The toils, trials and trepidations of a tenacious traveler at Tattlers' Teas

How do you brew iced tea?

2009-06-15T15:20:00.000-07:00

Here's my Summer Iced Tea routine!

People always ask me how I make my iced tea in the summer. Here are 2 of my iced tea makers/glass pitchers with paper filters and quart pitcher with built in Tea ball. The paper filter are a great, inexpensive way for people who already have sun tea pitchers, tuperware pitchers or glass pitchers to brew high quality loose leaf teas. I found these pitchers to be the simplest ways to make iced tea all summer along with iced tea makers.

Usually I have two quart pitchers like this one brewing at all times, one caffeinated and one caffeine free for the afternoon and evening. This is not how I teach "proper" tea brewing, but for busy people on the go this works just great.

For 1 Quart pitcher add 2-3 TBLS of tea and let sit in the sun for 3-4 hours. This brews a little strong because I'm assuming it will be poured over ice and diluted. For my family I usually brew tea every other night using the same amount of tea but I brew in the fridge over night or about 5-6 hours. I'll boil water if I need some quick iced tea and let steep 3-5 minutes. Remember you can always dilute if you make it too strong.

Sun tea 2-4 hours

Cold Brew 5-6 hours

Boiling Water 3-5 minutes black or green tea, herbal 10 minutes.

Here's the link if you'd like the see the other iced tea makers I have. http://www.tattlersteas.com/category_s/28.htm teas.com/category_s/28.htm

Hope this helps answer some of your questions on iced tea. You can always do the tried and true method of making your perfect cup of tea and pouring it over ice. Recently I tried icing my Zesty Earl Grey and it was great.

Also for those of you with iced tea makers wondering if you can use loose tea. Yes you can! Just add 1 Teaspoon of loose tea per tea bag you would usually use. For most it is around 6 - 8 teaspoons.

Under the weather teas

2009-03-18T11:12:00.000-07:00

The flu is running rampant in our neck of the woods. All my friends have it, my husband has it and I... don't have it. YET.

I've upped my vitamin intake and make sure I'm going to bed early but that doesn't stop me from being prepared for the inevitable arrival of the fever, and coughing.

Here's my tea prescription for a sore throat. Green tea with lemon and honey. Of course I use Tattlers Teas Kyoto Lemon Green tea that has lemon peel and lemon grass, with a squeeze of fresh lemon and a Tbls of honey, if I'm feeling really terrible I'll throw in a tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar to gargle with for good measure.. This blend is loaded with vitamins and anti-oxidants to fight off those pesky free radicals bring on health.

http://www.tattlersteas.com/Kyoto_Lemon_Tin_p/fg_04.htm

Licorice tea is also great for sore throats and at reducing mucus. Our Licorice Star tea is great for sore throats and for flavor, for people who like the taste of licorice of course.
http://www.tattlersteas.com/Licorice_Star_Herbal_Tea_Caffeine_Free_p/hb_07.htm

Be well

Keep your ovaries healthy

2009-03-16T01:33:00.000-07:00

I know there are a lot of people out there who are concerned about their health. It seems there is a new study out every week about some new miracle fruit or drug. Technology is wonderful in that we get to understand more and more about our bodies and the world around us. However sometimes it all seems a little overwhelming and I just want to relax with a nice hot cup of tea, knowing that I'm doing something good for myself without having to think to much. Tea has been healing people for centuries and I can feel when I drink it how my body and mind feel rewarded I don't even have to question.

But when I'm ready to read there are always articles like this one reminding me how this wonderful beverage is keeping me healthy.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1157707/Good-news-tea-lovers-Drinking-cups-day-help-ward-ovarian-cancer.html

code for this weeks special

2009-03-16T00:28:00.000-07:00

Here's the code for our special this week: tat_blog10

Tattlers have made their presence known on the web and have joined the information super highway. Check out our these links to see this weeks specials! 10% off entire order and FREE SHIPPING on orders over $75 to celebrate Tattlers jump onto the technology bandwagon. You can now find us on our blog our page and tattlers are the perfect twitterers! I figure most of you have met me at a Fair, Sugar Plum, Women's, health or gourmet food expo. It has been a difficult decision to give them up as I really do enjoy chatting with you and reuniting even if it is only once or twice a year. Here's my idea.

