Tea Talk

The definition of a tradition is a custom or belief that is passed down through the generations or done time after time or year after year. An example of a tradition is carving pumpkins at Halloween, eating turkey on Thanksgiving, putting up a tree on Christmas, or dying colorful eggs at Easter, and maybe even dressing up your dog in a silly costume with pink bunny ears ― Sophie was a good sport. Whether you’re a teatime rookie or brew loose-leaf tea every day, the act of making tea is universal. You boil water, infuse tea leaves, and then enjoy...

Oolong teas have become my new favorite teas. Besides their wonderful flavor profiles, they have some amazing health benefits. I won’t make any medical claims, but there’s lots of science out there singing the praises of Oolong teas. I love to start my day with my limited edition Rou Gui Oolong. It’s almost sold out, and I’ll be so sad when it’s all gone. I also enjoy Organic Ruby Oolong for its robust flavors of cacao, raisins, and black cherry when I need something a little bolder. Oolong tea is the middle child between its older brother black tea and...

As a child growing up, I always looked forward to the Easter holiday. No school, dying Easter eggs, and the competition between my brother and myself to create the most colorful and beautifully decorated eggs were intense. On Easter Sunday, my mom, dad, brother, and I would go to our sunrise church service, followed by a special breakfast at our favorite restaurant. We then went home to search for our hidden Easter baskets. My mom created the most amazing baskets lined with "grass," stuffed to the brim with all our favorite goodies: decorated eggs, marshmallow chicks (Peeps), chocolate rabbits (who...

I’m excited to let you know about the changes I’ve been making on the website and physical store location. I still have all the great teas you love, but in an updated website and an updated, fresh new storefront - I haven’t moved. I’m still at the same location inside Eight Legs Gallery; things are just improved. When I started the tea shop, I put a lot of thought and creativity into my logo, website, and marketing ideas. I was happy with what I had put together. However, as most of you know, when you work with something over time,...

This Wednesday is St. Patrick’s Day. For all of you who are Irish or anyone who secretly wants to be, this is your day to celebrate. St. Patrick’s Day recognizes the heritage and culture of the Irish people in general and commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. There is the traditional Irish-American meal of corned beef and cabbage, and of course, the beverage of choice is “green” beer. I still fondly remember my first frosted glass of the “green” beverage as a young college student. So, how do I celebrate now? By drinking lots of Green...