OSCARS BLOG | Suki Tea

2011-06-17T22:08:00.001+01:00

Dalriada Festival starts tomorrow morning 10am to 6pm. Glenarm Castle. Set up earlier, looks great.

2011-04-12T16:43:00.001+01:00

Bar Rue. Main St, Omagh. Thursday morning tea tasting session. 10.30am - 1.30pm. See you there, Oscar.

2011-03-17T13:21:00.001Z

Join us on facebook to see our trip to Tanzania.

2010-12-15T16:48:00.001Z

TEAPOT NEWS. . .All teapots and boxsets are back online! INCLUDING THE GREEN ONE! Phew!

2010-12-13T14:09:00.001Z

FREE DELIVERY extended until 19th Dec.
Not only that, 5% off too.
enter code LOVESUKI
www.suki-tea.com

2010-12-06T21:13:00.001Z

It's an evening to drink a cup of Spiced Citrus tea. Wintery loveliness in a cup. Milk and honey in mine!

2010-12-03T22:32:00.001Z

Edinburgh Christmas Foodies festival, Bu Coffee. Great coffee and of course SUKI TEA.

2010-11-28T12:06:00.001Z

Definitely a Russian Caravan day. Sweet and smokey warmth. Yum

2010-11-26T10:55:00.001Z

NEW: Suki Tea Discount Days. 15% off today & tomorrow on everything online
www.suki-tea.com
Ends midnight sat 27th nov.
Code: SUKIWEEKEND

Christmas Competition

2010-11-23T23:25:00.002Z

We're launching a competition draw this weekend at the Christmas Market & at St Georges Market. All you have to do is pick up one of our flyers & buy a cuppa something nice! You could be in with a chance of winning one of these fab prizes:

* Afternoon Tea for 2 at The Merchant Hotel, Belfast
* Premium Hi-Life Diner Cards x2
* £40 Suki Tea Vouchers
* £20 Market Vouchers
* CoCouture Chocolates

We will do the draw on 17th December. See you down at the markets,

GOOD LUCK!

SUKI BOXSET

2010-11-23T10:41:00.001Z

Okaym we have sold out of the green teapot for the time being but the teaset with the white teapot is available from the satll and online.

2010-11-18T16:02:00.001Z

Christmas Market set up. Done
Lovely new stuff to taste. Done
Staff primed for opening the Market on Saturday at 6pm....to do.

2010-11-13T13:38:00.001Z

Soda farls with marmite and a lovely cuppa. Yum.

2010-11-11T09:41:00.001Z

Up to Derry today, tea training for new takers of SUKI TEA in Northern Ireland called The Sandwich Company. Next stop. Omagh, Bar Rue.

2010-11-06T11:47:00.001Z

Cupcakes and a cuppa. Just had a photoshoot in St Georges' Mkt for Suki Tea's 5th Birthday celebration. Happy Birthday to us.

2010-11-05T08:44:00.001Z

SUKI tea jobs for Christmas. Belfast only. Apply for details to annie@suki-tea.com

2010-10-31T16:49:00.001Z

No way, just saw the first Christmas ad on TV. At least wait until Halloween is over. Wrong.

2010-10-28T08:04:00.001+01:00

Buying tea online has never been easier. SUKI TEA is back online and better than ever. www.suki-tea.com

2010-10-26T22:15:00.001+01:00

Updating the new site, we may be down for a little while. Thank you for your patience.

2010-10-24T10:48:00.001+01:00

Tea cocktail of the day: Oolong and Prosecco. Make a strong oolong, let cool, pour into a glass filled two thirds with fizz. Yum.

2010-10-22T18:33:00.001+01:00

Still at work. preparing for The Merchant Hotel Fashion Tea tomorrow. Bon Jovi living on a prayer is on the radio.

2010-10-14T19:42:00.001+01:00

That's the first time in a long time that I've left work and it's dark.

2010-10-13T13:48:00.001+01:00

Getting some tips on where the best eateries in Paris are from Alain of Deanes Howard St. Fly Sat for a trade show - SIAL. Du the anyone?

2010-10-12T17:39:00.001+01:00

Tea talk over, very enthusiastic group who were certainly not short of challenging questions. Brilliant!

2010-10-12T15:01:00.001+01:00

Off to do some form of lecture about tea at Jordanstown Uni.

2010-10-01T14:57:00.001+01:00

Loves Pete Molianari.

2010-10-01T09:48:00.001+01:00

Loves Pete Molianari.

2010-10-01T08:41:00.002+01:00

Arrived in London on Tuesday. Met the folk at the Barbican who are now selling SUKI TEA next to their Monmouth coffee. Nice pairing up there. . . although there are other great coffee's available.

THE BLURB. . . . .

Barbican FoodhallVisit our bustling market place, with a cafe serving fresh Monmouth coffee , Suki Tea and mouthwatering international food. Barbican Foodhall will offer a brand new foodie experience. Offering an amazing selection of foods within a spectacular street food market the Barbican Foodhall overflows with stimulating and surprising ingredients, deli-tables, counter-top service, restaurant, a stunning ‘jar-delier’ light installation and book bank! Walk in past floor to ceiling displays of the finest produce – including juicy olives courtesy of Olives Et Al, organic oils from the world’s premiere producers, award winning cheeses, chutneys, relishes and pastas. There is also smoked salmon from one of the most prestigious producers in the UK, Severn & Wye Smokery and luxury confectionery from ‘best of British’ sweetie inventors, Hope & Green. Be tempted by an intriguing choice of food stalls selling marjoram infused mackerel, fennel, glazed damsons and goats cheese pie and New Orleans shrimp étouffée, all of which visitors can buy to eat in or to take away. The new restaurant seats 200 and is an ideal place to meet your friends in an informal, buzzing atmosphere where resident chefs will conjure up a different menu every day, depending on what makes their taste buds tingle that morning! Prices start from £7 for a main course. If a good cup of Monmouth coffee, spiced apple crumble slice and a flick through the latest novel is more your scene, then pop by the Book Bank to buy, borrow or bring back books.

2010-09-20T20:00:00.001+01:00

http://ping.fm/XTP8i
Apple loves mint now on sale in Dobbies Garden Centres.

