Sure House, Orrville, Chai

https://www.surehousecoffee.com/

Sure House Coffee opened in Orrville.  I went on opening day

The line was long, people were excited to have a coffee shop in town.  Even though it was a coffee shop I waned to see what tea they had.

There were some fun tea/chai options.

I liked the vibe.  It was clean and simple.  Since it was opening day I wasn't sure if they had just not completed the decor or if they are going for the minimalistic look. Either way, I liked it.

I also liked the handsome, hip looking guys behind the counter.  It was nice to see men who knew what they were doing. Nothing against teenagers, but I felt like the guys knew what they were doing and I was going to get professional service.  

They were also dressed for the part.  I thought that they looked like guys I would see in a big city like NYC or Europe.  

Here is the coffee drip station.

Pastry area

I purchased a chai with coconut milk. I have to say the service was good, but the chai flavor was only so so.  It was very generic and nothing special. It was maybe a little too sweet too.  I think maybe they need to have me come in and help them tweak their chai.

I will be back to see if the flavor was a first day issue, or if that is the way it always tastes.

I have to say they have a fantastic back drop- Who wouldn't love to have an Orrville water tower in the background. I think it is perfect for photos #Orrville 

Beacon cafe, Winesburg, Chai

This cafe is right on 62.

Address: 2157 U.S. 62, Winesburg, OH 44690

Phone: (330) 359-0742

I was in Holmes County playing tourists with some friends. On my way home I was looking for some warm chai and I stumbled upon this cute cafe!!

They seemed to have a nice menu too, but I wasn't hungry.  

It's nice and clean.I'd love to come back and hang out a little longer here. It is a very nice set up.

Their chai was very good. It was not a liquid concentrate, it was a powered blend.  And I enjoyed it very much.  It was a nice smooth blend.  Perfect for a cold day.

They even have a nice seating area outside.  It's a great area too.

This is the back, where the parking is located.

This is the exterior of the cafe, parking in the back.

My frothy lid looks like a smile!!!!

Diet Pu-erh cake tea

My friend Carrie bought this Pu-erh diet tea cake. when we were in Old Colorado Springs.    She was told that if she drank it they said she should she would lose 6 pounds a week.  She bought the cake, it was around $25.

https://www.yellow-mountain-organic-tea.com/

She had me make it for her, she said it was "jacking" her up.  Making her feel jittery and cranky.  So instead of throwing it away she sent it to me to try.  

I had trouble getting past the green tea flavor. So, despite the smile I really did not like the tea.

I guess this is not the option for me to loose 50 pounds :) 

Getting organized

I know I am constantly posting about how I am getting my tea organized, but I AM ALWAYS looking to stay organized.  I feel the more organized I am the more I will drink my tea.  I will know where everything is and I will use.  

I keep my bagged tea organized in my in the great caddy that my dad made me.  I just love it, it's  perfect was to display my bagged tea.  My dad has some of these that he sell, they are $60 if you want one.  You can use it for many things.  I have a friend that puts her flower seed packets in it.

I got these cart on wheels to store all my tea in.  Each basket has a different type of tea in it.  It is PERFECT for my tea storage!!!   One bin has Rooibos tea, one with Mate tea, one with yellow, purple and white tea, one with Oolong, one with Chai teas, one Bubble tea, 2 with green, 2 with herbal, and 2 with black teas

This cupboard I use for my favorite mugs and cups.  My dad made this wonderful large cupboard!!!  I took the doors off.

I use this rolling cart to store my K cups and hot cocoa.  I also have some flavoring that I use to put in tea. I have Lavender syrup that I add to mint tea and also chai tea.  This piece comes from a garage sale in Illinois for around $8.00.

This is my carousel that I use for sugar and honey.  I actually don't use sugar, but friends I have over- have the option of using sugar or honey.

I have my Kombucha supplies as well.  I love drinking Kombucha.  It has helped me give up soda.  The only time I find self having a coke is when I am out of Kombucha or really stressed and want something "stronger" to drink.  Thus piece I got at a benefit auction for around $3.00!

more Kombucha supplies.  This was a great garage sale find!  I think I paid $5.00 for it.

Here is another piece that my dad made.  I have some many wonderful pieces from him!  I store my extra tea supplies in here.  

Boy would I love to have a tea shop someday and put all of this tea knowledge to us.  I hear people say that they don't like tea and I think you just haven't found the right one, or it wasn't made correctly for you.  I just love tea and how many different ways you can drink it.

I can take a black tea and drink it warm or iced.  I can add milk.  I can make it cold brewed.  I cam blend it with another tea.  I can make Kombucha with it. The possibilities are endless.  If you ever want to dry tea let me know, I am happy to help you find something you may enjoy.

Kevita Master Brew- Lavender Melon

https://www.kevita.com/lavender-melon/

I tried this Kombucha when it was on sale the other day.  I wasn't sure about the melon  in it, but when I tasted it I fell in love with it!  The mix was perfect.

If you follow me at all you know I love lavender.  So, I was super excited to try this tea, but also tentative because of the melon.  But, the flavors worked.  That is why I always say you never know if you will like it until you try it!   Try things, you never know you may just find you really like something!!

This one was a winner!!!

Buy bulk sugar

I find that when I make Kombucha I go through a lot of sugar.  I make 3 gallons a week and that takes 3 cups right there.  I also make 4 gallons of iced tea a week- I add 1/4 cup of sugar to each a gallon.  So, just in my tea I go through 4 cups a week.  I have found buying it in bulk is a great buy for me!

I used to buy in these tubs, but still not cheap. Now I go to the bulk store and buy it.  Then I use these containers to store my sugar in.  It is working well for me,

Do you buy anything in bulk?  IF so, what?

$4 thrift shop tea set find

I found this pretty little tea set for $4 at a thrift shop the other day!!!  I have found that if I go to our local Goodwill and thrift shops after our towns garage sale I find some great deals.  This year I got this  tea set.  It was still in the original box.

It's almost like the paint is 3D, it is raised and you can feel the lines.  For $4 I could not pass it up.

I decided to display my tea sets. They all have some fun memories.  One I bought back from Africa.  One my sister and I bought in NYC in China town.  One is from a family I know that used to live in Turkey.