Master Brew Kombucha- Pineapple Peach

 

https://www.kevita.com/

 

I tried this Kevita from Walmart because I was there, I was thirsty and it was a decent price.  Also, you know I love trying new things.  This one was okay. It was sweeter then I would like and for me the flavors were not a match. I will stick with my own brew. 

Do you drink Kevita Kombucha?  What flavors do you like????

Homemade Iced Tea with Rockville Raspberry

I love my raspberries!  I don't have a lot this year, but I love what I do collect!  I decided to add them to my tea and I have to say it was the best raspberry iced tea I have ever made :)

 

 

I also used fresh mint and lemon balm from my garden too!  YUM!!!  So fresh tasting!!!

 

Since I did not have a lot of raspberries or mint I added some black loose leaf tea as well.  I put that tea in a disposable tea bag.

 

 

 

http://www.charlestonteaplantation.com/loose-tea

 

I have yet to go to this plantation- but I hear it is the only place in the US that can grow real tea.

 

I am telling you- nothing beats fresh brewed iced tea with real fresh ingredients!!!

 

 

 

 

 

June 19, 2018 National Iced Tea Day

 

June 10 is National Iced Tea day!!!  I love my iced tea.  My favorite homemade iced tea I think is mint with lavender.  I grow my own mint that I use in my iced tea.  My lavender plant has not done great, so I have two suppliers I use.  I use a straight lavender flower from France- I get it through the Ohio Tea Company,  https://www.ohioteaco.com/.  My other go to is a lavender mint mix from Oregon, https://madeinoregon.com/food-drink/food-and-drink/coffee-tea-hot-chocolate/wayward-winds-lavender-mint-tea-2oz.html?___store=default.

Chia seeds in my tea

My sister was telling how great chia seeds were for you.  She said she puts them in all kinds of things and in her drink.  I added the Chia Seeds to my tea and it was a nice addition.  They kind of popped as I "ate/drank" them.  I like them, and plan to add them more often.

To learn more see what Dr. Axe has to say:

 https://draxe.com/chia-seeds-benefits-side-effects/

"Chia Seed Nutrition Profile

• 137 calories

• 12.3 grams carbohydrates

• 4.4 grams protein

• 8.6 grams fat

• 10.6 grams fiber

• 0.6 milligram manganese (30 percent DV)

• 265 milligrams phosphorus (27 percent DV)

• 177 milligrams calcium (18 percent DV)

• 1 milligram zinc (7 percent DV)

• 0.1 milligram copper (3 percent DV)

• 44.8 milligrams potassium (1 percent DV)

The reason chia seeds are so beneficial is due to them being rich in fiber, omega-3 fats, protein, vitamins and minerals.

For example, one ounce (28 grams) of chia seeds contain about:

Chia seeds also contain essential fatty acids alpha-linolenic and linoleic acid; mucin; strontium’ vitamins A, B, E and D; and minerals, including sulphur, iron, iodine, magnesium, manganese, niacin and thiamine; and they’re a rich source of antioxidants."

Church Avenue Lavender - Cleveland Tea Revival

http://clevelandtearevival.com/


I enjoyed my first trip to Cleveland Tea Revival. I purchased some tea while there.

This is a quaint little tea shop in Cleveland.  I could not pass up the lavender tea, especially once I smelled it.

CHURCH AVE. LAVENDER

from 6.00oz

Our flagship blend is a white tea with fennel, lavender, and peppermint.  It's great served hot or iced.

I wanted to try this tea cold- so I made it warm. Since it is a white tea I made sure I had the water temperature was not too hot ( 185 degrees) and I did not steep it too long.  If your water is too hot or you steep to long you will ruin the flavor of your tea.  You will wilt the leaves and it will be bitter tasting.

Once steeped I pour it into a class of ice.  It is perfect and refreshing!!!  I had 3 co-workers try it.   Two of them like me loved it.  The other one was not real keen on- I think the fennel in it was too much for her.  I am a fan for sure!!!!

Superior Pho Mango Bubble Tea

http://www.superiorpho.com/

I've been enjoying this summer quite a bit.  We are doing compressed work weeks at my office.  That means four 10 hour days, giving me a day off in the middle of the week!!  How fun is that?  I have a day off in the middle of week along with the entire weekend.  My office rocks!!!

My friend Heidi, who is a teacher, has her summer off so decided to take advantage of both having Wednesday off.  She asked if I was up for an adventure and try a place that neither of us had ever been too.  I said sure and then she added that there was bubble tea!!!  Game on!!

We headed to Cleveland to try some Vietnamese Pho.  It was a rainy day, but the traffic was fairly light.  We got there in just over an hour.

It took us three tries, but we finally found the correct restaurant.  We first went to Superior Deli and then to Pusion, and then realized that Superior Pho was around back;







We each ordered Pho and mango bubble tea.  I got Pho Soup and a Vietnamese sandwich Combination plate.  It was fantastic.  Nothing beats that fresh taste.  The broth was incredible. I ordered a meatless Pho.  My broth and noddle soup came with a side of things to add to it.   I added lime, bean sprouts and Thai basil ( I avoided the jalapeno peppers)

My friend, Heidi, reminded me not to worry about American etiquette when eating.  Slurping was okay and expected.

