August 28, 2025
Witch's Brew & Maple Butter Black TEas

Fall Flavors for the Spooky Season

The air is getting crisper, the leaves are starting to turn, and a certain magical mischief is in the air. As we step into the most enchanting time of year, it’s time to trade in our iced coffees for something a little more cozy, spooky, and sweet. We’re especially thrilled to introduce two new bewitching teas to our lineup: our spooky and sweet Witch’s Brew Black Tea, and the rich and comforting Maple Butter Black Tea. Along with our new Autumn Tea Giftbox, these new blends are the perfect potions to accompany your seasonal bakes and spooky movie marathons. So pull up a chair, get cozy, and let’s dive into the delicious world of fall flavors. 🍂🍎 Your New Favorite Fall Sips: Witch’s Brew & Maple Butter Witch’s Brew […]
July 9, 2025

A Journey Through Nepal’s Tea Legacy

Located in South Asia, Nepal is renowned for having some of the largest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest which is the highest point anywhere on Earth. Nestled between the tea giants of India and China, Nepal is also home to some of the world’s most exquisite teas. From the misty hills of Ilam to the high-altitude gardens of Solukhumbu, Nepal has been producing high-quality teas that are gaining international recognition for their unique flavors and artisanal craftsmanship.  Come along as we explore this breathtaking part of the world that offers us a wide array of superb and diverse teas. A Brief History of Tea in Nepal Origins and Early Cultivation Nepal has a close proximity to Darjeeling and, with their mountainous Himalayan elevations, they yield teas […]
July 9, 2025

Savor the Summer: Refreshing Recipes, New Brews & Sunny Tea Accessories!

Welcome to your ultimate guide for a tea-infused summer! Get ready to explore vibrant recipes perfect for warm days, discover exciting new tea blends to tantalize your taste buds, and find the must-have accessories to elevate your sunny sipping sessions. Let’s dive into a season of delicious discoveries! 🦀☀️ New Teas & Recipes Spotlight: 🫐Blueberry Limeade Green Tea This fabulous green tea blend brews up to a blue cup with the refreshing taste of blueberry and citrus. Enjoy the front forward taste of blueberry and then the lingering, uplifting flavor of lime.  This green tea blend is a winner! Ingredients: Green tea, organic lemon peel, butterfly pea flowers, and natural blueberry limeade flavor. Refreshing Blueberry Limeade Mocktail with Blueberry Limeade Green Tea This recipe combines the bright flavors of limeade with […]
November 27, 2024
Snowberry Frost Black Tea

Warm Up Your Holidays: Festive Teas and Cozy Recipes

The holiday season is here, bringing with it the crisp chill of winter and the cozy warmth of gatherings with friends and family. What better way to celebrate than with a cup of festive tea in hand? Whether you’re looking to unwind after a busy day of holiday shopping or want to create new traditions with seasonal flavors, Simpson & Vail’s collection of holiday teas and recipes is here to help. From spiced blends that bring back memories of childhood to soothing, caffeine free brews that make chilly evenings feel magical, there’s a perfect tea and treat pairing for every moment of the season. So grab your favorite mug, get comfy, and let’s dive into these cozy recipes and delicious S&V tea blends that are sure to warm […]
July 18, 2024
Citral Bee - Lavender Lemon Herbal Blend

Lavender: The Hot Herb of 2024

So lavender is the hot “new” herb for 2024?  Recorded data shows the use of lavender for healing properties, in perfumery and cooking back in 77AD! It’s popularity has never dwindled, however chefs, bakers, and baristas have elevated this aromatic herb to new culinary heights recently. For tea companies, the marriage of lavender with teas and other herbs is nothing new.  Many of us have incorporated lavender into our tea blends for many years, as well as created culinary recipes with those blends.     The first blend we created with lavender was an herbal concoction called Lavender Lace that we introduced in 1993.   Lavender Lace       The following year in 1994 we introduced Victorian Earl Grey which combines the ever popular Earl Grey with roses, […]
November 4, 2021

Simpson & Vail’s Holiday Gift Guide – 2021

Simpson & Vail’s Holiday Sampler Gift Box Our Holiday tea sampler is the top pick for the 2021 Holiday Gift Guide! This sampler offers all 10 of our holiday teas in an elegant black gift box. This box features: Candy Cane Organic Rooibos, Figgy Pudding green, Gingerbread black, Holiday Blend, Nutcracker black, Roasted Chestnut Rooibos, St. Nick’s black, Sugar Plum Fairy Rooibos, White Chocolate Peppermint, & Winter Wonderland. Unit Price: $29.95 Christmas Teatime Book: Celebrating the Holiday with Afternoon Tea If you’re thinking of hosting a special tea celebration over the holidays then this colorful 134-page hardcover book will be a wonderful asset. More than 90 delectable recipes, (from scones, to savories, to sweets) along with 10 beautiful table settings, will serve as an inspiration in planning your […]
July 24, 2020

Enjoy a TEA-quila Sunrise for National Tequila Day!

TEA-quila Sunrise Cocktail  Whether you’re enjoying a nice dinner or relaxing poolside, a Tequila Sunrise is perfect for any occasion. The first version of the Tequila Sunrise originated in Arizona and is a perfect representation of the vibrant Southwestern skies. In honor of National Tequila Day, we’ve made a TEA-quila blend based on this classic tequila cocktail complemented by S&V herbal “tea.” This beverage not only turned out aesthetically pleasing, but also a delicious tropical treat! A classic tequila sunrise includes: Grenadine, Orange Juice, and Tequila  Our “tea” twist was to substitute the grenadine for our Simpson & Vail Orange Cranberry Herbal Tisane and a bit of hibiscus to create a Simple Syrup.  Simple Syrup Ingredients:   1/2 cup water   1/2 cup sugar   2 tbsp (t-sacs) of […]
February 1, 2016

Tea Treats for your Valentine

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 […]
July 16, 2015

The Beginnings of Rooibos Production: From Cape to Cup

by Connor Lofink When Benjamin Ginsberg traveled from Moscow to the Cape of South Africa in 1903 with plans to make his fortune in the tea trade with his father, he was quickly introduced to what the Dutch settlers called “bush tea.” It was a brew made from the leaves of the Rooibos plant that grew in the nearby scrublands. The Dutch settlers had enjoyed this not-quite-tea for over a hundred years before Ginsberg’s arrival, but its popularity outside of the South African settlements was limited. Ginsberg recognized that an herbal beverage like Rooibos, which the locals assured him had medicinal properties as well, offered an appealing alternative to the Chinese and Indian black teas that people were used to. Those black teas were a rare treat down […]
June 2, 2015

Delicious & Nutritious Moringa Leaf

Moringa (moringa oleifera) is a highly nutritious plant where all parts have beneficial properties (the leaves, the seeds, flowers, young tender pods, immature seeds and the roots). This plant is rapidly becoming a staple in countries that have poor soil and growing climates. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and high in protein. Moringa brews to an amber cup with dark green leaves and an interesting steamed spinach-like taste. Moringa is also delicious and nutritious when ground and added to different recipes.  Here are 2 below. Moringa Dill Hummus 2 ½ cups chickpeas, rinsed and drained ¼ cup tahini 2 Tbsp olive oil 1/3 cup lemon juice 2 cloves garlic ½ tsp salt 2 tsp Moringa leaves, ground 1 tsp dry dill leaf Place all ingredients except […]