Dried white tea leaves in a bowl

Discover the Delicate Elegance of White Peony Tea: A Journey into Flavor and Wellness

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Welcome to the world of tea, where history, tradition, and flavor converge to create a truly exquisite experience. As a tea connoisseur, I have spent years exploring various teas, from the most common varieties to the rarest and most sought-after. Today, I want to introduce you to a tea that embodies elegance and refinement: White Peony Tea. Known for its delicate flavor and historical significance, White Peony Tea, or Bai Mudan, is a treasure in the world of white teas. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the origins, cultivation, flavor profile, and brewing techniques of White Peony Tea, offering you a deep appreciation for this exceptional tea.

Tea with dried leaves and fresh fruit.

The Ultimate Guide to Loose Leaf Oolong Tea: From Harvest to Your Cup

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When it comes to tea, black and green varieties often dominate the conversation. Both have rich histories and are enjoyed by millions worldwide for their distinct flavors and health benefits. However, there’s another category of tea that, while lesser-known, offers an incredibly diverse and nuanced experience: oolong tea. Often described as the perfect balance between black and green teas, oolong tea is a versatile beverage that can range from light and floral to dark and robust, depending on how it’s processed.

In this guide, we’ll delve deep into the world of oolong tea, exploring its unique qualities, how it’s made, and the best types to try. Whether you’re a seasoned tea drinker or new to the world of fine teas, this article will give you a newfound appreciation for Loose Leaf Oolong Tea.

The Power of Gratitude

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As a certified New Year’s Resolution junkie, at the end of every year, just before the next year begins, I find myself asking – where did the year go? How did the year go by so quickly without my accomplishing some goals that I assured myself, as a part of my New Years’ Resolution ritual were most certainly vital components toward making my life even better. As I have done in previous years, in January 2023, I made a public declaration and a promise to myself that this year would be spectacular and magnificent. I would walk in my power. I would focus on purpose! I would dutifully follow the curated vision board I had designed and sworn undying allegiance to. I would achieve it all.

It’s November 4th. I have scanned my memory bank and I have no clue as to where my 2023 vision board is. I certainly don’t recall the details of everything that’s on it. Needless to say, I am not sure what part of it I accomplished. Another year of resolutions gone by the wayside.

Or have they? I may have not followed my vision board to the tee, or at all for that matter; however, I can thankfully say that I am grateful for accomplishing a few things that were and still continue to be achievements that I am blessed to be a part of.

This year, as the Head of Law Firm Partnerships for Chief Legal Executive, our team delivered a program that changes the game for senior associates in AmLaw200 firms and has left an indelible impression on many of their careers for years to come. We launched and delivered a program entitled Think Like a GC. In this program, we brought senior associates together to present themselves and their legal acumen to decision-makers in corporate law departments. As program participants, the associates received real-time feedback on what they did well, where they can focus to deliver the best client experiences possible. The ongoing benefit of this program is that senior associates, who often don’t get that type of access to in-house counsel, have the opportunity to develop and build relationships with prospective clients. That’s a HUGE step in the progression of a young attorney’s career trajectory! I am thankful to have been a part of the program. #Rainmakers

This year, one of my daughters returned home. It was the right thing for her to do. Life happens and sometimes we need a reset. I have the space and capacity. She is free-spirited personified. Her return is a package deal; she has a 6-year-old son – Denim, whom I adore. He is a self-proclaimed genius. He is an amazing chef. He is capable of masterfully playing every sport. He can solve all problems. He is exceptional by every measure. I LOVE the boundless confidence he possesses and his quick wittedness. We spend a lot of time together. He’s my go to person when I need to learn how to correctly use both the underutilized apps and the frequently used apps on my iPhone and how to “fix” my television. In exchange for all of his help, I get a lot of information that I never thought would matter so much. I now know a ton about the bond between Spiderman and Miles Morales. Growing up in the early 70’s who knew that Spiderman had a best friend? From the perspective of a 6-year-old, I’ve learned that Rinaldo is the “greatest soccer player in the whole entire galaxy and Messi’s game has plenty of shortfalls. Despite his self-proclaimed genius status, Denim doesn’t yet comprehend the significance of Messi having a World Cup win under his belt. Denim is killing me at Roblox, but I think that is to be expected given our respective ages. dif There are a lot of differences in my household these days. I don’t always get to have the local news on at 6:30 AM. Bluey airs at the same time. There are Lunchables taking up space in our refrigerator. I have performed the mortal sin of mistakenly confusing his buddies Caison & Axl. It was certainly not a part of the January 2023 vision board to sit in the very long drop-off line at Oak Grove Elementary every morning. Nonetheless I am winning. I am joyful. I am appreciative. This is the experience that I am supposed to be having. Again, something additional in my life that I am thankful for. #BlackBoyJoy

