Tea blending returns to Leith, Edinburgh as PekoeTea launches new Tea Studio
Renowned Edinburgh tea blenders, PekoeTea will open a new Tea Studio this Friday, 24th September, which will provide a world-class venue for bespoke tea tasting and blending sessions.
Article Source: PekoeTea
First Published: 23 September 2021 12:04
Updated: 23 September 2021 12:08
The striking studio on Edinburgh’s Leith Walk is a specially designed space that showcases PekoeTea’s range of teas with a stone topped central counter, at which customers can sit and experience flavours ranging from white, green, black and oolong teas to Kinnettles Gold Scottish Grown Tea, Cherry Sencha Green Tea, Chocolate & Coconut Black Tea and a range of single malt whisky teas. With a sleek hot water tap dispensing water at a variety of temperatures, teas are brewed especially for visitors, who will gain an insight into the unique teas and blending process behind PekoeTea.
Customers will also be able to see the dedicated blending area, with walls clad with more than 30 base teas, 20 flowers, ten fruit flavours and a variety of oils, which combine to provide notes for PekoeTea’s renowned range of teas.
Group or bespoke tea tastings will allow visitors to find their favourite flavours, while tea blending sessions will allow customers to develop their own blend – all under the expert eye of the PekoeTea team.
Co-owner, Esther Kungu Cooper said:
“Our new tea studio will provide a base for us to share our blending processes and work more creatively as a team but, most importantly it will be a destination for tea lovers and aims to bring people together over delicious tea. We want to draw back the curtain on tea blending, revealing some of the aromas and flavours, which go into creating the perfect blend. This project has been planned for over 18 months, so we’re delighted to open the doors and share our love of teas from across the world with a wider audience!”
PekoeTea is run by Esther Kungu and Jon Cooper, who started the company more than 11 years ago with a base on Edinburgh’s Leven Street. Esther and Jon have developed a unique blending process that allows them to create their own flavours (instead of simply buying in pre-flavoured teas), alongside sourcing single estate teas from around the world. PekoeTea has created unique blends for some of Scotland’s most prestigious hotels and venues: from The Royal Yacht Britannia to Edinburgh’s Waldorf Astoria; Cameron House to Glasgow’s Mackintosh at The Willow. PekoeTea have also supplied the Japanese Embassy with Kinnettles Gold Scottish Grown Tea.
With a nod to Japanese tea ceremonies, the studio has been developed by award-winning interior designers, Splintr, who have added a washi paper screen and high oak shelves, lined with tea caddies, that reach up towards the original Victorian cornices. In a curious coincidence, the new studio is just a few doors down from what was originally a Melrose tea and coffee house, one of the historic tea producers and importers that has provided Edinburgh with such strong links to tea over the centuries.
The studio also allows the team to provide specialist training for wholesale clients and produce online workshops that can be used to spread the word to the company’s increasingly global audience. With an increased focus on their digital presence, the PekoeTea Studio also provides a useful creative space to facilitate product design and photography, alongside blend development.
Working directly with tea growers from Scotland to Sri Lanka, Kenya to China, PekoeTea sources the finest single-estate teas, to create unique handcrafted blends: the only company in Scotland to specialise in such blending techniques rather than relying on simply adding to pre-flavoured teas. Jon and Esther produce a range of teas: from black, white and green teas, to oolong, fruit and herbal blends. A selection of five whisky teas have also been specially blended by hand and flavoured with real Scotch single malt whisky; alongside a Fudge Tea.
Bespoke blends can be created privately for customers, and seasonal flavours like a comforting Christmas blend with flavours of apple, cinnamon, cloves, and orange or a summery Orange Blossom Oolong are also available at certain times of year.
All PekoeTeas are loose leaf and many are also available in biodegradable pyramid teabags.
PekoeTea takes a comprehensively ethical approach to trading: from sourcing to selling teas. It is an accredited Living Wage Foundation employer.
Find out more about PekoeTea or order online at www.pekoetea.co.uk.
The new PekoeTea studio will be open at 11 Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH6 8LN from Thursday to Saturday and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays by appointment.
Latest Edinburgh News
Ron Lawson announces Solo Exhibition Surf to Summit at The Strathearn Gallery
Ron Lawson, Scotland's most original and in demand artist opens his largest Solo Exhibition in 3 years at The Strathearn Gallery in Crieff on Saturday 30th October.
Beatson Cancer Charity launches Beatson Rewards for supporters shopping and socialising across Scotland
Beatson Cancer Charity is launching a rewards card which will offer fantastic discounts in a variety of businesses situated around Scotland.
Invisible Cities launches new 360 Virtual Tour of Edinburgh
Alternative tour guide company Invisible Cities has developed a new virtual tour of Edinburgh using innovative 360° technology.
Scottish charity offers a chance to change a life of a young person
Specialist child and youth care provider Kibble is encouraging those looking to move into a more meaningful career to sign up to its Child and Youth Care Worker Staff-in-Training programme.
