The Belmont Tea house- Tao Tea

While visiting my sister in the Pacific Northwest I love to go to Portland and visit tea places. Before I left she sent me this article. She and I have been to most of the tea places they mentioned, so I decided I wanted to visit another new one this year.  I  thought Tao Tea was the one to do this year- and I was not disappointed. There is a Tao Tea house that looked fun, it had the pagoda house and looked unique, but it was $10 just to get in.  So, we decided this one would work.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/travel/sip-your-way-through-the-teahouses-of-portland-ore/2018/08/23/f62efe7a-9c

https://taooftea.com/

We made the right decision!!  The tea place was nothing exciting on the outside, but it was unique and fun inside. The food was delicious and the tea was wonderful..

The menu's

The interior.  I loved the table was made out of a tea crate!

Christy and I each got 500 Mile Chai.  We both had Indian Jaggery.  I got mine with almond milk and got hers with coconut milk. It was amazing how different they tasted with the different milks.  Both very good- juts different,

https://taooftea.com/product/500-mile-chai/

500 Mile Chai
Ingredients: 100% Organic Black Tea Leaves, 100% Organic Cinnamon, 100% Organic Dried Ginger, 100% Organic Cloves and 100% Organic Cardamom.

Tea with my sister....

Samosa Seasoned potatoes and green peas in lightly fried pastry, served with tamarind chutney.

Spinach Rolls Classic tea snack from Southeast Asia. Fresh spinach leaves served with shredded ginger, red onions, peanuts,
toasted coconut, mango chutney, & lime. Enjoy by rolling a different flavor combination each time.

Chinese Bao (Baozi) Two steamed buns filled with Asian greens. Served with Schezuan black bean sauce and asazuke.

Chana Chaval White chickpeas cooked in a mild North Indian curry sauce. Served with basmati rice. Garnished
with onions, tomatoes, lime, and cilantro.

You can see we loved the food!!  

Next door to the tea house/restaurant was the tea store.  They had a nice selection of teas, tea cups/mugs, tea pots, and tea sets.

Suja Peach Ginger Kombucha

I was at Walmart and I saw this new Kombucha that I had not tried before - and it was on sale for $2.99.  I thought I would try it...and I did.  It was great! 

I JUST noticed that Target is selling this Kombucha for .79 from 8/31-9/2!!!!  I am now going on a hunt for this kombucha!!!!!

I just got off the phone with Massillon Target- they did not have any Kombucha.  I called Wadsworth and it was a cartwheel deal- and the limit was 4.  I decided it wasn't worth the drive to Wadsworth if I could only buy 4 for that price.  I will stick with my home made brew.

This is good stuff!!!

https://www.sujajuice.com/product-category/kombuchas/

The Tea Dude - Phoenix

My fun new sign.  It looks like a church sign, which is fitting since I work in the Faith Department at work.

I found this sign at CVS for $9.99 and used my 30% off coupon.  I love it!!!

A co-worker found this tea and let me try it.  I liked it, I liked it so much I bought some on line!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TeaDude

From on line, 

“Description

My personal variation of Lady Grey. Light and very citrus with hints of orange, lemon and lychee. Perfect pick me for early afternoon! Use approximately 1 tsp. per cup.”

This tea not only smells great, it tastes great!!!  The citrus is what comes through in an amazing way.  The Bergamot oil is not overly strong- which makes me happy 😃 

1975 throwback - 43 years ago....

While at my sisters house I noticed in her cupboard this tea set.  I instantly had a flash back to when we were kids. These are photos I have on my blog and love looking at them and thinking that my sister and I enjoyed having tea together even as kids.

Now 40 some years later we still enjoy tea together.

Tea in the 70's in Ohio
I asked my sister if she would recreate this photo with me, but she said she did not have any green pants.  hahahahaha

When my sister and I get together we like to have tea....

Having tea in OR

Having tea in TN

Having Tta in OR

My sister and I having tea at the Plaza in NYC

Peets -Mighty Leaf Wildberry Hibiscus Tea Fog

Getting up at a 4 am is not something I enjoy.  I kept telling myself itself was 7 am at home in Ohio.  It didn't help, lol.  I hate mornings, but flying out  of PDX at 6:30 meant being at the airport at 5:30.

