Yesterday’s news that thousands of British builders are shunning bog-standard breakfast tea comes as no surprise to us. Apparently, the (traditionally ubiquitous) brew is falling behind various kinds of coffee as the beverage of choice for the construction industry and how could it not? Without mentioning any names (*cough* like Tetley, Yorkshire Tea or PG tips), the quality of the dust in common teabags is appalling. One can instantly recognise, and appreciate, decent tea brewed from good quality tea-leaves by comparison. I speculate that those responsible for churning out the mass-produced mug-dust might have better things to boil; perhaps their own heads for example. In fact, with a few lashings of…

An irksome earthquake has left roughly 20,000 hectares of tea fields, bursting with fresh tea leaves, abandoned as the Chinese workers of Mingshan county go instead to rebuild their homes. Normally tens of thousands of workers gather during the prime picking season (March to May) to pick the best quality leaves, however, a sudden quake in April meant that the workforce was understandably preoccupied with the destructive fallout. Around 20% of the crop has been lost (due to being left at the mercy of frost rather than the seismic activity) and a party leader from a Mingshan town estimates that it will take two months for local life to return…

Every now and then we leave the dim recesses of the Shed and sally forth to plush hotels where the tea is always greener. Zoe checked out the green tea on offer at the Dorchester and wow! Although they left the leaves steeped in the pot in each case, which meant that the second cup came out a tad stewed. Nevertheless we give the Dorchester a sublime Shed score of 8/10 for sheer opulence and nice cakes.

We’re bringing the Shed to Duke’s Meadow on the second and fourth Sunday of every month!! 10am until 2pm: not to be missed for all the tea in China… How to get there by car: turn off the A316 into Riverside Drive, then left into Alexanda Gardens and follow this to Market Drive, the Car Park in the DMCA can be used on Sunday (small) or use the parking in Edensor Road. Access to the Market is via park gates in Edensor Road, Chiswick W4.

Exciting news, we’re booked to put the kettle on in person at the Chiswick Summer Fair 2013. Armed with a plethora of teas, we’ll be manning the stalls this year on Saturday 6th July, 11.30 to 16.30 on Turnham Green. Please pop by for a cup of tea or a bucketful of chinwag! The Chiswick Summer Fair supports various local charities and features all sorts of family fun including live music and entertainment, plus numerous activities for kids (including the grown-up ones!).

Hello tea-fiends! Our new blog will keep you up to date with new teas, tea news and events we’re involved with, not to mention the occasional glimpse into the mysterious depths of the Shed… George (preparing to tea off)