(Family Features ) - Move over coffee! Premium teas are edging out java for status in brewed beverages.
"Tea is exceedingly powerful representing authenticity, beauty and design to discriminating consumers. Today's consumer is hungry for lifestyle experiences that are premium and yet are accessible - little luxuries that can be savored every day," said Judy Ramberg, a consumer strategist focused on food and beverages for Iconoculture, a leading consumer research firm. "The elegant simplicity of tea represents a lifestyle choice."
It doesn't take reading tea leaves to reveal that tea connoisseurs are emerging everywhere. Tea's rising popularity has inspired specialty tea shops across the country and tea-making accessories have become a chic new gift category.
"Tea connoisseurs pay attention to the aroma texture and unique flavors of fine teas," said Patricia Zenobi, marketing director, Lipton. "Today, choosing and savoring tea is a personal statement."
The growing club of tea connoisseurs are eager to enjoy exotic, premium teas at home. Many specialty teas have been available only through exclusive online shopping sites at luxury prices. Lipton, the world leader in tea, is offering specialty crafted tea blends, custom-created by the tea masters at Lipton's Royal Estates.
"Each flavor of these specially blended teas starts with handpicked tea leaves from the top two leaves and a bud of the tea plant," Zenobi said. "The tea masters have blended long-leaf tea, real pieces of fruit, herbs and other flavors to create an extraordinary taste experience."
Each unique blend offers sweet aromas as the box is opened and as the tea steeps. Green Tea with Mandarin Orange, White Tea with Island Mango and Peach, Red Tea with Harvest Strawberry and Passionfruit, Bavarian Wild Berry, Vanilla Caramel Truffle and Black Pearl are the first premium, long-leaf teas in pyramid bags to be offered in retail stores nationwide.
"It's the pyramid bags that make the luxury experience complete," Ramberg said. "Serious tea drinkers are attracted to packaging and products that emphasize the inherent grace in a cup of tea."
An elegant, pyramid shaped tea bag allows the long-leaf tea and real pieces of fruit optimum room to infuse for greater aroma, color and taste. Tea enthusiasts can enjoy a refined tea drinking experience without the inconvenience of special infusers often used for steeping exclusive loose-leaf teas.
Beyond brewing a luxurious cup of hot tea, these new premium teas in elegant pyramid tea bags deliver culinary inspiration for even more creative beverages. Indulge in the pleasure of these fine teas by trying these exciting uptown recipes.
For more fresh tea recipes go to www.lipton.com.