I was excited to see right by gate was a tea shop!!  And this Tea Fog was like nothing I had ever tried.  It was delicious!!!   There was a hibiscus blossoms and elderberry black tea mixed with lemonade and then a smooth honey.  It was fluffy and wonderful.  I enjoyed it a lot!!!

If you ever get a chance to try a Peets Fog drink, do it!!!

They have several flavors- Green tea tropical fog, Summer Solstice Fog, and Matcha.

https://www.peets.com/menu/tea-beverages

Wildberry Hibiscus Tea Fog

Floral and tart, this herbal infusion's berry flavors pair perfectly with bright lemonade and smooth honey. Blended slightly and served over ice, it's a lush, fresh drinking experience.

Leaving Portland the sunrise was amazing!!

Can you see all 4 Mountains???

I think I see Mt Hood, Jefferson, Adams, and I think Rainer in the distance

Old Town Battle Grounds - Pearl Jasmine- Jasmine Harmony

https://www.facebook.com/oldtownbattlegrounds/

I love hanging out with my niece!  She had the morning off and we got to run around and play together.  She is the best!!!  She is my favorite niece!!
She suggested this coffee/tea house.  She thought  I would like it...and she was right.  Cute tea shop in an old church.

http://thejasminepearl.com/jasmine-harmony/

Jasmine Green Tea*, Roasted Chinese Green Tea*, Lavender*, Lemon Myrtle*

I ordered some Jasmine Pearl tea for lunch.  This is one tea place I have on my list to visit in Portland.  I have yet to get there- maybe next year.

The tea was really good warm, so good I purchased it.  It was the only thing I purchased while on vacation.  I traveled for two weeks with only a carry on, I had to be picky about what I brought home, since I  basically had no room to bring anything back home- but I made room for this tea!!

This was a really good tea.  I actually bought some loose leaf tea to take home.

I had a really good Corned Beef Reuben Sandwich and my niece had a panini.  I also had a really good lavender chai tea- I blogged about that in another post.

Nice shop.  I thought it was nice.  In the basement they have donuts too- Dungeon Donuts.

great little gem in Battle Ground!

Trader Joe's Vanilla Almond Spiced Chai

I picked up this chai at Trader Joe's.  I have to say that Trader Joe's is my favorite grocery store!  I wish we had one close to us, unfortunately the closest one is an hour away- so I only get there about once a year.

http://www.traderjoes.com/digin/post/vanilla-almond-spiced-chai

From the website:

"Trader Joe’s Vanilla Almond Spiced Chai. Like the chai of yesteryear, our Vanilla Almond Spiced Chai strikes the perfect balance between comfortingly sweet and pleasantly spicy.

All the usual suspects are present (cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, and black pepper), plus the addition of vanilla extract to tweak the flavor profile—but unlike the chai of yesteryear, this Chai is vegan and contains absolutely no dairy. Instead, the spices are softened by pea protein powder, almond paste, and coconut cream. And this beverage isn’t just East-meets-West; Boasting 16 grams of protein per bottle, you might also call it: Nutrition-meets-Indulgence.
Down a bottle of Trader Joe’s Vanilla Almond Spiced Chai before or after a workout. Mix two parts Chai with one part TJ’s Cold Brew Concentrate for a protein-packed eye-opener.
At $2.99 per 16 ounce bottle, Trader Joe’s Vanilla Almond Spiced Chai is a steal no matter how you decide to enjoy it—so grab a bottle from your store’s refrigerated case today."

The tea was okay.  I think I like Bolthouse Chai better.  It was okay, but just not fantastic.  But, for the price it is a good deal compared to Bolthouse.  I drank it straight from the bottle, but you can mix it with things too- per the bottle.

personalized tea box

While out in Colorado my friend gave me this wonderful gift- a tea box!!

Since I had no room in my suitcase- I carried on the plane from Denver to Portland, and then Portland to Minneapolis and Minneapolis to Cleveland.

What a fun special gift I will cherish!  My love language is gifts and to get a tea gift is super special.  This special friend and I met in Thailand doing mission work, we have traveled to Spain and in February 2019 we will go to Malaysia.

Made it home safe and sound!!!