Hendricks Curious Cucumber and Rose Bar Lands at Harvey Nichols Edinburgh
Harvey Nichols, Edinburgh is delighted to have launched a pop-up bar with Hendrick’s Gin. The Curious Cucumber & Rose Bar will be taking up residence on the Forth Floor from 7th October.
Porcupette born at Edinburgh Zoo is the only one in Scotland
Scotland’s only baby porcupine, known as a porcupette, was born at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo in August to first time parents Zahara and Rick.
Book Week Scotland Programme Launch
2021 marks ten years of Book Week Scotland, and Scottish Book Trust has today (12 October) launched a programme of events around the theme of ‘Celebration’.
Taking Big Steps To Enjoy Top Up Taps Network in Scotland
Scotland’s expanding network of distinctive water refill stations is set to inspire people to enjoy and protect the nation’s great outdoors this Autumn.
French Film Festival UK reveals dates for the 29th edition
The organisers of the French Film Festival are delighted to announce the dates for this year’s 29th edition with plans to run both online and in-cinema from 3 November to 12 December 2021.
The Say Award announce the 2021 shortlist
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award is today delighted to reveal 2021’s Shortlist, plus the winner of the inaugural Modern Scottish Classic Award, as voted by 2021’s Longlist.
Emily Williamson Statue Campaign national tour visits RSPB Loch Leven
The campaign to create a statue of RSPB founder and eco pioneer Emily Williamson (1855-1936) is touring RSPB reserves around the country including a visit to RSPB Loch Leven in Kinross.
Conifox Adventure Park Christmas Experience returns for 2021
Conifox Adventure Park announces the return of its sell-out Christmas Experience along with a brand new Christmas Market.
Home is where the art is as Edinburgh care home opens its own art gallery
Rivalling the Scottish National Gallery, Care UK’s Cairdean House care home, on Redford Road, officially cut the ribbon on its art exhibition earlier this month.
World leading craft makers continue to be celebrated at Hamilton & Inches
Hamilton & Inches is hosting a pop-up event for Scotland’s Elements’ festival from the 14th until the 17th of October.
Members of the public asked to help tell climate story in Scotland
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is asking the public to submit photographs or artwork showcasing the impact of climate change on Scotland.
Kiltwalk raises record breaking amount for Scottish charities in 2021
Scotland’s legendary Kiltwalk Kindness has raised a remarkable £8.4 million for more than 1,200 charities across the country this year.
Wondrous Woods partners with Scottish Autism to produce bespoke events
Wondrous Woods is staging a specially tailored event on 8th November to open up the extravaganza to autistic visitors or visitors with sensory processing challenges.
Jason Donovan and Alexandra Burke to star in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamboat at Playhouse
The acclaimed new London Palladium production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamboat comes to Edinburgh Playhouse in 2022.
Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh announces its 22nd annual Pinktober Campaign
The popular city centre restaurant honours the month of October with fundraising events supporting breast cancer awareness and research.
White Christmas Edinburgh cast announcement
Sheila Ferguson, Dan Burton, Matthew Jeans, Jessica Daley, Emily Langham and Duncan Smith to star in Irving Berlin's White Christmas at Edinburgh Playhouse.
Sneak peek at brand new Halloween trail in Edinburgh Zoo
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland invited Alice and Elliot, aged six and four to an exclusive sneak preview of its upcoming Edinburgh Zoo Spooktacular illuminated trail.
Miller Homes returns with Home Safe campaign
Leading UK housebuilder Miller Homes returns this autumn with its Home Safe campaign, keeping children safe on their walk, cycle, or scoot, to and from school!
Returning TV series goes behind the scenes at Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park
Following a hugely popular first series last year, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) will feature in the second series of Inside The Zoo on BBC Scotland this October.
St James Quarter gives viewers a sneak peek into life Behind the Quarter
As the buzz of the official opening of St James Quarter continues, St James Quarter has provided a rare insight into life behind the scenes.
Scottish artist Steven Brown to paint new artwork in support of RZSS
The Scottish artist will paint two new works celebrating iconic species from Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park to raise money for the wildlife conservation charity.
The Say Award 72 hour public vote is now open
From today until midnight on Wednesday 29th September, music fans can vote for their favourite Scottish album on this year’s Longlist at The SAY Award.
St James Quarter announces partnership with two Edinburgh charities
Today, 24th September, St James Quarter is proud to announce its partnership with two Edinburgh charities, Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids and Deaf Action.
Edinburgh volunteer clocks up the miles on fundraising tour of iconic Scottish locations
Rosemary Laird is in the midst of a personal grand tour of Scotland, with the aim of visiting 61 iconic Scottish landmarks and locations on an epic fundraiser for the National Trust for Scotland.
Watch Scotland come to light with new film for Scotland Year of Coasts and Waters
Light Waves is a multilingual short film by Historic Environment Scotland which showcases Scotland’s coasts and waters and its links to Gaelic and Scots culture.
Tea blending returns to Leith, Edinburgh as PekoeTea launches new Tea Studio
Renowned Edinburgh tea blenders, PekoeTea will open a new Tea Studio this Friday, 24th September, which will provide a world-class venue for bespoke tea tasting and blending sessions.
Sponsored Links