2010-09-05T18:53:00.001+01:00

http://ping.fm/JeeUl

Suki Tea in Tokyo 6th Aug-13th Aug.

2010-09-05T12:34:00.011+01:00

This trip was my wedding trip but as with everything I do tea is usually a part of it. It was going to be a combined work and pleasure trip as Masayoshi Manda who's father owns an antiques business invited me to fly from Tokyo to Fukuoka where his business is to discuss the SUKI TEA he imports, unfortunately Samantha and I, as well as 5 other guests who flew from far reaches of the globe to celebrate our wedding, declined as we had plans to large it up in Japans capital. and we did. . . Masa and family, I'll be over to Gallery Yumeori soon.
After a very long flight and a China Air muck up we we're delayed getting to Tokyo by one night, we did get a bonus night in a top hotel in Osaka where China Air dropped us off. The mini bars were on the airline so we celebrated our arrival in Japan in style and the next day were flown to our correct destination where Samantha and I along with two friends met up with another two friends, got refreshed and hit the city. Our hotel Excel was central Shibuya, the place with the mad crossroads and quite a built up shopping and nightlife district.

I've wanted to visit Japan, especially Tokyo since my dad bought me a Japanese mask poster when I was 10. I built myself up for a feast on the senses and the The first thing that struck me as different was the architecture then the street signs, plants, weather, light, smells, tastes, fashion, mannerism's but especially the food and drink. Not so much the price, it wasn't as pricey as I'd been led to believe. Expensive but if you've ever lived in London it's not so different.

We 24 houred it visiting temples, the odd bit of random shopping and getting married in the day. By night we hit the Hyatt for cocktails and then found some random small independent bars and chatted to Tokyo locals. Every other day the same in different regions of the city....and only one marriage day.

The tea ceremony was conducted by Suzi. Suki takes it off in this instance, not Suki. She has been preparing tea like this for over 26 years. First we had our sweets, a large parmaviolet, a chewy crystallised rock and a white bean cake. I'm not selling them here but they were delicious and a well needed sweet start for what was to come.
The Matcha was prepared by gently warming the bowl. There is a certain way to master the turn of the tea bowl, the length of time to sip your first sip etc. Etiquette in a way I've never experienced and this was an informal tea ceremony. Being the groom I was served first at all times, I liked that while it lasted. I think it was a guest of honour thing. I found out that it would not be unusual to have your boss at the head table of your wedding. I suppose as a respect thing. All together the ceremony took about 30 minutes and the tea, which was from Kyoto, was so refreshing. Now i've seen it done by the master I'll start training myself.

2010-09-03T09:47:00.001+01:00

Tokyo teahouse Suzi makes Matcha for Oscar from Suki and his wedding posse. (incl wife). Photo on the blog.

2010-07-20T07:35:00.001+01:00

Great Taste Award Gold stars for Suki Tea Apple Loves Mint, Lemongrass and Ginger and the new Peppermint Pyramid bag, available soon on soon to be launched new website.

2010-07-13T13:26:00.001+01:00

Suki Tea is the the best tea IÂ´ve ever tried & the first tea which I drink without sugar to enjoy this fantastix taste! Christoph Schneller

2010-07-07T07:03:00.001+01:00

Sale: rare books at reduced prices.
www.smallestbookshop.com

2010-05-25T14:43:00.001+01:00

http://ping.fm/Cop5z
Click here for your chance to win £500 worth of spend at the Belfast Spring continental market in the City Hall. 28th - 31st May.

2010-05-19T10:33:00.001+01:00

Gerat Taste Awards are go! final judging in a couple of months. Fingers crossed for Suki Tea.

2010-05-17T16:12:00.001+01:00

http://ping.fm/20evc

2010-04-21T15:38:00.003+01:00

Last night i made a presentation for Belfast City Council on how I started my website. We are currently on the move to a Magento style platform that makes the operations behind the scenes much easier. The presentation went very well although a bit brief but the room responded well by asking lots of questions. Namely, what would you do better next time? We now have that opportunity and with the help of Jason, Andrew and keith the website guys. We hope that Suki Tea will be recognised as a one stop shop for all tea needs and a bit more.
Launch date............soon.

http://www.smallestbookshop.com/

2010-03-10T21:26:00.005Z

Another interest of mine......

http://www.smallestbookshop.com/

Rare and unique books, specialist and sometimes a bit obscure.

Something I'm doing on my weekends with my Father, he's the real collector and seller of these fine articles and I'm merely the website guy who's putting them online for him. I suppose I'm learning his trade through this too.He's been selling books as long as I've been alive...... and a bit. I also get my hands on them, some of these are stunning. A lot are so niche that I don't even understand the title. The one I would love to keep is the Adams Illustrated Panorma of History. Adams, S.C. It's about 20ft long once opened. A proper Victorian bit of history. love it.

Discount code for any suki tea drinkers. . . .enter SUKI into the discount box and receive a very generous 15% off your first order.

2010-02-09T10:07:00.002Z

WHATS YOUR SWAP?
Fairtrade Fortnight is 22nd Feb – 7Th March.

For this year's Fairtrade Fortnight Suki Tae are joining Fairtrade by asking the nation to join us in The Big Swap. For two whole weeks we'll be asking you to swap your usual stuff for Fairtrade stuff. Your usual bananas for Fairtrade bananas, your usual cotton socks for Fairtrade cotton socks, and your usual cuppa for a Fairtrade cuppa. This means that every time you go shopping, you can use your wallet to make a stand.

. . . Your usual bananas for Fairtrade bananas, your usual cotton socks for Fairtrade cotton socks, and your usual cuppa for a Fairtrade cuppa. (Congratulations if you have already made the swap) This means that every time you go shopping, you can use your wallet to make a stand. Visit the Fairtrade website, your home of all things swap, a hub for all your swapping needs. It tells you how to get involved, what you can swap and most importantly, how to register them. Because we need lots of swaps made. One million and one in fact. Every swap will be proof that the people of the UK want producers in the developing world to get a fairer deal.

*Buy Fairtrade Organic Green Tea *

*Buy Fairtrade Darjeeling*

*Buy Fairtrade Organic Earl Grey*

*Buy Fairtrade Breakfast Tea**Buy Fairtrade Belfast Brew*

*FAIRTRADE WEBSITE*

2010-02-03T10:03:00.003Z

SUKI TEA click here to see.