AMAZING!!!!!  The bubble tea was very good,  It was thick- almost like a smoothie.



The restaurant had a wall full of praises!  I would recommend this place!

I then looked and saw we were 3.9 miles from a tea place I wanted to visit, so we headed there next.  Ah, the joys of a big city- so many wonderful places to try!!

Quince scones

http://www.quincebakeryandcafe.com/

I love it when a co-worker pick up Quince scones!!  The best scones in the area are at Quince in Kidron Ohio.  Now I just wish I had brought my good warm tea to work.   

When I have my own tea place, I plan on serving scones.  What are your favorite scone flavors???

from the website:

Quince Bakery & Café is the realization of a dream to bring the freshness and simplicity of nearby Pioneer Farm to the square of Kidron.  In fact, farm fresh eggs, meats & poultry, produce, and other products are featured at Quince whenever possible.  And when not locally produced, you can be sure our ingredients are absolutely fresh and wholesome. 

Importantly, we strive to be a favorite destination for locals and tourists alike.  Whether you dine in or take out, we hope that you love the Quince experience as much as we've enjoyed serving you.  And make sure you stop back the next time your in town!

But we aren't just about great food and pastries. Founders Deb, Rachel, and Jean Geiser are excited to share new (and international) techniques in food preparation, tasty recipes, and the growing trend of sustainable agriculture.  Importantly, once you've discovered Quince, you'll certainly want to visit Pioneer Farm where you'll see a glimpse of 1819 on the grounds of one of Kidron's earliest settled farms.

Bombay Sitar Indian Masala Chai Tea

I love Indian food, and there is great place in Canton Ohio called Bombay Sitar, http://www.bombaysitar.com/.  It has exceptional Indian food and also the Saturday buffet is my favorite time to go.  A great price and all the Chai tea I can drink!!  I love their Indian Masala Tea.

This place also holds great memories for me too.  One of my favorite co-workers, Charlie, who passed away- helped me discover this place with his wife Robin.  Charlie and Robin taught me all about Indian food.  Charlie had been to India and had tried all kinds of Indian food all over the US- he said that this was the best place he ever found.

Mothers Day 2018 with Smith Tea Kandy

I love my mom!!!  All the good lessons I have learned can be pointed back to my mom.  She is a strong Christian woman.  She doesn't gossip or talk about others.  She is kind and caring.  She is super creative and crafty- in a good way!! She loves to laugh and have fun.  She is devoted to my dad and us girls.  She is giving and strong.  She is an amazing cook and hostess.  

For Mother's Day this year, which is also my dad's birthday she made my favorite pie...elderberry pie!!!!  I love it and it is the only time I have milk (unless is some black teas).  I eat my pie in a bowl of milk

I enjoyed my pie with Kandy tea from Steve Smith Tea.  It is a great tea with pie.

https://www.smithtea.com/products/kandy

"Named after one of the most beautiful cities in Sri Lanka, Kandy brings together full and flavory Dimbula with highly aromatic and intense Uva and lightly scented high-grown Nuwara Eliya. A tea made for sipping with pleasure all day."

My mom and my younger sister and I on Mothers Day 2018

bucha- raspberry pomegrante

 

We enjoyed trying this new brand of Kombucha.  This stuff is gut health in a bottle.  I love the flavors and varieties out there.

http://www.mybucha.com/flavors/raspberry-pomegranate/

from website:

"Organic live kombucha (purified water, organic evaporated cane juice, organic black tea, kombucha culture), organic pomegranate juice concentrate, organic raspberry juice concentrate, organic elderflower flavor and other natural flavors, organic blueberry color, red cabbage color, organic locust bean gum, and Bacillus coagulans: at least 1 Billion CFU’s at batching"

Turkish Tea Cups

I wanted Turkish tea cups to go with my Turkish tea pot and Turkish tea table.  So, I found these beautiful cups on line.  Yes, Amazon!!!!  Man, they have it all.

I do love these delicate cups and saucers!  They are exactly what I pictured going with my table and teapot!  I've been watching "How To" videos so I'm ready to make the real tea!!

These cups an saucers ARE the real deal from Turkey!!!! 

so authentic - am I romanticizing this too much?  I just picture this table and tea pot being used in Turkey and the women who sat around it....talking and sharing. 

My table is set and I'm ready to go!!!

Bird & Blend Tea Subscriptions

I am a little late in sharing this, this is from 2016....

I love love love Bird & Blend- I am willing them to come to Ohio and let me run one of their stores!!  I love their tea and fun ideas.

 

https://bluebirdteaco.com/us_en/shop/tea-subscription-34.html

 

Tea Club Subscription

The best club in town! Join our monthly tea tasting club, or gift to a tea-loving friend.

 

• Monthly Tea Subscription with no contract, cancel anytime

 

• 3 new teas to try every month, up to 30 cups worth

 

• Free Perfect Tea Spoon and Infusion Sacs in first box

 

• Just £7 p/month + P&P

 

 

I tried the monthly subscription from Bluebird Tea (now Bird & Blend) with my birthday money.  I really liked it...but with the international shipping it was too expensive.

so many fun ones to try....  I will share what I think of each blend as I try it