Ahhh - the relaxation that comes with a good hot cup of tea is a timeless pleasure.

Tony and Heidi Aupers believe the public is ready for Tea Desire, in the Village Green Mall in Vernon, where you can taste teas from a huge selection and purchase looseleaf tea. "There has been more interest in better teas in recent years," said Tony, who has served specialty tea at his diner in Sicamous for years.

"This combination of tea bar and retail is unique in the Okanagan. It is time to realize that not all teas are created equal, as we have discovered with wine and cars."

Tony explained how loose-leaf tea has been pushed aside by the supermarket and convenience lifestyle in North America. "The teabag is instant, but not a nice cup of tea." According to him the latter takes attention to four things: quality of the tealeaf, temperature of the water, quality of the water, and steeping time. "You want some astringency, but not bitterness."

The types of tea (in order of degree of fermentation) are: black, Oolong, green, yellow and white. Tea Desire carries all of these plus tisanes, which come from varieties of flowers, berries, seeds, peels, leaves and roots.

"Every estate produces its own tea which differs in quality and taste, even within the same type of tea," said Tony. "And each tea reacts on each body uniquely. More fermentation means more caffeine."

In China tea has been traditionally used for medical purposes for its iron, vitamins and poly-phenols. Attention has been given in the west recently to anti-oxidants in tea. They are to be found especially in green tea, white tea and the tisane Rooibus.

Pu-erh, a black tea from the Hunnan province of China, is known to be good for digestion and weight loss. "It is one of the top ten in China," said Tony, "and it is fermented in a special way which is a secret."

White teas are also known for skin benefits. According to James Pratt's Tea Dictionary white tea, which is from Fujian province in China, is the "rarest and most delicate in the world."

Rooibos, named from a bush in South Africa, is becoming very popular. Lydia, who works at Andres in the mall, drinks Rooibos Vanilla. "It's absolutely superb. I'm not a big tea fan, but I would have one of these everyday."

The Aupers import their tea from a tea trader who has been established for centuries. "Buying tea is based on trust," said Tony.

They have over 120 types of tea and they are considering a request to offer tea seminars to help educate the public just as soon as they can fit it into their schedule. Check their website at www.teadesire.com

2005-10 Lynn Dewing