McEntee’s Tea Time Moments - Blog

Thankyou so much Siobhan O'Donnell, What a great feature in Business Plus Magazine this month on some of the 57 suppliers who participated in the recent #Growwithaldi program Aldi Ireland in June, we were in such great company.☕👏

The article highlighted several of the food producers who benefited from showcasing their products on the Aldi shelves throughout Ireland during the two weeks in early June. @Woodfireandgreen, @Mamabear, @ballyhubbockfarm, @connamarabrewing and @Kookee were also featured with their business stories and aspirations.

If you're one of the many who picked up a pack of our Tea in Aldi and now wish to restock, our range of Irish loose teas can be purchased on our website, with fast shipping thoughout Ireland, UK, Europe and USA! Subscriptions now available.👇 

https://www.mcenteestea.com/collections/mcentees-tea-range

 

Today we are thrilled to announce our new partnership with the lrish Hospice Foundation supporting its new Bereavement Support Line. Our Tea has been referred to as a "Hug in a Mug" we hope our Tea and the IHF Bereavement Support Line offers comfort and reassurance.

Many people have experienced or will experience the death of someone close during these exceptional circumstances. It may be a COVID-related death, a death from other causes, or a previous bereavement that you are finding more difficult at this time.

Irish Hospice Foundation launched this service in June 2020 as a response to the pandemic, and to support the many people grieving in isolation.

Having the Bereavement Support Line number displayed on this new Master Blend product means that more people who need the service will know of its availability. Apart from the awareness raised, with every purchase, Irish Hospice Foundation will receive a 10 cents donation towards the Line

Tea is known for its calming and reassuring qualities, and IHF Bereavement Support Line offers that comfort and reassurance to hundreds of bereaved people in the country.

“We're delighted to partner up with Irish Hospice Foundation to raise awareness for a crucial service, the IHF Bereavement Support Line. We are happy to share that for every purchase of our Loose-Leaf Master Blend tea we will donate 10 cents towards this vital service. We also encourage people in Louth who are dealing with bereavement and finding it particularly difficult in these exceptional times to call the line. You will receive the support and comfort that you deserve." Helen & Donal McEntee.

Irish Hospice Foundation Bereavement Support Line is a national freephone service on 1800 80 70 77 available 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday. Many people have experienced and will experience the death of someone close during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the face of such loss, the IHF Bereavement Support Line, in partnership with the HSE, is there to provide connection, comfort and support in these exceptional times.

Helen McVeigh, Director of Fundraising for Irish Hospice Foundation, said: "We're delighted with this partnership which will raise awareness and funds towards our vital service the IHF Bereavement Support Line. Since the inception of the service just over a year ago, we've received over 1,500 bereavement calls. Our staff and volunteers offer a listening ear in a confidential space where people can talk about their experience. We are grateful to McEntee’s Fine Teas and all their customers for this support"

Support this initiative:

You can purchase the Master Blend Tea in aid of IHF here:

https://www.mcenteestea.com/products/master-blend-irish-tea-250g-100-cups-mcentees-tea

If you are looking to buy a special present for a loved one, you can also purchase the exclusive Irish Hospice Foundation Sunflower Gift Set here:

https://www.mcenteestea.com/products/sunflower-gift-set-supporting-irish-hospice

 

Introducing McEntee's Manx Blend of loose tea, home of the TT races usually held this week. The Manx Blend is a delicate combination of Ceylon and Assam tea's Delivering that strength of flavour you associate with tea from The Isle of Man or also Ellan Vannin. For all times of the day when you need a reviving cup of tea.

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When you think of iced tea, the first thing that comes to mind is cold, sweet, fruity, maybe zesty, drink that will quench your thirst on a hot day. But beneath all the layers of fruitiness, sweetness, and acidity lies the real flavor of the tea.
The actual taste of the tea in your regular iced tea is barely recognizable, which is a real shame. McEntee's Tea is full of flavour and aroma that will only boost the taste of your iced cold drink. And that’s what loose leaves bring to the pitcher. A deep flavor that transforms this summer staple, and not to mention, makes it a healthier beverage.

Recipe 1: 

Cold brewing your iced tea will add a nice body to your beverage and enhance the leaves’ natural flavor and sweetness. This will give you a subtle taste and lasting finish that is much more refreshing and enjoyable than the quick, hot-brew method.

And yes, this is our favorite way to brew iced tea. Here is how you can do it:
1. Start by adding about 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea to a clean mason jar. Our golden ratio is 1 teaspoon of tea per every 8 ounces of water, so if you are brewing a larger batch, feel free to double or triple the amount.
2. Next, cover the tea with water (8 ounces per 1 teaspoon). It is best to use tap or room temperature water.
3. Then, put the lid on, seal, and place the mason jar in the refrigerator, allowing it to steep naturally, for at least 4 hours, but the best taste is extracted after 8-12 hours.
4. Add sugar to taste
5. Strain and serve with ice, lemon slices, and other favorite add-ins.

Recipe 2: Hot Brew

This is a somewhat quicker version of the previous method.
1. Place 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea inside your cup or strainer.
2. Bring 1 cup of water to a boil, then pour the boiling water over the tea.
3. Allow it to steep for 5 minutes, then strain and discard the leaves.
4. Add sugar to taste
5. Let the tea sit at room temperature for about half an hour, then transfer it to your jar/pitcher, and place it in the fridge to cool for a couple of hours.
6. Serve with ice and preferred add-ins.

While both methods will generally brew you a delicious iced tea, the first recipe definitely delivers a more satisfying flavor. Besides, there is no need to worry about over-extraction or bitter taste with cold brewing since the cold water can only bring out the natural sweetness.

 

source

https://www.perfectbrew.com/blog/how-to-make-loose-leaf-iced-tea/

Helen talks to Alan Hughes about the Irish Tea Blends to be on the shelves in Aldi from 6th June throughout Ireland for 2 weeks. All three of the Irish Blends are to be available, Irish Breakfast, Irish Afternoon and Gold Blend in 165g packs for €3.95 each. We hope you'll pick up a pack in your local Aldi next week.

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McEntee’s Tea's three tea blends, Irish Afternoon Blend, Irish Breakfast Blend and Gold Blend have been selected to supply Aldi’s 145 stores through the Grow with Aldi programme from 6th June for 14 days! Offering tea drinkers a sustainable plastic free option while upgrading their tea drinking experience, offering unmatched aroma and taste.

They will be running a competition to win a €100 Aldi voucher, just share a photo of your McEntee’s Tea purchase between 6^th – 20^th June and tag #McEnteestea to have a chance to win.

McEntee’s Tea is a family owned business run by husband and wife team Helen & Donal McEntee based in rural Co.Louth on the family farm. Both passionate tea drinkers, they developed the idea of McEntee’s Tea a number of years ago to bring back quality, great tasting Irish Blends of proper loose tea to make everyone’s cuppa a moment to enjoy. Donal said “I felt everyone had forgotten the aroma and flavour of proper tea, we need to remind them!”

Donal and Helens desire to develop McEntee’s Fine Teas dates back to their childhood where tea was central to traditional family life. Helen McEntee said “Tea has been a part of traditional Irish family life for generations, it’s important to us to remind people to take a moment to enjoy a pot of proper tea with family and friends once more”. This passion has driven their desire to bring back proper great tasting tea brewed in a teapot. They source a very select range of loose teas together with filter teapots from around the world.  By offering both the range of quality teas alongside the tea ware, they aim to make the move to proper tasting loose tea easier and affordable for everyone.

Delighted to be featured in our local Drogheda Independent paper this week .