Tea Talk

Happy Fall! Are you a Cha lover? Cha? What’s Cha? Did I mean chai and spelled it wrong? Nope. “Cha” and “tea” are two names for the same plant and beverage, originating from different pronunciations of the Chinese word. In the Mandarin Chinese dialect, the word for tea is pronounced “chá”. Countries that received tea through land routes, like the Silk Road, adopted “cha” or “chai”. Maritime tea trade routes became prominent, especially to Europe. The Dutch, who traded along the coast of Fujian Province, adopted the local term “te” or “tea” as we know it today. Therefore, “Chai” and...

White tea is a refreshing, health-boosting beverage that can help reduce your risk of heart disease, dental cavities, and insulin resistance. While it hasn’t been studied as much as green tea, it’s still a healthy addition to any diet. White tea leaves and buds are picked just before fully opening, while covered in fine white hairs—giving the tea its name. White tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant, the same plant used to produce black, oolong, and green tea. What sets these teas apart is their unique flavors and aromas, developed through different processing methods. White tea is the...

Fall and caramel are a perfect match, just like cozy sweaters and chilly fall mornings. As the weather cools, I’d love for you to try my Caramel teas. What makes Caramel teas so special? Well, just about everything. They offer great caramel flavor and great health benefits all in one great package. A Guilt-Free Indulgence Caramel Karma blends Ceylon black tea with green tea, rich caramel flavoring, and roasted almond pieces. Hearty enough to handle milk or cream, it’s perfect for a rich cuppa. Caramel Karma is a wonderful afternoon treat or a tea you can enjoy as a dessert...

I’ve always enjoyed mythology. The tales of Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, Hercules, and countless others have always captivated me. I could spend hours reading about their legendary exploits. But you might be wondering—what does green tea have to do with mythology? The green tea I’m about to share with you contains apples, which tie it to autumn, mythology, and the two stories I’m excited to tell you. Greek Myths: The Quest for Golden Apples Story number one: golden apples—who wouldn’t want to get their hands on some of those? In ancient mythology, everyone did, because these apples...

With September in full swing, it finally feels right to talk about my favorite fall teas without rushing myself and you through the seasons. When my kids were little, we always went apple picking, an event my kids looked forward to each year. We loved the fresh apple cider and donuts with cinnamon and sugar—yum! The big question was always what to do with all those apples. I'd make applesauce, apple cake, and my famous apple pie. Now that my kids are grown, we're continuing the tradition with my grandkids. But I have something else to add to the party...