“Put it in a bowl in your refrigerator or cabinet to absorb unwanted odors.”

When people tell me about all the tea they have in their cabinets I suggest they use it in cooking – brew it regular strength and use instead of water to add a new dimension to salad dressings or soups.  Brew 1-1/2x strength in water or milk to flavor cakes and cookies. 

What do you do with a plain tea that you don’t care for though?  You could try steeping it for a shorter period of time and see if that improves the flavor; or cold steeping…either using a large T-Sac or putting loose leaves in glass jar or pitcher in refrigerator overnight. This produces a much lighter flavor, that is also lower in tannins and acids (gentler on the stomach).

You may also try mixing a small quantity with another flavored tea.  If that doesn’t make the tea any more appealing, you can always make a weak brew to water your plants with.  They aren’t flavor sensitive!  or just add it to your compost.  That way you’re not really wasting it.

I learned and saw a lot at the World Tea Expo earlier in June. This is an opportunity to share it all with You.

New teas from Japan, India, and Hawaii
New tea brewing accessories

We need YOUR Help as well – Sample new teas (new flavors, and teas from the Amazon!). Help decide what new teas will be brought in over the next few months.

 Special bonus offers (until 12/31/09):

• For $50 you get a card loaded with $60 value
• Purchase at least 3 cards with values of $30 or more and get a bonus card for yourself worth $10 or 10% of your purchase (whichever is more)

 AND

BE the FIRST Customer to PURCHASE a Gift Card ($20 or more) and you will receive your choice of FREE TEA or a coupon good for at least $5 off your next Traveling Tea purchase.

Thanks to Kristin for bringing the trio of 8 week old kittens looking for a home.  Wish I had a photo, but I think Elizabeth was going to post one on the Tenth Life site.

I wish I’d even thought to bring a camera so I could document all the comings and goings.  It was so much fun – meeting new people, catching up with old friends. 

I will take some photos of the shop this weekend, to show you how it’s filled in.  We took a count at one point and found we have more than 68 different varieties and blends of teas and tisanes (and I’ve got more coming in next week). 

The selection changes based on your requests, so keep your ideas and suggestions coming.  It makes the shop more interesting for everyone.  Look for another upcoming post for a new service – (thanks to Doug).

As a point of reference though….

For the Earls – Earl with White Tips has the strongest floral/bergamot flavor and the Teatulia Earl of Bengal has the lightest hint of floral, with the Organic Earl Grey somewhere in between.