Walt Disney World’s English tea garden and tour at Epcot
For many, one of the best features of Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park is the World Showcase consisting of 11 countries (Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom and Canada). Here, people of all ages can walk around the globe exploring different countries and cultures as well as sampling food and beverages that many otherwise would not have the opportunity to do so.
Approximately every March 6th –May 19th, Epcot is transformed into the Flower and Garden Festival sponsored by HGTV. The festival features unique Disney themed topiaries as well as cooking and gardening workshops & classes, book signings and unique “garden to table” food stalls for each country.
Some countries also offer a special class or tour to further enhance a unique aspect of their culture and customs. England (or the United Kingdom), always has the Twinings Tea House, however, during the Flower and Garden Festival the English garden is transformed into an English Tea Garden complete with a tour guide trained by Twinings of London.
The tour is conducted outside the tea house, in the English garden which is located around a traditional English cottage complete with a thatched roof.
The tour features approx. ten of the most popular varieties of Twinings tea blends; the plants and “herbs” used in the blends are planted so one can see them in their “natural state”. The tour guides do a fairly good job describing the tea and herbal infusions, and even acknowledge the fact that they owe a tremendous gratitude to China for introducing tea to the English.
Briefly, Twinings of London has been around since 1706 and was founded by Thomas Twining, the original store in London was once a coffee shop, which was the drink of choice prior to the introduction of tea. After approx. 40 years, tea became the drink of choice within England and became one of the primary exports to the American colonies. Twinings now offers more than 300 varieties of tea blends and herbal infusions.
All true tea comes from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis; whether you are drinking green tea, oolong tea, black tea (red tea in China) or white tea, they are all harvested from the same plant. All other “teas”, Camomile for example, are herbal infusions and technically not tea, even though most, especially in the west, still refer to them as such. According to the guide, Twinings tea “masters” must undergo a rigorous course of study for five years, before they are able to work on tea blends and herbal infusions.
The tour concludes, after approx. 30-40 minutes, with a sample pack of assorted Twinings tea and a sample of tea inside the tea house, either hot or cold depending on the weather and season. You are also informed that you can visit the Twinings store in London and arrange tours there as well.
Enjoy the list which features the 10 blends of the tour!
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Twinings spiced apple chai
Twinings Spiced Apple Chai
- Black tea infused with apple flavors and Indian spices, instantly transports you around the world.
- Cinnamon is harvested from the inner bark of this tropical tree.
- Ginger is ground from the aromatic roots of the ginger plant.
- Cardamon is ground from uniquely aromatic seed pods.
- Cloves are dried flower buds that turn bright crimson red when ripe
(from the Twinings informational display card)
Twinings China oolong
Twinings China Oolong tea
- Oolong teas are Camellia sinensis, typically grown in China’s Fujian Province.
- First produced over 400 years ago at Mount Wu Yi Shan near the end of the Ming Dynasty.
- Created by gently shaking, which partially oxidizes the leaves.
- Notable reddish appearance and slightly sweet flavor.
(from the Twinings informational display card)
Twinings camomile, honey & vanilla
Twinings camomile, honey & vanilla
- Camomile is naturally caffeine-free and the base of this herbal blend.
- Camomile flowers have a strong, aromatic fragrance and bloom in early to mid summer.
- Twinings selects just the yellow part of the flower to capture the purest taste of Camomile.
- Vanilla is the aromatic seed pod of a vining orchid that grows in the tropics.
(from the Twinings informational display card)
Twinings honeybush, mandarin & orange
Twinings honeybush, mandarin & orange
- African Honeybush contains no caffeine and is a natural source of anti-oxidants.
- Grown for centuries as a soothing beverage in South Africa, honeybush flowers are light yellow and smell like honey.
- Mandarin and Orange have distinct flavors which blend perfectly in this new herbal tea.
(from the Twinings informational display card)
Twinings pumpkin spice chai
Twinings pumpkin spice chai
- Black tea perfectly blended with pumpkin flavors and savory spices of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and allspice.
- Nutmeg is ground from a seed, while allspice is a dried unripe berry.
- Seasonal favorite may be enjoyed with milk.
(from the Twinings informational display card)
Twinings jasmine green tea
Twinings jasmine green tea
- Green tea is known for smooth flavor and refreshing taste.
- Made from Camellia sinensis leaves, same as black tea, but quickly preserved.
- Blended with hints of fresh Jasmine flowers.
- Green, black, oolong and white teas are natural sources of antioxidants.
(from the Twinings informational display card)
Twinings earl grey
Twinings earl grey
- Originally developed by Twinings as a black tea base scented with Bergamot.
- Bergamot is a small pear-shaped citrus fruit from the Mediterranean.
- Flowers of the evergreen bergamont tree blossom during the spring.
- The second Earl Grey, was presented with this exquisite recipe by an envoy on his return from China.
(from the Twinings informational display card)
Twinings English breakfast tea
Twinings English breakfast tea
- Traditional blend of Kenyan and Assam black teas.
- Rich and robust taste make it one of the most popular Twinings varieties.
- Only the top two leaves and bud of the tea plant are used.
- Cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world.
(from the Twinings informational display card)
Twinings lemon & ginger
Twinings lemon & ginger
- Herbal tea made from lemons, lemongrass, blackberry leaves and Chinese ginger.
- Lemons are widely grown in Indian and China for their juice.
- Lemongrass and Blackberry leaves contain no caffeine.
- Chinese ginger has been used for over 2,500 years to create invigorating teas.
(from the Twinings informational display card)
Twinings mixed berry
Twinings mixed berry
- Black tea with luscious flavors of strawberry, cherry, raspberry and redcurrant.
- Strawberries, raspberries, cherries and redcurrants add a fresh, fruity aroma and a slightly sweet taste.
(from the Twinings informational display card)
Twinings flower tea pot
One of the many unique displays featured in the English tea garden. In addition to this beautiful flower tea pot, there was also a yellow and white version as well. Definitely a crowd favorite.
Epcots English tea garden
One view of the beautiful English tea garden, near the side entrance. Looking out from the side of the traditional tea cottage and towards the main entrance of the garden.
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