February 8, 2017
I love banana bread. I don’t make it often, but I love it. Due to the infrequency of baking this treat I think I forget how yummy it is. That is until it comes out of the oven, onto my plate and into my mouth! I was so happy when I realized today that we had a couple of bananas that were a little past their prime. I decided to make this baking event into a blog post so I could have an excuse when my calorie conscious partner came home from work. He was not surprised when he was bowled over by the smell of fresh baked banana bread as he walked through the front door. His only comment “I thought you’d be baking. You seemed […]
October 25, 2016
Autumn is here in all its glory and, personally, I couldn’t be happier! I find that the beginning of every season prompts me to declare that this is my favorite season. And this is Autumn is no different. We’re fortunate to live in the Northeast where the seasons are so clearly defined. As Summer is slowly fading away, I have very fond memories of the fun times and special adventures, but now it’s time to embrace the spectacular Fall foliage and the cooler temperatures while we prepare for, hopefully, a snowy Winter. I’ve been enjoying these warm Fall afternoons, sipping a cup of tea in the sunshine while I look at the distant trees and enjoy the colorful baskets of mums beside me. I hope you have been […]
August 10, 2016
It’s Summer and time for refreshing new beverages. Lately I’ve been interested in bitters and, while there are many options available commercially, I often can’t find them in my local stores. So I looked online for information on making herbal bitters. Are you looking to add a different dimension to your cocktails and iced beverages? Try making your own bitters! It’s fast and easy and the combinations are endless. You’ll need a funnel, a scale that can weigh small quantities (less than 1oz), high quality vodka or gin, high quality herbs, amber dropper bottles. That’s pretty much it. I found useful information about proportions of different herbs to use here. To start I thought I would take 6 different herbs and steep them individually to see which I liked […]
June 13, 2016
June is National Iced Tea Month. To celebrate we’ve got some fantastic iced tea recipes and information about iced tea through the years. History of Iced Tea While iced tea was popularized at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904 (see our blog on the origin of iced tea) references to iced tea recipes appeared in cookbooks as far back as 1876. At that time, tea consumption was evenly split between green and black teas. According to the US National Library of Medicine, the breakdown of the tea consumed was 40% black teas, 40% green teas and 20% oolong. During WWII, due to public opinion and availability, tea importers were forced to switch their sources to Indian black teas, which were supplied by the British. Many of […]
March 2, 2016
Tea Rub? Yes! Jason is the kind of person we all need in our lives. He’s kind, sweet, smart, handsome, and … he loves to cook. Whenever he comes to visit we can be sure we’ll be eating fantastic concoctions. While he is a definite meat eater, he always makes a great effort to incorporate my vegetarian desires. On his last visit he asked me about making a tea rub that he could put on a roast and that I could put on tofu. Below is the recipe he developed. It was great on my tofu and amazing (I’ve heard) on the roast they cooked in the rotisserie (that Jason brought with him!). Tea Rub 1 cup black tea (we used Assam) 1/8 cup lemon myrtle ¼ cup […]
February 18, 2016
One of the great benefits to having a Summer garden is being able to enjoy the splendor of your efforts in the Fall and Winter. We were able to put up potatoes, onions, squash, apples, carrots and garlic as well as lots of produce that we froze and canned. The apples that haven’t been pressed into cider have been looking a little sad, so we found this fantastic recipe for Butternut Squash and apples that is heavenly. And when I say “we” I don’t actually mean “me” since I had nothing to do with this for the most part. I simply brewed the tea for the recipe then went back to work and waited for dinner. It was worth the wait! I hope you enjoy this soup as […]
February 1, 2016
Treat your Valentine’s Day Tea Treats such as an aromatic, delectable cup of our new Valentine’s Day Tea or use our Valentine’s tea to make some delicious treats! No matter what time of the year, nothing says “I Love You” like a great cup of tea! Your sweetheart will enjoy sipping this well rounded, amber cup with its full flavor that lingers deliciously on the tongue. The aroma of decadent chocolate will draw you in, while the taste of rich chocolate and tart pomegranate will keep you coming back for more. Click here to read more about the making of this new tea blend! Valentine’s Day Tea Cocktail Infuse 1 Tbsp of Valentine’s Day Tea blend in a glass jar with 4 oz vodka. Let steep for 5 […]
November 18, 2015
Delight your family and friends this Holiday season with these delectable Festive Recipes Holiday Tea Treats made with our Holiday Teas. These teas are delicious brewed as hot teas, but the recipes below take the experience one step further. Do you have a favorite recipe using our teas? Please share with us we’d love to try it! Candy Cane Rooibos Our Candy Cane organic rooibos blend is delicious hot or cold (yes any time of year!). Caffeine free and sugar free, this tisane brings joy to your taste buds! Try this cookie recipe for your next holiday party. Easy to make and delightfully festive, they are certain to be a sensation! Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies Chocolate and mint … a perfect combination especially during the holiday season! We infused […]
November 11, 2015
Tis the season of shorter days and chillier nights. It’s a great time to kick back and relax after a long Summer of go-go-go. When you’re curled up at night with a good book in front of the fire here are some tea inspired cocktails that will warm you from the inside. Enjoy! Pumpkin Spice Tea Cocktail 4 oz water1 tsp Pumpkin Spice black tea1.5 oz vodka.25 oz lemon juice1 tsp simple syrup (I used an Herbal Chai syrup that I had on hand – see recipe below) Boil water and pour over Pumpkin tea. Steep for 5 minutes, then strain and cool. Place vodka, lemon juice, brewed tea and syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill, then pour into a chilled glass. Garnish […]
November 4, 2015
With the Summer season fading away it’s time to rejoice in the activities we love to do in the Fall and Winter seasons. Apple picking, pumpkin carving, lovely hikes to view the foliage, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing and so much more. Part of the joy at this time of year is the season change in our diets. Gone are the fresh fruits and salads of summer – bring on hearty stews and the aroma of freshly baked goodies! Below are a few recipes to add to your cool weather tea drinking repertoire. Happy Sipping! Creamy Earl Grey London Fog 2 tsp Creamy Earl Grey tea 8 oz water 8 oz milk (regular, coconut, almond – your choice) ½ tsp sugar (if desired) Brew tea for 3-5 minutes then strain. […]