As you may already know, tea originally comes from China. Thousands of years ago, Emporor Shen Nung discovered tea through leaves in the forest. Later Japan also came into contact with tea through China. The first mention of tea in foreign literature comes from 1559, when it was discovered by the Portuguese in Japan. For the smart ones among us, this was during the travels for the VOC. A small amount of tea came to the Netherlands around 1610 out of pure interest and curiosity. It was not until later in the 17th century that the VOC started shipping larger quantities of tea to the Netherlands. This tea came from Batavia (Dutch East Indies, now Jakarta), where the tea was brought from China.
Tea plantations were built by the Dutch on Java and Sumatra. The English in turn did the same in India and Sri Lanka. Until the 18th century, tea was a very expensive drink and was only consumed by rich people.
After water, tea is the second most consmed drink in the world. Tea lovers in the Netherlands drink about 3.5 million liters of tea per day. This equates to almost 3 cups of tea per day and 100 liters of tea per year. There are an estimated 1500 different teas, and each person has their own favourites. But what are the most famous and best-selling blends in the Netherlands?
English Breakfast
English bled is one of the most popular strains in the world. This blend is not from England, it is only named this way because the British love to drink this tea during their Afternoon Tea. This mixture consists of different teas: Assam, Ceylon, and black tea from Kenya. English Breakfast is a full, rich tea that goes well together, how could it be otherwise, with milke and sugar.
The English Blend from Tea Cultures is a packaged tea from the Tea Leaves Collection. This blend comes form various plantations in Sri Lanka and has powerful taste and slightly spicey aftertaste. The Classic Strong English is a loose leaf tea and is full of flavour. This is a blend from Sri Lanka and Assam.
Earl Grey
Earl Grey is a blend of the Indian teas Darjeeling, Assam, Nilgiri and Ceylon tea. This is mices with the oil from the bergamot plant, giving it a citrusy undertone. This flavour is named after Charles Grey, who was a British Prime Minister at the beginning of the 19th century. Earl Grey is also a very popular tea and is often consumed during breakfast.
Black tea from Sri Lanka and oil from the cold, pressed peel of the unripe bergamot fruit. This explanations is of the Pure Earl Grey. The Traditional Earl Grey is a loose leaf teathat also contains the oil of the bergamot. With a fresh taste and full flavour, this is a tea that cannot be missed.
Rooibos
Rooibos tea comes form a plant in the area of the Cederberg in South Africa. The name rooibos comes from South African and means red forest. This tea is said to be relaxing and good before going to sleep. Good rooibos consists of pure leaves of the rooibos plant. Rooibos tea does not contain caffeine and therefore never gets that bitter taste.
Red Rooibos Chai is a blend of rooibos spices with the classic chai spices. The combination of these two gives a warm and aromatic rooibos. The African Rooibos has a full and powerful taste and is a real classic rooibos. Both varieties belong to the Tea Leaves Collection. There is also a loose leaf rooibos tea, Suid Afrika Rooibos.
Ceylon
Ceylon tea comes from Sri Lanka, which is also the former name of the country. This tea is not a blend either but comes from the same plant form different regions. A black tea with a hint of citrus, which gives it a fresh taste. Ceylon tea has been one of Sri Lanka’s most important exports since 1872.
The strain, Ceylon Flavoury Highgrown, comes form the Bandarawele tea district in Sri Lanka. This tea is delicious to drink at any time of the day. Enjoy the refreshing taste.
Fruit tea
Fruit tea comes in many colours and flavours. These fresh teas are very popular in the Netherlands. Various ingredients are used to make this tea, such as fruit extracts, dried fruits, blossoms, and herbs. Fruit tea would not exist without black tea. Black tea is the basis of these teas. The fruit teas are also very tasty to drink as iced tea. The most popular fruit tea flavours are forest fruits, strawberry, and lemon tea.
At Tea Cultures there are different types of fruit teas. The most famous is Black Forest Fruit with a fresh and fruity taste. Pacific Dreams is a tea with a soft, fruity, and floral taste. This is due to the notes of red fruit and a fresh blossom. The black tea does not turn bitter or tart. Do you want something different? How about banana with strawberry and fresh marigold blossom. The fruity and sweet Bali Monkey Fruit takes you to the sun for a while.
Fresh blend is a blend of green tea and herbal tea. In addition, it contains fresh notes of papaya, lemon. and orange peel. White tea with subtle hints of stone fruit gives the China White Wings a delicious, slightly sweet taste that does not get boring. And finally, the refreshing Tropical Fruit co*cktail with papaya, mango, and hibiscus. You can drink this decaffeinated tea at any time of the day.
Green tea and green tea with …
Green tea is made from barely oxidized tea leaves from the tea plant camellia sinensis. Heating after harvest stops the oxidation process and the leaves retain their natural green colour. As a result, the tea retains a fresh taste compared to black tea. Flavoured green teas are also very popular, especially the green tea with lemon. An extra fresh tea for any time of the day.
Oriental Green is made form Sencha tea from Japan. The tea is rich and full of flavour and the aroma is reminiscent of freshly cut grass. Do you prefer a touch of citrus? Then choose the Green Lemon. Lemongrass, lemon zest and pure lemon essence have been added to this Sencha. A delicious, thirst-quenching tea. In addition to these two variants, they are also available in loose leaf tea, Japan Green Sencha and the Green Lemon Sencha.
Zhu Lie Shan is full leaf green tea. This tea has fragrant character and gets its delicate taste form the fresh mountain water that flow past the tea garden in China’s Zhejiang province.
During a world exhibition in 1904, iced tea only became very popular. Because it was super warm on this day, the visitors were looking to cool off. In the East India pavilion at the fair, tea plantation owner Blechynden offered free warm tea to everyone. No one drank this because of the heat. Blechynden and his team then took the brewed tea from India, filled several large bottles, and cooled the tea by running it through cold lead pipes.
During World War II, the main sources of green tea were cut off from the United States, leaving them exclusively form British controlled India, which produces black tea. Americans came out of the war and nearly 99 percent black tea. To this day, over 85% of tea in the United States is consumed as iced tea.
At Tea Cultures there are different types of tea that are super tasty as an iced tea, both green and black tea. For a fresh green cold brew, try the Green Lemon or the Fresh Blend. If you prefer a fruity tea, go for the Ceylon Flavoury Highgrown of Tropical Fruit co*cktail. The “golden oldie” Traditional Earl Grey is also very tasty to make an iced tea. Or do you want something completely different in terms of taste, try the Ginger Spice. Due to the taste of ginger and hint of rosa pepper, this gives a great taste to both warm teas as iced tea.
