September is Indian Black Tea Month

Since Chinese Green Tea month ran long, we're now celebrating Indian Black Teas through September. This means the usual:

• 15% off all Indian Black Teas--by the cup and pot, as well as bulk!
• Many teas will be on clearance. Since we reduced our menu, we have stock of a number of discontinued teas that is on sale for 50% off--two ounces for the price of one! This includes a number of high-quality Assams and Darjeelings.
• I'll be sharing a few of our finest Indian black teas via tasting notes on this blog.
• Informational handouts will be available in Miro Tea.
• Free loose samples will be available in-store for customers to try at home!

A bit of background for those unfamiliar with the specifics of tea in India: Official reports of native assamica tea plants date back to at least the 1500’s, but widespread cultivation and production of tea only began in the 1830’s when the British lost their monopoly on tea trade with China and opportunistic businessmen began the first tea plantations designed to accommodate burgeoning demand for tea in Britain. Tea production expanded over the next two centuries to the point that India at one time surpassed China as the world’s largest tea producer. Today, the three most famous and prolific tea-producing regions in India are Assam, Darjeeling (both of which are located in the northeastern, spindly part of India seen in the map) and Nilgiri, which is located in the mountains of the southeastern portion of India's tip. Many consider Sri Lankan teas (also archaically known as "Ceylon" teas) as Indian, but for Indian black tea month we'll stick to India as commonly understood by international treaties! More will be said about each region (hopefully including some tasting notes, time permitting).

Elliot