Yellow Mountain Tea House, Colorado






I was out in Colorado Springs visiting friends that I have met through our church.  On my way to seeing my sister in Washington I spent 2 days in Colorado.  
We decided to try this tea house in Old Colorado City.  My friends said I was an easy guest- as long as tea was involved I was happy!  It is true- give me tea and/or a photo opp and I am very happy!!!





fun teas and tea accessories


This was a nice tea house.  They had a nice selection of tea and tea accessories in the shop.  The gals that were there were super friendly and helpful.  If I lived closer I would visit this place more often.  The prices were reasonable and they had a nice selection.


We had our choice of seating.  We could sit up on the "stage" with an open base.  Or in the back of the room.  The seating area in the back was divided by fun bling, fringe curtains.


We decided to sit in the back.  We each picked a tea we wanted to try.  We were able to do a Chinese Tea Ceremony for $5 a person.  I thought it was a great price.  It was a fun treat.  

Janet went with a blood orange herbal tea


Carrie went with a Matcha and I went with my favorite Coconut Oolong.




The gal came and set up our table with all the tea supplies.

The table had marble base with a trough around the edge.  She poured hot water in the tea pots and cups to warm them up. She then poured the water out into the trough.  There was a small hole in the trough and the water ran below into a container.



The gal prepared each tea.  The herbal tea she let steep in the pot the longest, since a herbal tea you usually steep for 5-6 minutes, Then she made my Oolong since it steeps for 3-5 minutes.  Then she made the Matcha- since that is usually whisked together for a few seconds.  She made a pot of each tea.
With the Oolong tea she used a bowl and lid to pour the tea into a pitcher....using the lid to keep the leaves out.  With the Herbal- she had a tea pot and she used a "stick" to keep the leaves from entering into the serving tea pot.





THE GAL OFFERED US  SWEET TEA LEAVES- CARRIE ENJOYED THE SWEET TEA LEAVES, JANET AND I DID NOT.  WE FELT THE LEAVES HAD TO MUCH OF A "STEVIA" TASTE.  THEY WERE TOO SWEET. 
 from the website- "Chinese sweet tea is a traditional Chinese herbal tea, made from the leaves of Chinese Blackberry (Rubus suavissimus). These leaves contain a natural sweetener, called rubusoside, which is 200 times as sweet as cane sugar. The tea has long been used to alleviate kidney symptoms, and a recent Japanese study also indicates that it has anti-inflammatory effects and helps against allergies.
Sweet tea leaves are no sugar but contains 5% ~ 8% high sweetness Rubusoside, a diterpene glycosides, low-calorie high sweet substance, 300 times than sucrose sweetness, the degree close to the pure sweet sugar, heat production is 1% of sucrose and no accumulation. It is the best sugar substitute for all ages.
It can be used in processing pastry, bread, beverage, chocolate, as well as home-made cooking. It is good for people, especially those who suffers from diabetes, obesity, hypertension, constipation, bronchitis, pollen-allergic, rhinitis, angina and also good for those heavy smokers and drinkers.
Wild sweet tea leaves live on altitude of 2,000 meters mountain, pure nature environment, pollution-free. Sweet tea has a special taste, mellow flavor, quenching thirst, is a rare, valuable, new natural health tea for all seasons drinks.
It contains 18 kinds of amino acids, especially 8 amino acids which cannot be absorbed from food only produced from our body such as lysine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, also rich in various body necessary trace elements and many kinds of vitamins. The high nutrient content is one of the hallmarks of sweet tea. "


Watching the process....

Carrie pouring her Matcha. She really liked it.



We each got a cute little tea pot and a little tea cup- "bowl" to drink tea from.



Love these gals!!!  Carrie and I met in Thailand in 2015 and Janet and I met in 2017 in Columbus.  Even though I haven't known them long or spend much time with them- we connected.  We are all Christians and share a love of the Lord- that is a great base for our friendship!



I was glad I ordered the Coconut Oolong- it was by far my favorite!  I tried Janet's Blood Orange and it was good, but I could not even finish the Matcha tea. It was way to grassy tasting!!!



We ordered chicken steamed dumplings and rice pearl meat balls.





Carrie was checking out the Pu - erh 

Pikes Peak



So much fun in Old Colorado City



Menno Tea

 
My office supplied one of our lunches with Menno Tea.  I got the Just Mint flavor.  I have to say it was not my favorite taste.  It's just spearmint.  Plain spearmint is not my favorite, I am more a fan of peppermint- or a mix of spearmint and peppermint.