Flowering Tea and teapot sold separately. blossoming hand tied tea with a flower looks amazing and tastes delicious.

2010-01-14T09:10:00.003Z

I have just returned from a very romantic weekend away with Samantha to Prague.

We had set to visit lots of tea houses as it was almost 5 years ago that Samantha and i along with Annie and a few others were there and that's what we did, well Annie and I did.

The romance bit was getting engaged, almost everyone knows now so I'm okay to put this down officially but that's not the point of this story.

As I had mentioned we had set to visit lots a tea houses but didn't manage as many as i would have liked, we did have other things on our minds.

This place was just down from our hotel, Hotel Neruda, great stay! which was right underneath the castle. (Great views of the city)

Samantha wearing one of our new Sharon Hay Teacup necklace.
Our room in Hotel Neruda. . . . . and a flying cup of tea.
It was that cold in Praha that I had icicles from my chin.
Prague Original Tea house.
They had a fantastic range of tea, it would have been as inspiration to see 5 years ago when we we're researching tea houses in Prague.

Ode to Banksy. 2009. Oscar Woolley

2009-10-12T22:45:00.002+01:00

My image of Banksy drinking tea.

Banksy was recently quoted in the Bristol Evening post why he chose the Britol Museum to show his latest work he replied "I could have taken the show to a lot of places, but they do a very nice cup of tea in the museum." The museum sells SUKI TEA.

Earthy Goodness. www.earthy.co.uk

2009-08-03T10:55:00.006+01:00

http://www.earthy.co.uk/

I was in Edinburgh for a couple of days the other week and managed to get chatting to Pete Jackson of Earthy. Situated on Ratcliff Terrace just off Minto St (aka, north street/Nicholson st/clerk st). It's a haven of goodness. MAP

Pete showed utter enthusiasm for what him and his business partners Chris, Dirk, and Patricia do, which is source great food from passionate produceers, growers and makers. An environment has been created which food lovers will. . .well, just love. I was with another self confessed food lover, we both had a bite to eat in the cafe area which we both agreed was well above standard. I have been to a few places now that have tried to achieve what Pete and Co have fully accomplished. Can you tell that I liked it! A must visit, and yes. . .they sell all Suki Teas Fairtrade range. Apparently Fairtrade Organic Earl Grey Blue Flower is the most popular choice there.

Belfast Festival embraces tea as theme.

2009-05-06T22:44:00.003+01:00

Belfast 'Festival of Fools' entertained everyone last weekend with a some of the worlds best street performers. In between concert going and life drawing (of sorts...see www.drsketchybelfast.co.uk) I managed to get a few photo's of the entertainers.

This image was taken in a maze in front of Belfast City Hall. I have to admit, puts a new meaning on leaf tea eh.

This chap was one part of Banjo Circus. The world's smallest banjo circus. A great show combining acrobatics, lasso, juggling and of course banjo's. For his final act . . . if you can't make out what that guy has on his head it's a teacup. On the end of his stick was a teapot. He managed to fill his teapot with water (Suki Tea may have been a little too hot), pour a cup of mock tea and proceed to balance it on his head. Sounds daft. . . it was, but fantastically funny and actually very impressive.

Afternoon Tea

2009-04-15T13:44:00.002+01:00

DESIGNER’S SUKI TEA PARTY

New Irish Designers on the Cat Walk

A Fashion Show-Tea Party exhibiting new, cutting-edge talent from the world of Irish Fashion Design is taking place in the Westbury Hotel, Dublin on May 20th at 7.30pm all proceeds donated to Crumlin’s Childrens Hospital.

Featuring the work of graduates from all of Ireland’s fashion schools, the tea party is a chance to see a cross-section of work, the emerging trends and styles from young designers already making their mark in Ireland’s boutique and fashion industry. All handmade and 100% Irish, fashion-lovers will enjoy original designs, couture, organic and bespoke garments. Between them, they are finalists from Student Fashion Competitions, boutique managers and suppliers, fashion buyers,Stylists and independent designers, whose work is already available in some of Dublin’s coolest Fashion outlets.

Sponsored by Suki Tea, the fashion tea party guests will experience complimentary Suki teas, and scrumptious tea cakes, in an elegant yet quirky tea party environment.
TV3’s Expose will be covering the event. Provincial and national media will also be present. Kip Carroll, well known and celebrated photographer, will also be covering the show.

Britney does tea.

2009-04-13T12:38:00.004+01:00

Not the usual tea news but Britney Spears advertising tea is a must for the news. From Pepsi to tea. If we could afford someone to advertise SUKI TEA I think I would choose Bjork. Mainly because I love her quirky look. Who do you think fits the job? email me and let me know. oscar@suki-tea.com

GG Tea is apparently from Japan, though there seems to be a distinct lack of actual information regarding the product. But if it's good enough for Britney Spears, who plugged it in a commercial some time back, then it's good enough for me.Aint pop culture wunnerful. From teaguyspeaks.

2009-04-13T11:53:00.002+01:00

http://www.facebook.com/people/Belfast-Flash-Mob/706520403
Join Flashmob for the next event.

This Saturday Samantha and I joined some friends, along with a whole crowd of people I only know through Facebook to Belfasts first FLASHMOB freeze. We congregated at the city hall at 1pm to be briefed and 25 mins later stood frozen for exactly one minute in the centre of Victoria Square. There we're approximately 30 people who showed up but we hope that next time there will be a lot more. Join the group if you want to know where the next one is.
Brilliant fun!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwMj3PJDxuo

Update on what I've been up to. . .

2009-04-13T11:44:00.002+01:00

This is one of my sketches from Friday nights brilliant night out. B movie themed scantilly clad women (and men) posing for a very interesting drawing class. The night ended with a DJ. managerie, Belfast. (see website www.suki-tea.com for full story coming soon)

http://www.drsketchybelfast.co.uk/page2.htm

Next Dr Sketchy's Anti Art School 3rd May.

2009-04-13T10:17:00.002+01:00

Times Online Suki Tea review.

