To be honest, I’d never heard of Adagio Teas but then I never really pay much attention to tea brands. I know that I am a massive fan of tea, and I love my English Breakfast tea, but that probably about it.

So I was delighted when Adagio contacted me to see if I would try out some of their teas and in the process learn about them as a company and what they are doing.

Adagio are an American company started by a mum and her two sons in Chicago, when mum had a dream about opening a tearoom. The company has grown both online and with locations across America; and now they have also expanded into the UK.

They are a loose leaf tea supplier and to ensure the best quality and value, they import their teas directly from the countries in which they are grown, working closely with the farmers who tender them.

Some examples are :

Lapsang Souchong from Wuyi in Fuji
Pi Lo Chun from Dongting, Jiangsu
Jade Oolong from Nantou County, Taiwan
Jasmine Bloom from Fu Jian Province
Ceylon Sonata from Nawalapitiya, Sri Lanka

There are five basic styles of tea namely White, Green, Oolong, Black and Pu Erh.

White Tea : White Tea is essentially unprocessed tea. The name is derived from the fuzzy white "down" that appears on the unopened or recently opened buds - the newest growth on the tea bush. White tea is simply plucked and allowed to wither dry. The leaves are not rolled, shaped, etc. White teas produce very pale green or yellow liquor and are the most delicate in flavor and aroma.

Green Tea : Green Tea is plucked, withered and rolled. It is not oxidized because during the rolling process, oxidation is prevented by applying heat. For green tea, the fresh leaves are either steamed or pan-fired (tossed in a hot, dry wok) to a temperature hot enough to stop the enzymes from browning the leaf. The liquor of a green tea is typically a green or yellow color, and flavors range from toasty, grassy (pan fired teas) to fresh steamed greens (steamed teas) with mild, vegetable-like astringency.

Oolong Tea : Oolong Tea is one of the most time-consuming teas to create. It utilises all of the five basic steps, with rolling and oxidising done repeatedly. Oolongs typically have much more complex flavor than Green or White teas, with very smooth, soft astringency and rich in floral or fruity flavors. Because of their smooth yet rich flavor profiles, Oolongs are ideal for those new to tea drinking.

Black Tea : Black Tea also utilises all five basic steps, but is allowed to oxidize more completely. The tea is completely made within a day. The brewed liquor of a Black tea ranges between dark brown and deep red. Black teas offer the strongest flavors and, in some cases, greatest astringency. Black teas, particularly those from India and Sri Lanka, are regularly drunk with milk and sugar and are the most popular bases for iced tea.

Pu Erh Tea : Pu erh Tea is a completely different art. It first undergoes a process similar to Green tea, but before the leaf is dried, it's aged either as loose-leaf tea or pressed into dense cakes and decorative shapes. pu erh is a fermented tea (and the use of 'fermentation' is correct here, although not the type which produces alcohol). Depending on the type of pu erh being made (either dark "ripe" pu erh or green "raw" pu erh), the aging process lasts anywhere from a few months to several years. Very old, well-stored pu erhs are considered "living teas", just like wine. They are prized for their earthy, woodsy or musty aroma and rich, smooth taste.

Adagio sent me a supply of Black Teas of which Earl Grey Moonlight was my favourite; Oolong Teas of which I was partial to the Peach Oolong, White Teas where White Strawberry came up trumps; Herbal Teas where I used the Blood Orange for both hot and cold teas and Green Teas which really just aren’t my cup of tea!

These teas are fantastic. When you open the packets the first thing that hits you is the aroma and then the colours - the dried petals, fruits, leaves, bark, seeds, flowers and herbs. But the best part is that these teas taste just like they smell. The flavours are strong and you will most definitely be able to distinguish each tea flavour.

Adagio also supply these super easy, amazing teapots. The IngenuiTEA 2 teapot - I use this ALL the time!

You pop in the required amount of loose tea, fill it up with hot water and let it steep. It’s clear, so you can see the transformation of your tea, brewing and getting dark. The aroma intensifies too.

Once you’ve brewed your cuppa for the suggested brew time, place a cup underneath the teapot and the valve at bottom of the teapot releases, allowing the brewed tea to flow into your cup. Love love love it!

They currently have a Summer range of teas out at the moment. Cherry for me would be the one I’d go for but they have some nice blends like Summer Rose - a black tea that’s mellow and floral and the Watermelon Cooler has the sweetness of watermelon and the lively notes of cranberries and hibiscus when iced make this a perfect poolside treat.

Adagio teas can be purchased directly from them or via Amazon. If you are after some delicious teas, then genuinely give them a try! www.adagiotea.co.uk

PRODUCT REVIEW : Adagio Teas