I love the concept that these guys started Menno Tea in their college dorm room!!!  And that they made it work, I love that!!!!

I have to say I am jealous of their wheels!!!  I so want a tea vehicle like this!!!
Can't you just see me in a purple Volkswagen bus white tea cups all over it!





https://mennotea.com/

Bird and Blend Cold Brew Tea





from the website:
"Hand illustrated and designed by our Teabird George, a summer essential perfect for any dinner party, bbq or just in the fridge door. Chill. Steep. Drink. Repeat!

What are the benefits of cold brew tea?
Cold brew tea is infused slowly over time to extract more goodness, producing a deliciously mild but flavourful taste with no hint of bitterness.How to make cold brew tea?Place 4-7 teaspoons into the glass bottle, fill with cold water and then refrigerate for 3 - 6 hours. Once ready to serve, the in bottle filter catches your loose tea leaves, for the perfect cup.



Do I have to cold brew my tea in water?

Cold brewing in water is a great way to get refreshing iced tea, but there are many ways you can cold brew! Here's a couple of our top ideas:

- Lemonade & Ginger Beer
- Vodka & Strawberry Lemonade
- Prosecco & Blue Raspberry

The fun doesn't stop there you could use tonic water, coconut water, lemonade, prosecco, spirits, milk alternatives or even cream soda! There are so many varieties, find your fave combo of liquid and tea and let us know!

 Don't forget to share your cold brew's with us on all of our socials! #BirdandBlendTeaCo #ColdBrewTea #ColdBrewBird " 




Bird and Blend has some teas that they recommend for the cold brew tea.  One of my favorite is Strawberry Lemonade.  The bottle for cold brew is $36.85- It is not cheap.  But, I do like it.  My only issue is you really have to watch the top and make it secure or it can "pop" off.

Bolthouse Vanilla Chai Tea


I love this stuff!!!!  It is just the right mixture of  spices and I love that it is soy and not milk.  It is dairy and gluten free.  There is no chalky taste, it is smooth and refreshing. 


I am huge fan of this chai.  And when I see the store has it on sale I usually buy a bottle or two.  


Ingredients: Soy milk from Concentrate (Water, soy, and milk concentrate), Cane sugar, Soy Protein Isolate, Natural Flavors, Acacia Gum, Sea Salt, Green Tea (Water, Green Tea Extract- Natural, antioxidant rich green tea. Chai spices of cardamom, clove and ginger. A hint of real, tropical grown vanilla.)

Soy Milk From Concentrate (Water, Soy Milk Concentrate), Cane Sugar, Soy Protein Isolate, Natural Flavors, Acacia Gum, Sea 

Eranthe tea bags



From the Eranthe website:
  • " ❤ TOP QUALITY MATERIAL -- Our Tea Filter Bags are made from food grade Natural Wood Pulp Filter Paper material, chlorine-free, ultraviolet sterilization & infra red drying process, make sure they are safe & healthy for your daily use.
  • ❤ PERFECTLY KEEP THE TEA FLAVOR -- Natural eco-friendly filter papers are slim and thin with the perfect permeate function, let you can get the original flavor of the tea at utmost.
  • ❤ SIMPLE TO USE AND CLEAN-UP -- The professional drawstring type design let the tea-leaves never enter the mouth to influent taste. And the Tea Filter Bag is degradable that allow you directly discard it, also used tea bags have a lot of physiotherapy.
  • ❤ USE IT ANYWHERE ANYTIME -- Our Tea Filter Bags are portable and convenient for you to carry anywhere. Especially suitable for tea-time, friends meet, use teapot to brew.
  • ❤ MULTIPURPOSE -- Our Tea Filter Bags can be widely used for making Tea, coffee, Coffee milk tea, Herbal tea, Chinese herbal medicine, Foot bath bag, Condiment bag, Putting bamboo charcoal inside to taste and purify air, Perfume bag, Camphor ball, Making desiccant etc. "

I love these bags for making iced tea and kombucha with loose leaf tea.  They are durable and hold a great amount of tea.

 

When making iced tea or Kombucha I need a larger amount of loose leaf tea.  The opening of the bag is nice to scoop tea inside with a spoon.  If you are looking for a nice nice tea bag, this is a great one!





Homemade Tea stand

Some may see a lemonade stand, but me?  I  see a TEA STAND....


A friend was getting married and wanted a lemonade stand at the wedding.  She saw these on pintrest.  