The Times Online flagged up our excellent tea in a new article on really Good Food in Belfast. Follow the link to read more: TIMES ONLINE

www.goodfoodni.com peoples choice award. Enter your vote (for SUKI TEA) for a chance to win a hamper.

2009-03-04T19:25:00.006Z

We need your voted today. I think voting will close early next week. VOTE NOW

Vote for Fairtrade Belfast Brew and be in with a chance of winning a beautiful hamper, bursting with tasty local treats!

The winner (hopefully SUKI TEA) will be announced at the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association Award ceremony on 13th March 2009.We hope that you'll support us and get voting for Belfast Brew. Just follow the link to VOTE NOW and click on Belfast Brew. It may take a minute but every vote counts! VOTE NOW

www.primagusto.co.uk

2009-03-04T19:05:00.002Z

As Fairtrade Fortnight was half way through I took a day to promote awareness in Prima Gusto, Harry's road in Northern Ireland. Prima Gusto recently welcomed Jonny Stevenson to the team. Jonny was the 2008 Masterchef Runner-up and has just been appointed the Head Chefs position! Working together with owner Richard Nelson, Prima Gusto is going from strength to strength and their Fairtrade tea offering SUKI TEA's Belfast Brew is served in teh SUKI TEAPOT and after spending a day there I can safely say that it cartainly is popular.

THE PRIMA GUSTO TEAM

________________________________________________________________
Richard Nelson and Oscar (me)

2009-02-26T09:26:00.002Z

Enjoying afternoon tea in the Merchant Hotel in Belfast. I had lapsang souchong to compliment the tasty treats. Samantha and indulged on afternoon tea which was surprisingly filling and sitting in the stunning Great Hall we we're in our element. I would definitely recommend it as a treat.
SUKI TEA LAPSANG
Ingredients: 100% smoked Assam leaf tea.
Appearance: Cinder black twisted leaf
Look once infused: Deep amber infusion
Smell once infused: Rich and serenely smokey with cocoa overtones.
Taste: Soft and hugely subtle. Smoked cedar wood, liquorish and cocoa.

Alternative Description: Pipe smoke and Guinness with marmite and liquorish.

TO INFUSE: Use freshly drawn boiled water. Infuse one tea measure per pot and leave for 2-3 minutes.

COMMENDATIONS & CERTIFICATES:
2006 Irish Expo Best New Retail

OSCARS PREDICTIONS

2009-02-21T20:54:00.003Z

Not so much the Oscars movies award’s, more my personal predictions for what is up and coming in the world of tea. My definitive guide to what is going to be hot (quite literally) in 2009.

MY TOP 5 DRINKS TO LOOK OUT FOR

SUKI TEA London Fog
Not something from the backdrop of Sweeney Todd, but a drink invented to support Fairtrade Fortnight, 23rd Feb – 8th March. It’s made with a strong quarter cup of Earl Grey (preferably Suki Tea Organic Fairtrade Earl Grey Blue Flower), topped with steamed milk. Add vanilla essence or honey to sweeten. This is a ‘Tea Latte’ and is delightfully refreshing.

Theatrical Teas
The drama queen of teas. A chestnut sized bundle made of hand sewn fine white tea. Added to a large glass, small jug or glass teapot, the tea majestically unravels to produce a bouquet of tea leaves, sometimes centred with a flower. A great dinner party piece and above all the tea is very tasty. I have seen these popping up all over the UK in restaurants and I think they will be a big hit this year.

Matcha Latte
The movie star’s choice. This took a slow start last year but I can see its popularity catching on as the health benefits are huge. More on Matcha and health.

Chai Latte
Following the success of the Danny Boyle’s fantastic Slumdog Millionaire I’m positive that Chai will be even more popular in 2009. To get the proper Chai experience forget synthetic syrup’s and opt for the original loose leaf tea and spice blend. Chai is best made with pure milk and honey simmered in a saucepan. A very comforting and refreshing tea.

Loose leaf ‘tea to go’
It was about four years ago that we were approached by Coffee Yard in Holywood (that’s Holywood Co Down, not Los Angeles) and asked if we could supply tea for their opening. They were our first wholesale customer and it is amazing to think how far Suki Tea and the perception of loose leaf tea have come. More and more café’s, deli’s and restaurants are choosing to ditch the dusty teabag and rather opt for quality in the form of loose leaf tea.
Even ‘Tea to Go’, fresh tea for when you’re on the move, has been made simple by the use of the Tea Pocket. These are empty teabags which support using loose leaf tea. Tea Pockets are ideal for café’s and popular if you want to take an individual sachet to work.

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

2009-02-09T11:51:00.005Z

A little something to help with Valentines day.
FOR HIM. . .(Ginseng wellness green tea, gives a bit of a lift)

*Click here to see*

Hor Her. . .('Apple Loves Mint' papaya, rose buds, apple and mint give a sweet and delicate floral aroma to this tea. Buy roses of a different kind for your loved one)

*click here for more info*

Also, don't forget the giftset still available to buy online. This includes the 'tea of the month'

I Pity The Fool That Don't Drink Tea.

2008-12-08T12:46:00.007Z

Finally someone has designed a mug that has a bit of class.
My good friend Claire from Tee and Toast hand paints every single one of these.
I had designed a Suki Tea mug and T Shirt for her to print but when I saw what she had come up with I couldn't say no.

Class! We're selling these on the continental market at the City Hall, Belfast.
(finishes 20th DEC)

As art market bottoms out, a painter gives his work away for nothing.

2008-11-11T17:59:00.002Z

Adam Neate wants to 'put something back' by leaving his paintings in public places for anyone to take home.
If You're in london this friday you could quite literally stumble upon a free piece of art worth anything up to £43k.
MORE INFO. . .

Belfast Continental Market. City hall.

2008-11-08T18:20:00.001Z

Starts 18th Nov. Suki tea will be there again this year. This year we went to town on the tea lovers gift packs. Also available online www.Suki-tea.com from 15th Nov.

Norpel in our tasting room yesterday.

2008-10-24T13:35:00.002+01:00

An ex Buddhist monk and fellow tea lover, Norpel is off to china in the next couple of weeks to spend about 6 months living with the tea growers and pickers in the Yunnan province. He's been kind enough to offer to make up some Pu Erh Suki tea cakes using wild picked tea. They're blocks of compressed tea. Not available until next year but I tried this years yesterday and they are a delight that's worth the wait.

