A Glimpse Into the World of Tea Travel the World with a Cup of Twinings Tea

CEBU, Philippines - Drinking tea is one of the longstanding Chinese traditions. According to legend, tea was discovered by Chinese Emperor Shen Nung, some 5,000 years ago, when a few leaves from a tree accidentally blew into the cup of hot water he was about to drink. Since then, tea-drinking continues to play a significant role in Chinese traditions and everyday customs.

Just like the Chinese, drinking tea is also a daily practice for the British, the second largest tea consumers in the world. Twinings, the world-famous English speciality tea company, was actually one of the very first companies to introduce the beverage to the British in 1706. In 1837, Queen Victoria granted Twinings its first Royal Warrant for tea and appointed Twinings as the official supplier of teas to her household.

Tea is enjoyed not only in China and the United Kingdom, but in almost all regions of the world. In fact, tea is the second largest hot beverage market in the world. Its popularity can be owed to its versatility as a drink, and the countless ways it can be served. Unique tea customs and ways of preparing the drink vary from country to country, but using only the finest quality tea leaves is a constant. With Twinings’ wide range of speciality tea blends, one can enjoy his or her own tea-based drink inspired by the signature tea beverages from around the world. So, travel the world with a cup of Twinings tea!

If one wants to try Thailand’s favorite sweet, lightly spiced iced tea or “Cha-yen", simply steep a bag of Twinings Earl Grey black tea and the optional spice (cardamom, ground tamarind, star anise, cloves, etc.). Sweeten with sugar and condensed milk, then chill. To add to the taste and its creamy appearance, pour evaporated or whole milk over the tea and crushed ice before serving in a tall glass.

Being one of the world's largest producers and consumers of tea, tea drinking is also popular throughout India. A typical Indian tea drink is “Masala chai,” an aromatic spiced tea made with black tea, milk and freshly ground spices like cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom and pepper. To concoct your own “Masala chai,” boil three cups of water with one to two cups of full cream milk. Put in three to four Twinings Apple, Cinnamon & Raisin Flavoured Black tea bags, sugar, and your preferred spices. When the chai or tea has reboiled, causing the milk to produce froth, remove tea bags and let the spices steep for at least two minutes.

In Tibet, the traditional tea beverage “Po cha” is made by adding butter, yak milk, and salt to brewed tea and then mixing in a churn. Create your version of this Tibetan butter tea by brewing one tea bag of Twining English Breakfast black tea and adding unsalted butter, full cream milk, salt and cream. Mix all ingredients in a blender and enjoy.

The young-at-heart can also try making the world famous “Bubble tea,” a tea-based beverage with milk and balls of tapioca, which originated in Taiwan. Brew a pot of Twinings Fruit and Herbal Infusions such as Strawberry & Mango or Raspberry & Echinacea and sweeten with sugar or honey. Pour tea, milk and ice into a blender and mix until it gets frothy. Pour the mixture over cooked tapioca pearls. Top the drink with more pearls, add a straw and voila, you have your own homemade bubble tea.

In Japan, green tea or “o-cha” is one of the most popular beverages. The Japanese prefer their tea hot and without sugar or cream. To enjoy your tea Japanese-style, choose from your favorite Twinings Green Tea blends like Green Tea & Lemon, Jasmine Green Tea, Green Tea & Mint, and Green Tea & Orange and brew a piping hot cup of healthy green tea, sans sugar or cream.

With Twinings, tea drinkers all over the world are assured that the tea they are enjoying have passed the strictest standards of quality and taste. Twinings sources only the finest ingredients from the best tea producers all over the world to maintain quality and consistency in every tea blend. With Twinings, tea drinkers can personalize their drinks and even travel the world with a simple cup of tea.

For more information on Twinings and teas, visit www.twinings.com.ph.