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, […]
April 17, 2024
After months of darkness and cold we are now rewarded with warmer temperatures, sunnier skies, and beautiful blossoming flowers. We’re honoring these fragrant blooms with our new Floral Teas Gift Box. This beautiful box contains four exquisite aromatic blends: Floral Nectar, Black Tea For those lovers of lavender, this tea provides a unique tasting experience. It’s lavender all the way, from the delightful floral bouquet to the tantalizing lavender liquor. The addition of sweet, succulent apricot fruit flavoring to this blend produces a cup that is full bodied with a uniquely sweet, floral taste. Lilac Bouquet, Black Tea Springtime wouldn’t be complete without the intoxicating aroma of lilacs blooming! This tea blend brews to a deep amber cup with a fragrant taste that leaves a delightful flowery aftertaste […]
March 28, 2024
We live in a hectic, fast-paced world, I’m not telling you anything you aren’t already experiencing! More than ever, we’re all seeking to create a space for self-care. One avenue that more people are exploring is the world of herbs, specifically wellness herbal blends. Recently, there has been a significant surge in the popularity of herbal wellness tea blends. Blends for stress relief and blends to aid with cold and flu symptoms haven been of paramount importance recently as well as blends for overall well-being and a variety of specific ailments. I started my journey of herbal exploration in my mid-20’s when I discovered an online class called “The Science & Art of Herbalism” with Rosemary Gladstar. The impact this class had on my life was immense. In the mid-90’s […]