This year, I have re-focused my efforts towards managing and growing Symphony of Leaves Tea Co., with very intentional goals. It has been a vertically challenging path. In other words, I am not making enough money at this endeavor, yet. To provide some context, I am sitting at my popup shop in Atlanta today. The weather is brisk, and I am enjoying a freshly brewed pot of Gloria, Audre, Toni & Zora’s Tea. There isn’t a patron in sight, so I have more than ample time to write this post. Regardless of the non-existent foot traffic, I am sure that the steps we are taking, right now, are the right steps for growing our business. I also have moved from sole proprietorship to a partnership. Working in partnership with someone else has been an eye-opening experience as to what tactical changes needed to occur to put Symphony of Leaves Tea Co., on the path to successful growth of the business. I have also begun working with micro influencers who share the vision of who Symphony of Leaves Tea Co. is and what we plan to accomplish. As a brand, our primary goal is to be a purveyor of teas that are sourced from artisanal growers who focus on producing premium quality teas grown with a commitment to sustainability and fair trade. I have identified tea suppliers who I enjoy working with who meet that criterion. #SipPurposefully. I get to constantly review our offering and add and remove products as the wants of our customers evolve. I also get the pleasure of working with a host of companies from around the world that share similar values with our company. For example, I work with a vendor who provides me access to small batch tea growers with gardens in both Assam & Darjeeling. As a result, one of my new favourite teas is from a tea grower in the Moran town, in Assam, where the climate is mild and ideal for growing green teas. The grower has creatively produced a green tea, black basil blend which is hand-picked to ensure the best leaves. For me, it’s sublime. Earlier in the year, I tested the offerings from a grower in Thailand. Although they have limited quantities of some of their white teas, they have reliably delivered some award-winning white teas which we are thrilled to be able to carry. According to the IMF, Bhutan is one of the poorest places in the world. Nonetheless, I was introduced to a women’s cooperative who are growing a green tea in Bhutan. It’s a blessing for me to be able to include and offer their green tea as one of our staple teas. I believe our decision to carry their teas will impact the growth of their business, therefore providing them with economic empowerment.

My 2023 vision-board reflected somethings that were incredibly important for me at the beginning of the year. I have pivoted from what I thought was important. What was a win for me when I created my vision board, is eons away from where I stand today. In accepting the agency of personal and professional transformation, I acknowledge that things aren’t always comfortable, but I appreciate the blessings of collaborating with authentic, kind, intellectually curious, creative, thoughtful, brilliant, purpose-driven people more than I ever have before. I’m not sure that I will be making a 2024 vision-board. I’m relatively certain that I don’t need to make New Year’s declarations. I love the path that Symphony of Leaves Tea Co., is on. I’m fine. I’m grateful. I’m thankful. I’m blessed. I am appreciative of walking in my purpose.

The holidays are coming. Tea is an outstanding gift. We have gift sets that we can drop ship for you. I would appreciate it if you would visit our website, pin it as a favourite, and buy some tea. www.symphonyofleavestea.com

White leaf pattern on black background design.

Sip Purposefully – Knowing the Source of Your Loose Leaf Teas

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Discover the story behind your tea. At Symphony of Leaves Tea Co., we prioritize transparency and ethical sourcing. Whether from us or elsewhere, sip purposefully, knowing your choice supports sustainability and communities worldwide.  

Symphony of Leaves Tea Co. would like to know where your tea comes from?

At Symphony of Leaves Tea Co., transparency is at the heart of our ethos. We believe that knowing where your tea comes from is paramount to not only elevating your tea experience but also making a positive impact on the lives of those involved in its production.

Every sip of tea holds a story, and understanding its origins allows us to appreciate its journey. We meticulously source our teas from regions renowned for their premium quality and commitment to responsible growing methods. From the lush tea gardens of Assam to the picturesque landscapes of Darjeeling, each leaf is cultivated with care and expertise by skilled producers dedicated to their craft.

But our commitment goes beyond just quality. We prioritize ethical sourcing practices, ensuring that tea pickers and processors are compensated fairly for their labor. We strive to minimize our environmental footprint by supporting biodiversity and sustainable growing methods.

When you choose Symphony of Leaves Tea Co., you’re not just savoring a cup of tea – you’re supporting a tradition of excellence, integrity, and social responsibility. Join us in sipping purposefully and making a difference, one cup at a time.

Tea is the second most widely consumed beverage in the world.

