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Unofficially, Summer is Over! and Celebri-tea musings

Here in Ontario, it is feeling more like a fall day than a summer one, on this Labour Day. Labour Day - an unofficial end to summer. Tomorrow is a return to routine for many families.

So, on this fallish feeling day, what are you drinking? Still sipping iced tea? Or are you putting the kettle on today?

On another note, if he were still alive, today would be Freddy Mercury's 65th birthday, and the Google doodle is a fun tribute to the flamboyant and versatile lead singer of the legendary (well if you were alive in the 70's and 80's) band Queen. So out of curiosity, I thought I'd try to see if Freddy was a tea drinker. Certainly, it was easy to find out he enjoyed vodka. A little more searching seems to indicate that tea was an ordinary part of his life. Several accounts talk of his visits at his mom's and her preparing tea. The descriptions lead me to believe they are describing the beverage as opposed to the evening meal.

In his last weeks, tea was still part of his routine, as described by his companion Jim Hutton:

Back at Garden Lodge, Freddie set out on the last three weeks of his life. He remained in good spirits, though he took to his bed for long parts of the day. He didn't once talk about work. Some days he'd get up in the morning and come down in his dressing gown for a cup of tea before returning to his room for the rest of the day. And I'd take him a cup of tea, along with his beloved cats for company.

(Excerpted from http://www.findadeath.com/Deceased/m/Freddie%20Mercury/freddie_mercury.htm)

In fact, in a song called The Miracle, one of the miracles Queen sings about is Sunday mornings with a cup of tea; this miracle is listed along with other miracles, both man made and created by God and nature, with the song culminating in a chorus describing the great miracle we all want - peace. You can read all the lyrics here. Here's the song, recorded late in Freddy's life, but still sounding good, and featuring some pretty good child look-alikes for much of the song.

 

 

 Whatever you are doing today, whether it's slipping on a fall sweater and  heading out to one of the many fall fairs, staying in and curling up with a book, cranking some tunes, we hope you have a wonderful holiday and that tea is part of your day!

Cold Brewing is Energy Efficient!

On a sticky hot day, you may not even want to turn the stove on or get a kettle steaming hot. Here's a great way to make a pitcher of iced tea without involving boiling water - it's the cold brew technique.

The “cold brew” method is so simple and it makes fresh, naturally sweet and amazingly refereshing iced tea. Cold brewing is laid back  - you don’t have to worry about steeping it for too long like you would with hot tea. Tea brewed in this way releases fewer tannins from the leaves making it less astringency which leaves a bitterless taste.  It also keeps the tea transparent and doesn’t fog it up. What more could you ask for?

 

1. Use a Bodum pitcher or our Steeped Tea T-Sacs. The ratio of tea is 1:50, but adjust to taste.

2. Fill the pitcher with cold or iced water and allow to steep. This will take longer than it does for boiling water. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator (not the freezer!) for 4 hours or overnight.

3. When the tea is ready, remove the infuser or T-Sacs and pour tea into glass with ice in it. To sweeten, try stirring in the contents of a Steeped Tea honey stick. Enjoy your refreshing cold tea! 

Store the iced tea in the fridge and it will retain its quality for about a week - although we don't think it will last that long!

 

We've recently read that the cold brewing technique also works for iced coffee. I first read of this technique at Laura's Sweet Spot, and she refers readers to this article in the NY Times for an anecdote on cold brewing coffee. Both articles point outthat hot water brings out the bitterness in the coffee bean and that a more refined iced coffee is derived through the cold brewing technique. Since better coffee drinks start with better coffee, why not start with Steeped Tea's French Vanilla volcanic coffee. The suggested ratio is 1/3 c. ground coffee to 1 1/2 c water (this will be enough for 2 cups of iced coffee). Stir the coffee into the water and then put the container into the refrigerator overnight.

 

All of the online recipes I've seen talk about needing a sieve and coffee filters in order to strain the coffee grounds and silt from the coffee. It seems to me that using a French press, or the Brewt could simplify this step tremendously! To serve, pour into a glass prepared with ice, filling about 1/2 way. Then top with milk. Sweeten with a liquid sweetener - suggestions are simple syrup, coffee syrups, Honey Sticks, agave nectar or even sweetened condensed milk, and hey, if it's not a work day, why not splash some Bailey's in there.

 

Enjoy your cold-brewed iced beverages! Summer is only 1/2 over, so if your favourite teas for icing are getting low, just contact your Steeped Tea consultant to reorder!

Experimenting with Tea = Yummy Iced Tea Blend!

There are tea purists - for them nothing but plain tea leaves, without added flavours are their preference. When they describe how tea tastes, they are referring to the very subtle tastes that they discern, the way a wine connoiseur describes fine wine. They might blend their unflavoured teas to create a signature cup, but they would always keep their blending within a tea type.

For other tea lovers, flavours are a fun way to experience their favourite beverage. Blending teas to create new iced tea flavours is a fun and inexpensive experiment.