2008-10-20T10:32:00.003+01:00

Samantha and I went to see this at the weekend Waterfront, Belfast.
If you get a chance. Go see!
I know it's nothing to do with tea but it was quite steamy.

“A Great Sexy Beast Of A Piece” The Sunday Times

“It Looks Like Nothing On Earth” The Independent ****

“Startling Clarity And Breathtaking Invention” The Telegraph ****

“This Is State Of The Art...Awe-Inspiring” The Observer

He’s been booked for the main stage of The Big Chill, Glastonbury, The Royal Opera House and La Scala and choreographed movement for Harry Potter.

Now you can get to see why Wayne McGregor is acclaimed as one of the world’s most exciting choreographers – and why the Royal Ballet has hired him as their first Resident Choreographer in 16 years - as he unleashes 10 dancers, beats and strings in his new show, Entity.

An hour-long breathtaking trip through a soundscape created by Coldplay and Massive Attack collaborator Jon Hopkins, and award-winning composer Joby Talbot (The Divine Comedy), Entity is a staggering blend of athletic bodies, lights, technology and film which confirms McGregor’s place at the cutting edge of contemporary culture. Technically astonishing, emotionally uncompromising and hard-hitting, McGregor’s work breaks boundaries and defies categorisation.

Great Taste Champions celebrate Chocolate Week 2008

2008-10-09T08:30:00.003+01:00

Great Taste Champions celebrate Chocolate Week 2008

Celebrate Chocolate Week 2008 with the best of Belfast produce in ‘Made in Belfast’
Northern Ireland’s 2008 Great Taste champions Co Couture and Suki Tea are coming together for a Tea & Chocolate tasting master class as part of Chocolate Week 2008.
The unique event, the first of its kind to be held in Northern Ireland, will be hosted in the electric new restaurant ‘Made in Belfast’ on Thursday, 16th October starting at 5.45pm to 7.15pm.

Chocolate Week is the biggest, most indulgent, chocolate celebration enjoyed in the UK. It allows foodies to find out more about chocolate, it’s origins, cocoa beans, how it is made and also taste the finest chocolate in the world.
Northern Ireland has even more reason to celebrate chocolate Week as Sir Hans Sloane who first brought chocolate to the UK’s shores 350 years ago and reported to have invented milk chocolate was from Killyleagh.
The Suki Tea and Co Couture master class will cover what makes a good cuppa and great chocolate and how to tell the difference between the good, the bad & the ugly!
Participants will also get to enjoy limited edition Co Couture / Suki Tea truffles made exclusively for the event.
For more details or booking please visit Made in Belfast, Wellington St,
www.suki-tea.com or
www.cocouture.co.uk
or call 078 8889 9647

Suki gets a Facebook page

2008-10-03T18:10:00.003+01:00

It's a baby girl.

2008-10-01T07:29:00.002+01:00

It's a baby girl. Welcome to the wonderful world baby Mary!
Annie has just given birth to a healthy baby girl. 5am on Saturday morning. We're all delighted for her here at Suki Tea and wish the new family all the best.

A lot of you have requested that I pass on a message.

Just click here. . . and I'll make sure Annie recieves all messages.
MESSAGE FOR ANNIE & family.
I was over seeing her last night and all is picture postcard!
In the mean time I'll be running the show along with Michael, Julie, Emma and Margaret in the 'tea factory' and Jenny on the markets.

For those of you wanting to send flowers/gifts please send to:
ANNIE & FAMILY
C/O Oscar - Suki Tea
6 Twin Spires,
155 Northumberland St,
Belfast,
BT13 2JF.

Suki Tea wins 'Go for it' Award.

2008-09-26T08:05:00.005+01:00

Wow, not only was Suki Tea shortlisted for the 'Go For It' awards last night we actually won! We we're told about a week ago that we we're one of the Belfast Top 50 companies 2008. Of those 50 a handful of 5 companies received a special recognition award - Suki was one of those 5.

Wow, not only was Suki Tea short listed for the 'Go For It' awards last night we actually won! We we're told about a week ago that we we're one of the Belfast Top 50 companies 2008. Of those 50 a handful of 5 companies received a special recognition award - Suki was one of those 5. Fifty businesses which fly the flag for the new Belfast we're honoured in a special Stormont celebration last night, The event was organised by the Belfast Media Group in association with BT. The Belfast Business Top 50 will paid tribute to entrepreneurs and business leaders who are role models within their communities, creating wealth and jobs in challenging economic times.” The fourth annual Belfast Business Top 50 will not only acknowledge the contribution of our business titans but also those small business champions who are making a difference in underserved areas of Belfast and whose innovation and grit is worthy of recognition,” said Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, MD of Belfast Media Group.

When the announcement was made I eventually managed to compose myself and get to the mic to let the crowd know how happy I was to accept the award on behalf of the company. So . . . thanks to the fantastic team of dedicated tea lovers working for Suki Tea, thanks to Invest Northern Ireland for their support. I had really wished my business partner, Annie was there to make a speech as she has a great way with words but as she's just about to give birth it was probably a bit inconvenient. It was only a couple of weeks ago I was heading to London to collect our guild of Fine Foods Great Taste Regional reserve award. We had better stop winning awards and start selling some tea!

Photo's to follow. . .

Botanic Garden Gourmet.

2008-09-20T12:53:00.001+01:00

Magael will be sampling the great taste award winning Suki Tea from 12.30 to 6pm sat and sun.

Healthy Suki Tea Matcha

2008-09-18T16:21:00.002+01:00

The health benefits of matcha tea exceed those of green tea because when you drink matcha you ingest the whole leaf, not just the brewed water.
Matcha Tea is a very healthy tea as it is sugar free, high in fiber and it's rich in antioxidants(Exponentially Higher in Antioxidants than Blueberries and Spinach) Green teas contain a high amount of antioxidants, chemical compounds known to forestall the aging process by destroying free radicals in the body.

Green teas contain a high amount of antioxidants, chemical compounds known to forestall the aging process by destrotying free radicals in the body. Antioxidants are found in many fruits and vegetables – even chocolate.

