Last week I ran into her at the Crested Duck Charcuterie’s Valentine’s Day Dinner.  She told me that the tea article was going to run Thursday February 16th.   When I opened the article I was so humbled to be highlighted amongst the other Tea-preneurs in Pittsburgh.  After all my business has taken a slightly different path than originally planned.  However, this other path, I am sure, is leading me down the right road.  It just may take a bit longer to get there.  I am fine with it as long as I have a cup of tea in my hand.

Bee Well.  Drink Tupelo Honey Teas.

The Tea Lady

Peace. Love. Tea.

The Tea Lady

Thanks to a friend who followed her chocolate lovers nose into a small shop in Lawrenceville, I found Sinful Sweets by Christopher George.  This artisanal chocolatier hand dips everything from your normal pretzels to hand made toffee with bacon bits.  Don’t be fooled though because nothing about the shop is ordinary.

The owner, Chris, is as passionate about chocolate as he is restoring cars.  He told me between himself and his roommate they have 8 cars that they’ve restored.  It is hard to imagine a gear head with tatoos is also a big foodie.  He will drive for food including one of his favorite places in Cleveland called “Melt”.  Chris has painstakingly searched all over for high quality chocolate and he found it in Chicago.  The problem is he is too small to have his orders shipped.  So he makes a trip out to the windy city to pick up supplies.  I can relate to this kind of passion as I have done the same thing with tea.  Buying from different suppliers who have the best tasting teas.  Sure it is more expensive to run a business like this, but in the end it is important to people like Chris and I to have a product we are proud to put our name on than on a bigger bottom line.

With this introduction let me tell you what we have up our sleeves for you!  There has become increasing awareness on how chocolate, specifically dark chocolate, and tea, specifically black tea, has polyphenols that are good for your health and heart.  In fact, the other day in the Post Gazette was an article showing how black tea can lower your risk of having a heart attack.  If you have already had a heart attack, drinking three or more cups of black tea per day can significantly lower your risk of a second heart attack.

Chris and I are putting together our polyphenol rich products to make a delicious, healthful, and exciting present to give your sweetie this year for Valentine’s Day.  We have put two ounces of Tupelo Honey Teas together with his Half Pound “Love” Bar in combinations for everyone!  To kick off this promotion, we are offering a sampling on February 4, 2012 at Sinful Sweets, 4415 Butler Street in Lawrenceville from 10am until 1pm.

All flavored chocolate bars must be pre-ordered by clicking here.  You can also order at the tasting on February 4 or by stopping into Sinful Sweets.  If you would like plain chocolate bars with simple black tea, those will be ready made for purchase at the Sinful Sweets shop from February 4th until right after Valentine’s Day.  All pre-orders will be available for pick up starting Saturday February 11 until Valentine’s Day.

We hope to see you all at the tasting!

Peace. Love. Tea (and Chocolate!)

The Tea Lady

First, we opened a retail space at the Pittsburgh Public Market.  It was one of the best things we

Our Shop at the Pittsburgh Public Market

have ever done. Between meeting other entrepreneurs and meeting our clientele, it was an experience that will be hard to ever duplicate.  Being able to educate people on tea each week was one of the things I will miss most about no longer being there.  In the latter half of 2011, we made the extremely difficult decision to leave the market.  It was not what we ever thought we would do, but it was an important step to moving forward with our business.

Second, we designed two brand new lines of teas called Yinzer Teas and Teas Around the World.  All of the teas in the Yinzer line are inspired by Pittsburgh and the people of the steel city.  The Teas Around the World line are teas that are based on regions around the world which are known for specific teas.  So far we have two teas out for each category with several more teas in the works.

First Clay Growler

Third, we revolutionized the Growler.  Last summer we started offering hand thrown pottery Growlers that were thrown on a wheel by local artist Garick Tai Lee.  Lawrenceville’s famous Dave Calfo designed the handles out of recycled materials.  Together with these two mavericks, we put out a gorgeous growler that was so different from the normal glass growlers, that we sold out of our first round in a mere 24 hours.  Our second round was created in late fall and is more gorgeous than the first.

Fourth, to go along with the Growlers, we started offering fill ups.  For a mere $5, you could bring your Tupelo Honey Teas Growler back

Newest Growler

and get fresh, delicious iced tea.  The tea stayed colder longer because of the properties of clay, it keeps the temperatures for several hours versus typical glass.  Again, this older concept for craft beer was adapted and used for tea.

Fifth, we attended the World Tea Expo East in Philadelphia.  There we found a supplier of a type of tea I had seen and was interested in, Guayusa (pronounced WHY.U.SAY).  There were new innovations in tea along with interesting designs for tea accessories.

However the highlight of the trip was two fold.  First, I got to meet Mr. Harney, owner and founder of Harney and Sons.  He was so nice and down to earth even admitting he had worked for a short time out of college in Pittsburgh.

The Tea Lady and Mr. Harney

Second, I watched a tea ceremony that brought her to tears.

