Kerthyasa and Tong

2 for 1 Pass

Kerthyasa and Tong — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 04:39:28 +0000

For the first 100 iShop orders from tomorrow, we’re giving away 2 for 1 tickets to see Albert Nobbs. The concept for this film spoke to us. An ode to those who had to go covert just to get the job done right.

SMH delves into Tea Craft

Kerthyasa and Tong — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:30:37 +0000

(Caption and image from SMH) Out of the bag ... Tea Craft's Tjok Gde Kerthyasa and Arthur Tong buy direct from the source. Photo: Steven Siewert

Tea Craft appears in today’s Good Living, Sydney Morning Herald. Thank you Helen!

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/steeped-in-their-craft-20111119-1no2a.html

White Tea – the Other Green Tea?

Kerthyasa and Tong — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:41:03 +0000

2011’s white teas continue to thrill us. Weather conditions have been ideal and the year’s crop continues to flourish with its hints of sweet fresh forest dew that is characteristic of the highest quality in this category.

2011 Organic Jade White Peony: fresh green leaves with beautiful young downy unfurled buds

Easier to serve

White teas are simple to serve. Unlike green teas that get bitter when over brewed, white teas are much more resilient to heat and brewing times.

We tested all our 2011 white teas and even when brewed off the boil (90°C and above) they remain quite floral, fragrant and sweet and we detected NO bitterness. For a quick infusion, we suggest doing it off the boil and infusing for 2-3 minutes. For multiple infusions, do it at green tea temperature (i.e. 70-80°C) and steep for 3-4 minutes at a time.

Packed with health benefits

Like green teas, white teas are minimally oxidised. Main difference is that for white teas, only the youngest, unopened buds with its fine silvery fur are picked. It also undergoes the least man-handled form of drying (no panning or rolling) as its most natural state is preferred, leaving it with high levels of catechins – compounds that lower carcinogens and risks of cancer, diabetes and strokes.

Newies

We just brought in a very rare organic jade white peony, the best we’ve tasted. This is truly mind-blowing stuff. It is refreshingly sweet and has a remarkable lingering aftertaste. There’s limited supply, so first in first serve!

Try:

White Peony

White Peony (Jade, Organic)

White Peony (Premium)

Silver Needles (Spring Premium)

Sweetening Ice Teas – Revisited

Kerthyasa and Tong — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 02:28:07 +0000

After further experimentation, we have refined our recipe for making rock sugar syrup to serve alongside ice teas. (Video and photo of syrup to come…)

: The rock sugar in its pre-dissolved, pre-syrup stage

Use the ratio of 2:1 water to sugar e.g. 250ml water to 125g rock sugar

Bring water to the boil in a saucepan
Reduce temperature to a simmer and add rock sugar
Stir occassionally until rock sugar is dissolved
Allow syrup to cool to room temp
Serve in a small pourer on the side of your ice tea.

Tips:

The final syrup should have a very low viscosity. It should be watery, even runnier than maple syrup. Don’t let the runny viscosity fool you – it is sufficiently sweet!
After you’ve let it stand cool, if parts become crystallised, then too much rock sugar was added. You will need to put the mixture back on the stove and add more water.
If made properly, unused portions of your syrup can be kept in the fridge without it hardening at all.

The return of the tets

Kerthyasa and Tong — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 23:31:25 +0000

Check him out, our small tetsubin is back.

25% discount!

Kerthyasa and Tong — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 02:24:02 +0000

To celebrate the beginning of spring downunder, Tea Craft would like you to enjoy the best of 2011 first flush (first and finest tea picking of spring).

Throughout the month of September, the first 100 teas within our selected First Flush Finest range purchased from our online store can enjoy a 25% discount*! You can take this opportunity to try two of our premium teas, the Darjeeling First Flush and the Silver Needles as well as our entire green tea range.

To redeem the offer, simply enter FFF in the coupon code field towards the bottom of your shopping basket screen and click ‘Redeem Coupon’.

*offer valid for purchases via our Tea Craft online store only. Offer is limited to the first 100 teas purchased and applies only to the following teas: Darjeeling First Flush, Silver Needles, Silver Jasmine, Cloud and Mist, Dragon Well, Gunpowder Green, Jasmine Dragon Eyes and Sencha only. Offer is valid to 30 September 2011.

Grand Cru – Best of the Best

Kerthyasa and Tong — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:54:05 +0000

Here they are, our showponies, the pink diamonds of tea. Introducing, Tea Craft’s premium range, the Grand Cru.

Grand Cru Spring Premium Silver Needles - beautiful, fresh white and light green downy needles

Tha She Grows! – Our Balinese tea plants flourish

Kerthyasa and Tong — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 04:01:01 +0000

Our tea plants are doing amazingly well after a bumper rainy season. Many have either doubled or tripled in height!

Our young master Tjok inspecting the leaves...Tea Craft will soon harvest our own-grown teas!

Adi and Tjok - two generations of pioneer Balinese tea growers?

The classic bud and two leaves, done Bali-style.

The Floating Tea Timer

Kerthyasa and Tong — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 12:33:53 +0000

"Like sand through a tea timer..."

These tea timers caught our eye during one of our China tea forays…the way they seem to suspend in mid-air really got our attention.

Superfine and stylish

Kerthyasa and Tong — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 06:49:08 +0000

Just in, our new stainless steel cup strainers (pls scroll to bottom of teawares page) has an elegant full funnel and superfine gauze – great functionality and style.

superfine, super sleek strainer