QUINTEASSENTIAL INSPIRES CALM IN CUSTOMERS

A Chester tea sommelier has found the perfect blend, by combining her award-winning tea with the calming power of music.

Quinteassential is known for its unique and artisan teas and prides itself on delivering exquisite flavours made with natural ingredients.

And founder and designer Bernadine Tay is helping customers embrace the ritual of making tea by adding QR codes to her packaging – which allows smartphone users to access soothing music while their drink brews.

The specially curated playlists are designed to last for the exact duration it takes to diffuse the flavours and Bernadine hopes this will encourage tea lovers to be present in the moment.

“Tea is an ancient tradition and is used in meditation in many cultures to help improve wellbeing,” she said.

“It naturally has a calming effect and, when combined with listening to music, can help people escape – which is a great technique to take a break from a busy or stressful situation and really focus on yourself.”

Bernadine, who formerly worked in marketing and graduated from King’s College, London, with a degree in biomedical science, uses her scientific knowledge to curate blends which take people on a sensory journey.

“At Quinteassential, we believe in the superpower of tea to restore, revive, calm, stimulate, connect and energise, which is why we are always striving to create unique blends that find a place in everyday life,” she said.

“The enjoyment of flavours is about more than how it tastes because tea contains theanine – a naturally occurring amino acid derivative – that increases feelings of mental and physical relaxation, so it really has the power to calm the senses.

“The leaves of the Camellia Sinensis – which is the tea plant used to make most traditional caffeinated teas like black, white, oolong and green teas – along with the Aspalathus Linearis plant, for rooibos tea, are also naturally high in antioxidants and polyphenols which can boost digestion and brain health too.”

Quinteassential stocks a wide variety of both loose leaf tea and tea bags, including Imperial Earl Grey, British Mint and Caramel and Jewel of Africa – which is a rooibos blend.

For more information or to see a full list of products, visit www.quinteassential.co.uk