TorMan – A Unique Store

Oolong Tea (pronounced Wu-Long).  The cultivation and manufacture of classic oolong teas are restricted to a small area of Southeastern China’s Fujian and Guangdong Provinces as well as the island of Taiwan.  Oolong tea is widely consumed in Southeastern Asian countries and in Japan where it is prized for its cholesterol reducing and weight-loss functions.  The oolong tea category is defined as a group of semi-oxidized teas whose manufacturing style ranges between green and black tea.  Research conducted in Japan, China and Taiwan report that oolong tea is rich in anti-oxidants.  Regular consumption of oolong tea is linked to the reduction of plaque in the arteries, reduction of cholesterol and lowering of blood sugar.  Its reputation as a safe, daily slimming and dieter’s tea in Southeastern Asia has been widespread for hundreds of years.

 The Pu-erh “family” of teas includes semi-green teas and dark green pile fermented teas.  All Pu-erh tea is made with sun-dried Yunnan broad leaf green tea or what is know as “Saiqing”.  Sun-dried green teas from Yunnan and the broad leaf varietals are closely related to some of the teas consumed by the world’s most ancient tea cultures.

Chai means tea in Hindi and is derived from the word cha which means tea in many eastern languages.  Chai is a spiced black tea “latte” which is believed to have originated in India.  Traditional chai is a blend of spices and black teas simmered in water, milk and sugar.

Caffeine Free Botanical Blends – fruits, flowers, roots and herbs are used in foods, drinks and medicines in just about every culture.  Mild tasting infusions of wild herbs and flowers are often served before a tea ceremony to cleanse the palate and the soul before the tea is served.  Our tea partners have traveled the world to source the highest quality pure herbs and botanicals for our delicious, naturally caffeine-free blends.  These award winning blends integrate the world’s culinary and folk traditions with contemporary taste, gourmet spirit and expert blending techniques.  The do not contain any tealeaves but are formulated to be prepared like a tea.

 Not sure what type of tea to try?  Stop in at TorMan; the tea pot is always on – if we are open, we are serving tea.  We serve tea by the cup, the pot and we even have tea to go.  James and I look forward to seeing you soon

We often get questions about the different types of tea we sell; so, I decided to provide a quick tea lesson.  This is part one – Enjoy!

Black Tea – originated in China where it is referred to as “Hong Cha” or Red Tea due to the reddish infusion color typically yielded by this category of oxidized teas.  Black teas are produced in many countries and offer a broad spectrum of flavors and characteristics.  The profile of a black tea including its infusion color, body, strength, aroma and flavor depend on the tea bush varietal, the season of harvest, the elevation of the tea garden and the degree of tea-leaf oxidation.

Green Tea – refers to a broad class of teas that are processed with the intention of preserving the tea-leaf’s green character and low degree of oxidation.  Green teas are heated (often by roasting or steaming) soon after harvest to prevent leaf oxidation.  Within the broad category of green tea you will find vast differences in flavor and aroma.  Green teas are produced in various countries.

White Tea – originated in a small area north of the Min River in China’s Fujian Province.  White Tea is a group of semi-oxidized teas that can only be made according to a unique withering process.  White teas are not fired or rolled like other teas and are the least processed of all the types of tea.  Compared to other teas, White Teas are very low in caffeine and contain the highest concentrations of antioxidants.

White Teas are made from medium-leaf tea bush varietals that yield silvery-white sprouts and leaves.  They are delicately hand harvested only once a year, for a few weeks in early spring when the weather is consistently cool and dry.  The withering process of white tea raises an abundance of silvery white hairs on the dried tealeaves and buds.

 Check in with us tomorrow as we talk about Oolong tea, Pu-erh Tea, Chai, and Caffeine Botanical Blends. 

Here are some pictures of artwork created by James during the last part of 2007.  If you are interested in any of the works shown here, please feel free to contact us.  Have a super evening!

These are super cool and definitely unique.  Connie Henshaw is the artist who makes these wonderful little pins.  The bugs are crafted using beads.  Need a quick gift?  A thank you?  A just because gift?  These are perfect and the “bug” comes attached to its own gift card!

While visiting Cindy Is Crafty’s blog, I discovered this cool Pay It Forward exchange and decided to participate.  Since I left a comment on her blog,  here is my promise to pay it forward.  If you would like to participate, leave a comment and let the exchange begin!

I will send a unique gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on this post requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow, or next week, but you will receive it within 90 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. So basically, if you comment and you’re on, I’ll send you something crafty that I’ll make!

Once you leave your comment, you can consider yourself in the game as long as you  copy and paste the above paragraph on your blog; and then three other lucky people will be recipients of your handmade work.  Sounds like a lot of fun!

Also, check out my blogroll for The Purple Lady’s Art.  She’s got some sweet items out there for us to enjoy.

Cynthia Lawrence is the owner of Tusnelda Pottery and she is a wonderful artist.  James and I met Cynthia a couple of years ago and we are fortunate to have her show her work at TorMan.  Currently on display are some of Cynthia’s pottery bird houses and bird feeders.  Also, we have a few of her wine bottle face containers.  I have attached a few pictures of her items below.  We look forward to seeing you at TorMan soon!

One of the cool things about owning TorMan is that James and I get to meet some very wonderful and talented artists.  I have said it before and I will say it again, this city is FILLED with some very talented people. 

James is the “resident artist” at TorMan.  I am amazed at his artistic eye and vision.  He will show me an old door hinge that he has rescued from the garbage and the next thing I know, it is being used in one of his creations and is leaving the shoppe with a delighted customer.  He recently rescued a very old door at a downtown construction site.  After cleaning it up and following a few modifications, it was converted into a table that now displays a vintage china table setting in our store.  We have gotten tons of compliments on the table.  And, yes, it is for sale

 I wonder if this artistic inspiration is contagious?  Actually, I know it is.  Since opening TorMan, I have found an artistic side of myself and continue to develop it daily.  I find myself saying, “don’t throw that away!”  It is fun to see just what can be made from the materials that exist around us.  James and I are currently creating some great new items that will be revealed in the coming months - I guess you could call it a part of our Spring Collection.

Our goal is to have TorMan be an artistic voice in Shockoe Bottom.  Currently, about 50% of the items in our shoppe are local artist driven.  We welcome the opportunity to work with other local artists.  If you know of someone who may be interested in having their items at TorMan, please put them in touch with us. 

Hope you are having a great day!  See you tomorrow!  Randall