It is the least I can do, to aid my customers (and other tea drinkers) to have the best experience possible when Traveling Tea is not being served.

I have devised “star award” criteria, and as I make my way through various establishments, the findings will be posted on this “Tea Service Reviews” page. I invite YOU to email your experiences and findings to me as well, so we can create a more comprehensive list. [You can also post on our Facebook page and I will transfer the details here.]

I award stars based upon the following criteria:

*Loose leaf (vs. bagged…..there are some better brands of bagged teas, and they will get their star for that if appropriate)

*Brand Selection, e.g. organic/fair trade/good reputation of company (environment and people)

*Description/Variety of teas (is there a “tea menu”; how are the teas described? And what sort of choices do you have?)

*Presentation & Steeping method (cup or pot on table, appropriate water temp)

*Value (can you get add’l cup? resteep)

5 STARS means they give comparable attention to their tea, as they do their coffee and/or wine (relative to the establishment)

It is my hope that as we, together, put attention on communicating our desire for the same quality of product that is given to coffee and wine connoisseurs (and appreciating those who DO provide it), we will encourage more establishments to “step up their game”.

The remaining 1% is for flavors or varieties that are seasonal or currently low in stock, and they too will be added as we restock.  If there is a particular one you are looking for, please drop me an email to check on status.  It helps me to know what your interests and preferences are.

You can also notice that there is NOW a functional listing of product categories (seen here, to your right), where you can select a particular product type and narrow your search so you no longer have to scroll through 70-80 items listed alphabetically.

——————————————————

Next up: Adding options to purchase “pre-bagged” teas, and trial/travel sizes.

Trial/Travel Size: If you’ve seen us at Markets and Events, you know we have travel size packets for many of our teas (containing enough loose tea for two 8oz cups or one 16oz mug).  When ordering on-line, I am happy to include 1 or 2 of these, complimentary, in your shipment – but you need to email me to request flavors.

Pre-Bagged:  It is a little known feature that we can create teabags for most of our lovely teas.  These make a lovely gift when packaged in a tin; or individually wrapped to tuck into a card. They are an even greater travel convenience than our Trial/Travel Size packets.

“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.

In short, I’ve updated the calendar/events page – changing “every other Tuesday” shop hours to 1st and 3rd Tuesday, to make it simpler to keep track of. TUESDAY HOURS 12:30-6:30 starts 11/22/11

Note: Friday after Thanksgiving “Black Friday” is BLACK (TEA) FRIDAY for us. From 2-6pm, only at our shop, all in-stock black tea is 40% off!

Then, Sunday 11/27/11, we are having an Open House with LOTS of teas to sample – you can make a side by side comparison of green teas from many regions (at least 5). You can also help us make decisions about various oolongs that we are considering for 2012. AND – 20% off all tea accessories….even those “For Life” pots and mugs you’ve been eyeing.

Lots of opportunities for Sharing Good Tea in your Good Times with family and friends in the upcoming weeks.
Thank you for bringing Traveling Tea into your homes.

I’m excited to announce that we are extending the hours every other Tuesday, starting Thanksgiving week – Just in time for last minute Holiday gift and meal needs.
We also have a few extra shop days, including an Open House Sunday after Thanksgiving, Noon-4pm.

Chandler Hill Winery is extending their season by 2 weeks (through 10/30) – I will be there this Sunday 10/16.

I’m starting to hear “Where do we get our tea after the Markets end?”

Besides web/email orders and our selected shop hours, several shops around town carry a selection of our teas (see links at the right)

Also, the Markets never really “end”….they just change locations and frequency….

Maplewood Winter Market will be Sat 11/19 and 12/17, inside the Schlafly Brewery (still outside if weather is nice).

There is also the St. Louis Community Farmers Winter Market (some of the Tower Grove vendors plus a few), held at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Arsenal, just west of Grand on the 2nd Saturday of the month – 11/12 and 12/10.  Watch my calendar page as it gets closer for start/end times.

Additionally, our shop is open every Friday evening from 5-7pm.  Also some Tuesdays from 11am-3pm.  I’m sorting out details to add some extra hours in Nov & Dec for holiday shopping.  Possibly an Open House on sun 11/27.

Follow TravTea on Twitter for last minute announcements when I’m going to be at the shop anyway (making or packaging teas).

Thank you for your continued support.  I know we’re not always the most convenient place to buy tea….I try to make up for it in carrying only EXCELLENT teas that never disappoint.

We were gratified last year to know you were happy to have a tasty cup of hot tea to drink when it got chilly and damp. We’ve made some changes so we hope not to have you waiting so long to get a fresh cup this year.
Queens Cuisine will be sharing tent with us too, serving scones with fresh clotted cream. (Note – clotted cream only available on Saturday). She too, has upped her baking so more of you can have “Cream Tea”.

Looking forward to beautiful weather and a great time, Friday evening & all day Saturday.

Anna Riding Bike

In support of her efforts, Saturday, Sept 10 2011, Traveling Tea will donate 10% of sales to her fund raising campaign. We will also have a donation jar out for your contributions at both 9/3 and 9/10 Markets.

For more information, or if you want to make a donation directly, follow the link at the right to “Donate to MS Gateway Ride”, or click on this photo.

If you don’t want to do the on-line thing, and want a record of your tax deductible donation, you can drop off a check at the Tower Grove or Maplewood Farmers Markets, made payable to: National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Anna will see that you get credit (please make sure your address is on the check).

Thank you for your support

—————————————————————-
We’ve added a tiny amount of new shop hours (sorry it isn’t more yet).
Every other Tuesday – Jamie will be at shop from 11am-3pmI’ve added it to our Calendar/Events Page

If you have a non-planned event or gift situation and need to get tea, you can try the locations around town that are carrying our teas (see sidebar); or you can email or call Kateri. She can sometimes accommodate your schedule and meet you by appointment.
Thank you for your continued support. It means the world as we continue to build YOUR LOCAL tea shop.