Starbucks, Passion Tea- Vancouver and Denver

In Vancouver WA

I love the Starbucks Passion Iced Tea.  I always get it with half the syrup though, otherwise it is way to sweet for me.  I like to make it at home to with Tazo tea (see below)

 

 

Starbucks Iced Passion Tea

Total time: about 20 minutes
Prep: 15-20 mins

Ingredients:
Water
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 single teabag of Tazo Passion Tea
Ice
Directions:
Set at least 1 cup of water to a boil.
To make sugar syrup: In a small microwave safe bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of water and 2 tablespoons sugar. Microwave bowl, uncovered, for 20-25 seconds on high. Stir mixture to dissolve sugar. Set aside.
Place teabag in a large heat-proof glass. Measure 1 cup of boiling hot water, and steep tea with hot water. Remove and discard tea bag after tea has steeped for 5 minutes. Set tea aside to cool at room temperature for about 10 to 15 minutes. Pour tea in a serving glass and top with desired amount of ice. Add a few teaspoons of sugar syrup into the glass, and combine well with iced brewed tea. Serve immediately.

 

In Denver

Blackberry Scones

These are my sisters AMAZING Scones!!!  Usually they are blueberry and lemon- but she had some black berries that my nephew picked, so she used those.  They were soooooo good!!!!

2 c. flour​  (1 C whole wheat pastry flour, 1C regular)      

⅓ c. sugar​

2 tsp. baking powder​

1 tsp. grated lemon peel​

½ tsp. baking soda​

¼ tsp. salt​

1 c. Plain Greek yogurt​

1 egg

¼ c. butter, melted

1 c. fresh or frozen blueberries (thawed)

​

GLAZE:​

½ c. confectioner’s sugar​

1 T. lemon juice

½ tsp grated lemon peel

 

In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients.  In another bowl, combine the yogurt, egg, and butter.  Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.  Fold in blueberries.  Drop by heaping tablespoons 2 inches apart onto a greased baking sheet.   Bake at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes or until lightly browned.  Combine glaze ingredients; drizzle over warm scones.

SOMA Kumbucha, Pear -Fennel

While visiting my sister in WA, we were shopping at Chuck's.  They were doing some special taste testings.  I was able to try some new Kumbucha's.  I love these drinks!!!!!  While there I met and talked to this great, energetic guy!  He told me about all the flavors and let me try them all.

https://www.facebook.com/SOMApdx/

http://www.symplefoods.com/

You can rent a keg for an event!!!  I am so jealous!

My all time favorite was the Oak Cask- it must have been everyone's favorite, because they were all out of it.  I did have two overs I really liked- Pear Fennel and a blueberry one.  

****There are over 4  TRILLION PROBIOTICS per BOTTLE!!****

I wish I lived closer!  I have not found one at my grocery store that I like. PLUS- you get $1.50 bottle refund.  So, I paid $3.38 a bottle, but then I got $1.50 back.  They also sell by the jug.  Man, this stuff was good....and good for me!

If you are in the Pacific Northwest/Portland area, I recommend this Kumbucha!  Maybe I can get some shipped to me.  It would not be the first time :)

Hibiscus Iced Tea

I have always liked hibiscus tea.  I am a huge fan of Starbuck's/Tazo's Passion Tea.When my friend Barb went to Guinea Africa she brought me dried hibiscus flowers to make some iced tea.  I had never made tea that way and was excited to try it.  I immediately loved it. I never went and searched for the dried flowers again, but always hoped some day to find some.  Then this week while visiting my sister in WA, I found dried hibiscus for $5.99 a lb at Chuck's grocery store.  Thrilled I bought a pound.  Now, setting out to remember how to make it, I reviewed some things on line, and made my own recipe and I very pleased with the flavor!!!  Some may like it sweeter, or with a lime squeezed in- but I like it just the way I described it below....

steeping the flowers 15 minutes, then straining into a bowl.  Or if you have another pitcher, that would work too.
I throw out the hibiscus into the garden, they are good for compost.  I have tried to make a second batch of iced tea with the already used flowers, but it does not work.Look at that color!! It is gorgeous!

Look at these beautiful dried flowers!!  And they smell so good too.

Note- this is two cups of dried hibiscus photoed, I decided not to double, but to go one and half.  So, this photo is wrong- I ended up taking out a half cup.



Hibiscus Iced Tea

Makes 2 quart

• 1 cup (15 grams) dried hibiscus flowers
• 8 cups boiling water
• Ice
• 1/2 cup sugar

I took the recipe one and a half times.  I brought 12 cups of water to a boil, and poured it over 1 1/2 cups of hibiscus flowers for 15 minutes.  Add sugar as you like it, but add when the water is warm. (I don't add much sugar, so I still only put in a 1/2 cup).  Strain into a container and add ice.


*note- I added some lemon sparkling water to my second cup.  I liked the flavor and the fizz.  So, that is another option too.  Make it 3/4 tea and 1/4 sparkling lemon water.

There are many benefits of hibiscus- see this article   https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/beverage/hibiscus-tea.html  

Tea Chai Te Portland, Bubble Tea

https://www.teachaite.com/

Visiting my sister in WA. We headed to Portland, one of my favorite places to visit.  I love Tea Chai Te!!  I have been to the Sellwood location twice and have had wonderful bubble tea.  I also got a great Coconut Oolong from them- they shipped it to me.  I am a huge fan of the atmosphere/vibe and tea they have.
Today I got an amazing Lavender bubble tea- so good and refreshing!

I picked up some Lavender Earl Grey too.  Last year I visited a tea shop with my sister and I had a lavender earl grey and it was delicious - so, I decided to give this one a try too.

This is me in my happy place!!!

Stop in visit them!!  If you like tea, you will not regret it.  they have lots of variety and you can sniff away and see what is your cup of tea.

Tea Bar, Portland

http://www.teabarpdx.com/

While visiting my sister and her family in WA.  My niece suggested we go to the Tea Bar, since I love bubble tea.  We spontaneously jumped in the car and headed to Portland.  I was excited to drink out of the fun Mason Jars.

Picking out our tea

My bubble tea is being made.  If you have followed my blog for any amount of time, you may know my flavor choice.  If not, I'll tell you it was Lavender.  

The gal working was SUPER friendly and helpful.  She answered all our questions and was very kind.  She made suggestions and I was very pleased with the service.

I am a huge fan of Lavender Bubble Tea.  This was sooo good.  I was very pleased with the tea and the taste of the "bubbles",   We were disappointed though, that we did not get Mason jars.  The place closed at 8, and we got there around 7:20, so we thought maybe they did not want to have to wash them :)

I enjoyed my tea 16 oz, for $5.00.  My niece got a Lavender lemonade, but she said it was a bit bitter.  

My sister said her tea was good, pricey, but good.

Cute place.

Tea Forte Jasmine pearl iced tea

I love jasmine tea.  I had it once cold, and I thought I would try to make it at home.  I loved it!!!!

 

When I was a tea shop in Portland, I learned that you should soak your jasmine pearls for 30-50 seconds before you make your first pot of tea.  I found that interesting, but now I do it every time.  The lady said you get a better first cup of tea.

 

 

Steeping- BUT NOT in boiling water, it will burn the leaves!!!

I let it chill in the frig.  Or if I wanted it right away, I would pour in a cup with ice.

 

Look how they opened by the time I am done making tea.  I find that you can make a second cup of iced-tea with the jasmine, since it only steeps 2-3 minutes.  Again, do not over steep, it will get bitter.