I've not been around much recently. I've had teeth issues. Sore gums and huge anxiety about visiting the dentist doesn't make for a good Laura.
Last week though, I had something utterly fabulous pop through the letter box, and when I was sat, slightly panic stricken in the dentist's chair, this little gem was all I could focus on.
This is a brilliant way to experience high quality, artisan, loose leaf tea. And as a dedicated tea drinker, I find this concept very exciting!
teatourist are a newly established tea subscription service that sources the finest quality loose tea from many different suppliers in the UK, and hand selects six new tea's a month for you to try. Not only can you start an incredible tea journey but it's made all the more convenient for you as it's posted out in boxes that are designed to fit through your letter box, so no more annoying trips to the local sorting office to pick up your parcel!
The first thing I find appealing about the teatourist concept is that each month six different tea's are carefully hand selected for you to try. teatourist work with over 100 tea suppliers to offer a wide selection of tea each month. So, in my box I had a lovely selection of functional tea's, herbal tea's and black tea. (Each tea will be reviewed on a individual basis in the near future so keep your eyes peeled for upcoming reviews).
This idea is very convenient. How many times have you brought a quantity of loose tea or a large box of bagged tea, tried one cup and decided you didn't like it, therefore creating not only waste but also a loss from your wallet! In each pouch of tea you get enough tea for several cups. This is interesting because sometimes you like a tea straight away, sometimes it takes a couple of cups for you to make your mind up, sometimes you don't like it on first tasting and nothing can change your mind. This is an affordable way of experimenting with different flavours, blends and different types of tea.
To make things simple, each tea comes in identical packaging. As you can see below with each tea you get lots of excellent information. Each card contains information about the type of tea contained, allergen information and a use by date. In addition, it contains clear and precise information about the company that sells that particular tea. Now, teatourist doesn't sell tea, so if you try some tea and love it, then you can go straight to the suppliers website to order more. So don't forget to retain the card for each tea so you know where to buy your refills from!
On the other side of the card there is clear instructions on how to prepare and infuse the tea. You are told how much you need, what temperature to boil the water to and how long to infuse. There is also space for you to write your own tasting notes, too! (This is especially handy for a tea blogger!) I think that's a really charming addition to the package.
For a tea addict, this is just the ideal way of trying new tea's. It's fantastic and I'm genuinely excited that there is a simple way of trying all that the tea world has to offer.
teatourist was created by a lovely guy called Joss. What is very evident through my communication with him is not only is he as in love with tea as I am, but he understands the difficulties that both tea drinkers and tea companies have.
For the consumer, tea drinking isn't the cheapest habit to have. Some tea's are expensive and I myself have paid out for a lot of tea that seemed appealing to me, but in fact, once tried, was not my, cup of tea, so to speak. The amount of money I've wasted over the years would probably of brought me a decent holiday. Or a slightly better quality record player. And there really isn't anything more frustrating then having a huge packet of tea, or a huge box of tea that you don't like, and having to either throw it away or find someone who will give it a good home.
For the producer of tea, the market is literally crowded with tea. Yet, if you go to the local supermarket, you simply see the same brands over and over again. For the independent seller, the artisan tea company or the newly formed tea company it's almost impossible to get your product out there amid the plethora of Twinings, Tetley, Yorkshire Tea and PG Tips. If you think about it, how much great tea are you, as a consumer, missing out on simply because you haven't yet discovered that little tea company that's sitting on a gem of a tea?
So, how does it work? Well, here's the practical bit!
A teatourist subscription costs £14.95 per month. With each box you get six hand picked tea's. Along with this you get tasting cards as described above. Each parcel is packed in letter box friendly sized boxes, so as I said before, if you're not in the tea will still reach you safely. The postage for the box is free and each box is sent out around the 20th of each month.What is very clever is the subscription is done on a month to month basis so you can pause anytime you like and just pick up where you left off when you're ready to.
And, if you decide you'd like to join the subscription please use the discount code 'LAURA30'.
I would like to note that that this service is only currently available in the UK.
I fully support teatourist on so many levels. As a passionate tea lover I feel that those small tea companies that we may miss need as much exposure as possible. I'm equally passionate about helping new starters launch their brand, (and I've worked with several through this blog) so they can make a real impact into the tea market. teatourist share these principles and that appeals to me.
As a drinker of tea, I feel we need more choice and a better quality of tea. But we also need this to be affordable too, as times are hard right now.
With teatourist both the tea company and the tea drinker win. So why not pop over to their website and explore this exciting concept.
teatourist give tea the respect it deserves. And I wish them nothing but luck (and support) as they make their mark in our tea world.
And I will end this blog by simply saying there is nothing more exciting then having a extensive box of different tea's pop through your letterbox. Take it from me, it really is that good!
No comments:
Post a Comment