One glass of matcha is the equivalent of 10 glasses of green tea in terms of its nutritional value and antioxidant content.

Tea & Coffee Asia news story.

2008-09-04T12:17:00.003+01:00

I found this article in TEA AND COFFEE ASIA magazine. . .

Mourners empty reservoir. July 08
In a scenario any Irish novelist might have dreamt up, tea-drinking mourners at three separate wake houses in a Donegal town recently drained the local reservoir dry.According to Donegal County Councilor, Tony McDaid, council staff couldn't work out how the reservoir serving the St. Johnston area had suddenly run out of supply. He said it later emerged the three wakes in the locality had caused the problems."There were three large wakes at the same time," he said. "With people making so much tea over the weekend, they actually emptied the reservoir."

Ireland does drink more tea per capita than any other country in the world so I really want to believe it.

Breakfast in the willow tea rooms, Glasgow. Not a bad way to start the day.

2008-09-02T10:22:00.003+01:00

Today i had the pleasure of meeting the team who run the Willow tea rooms. A delightful team of ladies with a real passion for the history of the tea rooms and the tea itself. I love meeting people who have such knowledge for the product. One of the UK's most famous tea rooms designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1904 The Willow remains open today to welcome visitors keen to experience the splendour of a bygone era and take tea just as they did in the same rooms and interiors 100 years ago.

http://www.crmsociety.com/ The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society Site.

http://www.willowtearooms.co.uk/ The Tea Rooms Site.

Do not miss this if you're in Glasgow & appreciate a bit of Mackintosh design.

The Tea Hat. copyright SUKI TEA 2008.

2008-08-28T18:53:00.004+01:00

The Tea Hat. In its full glory!

Samantha put my cup of tea into a hat for me this morning. Dont ask why as I never got an answer from her but it reminded me of the tea cosies once adorned by every households teapot back in the days when loose leaf tea was the norm. I thought it looked cute so snapped it.

What ever happened to the tea cosy?

GROUND CAFE- WATERSTONES, BELFAST- Now Open.

2008-08-22T10:49:00.004+01:00

Darren & the crew - opening day. Waterstones, Belfast.

I was gutted when the cafe in Waterstones Belfast closed down but I can now delightfully announce that Ground have stepped in and completely remodelled the area. The cafe is bigger, has more on offer and coming from a design background I take my hat off to Karen and Darren, the owners, as they designed the whole place.

If you want to get Internet access, a read of the days papers or get stuck into your new book with a delicious cup of organic camomile Ground offers all and more.

46 Fountain StBelfast, BT1 5EE, United Kingdom+44 28 90240159

The best pudding in the world, SUKI TEA deliveries and a visit to Salisbury Cathedral.

2008-08-19T13:24:00.010+01:00

Samantha and I visited James St South restaurant for our anniversary dinner before heading out to see the Flaming Lips in Belfast. A desert worthy of a photo. I'll be saving up and heading back there as soon as possible. Delish! (nice ring Samantha!)

Another delivery of tea leaves the warehouse heading for Scotland.

Holy Tea.

Just back from a visit to Salisbury Cathedral cafe who have just made the upgrade to SUKI TEA. A mighty building if ever I've seen one. They are serving up our great taste award winner Belfast Brew

DUBROVNIK - Final Destination

2008-08-04T12:41:00.003+01:00

Sarajevo- DUBROVNIK, Croatia.

Our Final desination. First night we caught the sunset of the old town by taking a hike round the city walls.

The light was actually this colour. We we're lucky to get this shot as the same view the next day was littered with cruise ships.

I took a decent supply of Suki Tea with me on my hols but ran out of Belfast Brew so had to resort to 'ground pleasure'. A substitute that sufficed but wasn't like the real thing.

Our appartment, 80 steps up behind the old church. the old, very small church.

2008-08-04T10:46:00.002+01:00

NOVI SAD- Serbia to SARAJEVO - Bosnia.

An 8 hour coach ride accross the border through the mountains to Sarajevo. A town we soon noticed had many bars and trendy hangouts. We soon felt at home.

Samantha in Nivia Bar.

The Holiday Inn where all the journalists documented the troubles from. Sniper alley infront.

As you can see the scars of the conflict are still visible.

Leaving Sarajevo on our way to Dubrovnic we stopped in MOSTAR. the ancient bridge was blown up and the locals rebuilt it brick by brick.

For about £190.00 you can see one of the locals dive off. Danger money! We decided not to bother.

FROM Hungary to NOVI SAD- Serbia.

2008-08-01T13:11:00.003+01:00

After Budapest we jumped on a bus to NOVI SAD in Serbia for a music festival called EXIT.

Spent our days on the CITY BEACH alongside the Danube.

Met some of the locals at the festival.

Also got to see Paul Weller, Primal Scream, Juliette & the Licks, The Sex Pistols, 2 many Dj's and tons more bands but Samantha and I are unified in saying that our highlight was definitely Manu Chao. They rocked!

Most stayed in the city camp site but 4 days of festival takes it's toll so we stayed in an apartment.
We had a stove so making tea was a luxury for us. We popped to the supermarket to see what was on offer teawise and the big drink seemed to be pure hibiscus. I have always liked pure hibiscus but you cant beat hibiscus added to fruit blends. It's more of a support flavour for me.

Nice view eh!
The festival went on to the early hours every night and the builders next door started at 6am! Our saving grace was Sunday when they started at 8am.

Eastern Europe trip 2008

2008-07-29T14:47:00.015+01:00

My partner, Samantha and I have been back home for a week now after our trip abroad to Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia. We took over 1200 photos & it's taken a few days to filter through them. Forgive me for indulging as I waffle on a bit about my trip. . .

6th July BELFAST - LONDON (7 hour wait for connecting flight in Heathrow Terminal 5 was made a lot more pleasurable as got chatting to Venus, the manager of EAT cafe. Damn good flowering tea and chili crayfish sandwiches)

First Stop BUDAPEST - HUNGARY
Samantha had been in Budapest for a week prior to me arriving out and knew all the hot spots so I had my own tour guide. Budapest was very romantic and although Samantha had seen a fair bit of the city we still ended up getting lost on an adventure along the riverside in Pest and across the river to Buda where we found a lookout tower which seemed to be a local make out point. I'd definitely started to get into my holiday by this point. We finished our first day off with a tour of the Danube by boat.

