthemum
$13.62/oz.

A traditional flower tea, delicious and medicinal – aids lung function

Evening in Missoula
$2.80/oz.

This mÉlange was first blended in the early ‘70s. Contains chamomile, rosehips, raspberry, papaya, peppermint, spearmint, strawberry leaf, vanilla, passionflower, red clover, star anise, wild cherry bark, and the kitchen sink. May cause flashbacks.

Organic
Ginger Root
$6.66/oz.

Straight dried ginger pieces. Strong and spicy on its own, add bits of ginger to the tea of your choice and it will zing.

Organic
Honey Bush
$3.65/oz.

From Australia, this is a naturally sweet tea, sometimes mixed with rooibos to create a rich blend

Yoga Tea
$3.36/oz.

Also blended in Germany, could be compared to a chai without tea

Organic
Tuscany Rose
$6.80/oz.

 

Organic
Wintermint
$2.75/oz.

A perfect blend of peppermint, spearmint, and wintermint

Activity Tea
$3.36/oz.

Envigorating, formulated in Germany from a traditional Indian recipe

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Rooibos

South African Red Bush tea is gaining popularity, since it is a rich in antioxidants but without caffeine and many purported health benefits

Organic
Rooibos
$2.67/oz.

A deep dark brew, may be steeped up to 10 minutes. Rooibos may be kept in the refrigerator and heated or used for iced tea

Africaana
$3.25/oz.

Enriched with vanilla

Organic
Rooibos Chai
$2.60/oz.

With the masala spices of tradition chai and caffeine free

Chocolate Orange
$3.00/oz.

Yummy – makes a good dessert tea

Chocolate mint
$3.30/oz.

A classic pairing

Montana Gold
$2.80/oz.

The orange and cinnamon added

Organic
Rooibos Provence
$3.35/oz

A balanced blend of herbs and flowers, aromatic and delicious

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Yerba Mate

The traditional South American stimulating beverage

Organic
Yerba Mate
$2.95.oz.

Shade grown in Paraguay, Mate promotes preservation of the rain forest through “market driven conservation.” Mate contains a substance similar to caffeine but is rich in antioxidants. Stimulating and healthful.

Alpine Meadow Mate
$3.18/oz

This blend was harmoniously composed using old Indian recipes. The intense spicy, flowery scent and taste let all ingredients fully unfold. It is a blend of green Mate tea, lemon grass, rose hip peel, ginger pieces, cardamon, black pepper, basil rose petals, Roman chamomile

Roasted Mate
$2.25/oz

This is a green mate that has been roasted to produce a toasty, dark flavor, and a very full-bodied cup.

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