Cooling off: TWIG brings Japanese-style cold brewing to London
When self-proclaimed tea fanatic and yoga teacher Iona Carter travelled to Kanazawa, Japan last year, something about their brews seemed extra cool. A local specialty, the process of cold brewing tea inspired Carter to launch her own London-based company, TWIG Teas.
Steeping tea leaves over a long period of time in cold water serves several benefits, from producing fewer bitter catechins than hot brewing tea does to its sweet taste and smooth texture. The cold water draws out different flavours from the leaf and by extracting less caffeine, the tea is also more naturally healthy.
Self-proclaimed ‘tea purists’, the TWIG team hopes to give real tea the ‘chance to sing for itself’. Skipping on herbal and fruit infusions, teabags and sugar means TWIG tea thrives on simple, natural goodness.
The collection includes four different teas. Bōcha is a Japanese roasted green tea made from the twigs and stalks of the Camellia sinensis. Darjeeling – the 'champion of teas' – originates from India and is grown on the ethical, organic Arya estate, established by 18th century Buddhist monks. From China comes keemun tea, commonly known as 'king of black teas’; TWIG’s Mao Feng keemun is grown exclusively in Qimen, Anhui province, situated between the Yellow Mountains and the Yangtze River. Finally, oolong is a partially oxidised tea, balanced between the black and green varieties. TWIG uses Formosa oolong, from the Northern Hsinchu area of Taiwan, which grows at an altitude of 800m.
London’s Studio Thomas designed the tea’s packaging, creating a visual identity as pure as the product. It’s vertical orientation and simplistic label is a nod to the tea’s Japanese beginnings. Ten per cent of TWIG profits also go to charity.
INFORMATION
For more information, visit TWIG Tea’s website
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
The Brazilian Forest House injects art into a modernist-inspired, contemporary design
The Brazilian Forest House, designed in upstate São Paulo by FGMF, brings together nature and art
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Waiting room inspo: Inside Studioutte’s cinematic Sala D’Attesa at Milan Design Week
Studioutte’s Sala D’Attesa, staged in Nolo during Milan Design Week 2024, was a scenographic interior merging different design sensibilities
By Laura May Todd Published
-
Bang & Olufsen’s Recreated Classics series continues with a CD player revival
Bang & Olufsen’s Beosystem 9000c music system brings the original digital compact disc format back to life and pairs it with the latest in speaker design
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
IWA sake brewery by Kengo Kuma is Best Roofscape: Wallpaper* Design Awards 2022
IWA sake brewery in Japan, by Kengo Kuma & Associates, scoops Best Roofscape at the Wallpaper* Design Awards 2022
By Tony Chambers Last updated
-
Aman Tokyo’s new patisserie is a culinary destination
The legendary hotel's first standalone patisserie is a culinary theatre where customers can watch the highly skilled chefs at work
By Melina Keays Last updated
-
This Japanese cooking tool is revolutionising kitchen tech
The Anaori Kakugama is a new multi-purpose kitchen tool that uses carbon graphite to lock in umami flavour.
By Mary Cleary Last updated
-
Boano Prišmontas’ portable tea house blends Japanese ritual with modern functionality
By Emi Eleode Last updated
-
Secrets of Japanese cookery revealed in Phaidon’s latest graphic tome
By Elly Parsons Last updated
-
Kyoto’s first Blue Bottle Coffee shop is an architectural zen retreat
By Pei-Ru Keh Last updated
-
A new winery by Masamichi Katayama helps rural Okayama savour Japanese wine
By Jens H Jensen Last updated
-
For goodness’ sake: Soho+Co’s pop-up sake bar makes a splash in London
By Holly Patrick Last updated