You can anonymously read my blog to see where I've been traveling, what shows I'll be at and what kind of teas we're blending. I'll also add articles about tea, health and any tidbits of information I think you might find valuable. Like in my latest blog, did you know Sylvester Stallone was a tea drinker? http://tattlersteas.blogspot.com/

If you'd like to communicate with me and let me know what you've been up to lately and what kind of teas you'd like to see out of Tattlers Teas, please become a fan of our Facebook page. It is also a great way to get the word out to your friends and family about how much you love Tattlers Teas and what your favorite flavors are. http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Tattlers-Teas/60408926506?ref=nf Teas/60408926506?ref=nf

Our twitter page will probably get updated the most often because you are only allowed to post 140 words. And let's face it, I can update it from my i-phone. This is where I'll announce the weekly specials. My goal for this year is to introduce a new tea every week in small 5-10 pound batches. Realistically every other week... Announce the flavor and sale on twitter and wait for feedback. www.twitter.com/tattlersteas

Organic Irish Breakfast Tea
In Ireland, it is not referred to as "Irish Tea" but simply as "tea". It is enjoyed throughout the day and evening. Most commonly, Irish Breakfast tea is drunk with milk, but some prefer to drink it straight or with lemon.

Irish Mornin Black Tea
Rum and cream with black tea will help you start the day off right or be the perfect night cap with a extra shot of rum.

You never know who drinks tea...

2009-03-14T17:13:00.000-07:00

In my years of selling tea I learned that you can never guess who is a tea drinker or not. Harley fans have been known to stop by our booth and stock up on tea. Some times the biggest, burliest guy was raised by a British grandmother and is a devoted Earl Grey tea drinker. And now in the media a couple of our toughest guys are caught sipping tea at the Four Seasons. Rocky and the Wrestler are rumored to be talking about a new Rambo while enjoying their Breakfast teas.

http://www.filmstalker.co.uk/archives/2009/03/rourke_in_rambo_v.html

Back from Spain

2009-03-13T10:35:00.000-07:00

The last few weeks my husband and I were in Spain visiting Madrid and some friends. We stopped in Bilbao to see the breathtaking Guggenheim museum by architect Frank Gehry. In Granada we were amazed by the grandeur of the Alhambra and couldn't help but get lost in the cities tiny streets. Barcelona is a wonderful city to be a tourist with it's great public transportation, beautiful parks, it seems like the city is a dedication to Dali. Everything in the city has the touch of this great artist. The fubol team is one of the best in the world so we watched some world class soccer with my father in law.

A top priority for me was stopping all the little tea shops on the way. Since there are such wonderful little tea shops throughout Europe I knew I would find plenty to keep me occupied. There was a darling little display in one of the them that I'm going to try out at Pasadena Showcase house this year with plenty to see, and plenty to try!!!

From this little gem in Granada I tried a Rooibos Chocolate Mint which I am definitely going to try and replicate when I get home. Which reminds me I want to get started and some new flavors for the year.

My idea is to have a new tea every month at a discounted price. I'll do a small batch and then everyone can give me feedback on whether or not they liked it and if I should keep the blend or retire it. That way people can get involved with what we're blending and suggest flavors and combinations.

We'll put the updates on Twitter and Facebook so as not to spam to heavily. This really excites me and should keep me very busy.

This little outdoor market had all kinds of teas and spices right our in the open in front of a church and under a tree. This would NEVER fly in the US. I could just see someone complaining about a bug or a leaf. I didn't buy anything from this one so I guess I'm the same way. I don't want bird droppings in my Passion Fruit tea either.

Tattlers Teas New Website

2009-02-02T02:30:00.001-08:00

We’re happy to announce after months of toil, Tattlers' Teas new website is officially open for business.

It's been a long time in the making and it's finally here, hip and up to date (just like us tea drinkers). As some of you may know this year things will be changing for Tattlers. Sometimes you just have to pay attention to the neon signs pointing in a certain direction. Due to the changes in the economy and the vision of my family, we have decided to focus solely on the website in the coming year. We will only be at a few select events, so please be sure to check here first if you're headed off to Sugar Plum or one of our many other events to buy tea. That being said we will try to continue to offer the same kind of specials to our long term customers, can anyone say "buy 3 get 1 Free"? Look for coupons in your email that you can enter directly into the websites for discounts. Technology is pretty fabulous.

We are looking forward to this transition in our professional and person experience and would like to thank you for coming on this wonderful journey called life with us.

Blessings,
Desiree