HOUSE OF 1000 TEAS- 1056 Budapest.
Finally, after about 8 Years of hearing stories about this place I get there. The suspense killing me I feel like a kid just about to go into Alton Towers for the first time. The House of 1000 teas is run by Szepesi Zsuzsa pictured here. Although once in you would not realise it, it's situated off a main tourist stretch down a tunnel like alley lit by lanterns and images of tea gardens throughout the world. The first thing you see is a small courtyard, more lanterns, tea chests for tables and small groups of people sharing tea and chatting like old friends who had not seen each other for time. We had a very warm welcome and Szepesi gave me a grand tour. The tea house was very cosy, lit with candles and soft furnishings from around the world. Lots of couples sharing tea and I was told that the special that day was a First flush Darjeeling just arrived in from Ayra. I tried this later to my delight. There we're a maze of rooms all as pretty as the rest which even continued down a spiral staircase into a cave like area with a separate service area.

My plan was to set out and sample 1000 teas. Samantha had a slight problem with that grand plan though as it would have taken up most of our time in Budapest and she had other ideas.
We did manage a few though, including a great Assam but this was by far the best. . .

GINGER COLD TEA

I tried my hardest to get the recipe for this iced delight of a drink. I can only guess at it though and wrote my tasting notes in my sketchbook.

Ice cold fiery ginger. Hibiscus and cranberry. Hint of lime.

This was definitely a very refreshing drink as I ordered two and we had them drunk in minutes.
The combination of pulped & juiced ginger with citrus and berry flavours worked in the heat of Budapest at twilight.

We spent a few days in Budapest exploring the Naturally hot baths, we dod the history bit and visited the HOUSE OF TERROR which was definately an eye opener to the history of the country. Plenty of good food, wine and relaxing. We made a point to visit this.......

Shoes on the Danube.

Looking like birds feeding from a distance on closer inspection these are iron casts of shoes.
Shoes on the Danube is a memorial to the Budapest Jews who fell victim to the Arrow cross malitiamen in Budapest and depicts their shoes left behind on the bank when they fell into the river after having been shot during World War II.

Very moving.

.After a visit to Monument Park and another conflict based history lesson we needed some refreshment. MY OWN BRAND ICE LOLLYI worked fast and along with Helen and Pandora I launched my own Lemon Ice Lolly while in Hungary. Not happy with the manufaturers though, a spelling mistake on my name and anyone heard of portion control!Lovely, took a day to eat.

Thanks for the party...

2008-06-30T09:47:00.006+01:00

Thanks to all who joined me on my birthday, I had a great night and really enjoyed the food at Drennans. That early bird menu is damn good value. Thanks for all my gifts.
Morcheeba we're great live in the spring and airbrake. Gave me a buzz for live music again, i'm really looking forward to the Exit festival in Serbia this summer.

Jon, I made the playdoh teapot. Thanks.A little bit hard to drink green tea or herbal tea out of though! Nice display case.

Maid Marians herbal tea masterclass.

2008-06-29T20:36:00.017+01:00

For those of you who didn't know Annie is pregnant. Annie and her partner both over the moon and are moving out of Belfast to the country side to set up family. Lots of people have been asking Annie what teas to take when pregnant. Most of us know that avoiding caffeine and alcohol is recommended but what of teas? As a taster of heading out to live in the sticks and to buff up on our herbal tea blending skills Annie and I booked ourselves into a workshop and lecture with Marian Partridge, a medical herbalist from Downpatrick, Northern Ireland with over 13 years experience in herbal blending as well as other alternative therapies such as Reiki.

-Annie and Marian in the herbal clinic-
My day started very relaxed with a cup of sage tea and Annie was advised not to go near sage but to drink raspberry leaf tea instead. Even though many think of raspberry leaf tea for inducing labour it can help all the way through apparently. For a relaxing tea throughout Rooibos or Red Bush is also recommended.
Before I had realised I had a wealth of knowledge before I had even finished my cuppa. Marian had prepared the day in a way to suit all who attended of which there we're 5 of us altogether.

- Annie looking very calm and serene (and pregnant!) in the ash woods at the bottom of the garden.-
As well as keeping bees Marians garden is her source of ingredients for her tinctures, balms and herbal teas. We harvested some lemon balm and elderflower for a tincture. We drank elm, birch and hawthorn tea, Made a skin cream from Marigold flowers and amongst other things like discussing what tea herb does what for our bodies we all enjoyed a superb lunch in the baking sun of which most was fresh from the garden we we're sitting in. The day progressed at a calm pace and we managed to cram a lot in.
Marian had a patient in while we we're there and a boiled mixture of dock leaves (i think) was stuffed into tea pockets that we had provided earlier in the day to the ladies hip. The treatment room was very organised and to the standard of what you would imagine for any treatment room with the exception of her medicine cupboard. Instead of the standard cupboard full of white bottles of multicoloured pills there stood a wall of jars full of weird and wonderful plants, herbs, roots and flowers. Frankincense and Myrrh, bilberries, ginseng and fugain tea, green tea, rose petals, elder flowers, peppermint, nettle, purple sage and many more.
Most of these we're collected by Marian herself. Grown locally or requested by fellow herbalists across Europe.
The day was wonderfully relaxing and we finished by giving Marian some SUKI TEA Fair-trade Belfast Brew. We had learnt a lot about what herbs and their wonderful healing powers. Especially what to take and what not to take when you're pregnant. Raspberry leaves and Rooibos (red bush) apparently.

2008-06-06T14:18:00.007+01:00

Okay, I have not sent this one from my phone but wanted to let you all know about Red Berry and how it makes a fantastic ICE TEA.
Using SUKI TEA RED BERRY. makes one pint.
Infuse 3 teaspoons with boiling water as making a regular cup of tea.
Add honey or 3 teapoons of sugar to taste.
Leave for 5 mins. Stir.
Pour over a pint glass full of ice.
Enjoy! Best with a straw.

Bank holiday events. . .

