Increasingly, I notice people writing about specialty teas they have tried which have all manner of flavorings added to a black or green tea base. One blog entry described a special offer of two samples of personalized specialty teas: one was black tea with peppermint and apple flavoring; the other flavored with raspberry and coffee. Now I ask you: what makes for a specialty tea? Is it any kind of tea base sprayed with unusual flavorings or is it pure, unadulterated tea that is of such high quality in how it is grown and processed – and in its natural aroma and flavor – that there is no need for flavorings? Or is it both? You can probably guess my bias by the way that I worded the question.
I know what I believe, but I really don’t know what the official or general consensus is out there. What do you think about this issue? What makes a tea special? Is it just whole leaf, whether flavored or non-flavored, or is it any tea, whole leaf or bagged, that is unique in some way, whether through the pure tea itself, special flavoring or even how it is bagged or packaged? Let us know what you think and what you like.
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This post originally published on May 26, 2008, generating the unfinished discussion below. Chime in!
I don’t know what the definition of the term is – if there is one. My notion was that specialty tea was that which was not necessarily produced to appeal to the greatest mass of people. I’d consider a single-estate Assam to be as much of a specialty tea as any flavored tea. But I’m open to being re-educated, if someone knows better.
I believe that “specialty” tea is orthodox, whole leaf tea. It can include flavoring but it must be whole leaf to meet my criteria. Good question. I’m eager to hear what others think as well.
To me, “specialty” is a term used to describe something unique within a general category; therefore “Mango Green” tea is a specialty within the “tea” category; flavored wines (Arbor Mist, for example) are specialty wines within the wine category. Being a “specialty” does NOT mean being “the best” or denote any level of quality. “Special” means something rare and unique, whether for lack of availabiity, quality or sentiment, or because it is favored by the person who considers it special. Probably within the beverage industry the term “specialty” is very well-defined.
I would prefer to drink the tea and then decide if it’s special myself. In real life I imagine specialty tea is tea which costs a little more then non-specialty tea regardless of what it actually is.
I’m not one for indulging on flavoured tea at all but I did have some girl’s ring jasmine tea a few years ago I would definitely consider special. Open definitions are much more fun.
Does “premium” tea have the same connotation as “specialty” tea?
I think “premium” is not the same as “specialty”. “Premium” suggests top of the line, high quality; “specialty” suggests out of the ordinary, different. The two might coincide in one product, or might not.
speciality tea is ornamental tea or a tea which is produced in a diffrent manner than the common tea. the tea is normal cases is orignal tea without any spraying or mixing of fruits or flavors. the best part of a tea produced that is the whole leaf grade is generally referred to as a special tea grade. teas produced throughout the year are NOT refered to as speciality teas. the teas that are produced in special times as main first flush or main second flush time where the quality is diffrent from the normal teas is refered to as a speciality tea. in brief a tea that is unique in flavor and taste than the teas produced all around the year are referred to as speciality teas.
What make a tea special for me? One that satisfies my current mood, and it gives me a sense of physical and mental well-being long after it’s drunk. I’ve had relatively expensive loose leaf teas that were produced in a manner considered to be rare and extremely laborious these days, but it was downright nasty. Couldn’t swallow the stuff down — rough and overly perfumed. And I’ve had a bagged Lady Grey tea that I thought was very satisfying.
Probably those terms used to mean a lot more before. But nowadays, “premium” or “specialty” and other terms are mostly marketing gimmicks, in my humble opinion. Better put on your skeptic’s hat when you hear/see something being touted as “special”. There are only good tea, bad tea and everything else in between. Everything is subjective, of course, but there are common factors to rate these things as well.
what makes anything special – different from ordinary – is its unique attribute to attract the attention..many definitions are flowing around..no set rules applied…
Can anyone tell me please where one can get a good cup of tea served in Hood River? Thanks- JW