Barry’s Tea

NEW TEA TEST (07.05.10)
My tea drinking experience has been more or less confined to the traditional way, always with milk.
Threw off the old habit when two samples of Barry’s new products, Pu-​erh and Rooibos, arrived. Enjoyed them both, without the milk.
Started with the Rooibos from South Africa. Naturally rich in antioxidants, caffeine free and low in tannin, said the blurb. This can be drunk with or without milk. I tried it without and thought I mightn’t like it after the first mouthful but I persevered and was glad I did. Really liked it and also like the fact that «antioxidant rich foods contribute to general health and well-​being.»
The well-​being theme continued to the Pu-​erh tea from China, Not quite a sharp a taste as the Rooibos, more rounded and, for me, easier to drink from the first mouthful, without the milk of course. This is also rich in anti-​oxidants and is «reported to aid digestion and reduce blood cholesterol».
Watch out for these, sample them if you can. I know all of us don’t have the same tastes but I’ll certainly be included these on my tea lists from now on.
BARRY’S TEA
Barry’s Tea, founded over one hundred years ago, is one of Cork’s iconic firms, well known nationally. It is served in many top class restaurants, currently advertised by Fenn’s Quay as part of the Dine in Cork week.
Their Original, Classic and Gold Blends are, well, classics of the Irish Tea scene. But the folks at Kinsale don’t stand still. New packs, especially the Green Tea range and also the Decaf, are doing well as I can see around this house.
And now there are even newer products on the shelves of your local supermarket. One of these is known as Pu-​erh. This is from China and is rich in anti-​oxidants. And you also have, from South Africa, an herbal tea called Rooibos. It is naturally caffeine free and, like black tea, can be used with milk. So there you are, two new possibilities from our old friends in the Kinsale Road.
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