2008-05-26T08:06:00.004+01:00

A scene from the continental market City Hall Belfast, last day Monday 26th. If you look closely you can see SUKI TEA's white tent. we're sampling tea all day so if you're about come and have a taste.
Last week was the Caffe Culture show, a two day event aimed at the cafe and hospitality business in the Olympia, London. It was very busy and we had a great response. It seems that loose leaf tea is definitely on the up. Many other tea companies are trying desperately to perfect the teabag but do we really need it? From the response we got last week it seems that more and more people are coming round to the idea that with the right equipment loose leaf tea is not a hassle and you can match the quality of a fine coffee with fine teas.
This week we're at Belfast City Hall Continental Market (ABOVE). Today is the last day unfortunately but after London I jumped straight into the market and have had barely a minute to update my activities here which reminds me. . . I have not published anything for a while as I’ve been flat out with SUKI TEA so I'll do a catch up on what’s been happening very soon. Lots of exciting news for tea lovers. . .

Suki Tea.

2008-05-22T19:56:00.001+01:00

The caffe culture show.

The golden boys.

2008-05-21T23:46:00.001+01:00

Caffe culture. 2008

2008-05-21T21:27:00.001+01:00

Robs catch. Two fresh rainbow trout caught in eyebrook today. Great to 'catch' up with old mates.

2008-03-29T22:37:00.002Z

Mint Sourcing.

2008-03-23T15:33:00.011Z

All photos taken are from my phone camera.
I'm back from a mint tasting and sourcing trip to Morocco, I was kind of on holiday but with running a business that you love you just can't say no to this kind of opportunity.

I managed to bargain a taxi to take me to Lhagmbark which is 20k south of Marrakech, an area that is renowned for its spearmint growing. It's the region where the majority of our Nana Mint comes from. With a 40 minute discussion in broken French and Arabic the 20 guys who took charge of organising my trip decided that Sadek was the best man for the job. He only spoke Arabic and I only speak a bit of French so the chat on the way there was non existent. Not that I had time to chat between holding on for my life and praying for a safe arrival, safety on the roads was of no concept to this man, as lovely as he seemed his driving was insane! He once overtook a lorry that was overtaking a bus and if that wasn't bad enough there was oncoming traffic too. I managed to make it there in one piece, slightly shook up from the experience I was immediately re focused on the reason I put myself through that. The smell hit me before we even got out of the car, I stepped out and took a good look around, the vast Atlas Mountains spread along the horizon and sat as a backdrop to the endless fields of fresh vibrant green mint. Overwhelmed by the minty smell I was ushered to the owner of the fields by my taxi driver/guide (if we can call him that). Luckily a passer by who spoke French decided to join us, mainly out of interest, and he acted as my translator.
Abdulkalif was the owner of the place, he had about 10 men and women working for him and they all seemed very happy to stop picking to come and say hello. We weren’t getting very far with the conversation and to be honest I think they thought I was a bit mad but with the help of the translator they understood why I was there and once the tea was brewed all had something uniting us. One of the younger guys who must have been about 25 stood up and ran into the fields to pick some mint, ran back and stuffed it into our glasses, the green tea was poured over and a bucket of sugar was dropped in. I felt a strong sense of camaraderie between the pickers and realised I had become welcomed into their gang temporarily. The mint was eye wateringly fresh and after about 15 minutes of sipping it the pickers stood up, all gave me a hug and we're on their way. The younger man who fetched the mint gave me a huge bunch of fresh mint, a sample of dried mint and rather theatrically said something that I hope was 'nice to meet you' but it could have been absolutely anything. The owner and I exchanged business details, parted with a smile and the customary hug and I was on my way back to Marrakech with mad max at the wheel.

I can happily say that the trip was a success and has given me a new view on the ceremony of tea drinking, I have known for years that tea brings people together. The first thing you ask if a friend comes to visit is ‘shall I put the kettle on?’. If someone feels down a common response is 'Go on, I’ll make a cuppa?'.

Sharing that mint tea with the pickers last week didn’t need conversation, we couldn’t converse anyway. It didn’t need comfy surroundings, although the view was stunning. It was purely and quite simply about sharing some tea and it will be hard to drink a cup of mint tea again without grinning from ear to ear.

BUY MOROCCAN MINT - CLICK HERE: buy mint

Abdekalef in his nana mint field. 20k south of Marrakech.

2008-03-21T11:53:00.002Z

THE MINT MAN HIMSELF

Mint tea. Morrocan style.

2008-03-19T11:29:00.002Z

Green tea with a fresh bunch of spearmint (Nana Mint) added.

Sam in the Jardin majorelle, Marrakech.

2008-03-19T11:28:00.001Z

next stop mint tea.

Suki tea. Covent Garden market.

2008-03-15T10:43:00.001Z

Come along and get your free taster of hand blended Fairtrade, organic loose leaf tea. Saturday and sunday.

If you're in covent garden. . .

2008-03-14T17:14:00.001Z

Check this place out. Patissesie valerie on bedford st. It out tarts any other. Serves wonderful tea too.

The glass dome at the top of Victoria Square in Belfast city centre.

2008-03-11T17:31:00.001Z

Towering above the top of the city skyline this is a great way to see Belfast.

Happy Birthday John

2008-03-08T01:05:00.002Z

John, shelly, sarah and me.

Tea tasting set up for the big launch in Donnybrook Fair.

2008-03-06T18:32:00.001Z

Visit the restaurant on morehampton road for a great meal and, of course, a top notch cuppa. Donnybrook Fair is now stocking 12 teas in the SUKI TEA range.

Tea tasting with Louis.

2008-03-06T18:13:00.001Z

Red berry wins over the taste buds of the chefs in Donnybrook Fair.

My first cup of tea in Donnybrook Fair.

2008-03-06T18:12:00.001Z

Fairtrade Earl Grey Blue Flower. Served to perfection.

Esme

2008-03-04T21:29:00.002Z

Our kitten.

Thomas, the John Hewitt.

2008-03-01T14:11:00.001Z

John, the manager of the newly opened Coffee Republic.

2008-02-29T10:59:00.001Z

Hi tom

2008-02-29T10:58:00.001Z

Tea flowers.

2008-02-27T15:06:00.001Z