Teavana Sakura Allure and Ohio Tea Company Tulsi Leaves

Shout out to Rudy Whistle Pottery for my mug!!! I  love Jody's pottery.  She has such a talent. She is a gem herself too.    https://www.instagram.com/rudywhistlepotterystudio_/?hl=en

I love to play with my tea and mix it up a bit.  I like Tulsi leaves, or Holy Basil tea. There are some great benefits of these leaves too.  So, I decided to buy just the leaves at Ohio Tea Company and mix them with teas that I drink so I can get the extra benefits.

https://www.ohioteaco.com/

Ohio Tea has over 60 kinds of herbs and spices that they sell.  You can have fun mixing and matching for some extra health benefits with teas that you already love.

Tulsi Leaves- "Regular consumption of tulsi may lower blood pressure and cholesterol by regulating cortisol levels, reducing the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other related diseases. It can also help relieve headaches and may lessen anxiety and depression for some.  Regular consumption may lead to better sleep... Treats Gastrointestinal Disorders...Relieves Arthritis... Regulates Blood Sugar and more." https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-tulsi-766436#:~:text=Regular%20consumption%20of%20tulsi%20may,may%20lead%20to%20better%20sleep.

When I make tea in the french press, I put the tea above the press so that I can lift the press when the tea is done steeping, that way I don't over steep it.  Or I put the loose leaf tea a tea bag to steep.

This Sakura tea is an older tea that I have had for awhile, so I doubled the amount of tea that I put in to be sure I would get the flavor notes coming through. 

The sakura tea was super tart and I am not sure that it was the best to mix with the Tulsi leaves.  But, you don't know until you try.  If you don't play around you could be missing the next best thing!  Never stop trying and thinking outside the box with your teas. 

This one was just okay.  The thing I realized that it might be time to toss the the Sakura tea.  Four years maybe too long to have a tea. 

GTS, Tantric Turmeric

https://gtslivingfoods.com/offering/synergy-kombucha/tantric-turmeric/

GT’s Kombucha* (Kombucha Culture*, Black Tea*, Green Tea*, Kiwi Juice*), Fresh Pressed Turmeric Juice*, Fresh Pressed Carrot Juice*, Fresh Pressed Ginger Juice* and 100% Pure Love!!!

I love turmeric and I love this kombucha!  I have my first homemade batch of turmeric ginger kombucha brewing right now at home.

This stuff is great.  I love that there was carrot juice in there too.  This is definitely my new favorite kombucha. You get that ginger kick and the earthy carrot notes and then the almost undeniable curry notes from the turmeric. 

Glasses up, I love this one!!!!

 

Super Milk Tea

https://www.amazon.com/500g-Super-Original-Sachets-Order/dp/B013OW3GD8

If you like the idea of a 2 in 1 or 3 in 1 tea, google it.  There are lots of varieties and choices out there.  I have seen Earl Grey 3 in 1 teas, Roasted Milk Tea 3 in 1, Ginger Tea 3 in 1, and more.

From the website, "SUPER Milk Tea Original is made with premium milk tea blended with sugar and non-dairy creamer giving you a full-bodied and creaminess tea taste we know you love."

I became a fan of these 3 in 1 teas when I was in Malaysia a few years ago.  I don't drink them too often because of the sugar that is added.  I try not to add sugar to my tea, but I have to say I love the combination of these teas with sugar and non-dairy creamer that is added.

This tea is super easy to make.  It is instant, so you are just adding hot water and stirring.  The only down side is sugar that is included.  The tea is flavorful and creamy with a bit of sweetness.

Dreamland Tea house removable kettle

I could not believe that this set was only $11.05 and free shipping.  It is so cute.

It comes from China, I think that is why it is so inexpensive.  It also does not come boxed.  But, thankfully it comes with instructions.

This one is super cute and I really want to finish it in one evening, but Earl Grey keeps sitting on the pieces, making it hard to get it completed.

The actual "shop" part of the cafe is the mug itself, which is clever...and it comes out and it also free standing.

There are lots of extras with this one.  2 people, a cafe cart and the covered umbrella table.

My little collection, is not so little any more.  

Tea Drops, Citrus Ginger

https://www.myteadrop.com/products/citrusgingertea

Ingredients: organic raw cane sugar, organic dried orange peel, organic dried ginger, organic dried spearmint, organic orange extract, organic lemon extract

Enjoying my birthday mug with this instant tea.  You put the tea drop in the mug, add hot water and go.  I stir it at first and then not again.  I let the sediment stay at the bottom of the mug and then add more hot water and I can get two cups of tea out of one Tea Drop. 

This instant citrus ginger tea would get a 5 out of 5 if there was not sugar in it.  I wish they made some Tea Drops without sugar.  I like my tea plain, no sugar.  But, there is no denying this tea is good.  I like the subtle citrus notes with the kick of ginger.  I am a fan. 

Tea inspired gift bag idea

I went on a ladies retreat in March in Tennessee.  I only knew 2 of the gals when we left Ohio, but I ended up making lots of friends by the end of the weekend.

We rented a big house on the lake- talked about Jesus, worshiped, ate, talked, laughed and relaxed

Our "speaker" was David Paul Tripp- I highly recommend him as a good leader and speaker.  Looking to be inspired in your daily walk with God, check him out!!

https://www.paultripp.com/about

In doing this retreat we were all supposed to bring something to share with the other 16 ladies on the trip.  That way we would all go away with a great goodie bag.

Well, I wanted my item to be tea related, of course.  So, I spent some time on line and decided to give a bag with loose tea and a steeper in it...then I saw these adorable little bowls that the steeper could sit in so that you did not get tea all over the place between cups of tea...so, I bought those too.

If you ever have a need to give a little something to a group of people, let me recommend this idea.  It was not too pricey, I think less than $3 a person, but I sis already have the Tea Forte tea packets.

Look at all the fun bags ready to be handed out.....

People were super creative with what they gave. 

Teavana White Jasmine Silver Leaf

This is an older tea, from Teavana.   I know it is older so I added more tea than normal, like 2x times more than normal.

I added almost 6 tsp of tea to the steeper when I made it.  Be careful when making white tea, you don't want to have your water get too hot or you will damage the leaves and it don't taste good.  No one likes bruised tea leaves.

When I make tea in the French press, I put the tea above the press so that I can lift the press when the tea is done steeping, that way I don't over steep it.  Or I put the loose leaf tea a tea bag to steep.

This tea was okay.  I am not sure if it was because it was older or if since it was a white tea it just was not as flavorful as I hopped it would be.   It was not bad, just would have liked more jasmine notes.