Tag 'Newby Teas'

According to legend, Tea was discovered in 2737 BC by the Chinese Emperor Shen Nung, a mythical being who is considered the founding father of Chinese medicine. It is believed that Shen Nung was a great herbalist, who would go out into the mountains in search of herbs and plants to treat diseases and would test their effect upon himself and record. During one of these expeditions, a plant with enormous medicinal properties was discovered, which today we know as tea.  

The legend goes that Shen Nung discovered the plant by accident when a leaf drifted into a pot of boiling water, he drank it and found it to be revitalising and nourishing. Shen Nung would drink tea to combat the toxins of the many poisonous herbs and plants he would accidentally eat during his studies. Today the medicinal properties of tea are greatly researched and established scientifically, and fine tea is known to be a wonderful source of immunity boosting anti-oxidants.   

Since Shen Nung’s discovery, tea consumption and the cultivation of tea has spread across the world. Over the 5000 years that followed, tea has become the most important drink in the world after water. Tea started a new revolution and it expanded from early 7th Century AD onwards. Fine tea was considered the greatest gift, more valuable than gold or jewels at the time, and countless people depended on the nutrients it provided for their health. It was only from the beginning of 19th century that rising tea consumption led to the rise in production of inferior quality teas. Commoditisation of tea meant that profit became more important than quality. With the decline in quality also came a decline in the medicinal value of the tea.

The medicinal aspect of tea has been seemingly forgotten. Since the invention of the mass produced teas we know today there has been a rise in tooth and bone related illnesses. Skeletal fluorosis and osteoporosis have become all too common. From the mid-20th century, some attention was given and scientific research started on analyzing chemical components in tea. The findings showed that low quality tea was high in levels of fluoride, effectively poisoning the masses, but the tea industry did their best to cover it up. Many research labs have published studies on the effects of fluoride on our body and some governments have acted upon this, imposing maximum thresholds – but the majority remain unaware.

The Importance of Fine Tea

The tea plant, Latin name Camellia Sinensis, grows mainly in tropical and subtropical climates and is cultivated at altitude up to 2000 meters above sea levels. Climatic conditions, rainfall, humidity, geographical location and soil composition are all important factors for the cultivation of quality tea. Therefore, though tea is grown in many parts of the world there are very few tea growing regions that are truly able to grow the finest teas.

In addition to geography, the method of harvesting also determines the quality of the tea. The finest picking method, known as “two leaves and a bud”, from the prime season contains the highest amount of antioxidant properties and the lowest levels of fluoride, a potentially dangerous poison. Only this highest standard of tea can be truly said to have the optimum medicinal value. Fine Teas are consumed, not only for their taste and aroma, but for their medicinal properties such as polyphenol, theanine and flavonoid content.

Newby Teas was born out of passion and respect for tea, and the rich history of this drink is a constant influence on how we operate. One-hundred percent of Newby’s profits go to charitable causes and we have spared no efforts to preserve the history and culture of this incredible drink. Through careful procurement, rigorous tastings and careful scientific vetting of the chemical contents and the levels of fluoride in all Newby Teas we hope to revive the glory of tea and ensure that the consumer can be confident that they drinking the safest and healthies brew possible. Newby Teas is the most awarded luxury tea company in the world and independent laboratory testing has shown that our teas contain the lowest levels of fluoride compared to a large range of well-known tea brands. For more information about fluoride in our tea, read our latest Fluoride Report. To shop our range of healthy and delicious teas, click here.

As the weather warms, the prospect of immersing yourself in a page-turning summer read with your favourite cup of fine tea becomes ever more enticing. So we have teamed up with Pan Macmillan, the publishers of page-turning, award-winning reads, who have compiled an edit of the best books to read this summer.    

To help you embrace this sun-filled season with ease, we have chosen soothing summer reads, providing virtual travel to Costa Rica, a whirlwind romance, wartime nostalgia and uplifting words from none other than Oprah Winfrey. So put the kettle on and take a little time for yourself with these must-read books.