The ceremony was created by a young woman whose family owns a Pu-erh tea garden in China.  Because Pu-erh was a working persons tea, traditionally, there is no elegant ceremony to celebrate it.  Set to music, the ceremony was unreal.

Sixth, we started supplying tea to a new coffee shop, Graham Central Station in Cranberry Township.

Last, when we left the Pittsburgh Public Market, we launched a brand new website.  This is now going to be our main means of sales.  We are still working out some kinks on the site, but since launching, we have been flooded with orders.  Thank you!

So with 2012 here, our resolutions are simple:

1.  Continue to offer high quality, delicious, organic teas.

2.  Spend more time blending.

3.  Do more education in the community.

4. Offer my clients as much tea related information on my website.

5. Collaborate with as many local artists as possible.

We hope you have a healthy, and prosperous 2012.

Bee Well.  Drink Tupelo Honey Teas.

The Tea Lady

First and foremost, we are so excited to kick off the holiday season with our 12 Days of Giving!  Each day we will be offering deals, however, some of the deals will be limited.  It is best if you stop by each day to see what we have on sale.  The 12 Days of Giving is also helping to launch our brand new website.  Take some time and browse around.  Just understand we are still working out the kinks (see point number four).

Second, the rumor is true.  We did leave the Pittsburgh Public Market.  It was not a decision that was made lightly and it was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make about this business.  The truth is I am a mom first.  This business comes second to my family, always.  So when the hours at the market started to affect my children, it was time to call it quits.  As sad as I was to leave, I knew it was the right decision.

Third, where can you find us now?  Well just for the holiday season, we have our tea in 5th Avenue Place at the store full of local vendors.  It is a limited selection but it is some of our most popular teas.  We also will still have some teas down at the Pittsburgh Public Market at the Crested Duck stand.  Those guys have graciously agreed to carry some of the more popular blends.  Or you can order from this brand spankin’ new website.  It is ready to work, I think, which brings me to my next point.

Fourth and Last, this website has been in process for a few months.  When my web designer and I decided to launch on December 1st, neither of us anticipated just how many adjustments it would take to get things running smoothly (a LOT goes into making things look good and work!).  If there are some things missing, it is not due to laziness.  It is that crazy, mysterious pain in the rump thing called code.  Rest assured we’ll work out all the kinks. In the mean time if something seems off, send us a quick email (you can even use the quick form here) so we can make sure we’ve got it covered. We want you to enjoy your time on our site, and hope you’ll find just what you were looking for.

As Always,

Bee Well.  Drink Tupelo Honey Teas.

Pu-erh Tea: What is it?

Going back to the original question of what makes Tea Tea, we see that any part of the Camellia Sinensis plant that is steeped in water is true tea.  All other plants that are steeped are considered Tisanes.  Using that definition, Pu-erh is a tea as it comes from a longer leaf varietal of the Camellia Sinensis.

Pu-erh is grown in the Yunnan providence of China.  This area is known for its older, long leaf tea trees.  In fact the Yunnan area contains over 200 varieties of tea trees.  Wild Tea Trees were domesticated over 2100 years ago with three varieties of Ancient Trees still producing.  The Bada Wild Tree is over 1700 years old; The Nannou Mountain Tree is over 800 years old; The Bangwei Ancient Tree is about 1000 years old.

Aside from the fact that there are ancient trees producing some of the Pu-erh tea, what else makes it “different”?  Well the processing of the tea is unique.  Most teas are best consumed with in a short time after they were picked, but Pu-erh actually gets better with time.  Think of it as a fine wine that gets better with age.

Pu-erh also has many health benefits.  It is often considered “The King” of teas for its ability to help lower cholesterol, digest oily foods and heal aches.  This tea, because if it’s processing, actually contains beneficial microbes.  The processing makes this tea very unique in flavor and in its ability as a medicinal drink.

Read next week for the nitty gritty of how Pu-erh is processed and picked!

Bee Well.  Drink Tupelo Honey Teas.

The Tea Lady

My first idea stems from my clients, who more often than not, approach my table asking for teas from far away lands.  I have a love of travel and so with each question about a tea from so and so place, my mind began to wander.  I thought it would be a neat concept to attempt to blend teas similar to those found in the places I can only dream of at this point in my life.

The first tea to be blended was my Moroccan Mint.  Although my blend has a twist to it, I am always so surprised by how many people say it smells EXACTLY how they remember the tea smelling in Morocco.

I’ve been asked a number of times about Turkish Tea, specifically the apple tea.  I searched high and low for information on what is possibly in a Turkish Apple tea and I found one mention.  From that I made Tupelo Honey Tea’s version of a Turkish Apple Tea.  It got RAVE reviews at all of the tastings and was actually the favorite from ALL the teas tasted.  I’m pretty proud of this tea.  I still am not sure it if it tastes like the true Turkish Apple Tea, but it is our version, which includes Apple Pieces, Sweet Cinnamon and Cloves.

