Whether you’re a casual tea drinker or a seasoned tea connoisseur, you’ve undoubtedly come across your local coffee shop offering the tasty and popular beverage known as chai tea. The History of Chai Tea The Hindi word for tea, the term chai was originally derived from the Chinese word for tea, “cha.” Chai tea is one of the most popular types of tea enjoyed worldwide and for a good reason. Not only is chai tea incredibly delicious, but it is also believed to provide a whole host of benefits when consumed. Chai tea has been the tea of choice for cultures around the world for thousands of years. Today, chai tea generally refers to a type of tea that consists of a wide variety of spices, sweeteners, and flavors. There’s even a chocolate chai tea. In this brief guide, we’ll be exploring the many types of chai tea and cover…

Everyone seems to be warming up to cold brew tea. The growing appreciation for subtler, softer flavors in drinks knows no season. As individuals look to replace super-sweet, carbonated drinks with healthier alternatives, these herbal options have stayed beyond summer, becoming the staple chill beverage of choice in restaurants and cafes. And you can easily make this beverage a staple in your home too. Unlike traditional hot cups of tea, cold brewing runs no risk of over steeping which means making large batches is incredibly simple, and the leaves can be re-used (for a lighter, second or third batch). Plus, all the magic happens inside your refrigerator. And if you’re a little more adventurous, you can even mix together your favorite flavors and use ingredients you already have at home – fruits, herbs, and even spices – to make a satisfyingly refreshing new drink. The best part about making your…

Originating in China, Matcha tea has been the beverage of choice for both the Chinese and Japanese cultures for thousands of years and has quickly become a drink of choice around the globe. Thanks to its incredibly rich flavors and a wide variety of tastes, matcha tea has won over the hearts of many casual tea drinkers and tea enthusiasts alike. Matcha tea is also believed to provide a whole host of health benefits when consumed on a regular basis thanks to the unique way in which it is processed. Despite being one of the most enjoyed beverages in the world, matcha tea remains a mystery for many. In this brief guide, we’ll explore what exactly matcha tea is, the difference between matcha and green tea, and how to find the best matcha tea to enjoy. What Is Matcha Tea? So what exactly is matcha tea? Matcha tea is a…

Have you ever sipped your favorite tea only to find the taste flat? Your disappointed frown on finding a different taste than when you first bought it and drank it. You might have blamed the manufacturer for the decrease in quality. But did you know that the improper storage of tea can be the actual culprit? While we’re all mindful of how we store our spices, we forget to pay the same attention to our teas. Even though, proper storage of the tea is crucial for maintaining its shelf-life, quality, taste, and aroma. In fact, adequately stored loose tea can last for about 18 to 24 months. That said, let’s dive into the details of tea storage, its fundamentals, and how you can best go about it. The Importance of Tea Storage Despite tea being the second most widely consumed beverage globally, many people toss in their opened tea packages…

When it comes to choosing the best manual coffee grinder, where do you start? Should you get one with a blade or burr? What’s the difference? And what about if you’re looking for an electric grinder? How do you narrow down all of your options? You’re not the only one wondering. In fact, we’ve put together this guide because we know that most people don’t know where to even begin. And not only can we help you navigate the maze of searching for the best coffee grinders, but we think it will also help you know to more about coffee grinding in general. All of this can be overwhelming especially when you’ve never owned a coffee grinder or you’ve never ground coffee before. We get it. Why Get a Coffee Grinder? Here’s the thing: Coffee grinding is not just about pouring coffee beans into a grinder, brewing the coffee and…

When people think about where to buy the best coffee beans, their minds narrow in on a package or a label. But there are different factors to look for when it comes to choosing the best whole bean coffee. A lot it also depends on where coffee beans grow, how they are roasted, for how long they’ve been roasted before being brewed, how they are ground and finally how they are brewed. All of these elements together give coffee beans their unique flavors. A lot of that depends on you too. You have your own unique taste palate and certain coffee flavor preferences. For example, do you prefer light, medium or dark coffee? And what flavors would you most likely go for? Fruity, nutty, or a citrus taste? At the same time, you may not have a favorite yet, or you’re open to trying new flavors. The best way to…

Isn’t pour over coffee so much better than machine brewed coffee? The rich taste that highlights all the flavorful notes. The wonderful aroma that fills the room. There is something special about the pour over method that makes truly makes a difference. Yet, many still opt for brewing coffee using a normal coffee machine. Why bother if you can just push a button? Who needs a pour over coffee when you have the convenience of using your coffee maker? Yes, it may seem like brewing pour over coffee is more labor-intensive. But the process is not that complex at all. Pour over coffee easier to make than you realize. What’s involved? Only a few basic things: Freshly ground coffee, a filter, hot water, and a brewer — a pour over coffee maker. That’s it. What You’ll Need to Make Pour Over Coffee: 1. Pour over coffee maker (We’ll get into…

Learning how to make French press cold brew will not only result in creating a delicious and refreshing cup, but it will also help you cut back on excessive trips to your favorite coffee shop. No matter your reasons, learning to how to make cold brew coffee from the comfort of your home just makes sense. We’ll teach you a simple way to make French press cold brew. You only need a few tools. You do not have to be an experienced coffee barista to make this successfully. So give it a try. It’s easy, we promise! Cold Brew, Iced Coffee, What’s the Difference? First, we want to clear up some of the confusion around how cold brew is different from iced coffee. Are they both cold? Yes. Are they prepared similarly? No. They are two completely different drinks. If you’re not familiar with the difference between cold brew and…

Have you ever been at a coffee shop, went up to the counter, and instead of ordering something different — you opted for the same drink because you didn’t know what to get? Maybe if you knew how all those drinks were made you’d have a better idea about to get the next time. Let’s start with this: While all those drinks are unique, they all start out as one thing: espresso. But don’t confuse espresso with coffee. They are not the same. Espresso isn’t just a simple cup of black coffee. Espresso takes a lot of work to make. Read on to find out more about what espresso is, the difference between espresso and coffee, and what the difference between coffee and espresso is — that way — you’ll be more confident about what to order the next time you visit your local coffee shop. A Brief History of…

Once you’ve tried espresso, it’s hard to go back to regular coffee. But most people think that an espresso drink is only available at a coffee shop, with barista training, or by buying an expensive espresso machine. We are going to let you in on a little secret: You can make espresso without an espresso machine at home. In fact there are several ways to accomplish this, and without the need to use a fancy machine. How To Make Espresso Without an Espresso Machine Let us show you three ways you can make espresso from home with just a few simple supplies. Supplies: AeroPress A Burr grinder Espresso beans Thermometer Tamp Scale Kettle (or regular stove pot) for boiling water Make Espresso with an AeroPress An AeroPress is a plastic, easily portable device used for coffee and espresso making. It’s a manual device that uses air pressure to push the…