Holidays Archives - The Loose Tea BlogThe Loose Tea Blog

November 27, 2024

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 […]

October 24, 2024

Sips of Gratitude: Thanksgiving Teas & Treats to Savor

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 11, 2016

Halloween Tea Party Ideas to enchant your kiddos

Halloween is right around the corner. Are you ready? Here are some fantastic ideas that will make your Halloween tea party celebrations more festive. This dip platter is easy & decorative. And to make the pumpkin theme complete, serve your guests our Pumpkin Spice Tea Cocktail! Who doesn’t love cheese and crackers? This creative idea to make Halloween themed cheese slices is brilliant and will delight your guests. Enjoy it with our Cozy Comfort Tea Cocktail (right) or pair with our new Mary Shelley Green Tea, which features a spooky Frankenstein label (see the label in our featured image). These black cat sandwiches and witches brew soup pair beautifully with our Edgar Allan Poe tea! The brew is earthy with a hint of smoke […]

October 22, 2015

S&V Celebrates Halloween with tea

By Connor Lofink In October, the leaves have turned from their summer green to the bright reds, oranges, and yellows of autumn. The air is crisp and it’s finally apple season. Every morning seems to start with a rake’s rhythmic scraping or the deafening whir of a leaf blower. Warm summer mornings are still fresh in your memory as you bundle up to brave the suddenly brisk dawns of Fall. By Halloween night, many trees have dropped their leaves and their gnarled limbs reach into the sky like boney fingers, ready to pluck a flying witch from her broomstick. The wind howls through the branches, twisting the trunks until they creak and groan like a ghoul. The spooky signs of the season are everywhere as people decorate their […]

December 31, 2014

Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies

Chocolate and mint … a perfect combination especially during the holiday season! We infused our organic Candy Cane Rooibos Holiday tisane in butter for a delicious, sweet mint flavor. “Tea” butter: 7 oz butter 3 Tbsp Candy Cane Rooibos organic herbal “tea” blend Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Add the Candy Cane tisane and steep on low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and steep for 5 minutes. Strain the leaves from the butter using a fine strainer or cheesecloth. Some of the butter clings to the tea leaves, so always make sure to use more butter than a recipe calls for when making infused tea butters. I strained the tea butter into a measuring cup to make sure I had enough […]

September 19, 2014

International Peace Day

September 21st is the International Day of Peace. This “day” was established in 1981 to promote the concept of peace throughout the world through education and social events that highlight ways to bring peace to our planet. The United Nations also makes an effort to promote, to warring nations, the observance of a cease fire on this day so humanitarian aid can be supplied. At noon on the 21st there is a moment of silence for meditation and to contemplate offering peace outward. This year’s theme is the “Right of Peoples to Peace” which supports the UN’s resolution towards peace and “recognizes that the promotion of peace is vital for the full enjoyment of all human rights.” There are many ways to encourage peace in ourselves, our communities […]

March 3, 2014

Put the kettle on for March Celebrations!

The internet is amazing. There are all sorts of things you can find. For instance, did you know about some of the holidays and days of importance in March? Of course, we have Fat Tuesday & Ash Wednesday (although these don’t always fall in March), the Ides of March, St Patrick’s Day, and the First day of Spring. But here are a few you may not have heard about…. March 3rd is I Want you to be Happy Day! Well that’s awesome! I think that’s the perfect holiday to share a cup of tea with a loved one. Or take a friend out for tea. Or, for long distance friends, raise a cup of tea in their honor and maybe send them an email, a letter, or give […]

February 12, 2014

Planning a Valentine’s Day Tea Menu

Are you planning a Valentine’s Day tea? Here are a couple of menu ideas. Try pairing our Rose Congou black tea with: Chicken salad finger sandwiches Onion and cheese tartlets Fresh fruit & cheese platter Butter cookies (cut into heart shapes and dipped in dark chocolate) Chocolate covered strawberries Tartlets filled with lemon curd and topped with fresh raspberries Another delicious menu option features our Violet Rose black tea blend: Smoked salmon sandwiches Cheddar scones with cream cheese Tomato and egg salad sandwiches Sponge cake with fruit and cream Red Velvet cupcakes Mini cinnamon buns

February 6, 2014

Valentine’s Day Tea and Treat Pairings

Looking for some sweet Valentine’s Day ideas try some of these fun pairings! Lavender Cream Chocolate Truffles will taste great with Simpson and Vail’s Victorian Earl Grey dairy, soy, and gluten free, vegan makes 12 large truffles, 20-22 regular size 8 ounces dark chocolate, divided 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk (canned)* 2 1/2 tablespoons** culinary lavender, chopped fine *Without shaking, open can of coconut milk, spoon out 1/2 cup of the thick portion at top of can for this recipe. **While this seems like a large measurement (and if you taste the infused coconut cream it is strong), once you add the dark chocolate the result is a subtle hint of lavender flavor. Chop 4 ounces chocolate. In saucepan, bring coconut milk and lavender to a boil, reduce to simmer […]

November 21, 2013

Holiday Gift Ideas for Tea & Coffee Lovers

Here are some great Holiday Tea & Coffee Gift Ideas for the Holiday season. And the best news … they are fun, easy & fast to create! Make your own teabags You’ll need: Tea Paper tea sacs stapler string paper markers Fill the Tea sacs with 1 tsp of tea. Fold over until the opening is closed, place a string on the edge and staple closed. Make a tea tag by cutting the paper into your desired shape (teapot, tea cup, flower, etc.). Write the name of the blend or the name of your gift person and any other information you would like (brewing information, information on the tea blend, etc…). Staple your tea tag to the other end of the teabag string. Put your handmade teabags in an […]