My second line of teas comes from my love of the ‘Burgh.  I’ve traveled, lived other places and during winters dream of moving to a tropical island, but the truth is I will probably never leave Pittsburgh.  I am constantly pleasantly surprised by the city and the community of people who live here.  This has inspired my next line of teas called “Yinzer Teas”.

Yinzer Teas are teas based on our great city and its people.  Each tea blended with a specific Pittsburgh thing in mind.  We started in the winter time with our Yinzer Black and Gold tea which was blended just in time for the Steelers run to the Superbowl.

This week we are rolling out our two newest Yinzer Teas; ARRGHnold and The Jagoff.  ARRGHnold is loosely based on the popular drink the Arnold Palmer, who ironically is from just outside of Pittsburgh.  It is also a tribute to our Pittsburgh Pirates as a nice cool drink at a ball park is so perfect for summer.  It is a Black Tea base with Lemon pieces and Organic Lemonade flavoring.   I’ve tried it both hot and cold and think it is delicious!

The second tea is The Jagoff.  To anyone not from Pittsburgh, this is a Pittsburghese term meaning “Jerk”.  The Jagoff is a black tea base with spicy peppers in it.  Your first drink tastes like black tea and the second wave of flavor is spicy pepper in your throat-  JUST like a jagoff would do!  This tea is not only to fool your friends, but also has medicinal properties for the up and coming winter.  With a touch of honey, this tea can help open up your sinuses and sweat out a cold.

I have several other ideas for new teas in each line, but of course am always looking for inspiration.  If you have ideas, email them to me!

I hope you enjoy the new teas as much as I have making them!

As always,

Bee Well.  Drink Tupelo Honey Teas.

The Tea Lady

** Because of an issue with the printer, these teas will unfortunately not be available this weekend.  I apologize for any inconvenience. — The Tea Lady**

1 part Vodka infused with Tupelo Honey Teas Cinnamon Plum Tea

1 part Calvados or any Apple Brandy

2 parts Tonic Water

Add to a shaker with ice.  Shake and strain into a martini glass.  Add a slice of apple soaked in brandy and a cinnamon stick for an extra kick.

Passionate Cranberry Margarita

1 part Alize Vodka with Passion fruit and Cranberry

1 part Tequila Blanco infused with Tupelo Honey Teas Passion Fruit Rooibos Tea

1 part Cranberry Juice

A handful of Frozen Cranberries

Ice

Add all parts to a Ninja blender or other type of strong blender.  Grind until the ice is smooth.  If you’d like, rim the glass with sugar.

Jasmine Sangria

Brandy

Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, & Blackberries

2 Tbsp Tupelo Honey Teas Jasmine Green Tea

3.5 Cups hot water

1 Bottle Glade Pikes Niagra Wine or any sweet white wine

Put the fruit in a bowl and cover it with brandy.  Let it sit over night.

Bring the water to just under boiling- about 180 degrees or when bubbles start to form on the bottom of the pot.  Turn off the heat, add the tea and cover.  Set a timer for 3 minutes.  Strain over a pitcher and put the liquid tea into the refrigerator.  Do this the night before.  (Tea leaves can be resteeped for a cup of tea or they can be placed around your bushes or in your compost pile).

In a pitcher add the tea, wine and strained fruit.  For an extra kick add a few tablespoons of the brandy from the fruit soak.

3/4 C All purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/3 C firmly packed brown sugar

1/3 C granulated sugar

1/4 C butter softened

1 large egg

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 C heaping Tupelo Honey Chai, ground fine

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease baking sheets

Combine flour and salt in a small bowl.

Beat brown sugar, white sugar and butter in a bowl until creamed.  Add Tupelo Honey Chai, egg and vanilla until creamy.

Slowly add in flour mixture and drop onto cookie sheet.

Bake for about 10 minutes or until centers are set and edges are lightly brown.  Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes and then move to wire racks.

I found if you took them out too soon, they were soft but undone.  If you left them too long, they could literally cut you.  Yes, they cut me trying to scrape them off the sheet.

The reason I call them “crunchy” is because our Tupelo Honey Chai Tea has big chunks of ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon in them.  Even when grinding, these spices are still slightly larger than expected and can cause the cookies to be crunchy yet chewy.

These cookies were a BIG hit at the Urban Garden Party.  In fact, one man stood with me for at least 45 minutes and asked me questions about how to make them as he repeatedly moved his hand from plate to mouth.   The key is watching the time in the oven and making sure you grind, grind, grind the Tupelo Honey Chai down as small as possible.

Enjoy!

The Tea Lady

When the article came out, I couldn’t have been happier.  Dona Dreeland did a fantastic job with the article.  I’ve had many friends stop me in restaurants, on Facebook and at the grocery store to let me know how much they enjoyed reading the article.

Thank you again to Dona for such a perfect piece!

Bee Well.  Drink Tupelo Honey Teas.

The Tea Lady