April 15, 2025
From the lush tea gardens of Assam to the misty hills of Darjeeling, join us on a journey through the Indian teas that have captured the hearts of tea lovers worldwide. India is one of the largest tea producing areas in the world with teas coming mainly from the Assam, Darjeeling, Nilgiri, Kerala, Sikkim and Dooars regions. Tea production from each of these areas is quite distinct. A Brief History of Indian Tea In 1823 Major Robert Bruce, of the East India Company, was tasked with exploring the possibility of commercial production of tea in India. He discovered tall tea trees that had been growing for centuries in the wild in Assam now classified as Camellia sinensis var. assamica. While there were not enough leaves from these trees […]
February 19, 2025
As the world awakens with the bloom of spring, it’s the perfect time to embrace fresh, vibrant flavors in every cup. Simpson & Vail’s Spring teas capture the essence of the season with delicate floral notes, refreshing herbs, and light, uplifting blends. Whether you’re sipping a morning pick-me-up or experimenting with tea-infused recipes, there’s no better way to celebrate spring’s arrival. Join us as we explore seasonal favorites, such as Floral Nectar, Lilac Bouquet and Spring Blossom, and share creative recipes to brighten your tea rituals this spring! 🐝 A Sneak Peak at our NEW Mocktail Box Honeybee Elixir Recipe Ingredients: 3 tsp Honeybee Elixir Tisane 16 oz Water Butterfly Pea Flower Ice Cubes Club Soda to taste Lemon Slices Directions: Brew Honeybee Tisane in 16 oz of […]
January 6, 2025
Take your love of tea to the next level by transforming your favorite beverage into creative mocktails! This delightful gift box features four unique tea blends, along with Butterfly Pea Flowers (perfect for making vibrant blue ice cubes) and Hibiscus Flowers (ideal for crafting a tart, fruity hibiscus simple syrup). Crafted in small batches, the teas in the Mocktail Tea Gift Box are a harmonious blend of the finest loose-leaf teas, sourced from around the world, aromatic botanicals, and premium USA flavorings. Each blend was carefully selected to inspire fun and flavorful tea mocktails. The Mocktail Tea Gift Box includes four exceptional tea blends: Blackberry Haze A smoky black tea blend with a whiskey flavor and delicious notes of burnt caramel. Mixed with blackberries and maple syrup this […]
November 27, 2024
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 […]
October 24, 2024
Thanksgiving is a time to gather, give thanks, and indulge in comforting flavors that warm the heart and soul. As the air grows crisp and the table fills with family favorites, there’s no better way to embrace the season than with a cup of tea and delicious treats to match. Whether you’re hosting a full feast or simply want to relax after the festivities, we’ve curated the perfect S&V drinks and treats that capture the essence of autumn. 🦃🍂 Tea Cocktails to Pair with Thanksgiving Dinner🍷 Cozy Comfort Cocktail: Cozy Comfort simple syrup: ½ cup water 1/3 cup sugar 2 tsp Cozy Comfort Tea Heat in a small saucepan over low heat for 3 minutes, then strain out the tea. Orange peel (1″ piece) ¾ oz cozy comfort […]
October 24, 2024
Harvest Delights: Explore our Apple & Pumpkin Teas to Celebrate Autumn As the crisp air of fall settles in, there’s nothing more comforting than the rich, warm flavors of apples and pumpkins. From apple cinnamon teas to creamy pumpkin-infused treats, this season invites us to indulge in the essence of autumn. In this guide, we’ll explore a delightful blend of Simpson & Vail’s apple and pumpkin teas, along with cozy recipes that capture the heart of fall. Pumpkin Spice Tea Latte Recipe by Kathleen Phipps Servings 1 latte Cook Time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 8 oz milk (or dairy alternative) 1 heaping tsp of Simpson & Vail Pumpkin Spice Tea 1 tsp brown sugar (or sugar substitute) Whipped cream (optional) Ground Cinnamon Directions: Bring the milk and sugar to a […]
September 6, 2024
Teacups and saucers have a long and fascinating history that is interwoven with the origin of tea and its journey across the globe. Tea was discovered in China around 2737 BCE and was originally drunk from small, handleless bowls. These bowls were used for many years and made from ceramic materials. The first proto-porcelain was introduced and used from 1600-1050 BCE. Improved techniques commenced around 25-220 CE and the porcelain we are familiar with today was pioneered during the Tang dynasty (618-907). These tea bowls remained in the East until the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) when they were exported to European consumers. Tea was consumed in China, Japan and other countries for hundreds of years before it was introduced to Europeans. In the 16th century, Portuguese and Dutch trading […]
September 2, 2024
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Black Tea! We’re excited to announce the latest addition to our Literary tea line – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Black Tea blend! Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (May 22, 1859 – July 7, 1930), a doctor and writer, was best known as the creator of the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes. For most people Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes are one in the same. In fact, I don’t think you can mention Doyle without conjuring up images of Sherlock Holmes, pipe in mouth, tartan plaid cape and deerstalker hat, investigating the most confounding of crimes. When we started to create this tea blend, we perused information about Doyle as well as details he wrote about Holmes. Since the mentioning of specific teas was not directly […]
July 18, 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, […]