Sri Lanka: Tea and Travel

Contrary to what one might expect based on the news coming out of Sri Lanka over the last 2 and a half decades, the people of the old Ceylon are some of the most peaceful I have ever met and their country is a mecca of health and beauty.  The tiny island known as Serendip actually embodies the qualities of its most famous export, tea, and I have been fortunate over the last 6 years to become a part of the inspiring work happening there to spread the island’s vitality throughout the world by way of the ethical and sustainable trade of their tea and to use that trade to bring peace back to the island.

I first visited Sri Lanka in 2004.  After cycling around the island--from perfect surf beaches and ancient temples carved into rock to green mountain valleys full of flowers, waterfalls and exotic spice forests and ayurvedic treatments around every bend--I arrived at the world’s first organic tea estate, Indulgashinna, where I had come to meet the producers of the fine tea I was selling into the Australasian market.

I knew that Indulgashinna was an organic and Fair Trade tea estate, but the earth friendly agricultural practices, social development programs and state of the art tea packing and producing facilities I witnessed there far exceeded any expectations I had and rivaled anything I had seen anywhere in the US or abroad.  Indulgashinna follows strict biodynamic growing principles; has health care, housing and education for everyone and manages funds through a democratically organized joint body.

The fact that Ceylon tea has for a century been regarded the world’s best is how the industry can afford to raise the bar for global tea production’s social and environmental sustainability standards.  What is surprising is that the US, one of the world’s richest countries, does not partake in all that Sri Lanka has to offer.  We are not even on Sri Lanka’s top 10 list of tea importers.  The US gets most of its tea from low quality producing countries like Argentina and Tanzania.

However, current trends in tea are predicting a change as American consumers are looking to tea for quality, health, sustainability, flavor and accessibility.  These 5 traits are launching our thriving tea industry into record growth and tea drinkers are increasingly interested in origins-- just as 10 years ago, we were learning the difference between arabica and robusta beans and the terroirs of Kenya and Colombia, we are now wondering about the difference between green, white, oolong and red tea and about places like Assam and Ceylon.

Now, 6 years and many more trips to Sri Lanka later, I have returned to the US and developed a tea company that offers US consumers a chance to indulge in Sri Lanka’s health and beauty and to give back to the country’s wellbeing at the same time.  Partners Tea Company sells Fair Trade and Organic teas and unique tea blends.  Our Pure Ceylon Green Tea is a high grade OP1 leaf tea from Idulgashinna estate.  1% of all of our sales (not profits) are donated to the community of tea growers at Idulgashinna through their non profit association-- IBITAD_ Idulgashinna Bio Tea Association for Development.

New CFO, New Puppy, New Apron!

We are so happy and thankful that Karla Diehl has joined Partners Tea Company as our new Chief of Operations and Finance!   Here is a picture of Karla with her new puppy, Cayenne,  sporting our new Partners Tea Company aprons!

Don't let the apron fool you-- this lady is a management maven.  As the chairwoman of Edison Automation, Inc., she profitably managed the $16 million Inc 500 award winning company through 316% growth!  Look out, Lipton!   With a BS in International Trade and Finance and an MBA from Vanderbilt's Owen School of Management, she is especially good at developing operational systems and infrastructure and working with a diverse range of people.  That is thanks to her endless optimism and positive spirit!
She's still having a bit of culture shock though, having moved from the mostly male automation industry to...tea.  Imagine trading your hardhat in for a pretty green apron and your industrial warehouse for a sunny porch!   We think it s a good fit and are happy to have a new mascot in Cayenne as well!

Spring forward with slimming, refreshing Popeye!

As Spring approaches, our bodies naturally want to cleanse and shed a layer of insulating winter weight.  Partners Tea Company's Popeye blend is the perfect tea for this season.  It is slimming and energizing and makes a great get well or energizing tea.
When I created it, I was going for something like a healthy,  herbal Red Bull.  It tastes great.   Here is what is in it--
Yerba Mate- a South American herb that is known to be slimming, energizing and god for mental focus.
Green tea- full of polyphenols and anti-oxidants, known to be slimming also and anti-viral, anti-cancerous and .  Great for digestion and skin.
Ginger- Good for digestion, warming.
Lemongrass- Cleansing for the liver, kidney and digestive tract.  A diuretic.
Peppermint-Diuretic, good for IBS and other stomach issues.
Goji berries Good for longevity, vision, fertility, skin conditions and numerous other benefits.