A co-workers husband was able to make one for the wedding.   I want one!  I think if I had the right tools I could make it from pallets and 2x4's.  It is so cute!  Perfect for the sale of TEA!!!




It looked great at the wedding!!!  And now I want one!  I want a tea stand!  I could sell Bubble tea in the summer and Chai in the fall.



A beautiful outdoor wedding with a vintage theme.




Teavana poached pear



This is not good tea.  I am sad to say I did not like this Teavana tea.  I tried it warm and cold brewed.  There was too much cinnamon and not enough pear flavor for me. The cinnamon was too over powering. 

Teavana is no longer in business. so unless you have this already in your home, you probably will never have a chance to buy this tea.  And in that case- you are okay, you have not wasted your money.




Trying it cold brewed- not a fan.

Hibiscus flower/tea


I love hibiscus tea!  And this plant is gorgeous too. I am going to try to grow one next year by seed.



I love this flower!  I love that God had made so many flowers, I have to say this is one of my favorite flowers.  It's big and bold...kind of like me- hahahaha



Here is some tried hibiscus flowers I bought, these flowers make the best iced tea!!!  I like the tart and sweet flavor of the tea. 
I put the loose flowers/tea in the Eranthe tea bags and run it through my iced tea maker.  I just use about 1/4 cup of sugar with the tea and water and it makes my all time favorite tea.  It is just like the Passion Tea that Starbucks and Tazo sells.


See how beautiful the color is!!  I am able to run the water through twice and make 2 gallons of tea.





Bird and Blend Tea


Oh happy day!!!  I got an assortment of Blue Bird Tea.- now called Bird and Blend tea.  I love this tea, my only issue is the tea company is in England and the shipping is pricey.  This company is great, they have a ton of flavors.  
I love to watch their website- they are always doing fun things with tea.  Even if you don't buy their tea, you should follow them on social media.  They also do mixology workshops and have fun recipes posted on line.
I have contacted them several times when I have purchased tea and let them know if they ever come to the states to let me know.  I want to work for them!!



This is my BlueBird Cold Brew container. 


I did a one month tea subscription, I wish I could continue the subscription, but the shipping is too much.  You get 3 teas for $17.95, but with US shipping it was more like $22.  I then purchased other teas too.  

Muggswigx Coffee and Tea




My friend, Paula, was given two gift cards for Muggswigx tea in Canton.  She said she never goes there, and thought I may like them.  I never had been thee, but I was thrilled to try it.

These are the loose leaf teas that they sell in the store.


With my friends gifts cards I was able to buy some loose leaf tea- Tropical Tisane Tea, and some chai tea.  100g for $8.90- a bit pricey, but since I have a gift card it was free.



This is a very nice, clean place.  Again, reminds me of the tea shop I want to have some day. 



The staff was super friendly.  There were not many people in the shop the day I was in, but I hope it stays busy!!



This was a very nice chai.  It had a nice spice to it.

I also really enjoyed the tisane tea.  I would shop here again.  Prices of loose leaf tea where a bit high, but overall I would recommend this tea shop.



Real Vanilla Bean Kombucha



A co-worker does some work with some vanilla farmers in Mexico. He hooked me up with this vanilla bean.  They sell for $6- if you are interested.

I never knew that vanilla beans were bendable and almost soft like.  They smell amazing!! I decided to make some kombucha with the vanilla.  I also am making some vanilla extract with the pod.





Look how a good pod bends.



I made the kombucha base- with only black tea.


    These are the seeds- they are so tiny!


I sliced open the pod and scrapped out the seeds,  I also never knew the seeds were so small.  I added the seeds to each gallon of kombucha.

Then in 8 days after the kombucha was ready to bottle and make it carbonated.   When I took the mother out of the F1 Kombucha, I could see all the vanilla beans attached to the mother- it was a bit odd.    But, I tasted the F1- before the kombucha carbonated and it was really good.  You could totally taste the vanilla in the kombucha!  I had no idea how it would turn out, but the flavor was wonderful.





Now, I have bottled it with apple juice for a week to make it carbonated, and the real test will be how it tastes then!  I will let you know how it turns out!



I finished the kombucha on Saturday evening but I waited until Monday morning to try it until I got together with my tasting buddies!!  I have been having fun trying flavors with Scott and Doug.  Doug is the one I got the vanilla seeds from. 
It was hard to wait to try the kombucha, but I really wanted to wait for the guys to try it.  The results are in- we love it!!!  My boss bought 3 bottles of it.  
We said that the vanilla flavor is suttle and you taste it at the end.  I am so very pleased with the results!!