features
Tea time
Jason Holland picks a selection of teas and drinks for spas which are thirsty for knowledge
Thalgo
Consumers are looking for drinks which complement their relaxation or beauty schedule for an all-round benefit, according to marine cosmetics company Thalgo.
Its five organic teas – Refining, Draining, Serenity, Light Legs and Digestion – each offer a specific health focus, while Slim 7 is a body refining drink to help fight physical fatigue and restore the energy balance.
Collagen Booster, which will relaunch imminently under the name Collagène 5000, is a beauty drink designed with anti-ageing benefits.
Océa Draine is Thalgo’s detoxifying nutritional drink containing 100 per cent natural active ingredients. It’s designed to help recover a sense of wellbeing and lightness and, with 21,600 units sold worldwide in 2013, remains a popular choice. Finally, nutritional ‘shot’ drinks, including one for cellulite and for circulation and comfort, are also offered.
Thalgo distributes to 80 countries and approximately 500 hotel spas.
Spa-kit.net keyword: Thalgo
Camellia’s Tea House
Camellia’s Tea House offers wellness teas which can be combined with spa treatments. Its teas are designed by Lubna Madan – a homeopath, herbal medicine expert and trained therapist – and are often offered as hot or cold healthy beverages in relaxation rooms. In total, there are up to 120 different tea types.
Only premium spas in the UK, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Greece, Georgia, Turkey, Singapore and Japan are supplied. These include facilities at Sani Beach Resorts and Spas, The Address Downtown Dubai and Corinthia London.
The teas are handmade using only natural ingredients and many target specific health and wellbeing issues such as improving skin health, providing detoxification, reducing cholesterol, helping gout, or improving sleep. A recent launch was Luscious Locks, which helps promote hair growth and hair health.
Spa-kit.net keywords: Camellia’s Tea House
Mighty Leaf Tea
There’s a rising demand for tea-based cocktails, says Mighty Leaf Tea. Making an Earl Grey infused martini, for example, involves steeping four of its Organic Earl Grey pouches in a 750ml bottle of vodka for two hours to add a plethora of taste nuances. Those not interested in alcoholic iced tea – which the company also offers – can add an exotic flavour to cocktails.
Mighty Leaf Tea has developed its own pouch to hold whole tea leaves, which are hand-stitched with unbleached cotton string. The pouches, it says, give the tea leaves space to unfurl, creating a richer, more full-bodied cup. The company also prides itself on offering teas that are all-natural and free of sugar, calories and artificial flavours. The handcrafted blends include ingredients such as cacao nibs, organic Moroccan spearmint, hibiscus blossoms, pineapple bits, orange peels and more. Mighty Leaf Tea products are available in around 25 countries and well-known spas it supplies include ESPA at Peninsula Hotels, Miraval, The Kura Door, Four Seasons, SpaTerre and The Spa at Trump.
Spa-kit.net keywords: Mighty Leaf Tea
Tea Forté
Tea Forté’s stated goal is to “reimagine and redefine the tea experience by delivering delightful, luxury products”. Its 40-plus blends are not mass-produced and are typically sourced from small estates or single family gardens.
A particular speciality are the Skin-Smart antioxidant amplifier teas which have been blended to work with the body’s chemistry to help protect and take care of the skin from within. These teas have been created to deliver the detoxifying effects of plant-based antioxidants, a strong tool in skin recovery and the fight against visible signs of skin ageing.
The collection comes in five blends: Cucumber Mint with green tea for youth recovery; Honey Yuzu with green tea for natural renewal; Cherry Marzipan with green tea for corrective repair; Swiss Apple with red tea for skin support; and Lychee Coconut with white tea for radiant skin.
Tea Forté is distributed in more than 35 countries and key spa clients include the St Regis Aspen in the US; the Trump Hotel in Toronto, Canada; and the Four Seasons George V in Paris, France.
Spa-kit.net keywords: Tea Forté
Ikaati
The company name Ikaati is derived from the Indonesian word ‘ikat’, which means ‘to tie by hand’. This is because each Ikaati pouch is individually hand-tied, with the time taken to achieve this reflecting its philosophy that teas should be worth spending time with. Added to this is a belief that an individual’s wellbeing is enriched by health, pleasure and beauty – with the company’s three collections of teas, Nourish, Savor and Heritage corresponding to these ideals.
Ikaati aims to use ingredients which create the most pleasurable drinking experience. It says its products are sourced from the world’s finest tea gardens, tended by “devoted farmers” and crafted with only the “most exceptional” tea leaves, herbs and flowers. The key to this is using whole leaf and plant ingredients that are minimally processed and free of artificial flavourings and preservatives.
Ikaati is available in the US, Mexico, Bahamas, Antigua, Qatar and the Philippines and supplies high-end spas such as those in Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental and Ritz-Carlton hotels. In such spas, Ikaati’s Protect tea, which was created for its antioxidant properties, is popular because it complements facials and many other treatments.
Spa-kit.net keyword: Ikaati
Yemaya
Yemaya’s Simply Be philosophy encourages people to ‘live in the moment’ and the French company offers five tea collections (encompassing 16 types of tea) to help them do this. These include: Chocothé, combining oolong and white tea; Thé à Moi, which is red tea with buds of rose; and Elixir de Fleurs à Infuser.
Its latest collection, 7 Moods, is based on seven recipes which mix spices from Madagascar with a black tea from China. Meanwhile the popular Bonbons de Thé à Infuser is a collection of puerh teas which are believed to help lower cholesterol and burn fat.
Additionally, the company can offer exclusive and bespoke products. Current clients include gastronomic restaurants and hotels around the world.
Spa-kit.net keyword: Yemaya