Iced Popeye is healthy and delicious!  Making it is easy, just steep one of or tea sachets in hot water, allow to cool, chill in the fridge.  Serve with ice, mint, lime and put it in your glass with ice.  You can add agave or turbinado sugar. Iced Popeye also makes a great Mojito if you add Rum and fresh mint.

Style Blueprint

Style Blueprint is a Nashville lifestyle blog with an impressive list of followers.  You can check out what they have to say about all things design, fashion, lifestyle related.  We were so thankful to have them review our teas and excited about how well received they were (review below).  Thank you Liza!


Partner's Tea Co. produces tea that is good to drink all year round. But with names like Love, Sweet Friend Blend and Goodnight Kiss, this tea might be the perfect addition to a Valentine's Day routine.
I grew up drinking tea with regularity. Blame it on my family's pride of arriving on American soil in the year 1634.  Yes, we're that type: the type that actually knows the day our ancestors hit this continent.  The type that keeps up family records and bestows upon our children names that have been engraved in silver and etched on tombstones for hundreds of years.  Hit the Eastern Shore of MD and see how many old grave sites have Mary Eliza (my christened name).  Cool to some, creepy to others.  The fun part of all this history, was the time spent over tea, as that is what has been done in my family since tea became mainstream in England, which was around the mid 17th century.  We all drank it the English way: cream and honey or sugar.  Sugar cubes have slowly been replaced by blue and pink packets.  The choices always included Earl Grey.  I did not become a fan of the iced variety until I moved to Nashville when I was 17.  Now, I love it all.  But, I just found a tea that eclipses all teas I have ever had - bold words to be sure, considering the background I just gave you!

Tea picking from a Fair Trade tea estate in North India.

I am completely thrilled to write today about Partner's Tea Co.  You may have heard of them since they did win Best Tea in the 2009 Nashville Scene poll.  I had heard of Partners but I was cruising along pretty happy with my Yogi teas.  Then, a little gift appeared on my front porch a couple weeks ago with a note "Share this tea with Mary Blake (my oldest daughter, now 11) on her birthday and enjoy!"  Well, we did and I was stunned- really, I'm not hyperbolizing here, STUNNED at how good my first taste of Goodnight Kiss was.  You can flavor with honey and cream, but I love it straight up.  Replace that late afternoon glass of wine with some Goodnight Kiss and see if you are not similarly relaxed while feeling more at peace.
Partner's Tea Company is a local Nashville company owned by Sarah Scarborough. The teas are organic and Fair Trade Teas.  Sarah has been working since 2001 with various Fair Trade tea companies all over the globe.  In fact, she set up Scarborough Fair in 2004 and this company is now the largest Fair Trade company in New Zealand and Australia, producing coffee, tea and chocolate.  I know, she's very impressive, isn't she?  Sarah is introducing tea to the States in a way where flavors shine, and ethics are held high.  A cup of tea helps your own health and nourishment while also supporting the health and nourishment of communities across the ocean in need.  I love win-win's. She also gives 1% of every purchase to organizations empowering women through education.  I mean, really, can this story get any better?  YES - if you add drinking tea to your daily life! To read more about how impressive Sarah is, and why we all should care about Fair Trade, click here.

