A few different notes from the news on tea today.

Articles in both the Telegraph.co.uk and Daily Mail online talk about some environmental advice being given out by the “quango” Envirowise in the U.K. Envirowise is given 10 million pounds yearly from taxpayers to give advice to businesses on being green. Guess the U.S. isn’t the only one with pork.

The advice was given in order to save an estimated 30 billion cups of water and the energy used to heat them. They want each business to appoint a “tea task force or tea monitor” to make their hot drink facilities efficient by only boiling water that will be used. They furthermore suggest using teapots to make several cups at a time of tea and even urge bringing back tea urns into each business. As the Telegraph quoted Conservative environment spokesman Peter Ainsworth said: “You might have thought that in the current economic environment the Government would have higher priorities than appointing tea monitors.”

Sources: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/3375869/Tea-task-force-to-spy-on-water-use-at-work.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1082864/Brew-told–tea-bag-task-force-targeting-office-kettle.html

Petit Tea is offering loose leaf tea in a new Tea Stick. It’s an interesting looking alternative to the tea bag. They are made from metal similar to the foil that makes foil containers that frozen foods come in. They are perforated with 484 holes to allow in the hot water of the cup in which you want to steep your tea. You don’t need a strainer or spoon for stirring as the Tea Stick acts as both. There is enough room inside the Tea Stick to allow the tea leaves to uncurl. Furthermore they are disposable. The sticks are sealed in a protective film and come 12 to a box.

Source: http://www.petittea.com/page175.htm

In a press release, Teavana announces its new tea collection for 2009 which were available starting 27 October. In reading the provided information about some of them, they should be a hit for the holiday season and the new year. One that really struck my fancy is the Sweet Oolong Revolution which contains pumpkin, cloves, papaya and cardomom. That should be a great taste for the fall and winter. They are selling 7 new white teas, 4 new green teas, 4 new Oolong teas and at least two new black teas. Teavana also has herbal teas which look very interesting and at least one Darjeeling. Assorted tea accessories and gift sets round out the picture. If you are looking for a gift for the tea lover, this is a good site to visit.

Source: http://www.prweb.com/releases/tea/shop-teas/prweb1565604.htm