Hibiscus Iced Tea

I am love Hibiscus Iced Tea.  Hibiscus is tart, but oh so refreshing and delicious.   

To make a pitcher of iced tea, I add 1/4 C Sugar, and 7 or 8 tsp of Hibiscus.  I have also added Tazo Passion tea to the mix.  I have also added fresh mint from my garden.  It is fun to experiment with the flavors.

When I was Guinea West Africa, they make this tea and use a ton of sugar.  They call it Bissap.  The sugar that they sometimes use is a vanilla sugar, they also add mint.

There are some great benefits to hibiscus tea....just be sure you are not cancelling out all those benefits by adding tons of sugar to the tea.  You can also add mint or other herbs to the hibiscus to help offset the tartness of the tea.

1. Protects with antioxidants. The hibiscus plant is rich in antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C and anthocyanin
2. Fights inflammation
3. Lowers blood pressure
4. Lowers cholesterol
5. Promotes weight loss
6. Fights bacteria
7. Supports liver health

I took this tea to work and it was a hit.  I served it cold, but it can also be served hot.

It is a beautiful color too.  

Butterfly pea tea - trying it with lemon and with oranges

https://www.ohioteaco.com/Butterfly-Pea-Flowers_p_795.html

https://www.naturalhopeherbals.com/products/musculoskeletal/moringa_mint_tea/

Organic Green Tea, Organic Spearmint leaf, Organic Chamomile blossom, Organic Moringa leaf, Organic Lavender buds.

I can't stand chamomile tea, but I honestly don't taste it in this tea.  This is my new favorite way to make the Butterfly Pea Tea.  This mix of lavender and spearmint is so good!

I zested and squeezed fresh lemon into the tea.  Once I do this the tea turns a beautiful purple color.  Butterfly pea tea is so unique- anytime you add citrus to it, it turns from a blue color to purple.

I took some to work for my co-workers to enjoy.

I also tried it with an orange, it was good, but I think I prefer a lemon or lime.

Because of the green tea- I heat the water to about 170-175 degrees, I don't want to bruise the leaves or get a bitter taste.

I do a teaspoon of tea per 8 oz of water.  For a pitcher of tea, I add 7-8 scoops of tea.

Here is the orange I zested and squeezed.

Before citrus is added....

after citrus is added....

Earl Grey wanted to check it out too.

The darker purple one is the lemon.  The bluer one, is the orange- I don't think I added enough citrus to the tea.

The gals loved.  One co-worker enjoyed the lemon butterfly tea so much, that she is paying me to make it by the gallon for her.  She brings in her pitcher and I bring it back a few days later full of butterfly pea tea,  (No butterflies are injured in making these teas)

Two thumbs up from everyone for the butterfly pea tea.

Pioneer Coffee Pumpkin Chai, Dalton Oh

https://www.pioneercoffeeroasters.com/

I was in Dalton the other day and decided to get a chai at Pioneer Coffee.  It has been about a year since I was here.  I don't come that often, because the prices are high.  But, I do appreciate the ease of the drive thru.  Also, there are no other tea places in the area.

The drinks and food are good, but the prices make it difficult to come here often.

The chai is really good and I enjoyed the pumpkin flavor, but the prices are too high for me.  A large chai is $5.75, but to add flavor is even more.  Pumpkin pie is another .75.  Having a dairy senstivity I try to avoid milk, so if I want oat or almond milk it is another .50.

Pioneer offers lots of latte options. 

They are open 7am- 5pm, Monday- Saturday.

I was also at P Gram Dunn in Dalton.  They have all kinds of fun things in their store too.  I took a selfie in front of this fun pumpkin sign.

https://www.pgrahamdunn.com/

Starting my dream business...Traveling Home Tea Parties

I have designed my new logo...

Tea from around the world shared with the world....

I love tea and I just want to share it with everyone!  I am going for it!!!  I want to share my love of tea with the world.

When a door shuts, sometimes it’s time to try another door.  A dream I was pursuing did not pan out.  I prayed about it, but God didn't give me a peace to move forward. So, I prayed about it and decided to pursue another dream.  I’m going for one of my tea dreams…bringing tea, joy, and Jesus to the masses!!! I am offering home parties!  

Someday I hope to do more free tea parties in my home- but for now I’ll only be offering that 1-2 times a year.  However, I now will bring the tea and goodies (if you want the goodies- for a small fee) to you!! $40 gets you 5 teas of your choice, serving up to 8 people.  See page for more details.  

Available nights and weekends.  Learn about tea and how to make it correctly.  Try fun and unique teas.  Spend time with friends, family, or whomever you’d like to invite.  First 5 miles of travel is free, then .50 a mile after that. I PROMISE NOT TO SELL YOU ANYTHING!!!! There is no tea company is sponsoring this- these are just teas I enjoy.  

This is my "old" logo.  I still love it, but it won't be my primary logo any longer.

Let’s take Kerrie’s Cup of Tea on the road!!! Yep- the Cuppa and Kettle Cafe can come to you!!!   I can do taste testing style or a tea party style.  Taste testing papers provided as well- guests can make notes about the teas they try, it also is a good reminder how to prepare the perfect cuppa.  We can also talk about the tea notes in each cuppa.  Available for evenings and weekends.  Contact me for more information. I will custom a party for your needs.

I so far have done a tea for a grandma, her daughters, and grandkids.  I have a 9 year old birthday party scheduled, I also am doing a retirement center, I have an office break time scheduled for afternoon tea, and I have an Inn tea party planned.  I have a ladies Bible Study who are interested, a garden party group who are interested, a girls friend group, a church group, and a family talking about having a party too.  Each party is custom to their needs.

I had some aprons made- I found this guy in China who does the logo's on the leather.  I found him on Etsy.  He is great, Richard Yang, of NostalgicSahara. 



 I gave myself $500-$700 to start this business. I decided to go all in.  I became an LLC, talked to the Ohio Department of Health, and I soon will get a business bank account.  It is all coming together. And I am so excited. I want to give God all the glory for this new venture.

Kettle's On is a free tea tasting I do in my home once or twice a year.  But, now, I am coming to your home.

I am doing tea flights too.  I got my tea tasting boards on Amazon.  I even do a bubble tea flight. It is not on the menu- but it can be ordered. 

For a nominal fee I will bring treats.  I will get pre-packaged treats or pastries...nothing home made, so that I don't have to deal with the health department, lol. 

I created these "tea tasting sheets"  I find it easier to read than the tea wheels. This way we can talk about tea flavors and notes.  We can make it was educational as you like.  I can teach you how to make the perfect cup of tea too.

I also made these tea tasting sheets- you can write what you like or don't like about a tea.

I am not sponsored by any tea company.  I am not selling anything, I am just sharing the teas I love with you.

                                           

Contact me if you have any questions.  I look forward to serving tea to you and your friends.