Partner's Tea Co founder Sarah Scarborough

Isn't it great when a nice company is also the one producing the best? We think so too.
You can purchase your tea locally at Bread & Company, Davis Kidd, The Produce Place, Social Graces, Whole Foods and more.  Check out the website for a complete listing of locations and tea offerings.
And for our East Coast readers (we know you exist!), order online.  You need it with your 40+ inches of snow.
Love with a Good Night Kiss. Off to brew some more.  Let's hope 375 years from now that these teas are still available and that my family traditions will include Partner's Tea Company.
Tea Recipes:
Ok- I hear some of you still thinking that you can't give up that evening cocktail.  How about this: 1 cup Goodnight Kiss, brewed + 2 ounces Baileys Irish Creme Liqueur.  Yummmmm.
Want to make a special love potion #9 for Valentines Day? (or a bridal shower, wedding or anniversary!)  Here's how:
Love tea-tini

• 2 parts Love tea, brewed and iced
• 1 part fresh pomegranate juice
• 1 part organic vodka
• .5 parts Thatchers Organic Artisan Liqueurs Blood Orange Liqueur (or Cointreau or White Creme de Cacao)
• Shake with ice and sere with a piece of chocolate.
• Rim glass with cacao powder, if desired.

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Cooking with Teas

COOKING IDEAS to liven up your favorite recipes using Partners Tea Company teas

• Try cooking rice in jasmine tea (Midnight Moonlight) tea instead of water for use with curries

• Steep prunes in Pure Assam black tea and brandy.  Serve with whipped creme and honey.

• Use Pure Ceylon green tea instead of milk/ water in making ice cream, custard or baked goods for a subtle depth of flavor

• Pure Assam Black tea in marinades and with tahini (sesame paste) in noodle dishes. 

• Use Pure Assam Black tea for deglazing veggies, tofu, beef or chicken

• Popeye adds a slightly smoky flavor as well as ginger, lemon and mint to a Moroccan or Turkish chicken or fish marinade- add garlic, chili, sesame and lime.  Also, drizzle Popeye enhanced marinade over dish before serving.

• Goodnight Kiss replaces half the oil or milk in cake recipes, to make a rich, vanilla, mint chocolate cake.

• Zelda is used to flavor custards or pannacotta.  Replace part of the milk in any creme based dessert with Zelda.

• Sweet Friend Blend adds zest, flavor and color to a salad dressing.  Brew double strength and combine with lemon juice, olive oil, ginger, and salt for salads. 

These are only suggestions, so use your own imagination and creativity.

Tea is meant to add subtle flavor, not overwhelm the dish, use sparingly.

Tea is also used in cooking and baking. It can be used as a base for punch, cocktails, soups, stews, marinades, or sauces-adding color, flavor, and aroma (plus antioxidants and other nutrients).

It can replace liquids called for in recipes for soups, marinades, sauces, stews and cakes for added flavor and nutrition.

Photo: Cooking eggplant curry in Sri Lanka using coconut milk and green tea.  Black tea may be used as well.

Tea and food pairings

According to the Tea Council of the UK, the Academy of Food & Wine has discovered that by pairing certain teas with specific foods and in some cases wine, not only is the flavor of the food and wine enhanced, but the specific quality of the tea is highlighted.  Here are some combinations and suggestions to experiment with Partners Tea Company teas, but remember that, as Lu Yu said in the Chi Ching, “Goodness is for the mouth to decide”, so experiment with your own pairings!

Assam black tea- Lemon tarts, coconut, any sweet or baked good, spicy food, Indian food, as a chicken or steak marinade (with garlic, red chili, onion), anchovy.

Popeye- Seafood, especially sushi, Thai food,  as an after meal digestive, iced with lemon and or sugar, makes a great rum cocktail, barbeque.

Goodnight Kiss- As a desert tea with milk and honey, chocolate deserts, chocolate mint, Middle Eastern dishes, hummus, olives,  baklava, an after meal digestive. 

Sweet Friend Blend- Sushi, seafood, cinnamon, rich dark chocolate deserts, iced tea served with Mexican food, makes a great iced vodka cocktail.

Zelda- Vanilla and nut deserts, pecans, winter squash, in ice cream, shortbread, Sunday Brunch, apples.

Midnight Moonlight- Milk chocolate, chocolate cake, manchego cheese, any other sweet or nutty goats cheese, panna cotta and also in a sweet yogurt dressing for mixed melon salad, Sunday brunch, avocado, dim sum.

Ceylon Green- Prawns, Lemon or vanilla deserts, cooked fruit/ apples, raw veggies and anything with garlic, as a chicken or fish/ shrimp marinade with green chilis, green onions and ginger, lamb.