The Secret Path by Karen Swan

Tara is a trainee doctor with a perfect life, including the perfect fiancé – American biology student Alex. Perfect… until he betrays her. Ten years on and she has rebuilt her life with a thriving career and a good relationship. Her wealthy family draws Tara to Costa Rica for a glamorous party, and she encounters a desperately ill child, the only treatment for whom lies a long trek away in the heart of the jungle. There’s only one person who can help her, and he’s the one who broke her heart.

Yours Cheerfully by AJ Pearce

It’s London in the Blitz, and Emmeline Lake is relishing the challenge of being a wartime advice columnist for Woman’s Friend magazine. Meanwhile she is enjoying a blooming relationship with boyfriend Charles, and propping up her best friend Bunty. A call from the Ministry of Information to help recruit women to the war effort throws Emmy into a dilemma: should she do her duty, or does her loyalty lie with her friends? A touching tale about the power of female friendships.

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa

Translated from Japanese, this is a charming story written by a doctor from Nagano. It’s set in Natsuki Books, a secondhand store crammed with wonderful books, which has long provided a refuge for Rintaro Natsuki. The death of Rintaro’s grandfather, who started the shop, leaves him lost and alone. Rintaro plans to close up, till a talking tabby cat appears asking for help. The two embark on a quest, to rescue books from people who have misused them. But for the ultimate rescue, Rintaro must work alone.

Writers & Lovers by Lily King

A New York Times bestseller, Writers & Lovers was described by Ann Patchett as ‘suffused with hopefulness and kindness.’

When we meet Casey, she is lost. At thirty one, she’s mourning the loss of her beloved mum, recovering from a devastating love affair, and her writing career is at a dead end. Then, she meets two very different men, who offer her two very different relationships... and two very different futures. Suddenly she finds herself at the point of a love triangle. This story of a young woman finding her courage for life is the perfect uplifting holiday read.   

What I Know For Sure by Oprah Winfrey

Encouraging, thought-provoking and tender, this book of essays by Oprah is a route to finding your best self, written by the woman whose legendary empathy has created the world’s most popular talk show.  Recipient of an honorary degree from Harvard University as well the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Oprah has a lifetime of wisdom to share. The essays are grouped into the themes of joy, resilience, connection, gratitude, possibility, awe, clarity, and power.

^{This article was written by, and created in partnership with Pan Macmillan.}

After 15 years of successfully developing the brand in the Middle East, being a partner to premium hotels and serving to tea connoisseurs through their e-boutique, Newby Teas now has a new location with their first luxury tea boutique within the region. Elegantly spread over 300 square feet the boutique is situated within the picturesque Park Hyatt in Dubai.

The Newby Teas boutique has been designed with a grand contemporary feel, showcasing luxury and minimalism beautifully blended together. The show-stopping ceiling installation made in alluring gold, features an artistic portrayal of the ripples that brew within a fine cup of tea.

The boutique offers an exquisite selection of luxury gifting items, inspired by ancient tea culture and brought to life by a tea maestro. Newby Teas Pagoda and Epitome caddies celebrate the history of tea and its esteemed royal status, by presenting limited edition exclusive diamond studied caddies, crafted with gold, enamel and Venetian glass.

Alongside Newby’s classic selection of teas, the boutique offers some of the world’s rarest and most unique blends. With an opulent experiential area, guests can enjoy a unique tasting journey and explore teas of their choice. They will also have the opportunity unwind and relax in the lounge area as well as indulge in tea history.

Founder and Chairman of Newby Teas Mr. Nirmal Sethia said, “We are looking forward to welcome our clientele to our new home, and showcase some of the rarest and the finest tea blends. We have constantly been on a mission to bring back the glory of the ancient tea culture and this definitely a step towards it.”

Location: Ground level (next to Courtyard), Park Hyatt Creekside

For any queries or feedback, please email [email protected] | +971 (0) 50 487 6880