Kerrie's Cup of Tea

I love tea. I have created this page to discuss all things tea. Camellia Sinensis -Black, Oolong (Wulong), Green (Matcha, Sencha, Gun Powder, Genmaicha, Gyokuro), White, Yellow, Purple, Pu-erh, Chai, Blooming, and Kombucha. Also, Mate, Rooibos, Honeybush, Herbal, and Tisane Teas. Loose leaf/bagged/powered/instant. Iced/hot tea. Tea infusers/strainers, tea kettles, tea timers, tea pots/cups, steeping times, tea goodies, tea houses, and more! Do you share my passion of tea?

African TEA!! Hibiscus flowers from Guinea

My friend went to Guinea, West Africa and brought me a bag of hibiscus flowers for tea!!

Soaked the flowers for 5 minutes to get the dust off.

rinsed off the dust- then boiled the flowers in 1/2 gallon of water for 8-10 minutes

add 1/3 cup sugar to the gallon container

strained the flowers

but the 1/2 gallon tea in, then filled up with cold water- to make a full gallon.

I used my spoon that my friend Emily gave me. She is an International Worker in Africa too!!!

SO GOOD!!!!!! I am a fan of the straight hibiscus tea.

Ladies Repository

http://www.zimmermanburyoctagonhouse.org/

http://www.octagonlr.com/

I've seen the Octagon House for over 40 years every time I go North on 57 towards 585- there is sits. Well, it seems in the last few years it has come to life! The other day when I was traveling I noticed there was an open sign, so I went into the gift shop.

who am I

I have told you about Kerrie's Cup of Tea...but who is Kerrie?

*First and most importantly I am a child of God, that makes me a daughter of the Risen King. God is first and foremost in my life.

*Next I am a daughter, sister, and aunt. I have two amazing parents, two wonderful sisters, two great brother-in-laws, one terrific niece and three incredible nephews.

*I am a friend

*I'm an ESL teacher to some amazing students.

*And to support myself and my cats, Orange Pekoe and Chai, I've worked for a local insurance company for over 20 years. My dream job is to own a tea shop and use it as a ministry. I recently started home tea parties- I bring the tea to you.

*I have recently lost 61 pounds. It's a constant battle, but one I will win.

*In my free time I drink tea, make jewelry, write (I have five Christian romance books published and one Tea book on Amazon), knit, attend rodeos, do paint by numbers, play card/board games, watch NASCAR, cheer for the Buckeyes, Browns and Packers, watch HGTV, take photos, go on mission trips (Over seas I've been to Africa twice, Spain three times, France, Thailand, Malaysia, and Dominican Republic twice). (In the states I have been to Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Rhode Island, and Cleveland)

*I also love geocaching with my nephews, working around my over 100 year old house, going on adventures, entertaining, and hanging with family & friends.... and basically embracing my singleness- it's a gift right now.

*God has blessed me with an amazing life- I want to give Him all the glory!!!!

Cold Brewing Tea

My "Go to" teas ....

Here are my go to teas...

Carpenters Cup (Smithville OH)- Bent Nail

Sure House (Orrville/Wooster, OH)- Golden Milk Latte, with maple syrup instead of honey & with Oat Milk

Peets-Mighty Leaf Wildberry Hibiscus Tea Fog

Starbucks- Iced Passion Tea, half the syrup

Panera- Chai

(Not a fan of Dunkin Donuts Chai Teas or Heartland Point Chai Teas)

TOP 5 Favorite Loose Leaf Tea Companies... Bird & Blend (England), Ohio Tea Company (Ohio), Smith Tea (Oregon), Sub Rosa (Ohio), and Tea Forte (Massachusetts)

If I drink bag tea, I like- Stash, Harney & Sons, The Republic of Tea, and Mighty Leaf (I like companies that also make loose leaf tea- they do a nice job with bag tea too)

Favorite Tea- Oolong

Favorite Flavors in Tea- Coconut, Lavender, Jasmine, Hibiscus

STEEP TIMES and WATER TEMPS FOR HOT (Loose Leaf) TEA:

Black tea: 3-5 minutes, water temp between 200 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit

Chinese Green tea: 3-4 minutes, water temp between 170 and 185 degrees Fahrenheit

Japanese Green Tea: 30 sec - 2 minutes, water temp between 170-185 degrees

Sencha: 2 minutes, water temps between 175-190 degrees Fahrenheit

Gyokuro : 3 minutes, water temps between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit

Genmaicha: 1 minute, water temps between 175-190 degrees Fahrenheit

Purple: 3-4 minutes, water temp between 160 and 170 degrees Fahrenheit

Oolong: 3 minutes, water temp between 190 to 200 degrees

White tea: 4-6 minutes, water temp between 160 and 170 degrees Fahrenheit

Flavored White: 2 minutes, water temp between 160 and 170 degrees Fahrenheit

Pu-erh: 3-7 minutes, water temp between 205 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit

Yellow tea: 3 minutes, water temps between 160 and 170 degrees Fahrenheit

Rooibos tea: 6-7 minutes, water temp between 205 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit

Honeybush Tea:5-8 minutes, water temp between 205 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit

Chai tea: 5 minutes, water temp 200 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit

Herbal tea: 5 - 6 minutes, water temp between 200 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit

Mate tea: 5-6 minutes, water temp between 180 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit

Tisanes tea: 7 - 9 minutes, water temp between 200 to 212 degrees Fahrenheit

Blooming tea: 3-4 minutes, water temps between 175 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit re-use bloom 4-5 times

Matcha Tea: water temp between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit

Kombucha