For this pitcher of tea, my daughter helped me select the tea flavours. We used 1 perfect pot spoon of each Last Mango in Paris, Coconut Calypso, and Berry Mania. The teas were added to the infuser of the Bodum pitcher and then boiling water was added to the pitcher, about 1/2 full. The tea steeped for about 4 minutes - I started with that because we were steeping white teas that usually do not steep for long. If I make this blend again, I would steep it just a little longer, but everyone in our family really enjoyed it, even dear hubby, who is not generally a tea drinker!

Have you combined a few teas to create a new flavour? We'd love to hear about your iced tea blends - leave a comment!

Delicious Lemolicious!

How pretty is this fruit tea with it's bright strikes of citrus peel, rich ruby glimmers of apple rosehip and hibiscus, silvery green slivers of lemongrass, blue flecks of cornflower and dark black currants?

My first taste of this tea (and yes, we know that it technically isn't a tea, but let's just agree to call it that, OK?) was as a hot infusion. The colour was a deep dark beautiful pink against the white china cup.

I adored it at first taste. All of the elements combine for a gorgeous treat for the eyes and the tastebuds. While very lemon-y, it was not tart. The licorice root provides a natural sweetness. I knew I would have to try it iced!

When I was making my morning tea, I boiled enough water for a second cup and steeped the Lemolicious in a mug for about twice as long as usual, probably about 8 minutes. I covered the mug and put it in the frig.

When it was time for an afternoon break, I poured my chilled Lemolicious over some ice into a glass and garnished it with a lemon slice.

It was like sipping pink lemonade, without all the syrupy-ness that you get with the frozen concentrate and powdered drinks. It was refreshing, slightly tart and thirst quenching! And with a touch of something to sweeten it, Lemolicious would make luscious popcicles, too.

Lemolicious is available through to the end of August - you'll find it on the summer flyer. You can also experience Lemolicious for free! Customers who place a $50 order this month will earn a free 50g bag of Lemolicious. June hostesses can order the Large Iced Tea Pitcher at a 40% discount and receive a free 50g bag of Lemolicious with the pitcher. Hurry, these offers end Thursday!

Instant Iced Tea

The hot weather has finally caught up to Ontario and iced tea season is here!

What if you are the only iced tea drinker in your household and/or making iced tea a pitcher at a time is impractical for you? Did you realize you could make instant iced tea with our tasty loose leaf tea, and not have to revert to the sugary, chemical-tasting powdered stuff?

It's this easy:

  Into your Brewt, add  1 perfect cup spoon of your desired loose leaf tea. Add sugar if desired. Add boiling water and allow to steep 3 minutes. If you like your iced tea stronger, add more tea rather than steep longer to avoid bitterness. Meanwhile, fill a glass with icecubes. Once the tea has steeped, place the Brewt over your glass of ice cubes. The mechanism in the bottom of the Brewt is triggered and the tea will drop down into the prepared glass. When the glass is full, simply lift the Brewt off. Add more ice cubes if necessary. Enjoy your single serving iced tea and chill out!

What are you favourite Steeped loose leaf teas to ice?

Home Made Iced Tea Beats Bottled

We've shared lots of iced tea making tips and recipes this summer and over the years. In case you are still not convinced that the small effort of making iced tea beats the convenience of bottled ice tea, here's an article for you!

The advantages of homemade iced tea

from T Ching by Gold Kelley

Summer is here, accompanied by sunshine, heat, and of course, iced tea.  The warm summer days almost always warrant a refreshing, cold beverage that quenches our thirst as well as satisfies our taste buds.  But watch out!  There are imitation iced teas lurking in the grocery store aisles that tempt us with their convenience and sweet taste.  Ready-to-Drink (RTD) iced teas have quickly become a sweet sell for companies who, on average, gross well over 70 million dollars a year on bottled beverages.  These teas - though some may be tasty - lack components that avid tea drinkers find necessary to enjoy a good glass of iced tea.

RTD iced teas are developed in labs, with food scientists and chemicals, and…high fructose corn syrup.  The iced tea that many people grew up with was natural sun tea or brewed iced tea, which were fortunately not heavily processed nor filled with preservatives to ensure an extended shelf life.  From the standpoint of someone who enjoys natural tastes and ingredients, home-brewed iced tea is a healthier and more fitting choice.  I do, however, enjoy a quick iced tea and have occasionally stopped at a store to pick one up.  It was not until recently that I checked nutrition labels and found high sugar levels, high sodium levels, and an ingredients list that made my eyes weary.