As providers of premium quality teas and infusions, part of our commitment is to be transparent about our sourcing standards; and that includes sharing information about who we source our teas from, the skills of the growers that we work with and confirming that the growers and pickers involved in tea production are receiving fair and competitive wages. We source from small tea growers around the world. The growers we source from are dedicated artists who want to share their best quality teas with our customers. We are committed to having a positive impact on the tea industry and the livelihoods of the people involved in the tea supply chain. We do this by continually educating ourselves about the industry and sharing that information with you – our customers. The more we know about the industry, the better equipped we are to make purchases from ethical sources, who engage in fair labor practices, who are committed to environmentally responsible initiatives, and support the ecosystems of their local communities.

As a retailer committed to ensuring that you’re receiving premium quality teas from our selection; we want to provide you with useful and relevant information to help you to know that when you purchase tea from us, you are sipping purposefully. We focus on the quality of the leaves – which includes the taste and the aroma of the teas, sustainability of farm production practices, labor rights for growers, and transparency in the supply chain.

We often hear phrases like transparency and accountability bandied about.  Those are more than phrases for our team. They are a part of our DNA. We actively look for growers who are committed to ensuring sustainable production in farming.  In selecting which growers would be included in our network, we look for responsible land use, efficient water management, and minimal use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, adherence to authentic production methods, all of which help define ethical and sustainable tea agricultural practices.

Sadly, the agricultural industry is rife with human trafficking and unsafe working conditions and a general lack of training for workers. We chose to take a stand with who we work with. In order for us to have a clear conscience about what we bring to you, we rigorously manage the process of which growers we work with. Ensuring fair labor practices is crucial. This includes fair wages, safe working conditions, and protection against exploitative labor practices. Ethical certifications like Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance aim to hold producers accountable for these standards. Most of the farms we source our teas from have received these designations. Some of providers are too small to achieve designations, as they are family farms. However, we have worked to ensure that while they are small. they are meeting the standards for being considered premium quality teas.

Every year the U.S. imports nearly 900,000 tons of tea. Can you imagine the environmental impact that growing tea has on the earth?  As a company, we have made a commitment to principles of sourcing teas that are grown with eco-friendly techniques and are included in supply chains that are transparent. We source teas from artisan growers who have rigorous quality controls and by demonstration have pledged to adhere to authentic production methods. We want you to be able to know the origins of the teas you purchase and feel assured that they are included in a supply chain that represents acknowledgement of the origin of the teas and the conditions in which they are produced. As we commit to supply chain transparency, we look for quality and safety standard that ensure teas are free from contaminants, are properly labeled and consistent in quality.  

Symphony of Leaves Tea Co. is very intentional to providing you with access to teas grown by artisans who are passionate about their craft. We are an open book about where and how we source our teas. Traceability systems help track the journey of tea from the farm to the consumer, ensuring accountability at each step of the supply chain. We have researched the reputations of the vendors we source from. We minimize the need for intermediaries, allowing us to know where our teas are coming from and ensuring that the grower is receiving fair and equitable compensation. Educating consumers about the importance of accountability in the tea industry empowers you, our customers, to make responsible choices and supports companies that adhere to ethical practices.

How does all this impact your tea experiences to help you sip purposefully?

Premium teas are often associated with cultural, innovation and artistic traditions and endeavors. They have a more refined and complex flavor profile with rich aromatic scents. There’s less astringency and free of the bitterness often associated with tea. Our artisan tea growers focus on quality in a way that mass producers can’t.  The tea growers we source from pay meticulous detail to every aspect of the tea production process; from the selection of the tea bushes, the care of the plants to the harvesting, withering, rolling, oxidation and drying processing. We believe that by sourcing artisanal and premium teas for our customers we can help growers share deeper appreciations of the history of tea, the craftsmanship behind each cup and ultimately deliver enhanced brewing experiences.

 Premium teas provide a more enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing brewing experience. Artisanal growers play a crucial role in preserving the art of tea making and offering tea enthusiasts the opportunity to enjoy unique high-quality teas. Their dedication to traditional growing methods, sustainable practices and terroir of their tea gardens contributes to the diversity and the richness of the tea world.

 Our offering includes both orthodox teas and hand blended tea infusions. Our infusions are blended with at least 70% whole leaf, premium-quality teas as the base ingredient. We apply the same sourcing ethos to blending ingredients as we do to teas.   

 Hopefully this helps you in your search and selection process for premium quality artisanal tea and tea infusions.

 Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, and feedback. Please reach out to us at renee.rubens@symphonyofleavestea.com or contact us on IG @symphonyofleavestea

 

Warmest Regards

Renee