Tea Revelations - Choi Time Tastings

A fairly ‘lukewarm’ person about tea (liking it at that temperature should tell you a lot); I was surprised when the people responsible for Hotel Chocolat’s scrumptious offerings sent me a blue-coloured tin of Choi Time tea for writing about them.

When I opened the lid, there were a number of fascinating little sample packages, comprising four different kinds of Superior Chinese herbal teas, which unfurl in hot water, resulting in an exquisite looking (and tasting) tea.

They offer lots of benefits for health and beauty, acting as a detox and a slimming agent, a complexion boost and a hangover cure, depending on which side of Christmas you’re looking out at the world from.

My discreet blue tin contained Jasmine Pearls, Lu Cha Green tea scented with Jasmine flowers; Exotic Mixed Flowers, White needle green tea scented with Jasmine flowers; Thousand Year Red Flowers, White needle green tea scented with Jasmine flowers and more; and Damask Rose Tea.

Firstly, I tried the Damask Rose Tea (tiny rose buds) for the relief of anxiety and stress because, hoo boy, did I need some relief on that score. The tea smelled just like roses – surprise – and tasted like them, too. What should I have expected? Well, it worked a treat and I loved the delicate smell and flavour.

My next venture into Choi Time Tea was Thousand Year Red Flowers. It comes in chestnut sized balls, looking like embroidery cotton, and when you add boiling water the whole thing explodes into a chrysanthemum shape with a red centrepiece (as I remember various Chinese amusements exploding into flower shapes in childhood; not to mention the little bombs… but we won’t go there!).

Unlike many green teas, this doesn’t get bitter and you can keep topping it up with hot water. I won’t say how many times but experiment a little… It stays refreshing, lively and becomes a tad addictive.

Similarly, the Exotic Mixed Flowers brew. The Jasmine Pearls have a slightly different taste to their big sisters (literally), and I reckon they are a little more delicate. But they’re all delicious and what fun to produce them for special occasions. Or to make a special occasion of an ordinary day.

Incidentally, the UK Tea Council states that drinking four cups of tea a day is equivalent to the government’s recommendation of five daily portions of fruit and vegetables per day. Well, I never…

Now, for anyone who’d really like to try out these teas, here’s a treat. The MD and Founder of Choi Time (Melissa Choi) will be doing a number of FREE Tea Tastings across London this month, educating people on how tea should taste, how it is best served and why it’s so good for you.

I’m told Melissa is very approachable and her tea tasting sessions are very relaxed, so go along and sample as much Choi Time as you like. Time I went off to fill the pot again.

Tip: Keep a special little teapot for herbal and green teas.

Tea Tasting with Melissa is offered at the following venues:

Harrods 11am-5pm daily
Friday 7th - Within the luxury Food Hall
Wednesday 12th - Within the luxury Food Hall

BBC Good Food Show, Olympia (Stand FM89)
Friday 14th November 10am-8pm
Saturday 15th November 10am-8pm
Sunday 16th November 10am-5pm

For more information: www.choitime.com