RTD iced teas are a wonderful idea because they are simple, delicious, and quick, but many of them are loaded with ingredients that alter the good nature of the tea itself.  The easiest way for a true iced tea lover to make iced tea convenient is to make it in advance; plan ahead for your iced tea desires.  The most common method of making iced tea is to brew hot tea and let the tea cool until it reaches room temperature.  Then serve it over ice.  This preparation means that the iced tea is readily available when you are running out the door to the beach, going on your morning commute, hurrying to work, or doing errands.  Some might argue that homemade iced tea is not as sweet or fruity as the brand-name iced teas are.  What’s the quick fix to satisfy your sweet tooth?  Add fruit, lemon, or a little sugar to the tea.  By making iced tea at home, you reduce the calories and unnecessary ingredients that may be harmful to those at risk for certain illnesses.

The alternative to a highly processed iced tea is a highly personalized homemade iced tea.  Try some soon!

The summer flyer expires at the end of this month and features some delectable teas that would make refreshing iced teas. Stock up before they're gone by contacting your Steeped tea consultant!

Summer Must be Here!

It's the long weekend here in Canada, for Victoria Day, the unofficial beginning of the summer.

Time to get the iced tea going!

 Berry Lemonade Iced Tea Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 1 can (12 oz) frozen lemonade concentrate
• 4 tsp berry tea (we suggest Berry Mania, but you can try other teas, too!)

PREPARATION

1. Reconstitute lemonade with water in a large pitcher as can directs. Add tea; refrigerate overnight.

 

2. Strain the tea. Refrigerate until serving.

 

3. To serve: Pour tea over ice in tall glasses; garnish with lemon.

 

Planning Tip: Can be made through Step 4 up to 1 day ahead.

 

  Enjoy the long weekend and toast Queen Victoria with a tall cool glass of iced tea.

Sociabili-tea

Waaay back in March I included an artist's piece, called Green Tea, in a posting. She was thrilled that we used it and invited us to include her work here again, if we like.

With iced tea season just around the corner - wasn't it fabulous to experience the sun and warm temps again this weekend, this piece seems very appropriate.

The artist is Elain Berglund and this piece was created as an 8" x 10" arcylic painting on canvas. It's part of her Sociabili-tea series and is entitled "Ice Tea". She writes, "There are these warm days, umbrellas provide the shade, green foliage,...and ice tea with lemon."

Remember as the evenings get more pleasant that it's fun to take your Steeped Tea party outside onto the deck. Your consultant would be happy to work with you - and iced tea is no problem!

Another Tea Video

In honour of National Iced Tea Month, another iced tea related video. This little retro gem dates back to 1973.

Feisty Iced Tea

Some iced teas just aren't for the kids. Here are some boozy iced tea recipes.

Bengal Tiger Tea

Add a bit of roar to your iced tea with bitters and cognac. It's a sophisticated and different way to serve an iced tea cocktail.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz cold tea
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 dashes aromatic bitters
• 1 tsp sugar syrup (see below for recipe)
• 1 1/2 oz cognac

Preparation:

Mix ingredients and serve over ice, with a lemon slice.

Carolina Iced Tea (if this one seems too boozey for you, adjust the amounts to your taste)

1 1/2 oz peach liqueur
1 oz spiced rum
1 oz peach schnapps
1/2 oz vodka
5 oz sweet iced tea

Add alcohol to glass and stir lightly. Pour in iced tea. Stir a few more times and serve.

Note: Add a splash of lemon and garnish with a twist for a classy drink or serve in a mason jar for a real down-home feel.

 

Watermelon Strawberry Slush

Prepare the iced tea iced cubes in advance and then

• 1 cup hulled fresh strawberries
• 1 1/2 cups cubed, seeded watermelon
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup ice cubes made from strong black tea

 

~Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth. Pour into 2 goblets and serve.

 

Viennese Iced Tea

Crushed ice

Slice lemon

Superfine sugar to taste

1 1/2 ounces rum or brandy

Freshly brewed, hot tea

Fresh mint sprigs

Fill a 14-ounce collins glass three-quarters full with crushed ice. Add the lemon slice, sugar and rum or brandy. Fill up with tea and stir gently. Garnish with mint.

Gin Tea & Lemon Fizz

1 cup water

4 teaspoons black tea leaves or 4 tea bags (such as Darjeeling)

1 cup frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed

1 cup gin

2 cups sparkling water

Ice cubes

In small saucepan, bring 1 cup water to boil. Add tea leaves. Remove from heat. Cover and let steep 15 minutes. Chill overnight.

Strain tea mixture into pitcher; discard tea leaves. Add lemonade concentrate and gin, then sparkling water to pitcher; stir to blend. Serve over ice.

Southern Kick

Iced Tea

½ oz of Southern Comfort

½ oz of whiskey

Just mix all the ingredients and serve on crushed ice.

Spiced Rum Iced Tea

½ tsp lemon juice

1 ¼ oz spiced rum

5 oz iced tea

Mix all the ingredients together and serve over crushed ice in high ball glasses.

 

Tea Spike

1 ½ oz white rum

½ dark crème de cacao

4 oz iced tea,

Some vanilla extract

Mix everything together in a cocktail shaker and serve on crushed ice in high ball glasses.