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This is such a refreshing and cooling beverage in the summertime. But I looooove anything with mango and mint. We use a Pinhead Gunpowder Tea blended with a bit of both Spearmint and Peppermint to compliment the tropical flavor of the Mango. Both mints are cooling and refreshing in the summertime heat. Give this one a try. You’ll love it. Gunpowder Mango Smoothie This is a great Spring/Summer smoothie. Change it up with different fruite for some variety. Don't be afraid to experiment. Print Recipe Prep Time 5 minutes mins Cook Time 5 minutes mins Total Time 10 minutes mins Servings 2 Course Drinks Equipment Tea Steeper Tea Pot/Kettle Blender 2 Glasses (16 ounce each) Ingredients 2 tsp Pinhead Gunpowder Loose Leaf Tea  (Moroccan Mint is also a great option) 8 oz Distilled Water 1 whole Mango 1 whole Banana 1 handful Baby Spinach Leaves 1 Juice of Lemon1 .5 handful each Fresh Spearmint & Peppermint Leaves (not needed if using Moroccan Mint Loose Leaf Tea) .5 Cup Cup ice Instructions Heat water to 175°F Steep tea for 2-3 minutes Strain off infusion Place all ingredients in blender Blend until smooth, adding more ice if needed Garnish with a sprig of Spearmint and/or Peppermint if desired Enjoy!! Notes Optional – you can add a protein powder of your choosing for extra protein.Optional – top off with a spot of whipped cream if desired. If you’re not fond of Spearmint feel free to substitute with Peppermint or leave it out entirely.

We love our Winter Hot Toddies. They’re the perfect drink when you feel the “ick” coming on. Winter Hot Toddy This is perfect when the "ick" is starting to come on……or, you just want a relaxing hot beverage by a nice cozy fire. Print Recip Prep Time 5 minutes mins Cook Time 5 minutes mins Total Time 10 minutes mins Servings 1 Course Beverage Equipment Tea Steeper Tea Kettle Teacup or Mug Ingredients 8 oz Brewed Winter Warm Up Tea:   1-2 tsp Winter Warm Up Tea steeped in 8 oz Distilled Water 1 oz Dark Liquor of choice  Dark Rum or Bourbon is best but we use whatever we have on hand 1 piece Orange Wedge 1 piece Cinnamon Stick 1-2 tsp 1-2 tsp Elderberry Syrup  Preferably locally made rather than bulk manufactured (We carry Jodi's Elderberry Syrup) Instructions Steep Winter Warm Up tea 5+ minutes in 212ºF Distilled Water Strain off tea/herbs Add shot of liquor Add Elderberry Syrup Garnish with cinnamon stick and orange wedge Sip & Enjoy!! Notes Everyone is a little different in their taste for liquor.  If 1 oz is too much it’s ok to cut it back.  If it’s not enough….well then add to your heart’s content.  🙂 If you need it to be a little sweeter, add a little honey or a little more elderberry syrup.

Want a carbonated drink? Don’t want all that sugar and other artificial ingredients in regular soda? Want something that is lower calories and that has some healthy benefits? Tea Soda is so simple to make yet so delicious. It’s simply taking your favorite tea brewed double strength and add sparkling water for a simple, delicious, refreshing summertime treat. Making Tea Soda Tea Soda is such a refreshing drink any time of the year but particularly during the host summer months. Print Recipe Prep Time 5 minutes mins Cook Time 5 minutes mins Total Time 10 minutes mins Servings 1 Course Beverage Equipment Tea Steeper Tea Pot/Kettle 16 oz Glass Ingredients 2 tsp Loose Leaf Tea of your choice 8 oz Distilled Water 2 oz Sparkling Water – unflavored 1-2 tsp Flavor Syrup  optional: one that compliments the tea used Garnishing Fruit  optional Sweetener of choice optional ice Instructions Heat water in Tea Kettle to appropriate temperature (see instructions on tea package) Steep Tea for appropriate amount of time according to package Chill in refrigerator while getting the rest of the ingredients prepared Fill glass 3/4 with ice cubes (not crushed ice) Pour chilled brewed tea over ice Add optional flavor syrup and sweetener Pour 2 oz Sparkling Water into glass Garnish with appropriate fruit if desired Enjoy!! Notes Alternately, you can use cold-brewed tea in place of freshly steeped hot tea. See Cold-Brew Tea instructions.

Do you love apple cider????? Not really wanting a ton of caffeine? We’ve got the recipe for you. It’s perfectly warming for those cold winter days….and perfect for sipping by a fire. This one isn’t really a tea, it’s a tisane as it’s made with our Apple Cider Rooibos blend. Red Rooibos is from the African bush called Aspalathus linearis and has a slightly sweet taste all on its own. It also touts some great health benefits such as being rich in antioxidants. And we love some homemade apple cider with this recipe. It tops it right off. Take a go at this hot spiced harvest cider....you'll be glad you did. Hot Spiced Harvest Cider This is the perfect warming beverage to take the chill off when the weather starts to get cooler. Print Recip Prep Time 5 minutes mins Cook Time 5 minutes mins Total Time 10 minutes mins Servings 1 Course: Beverage Equipment Tea Steeper Tea Kettle Sauce Pan 16 oz Mug Ingredients 2 tsp Apple Cider Rooibos 8 oz Distilled Water 8 oz Apple Cider 1 piece Cinnamon Stick 1-2 piece Orange Wedge Sweetener of choice to taste  optional – we use honey Instructions Heat water to 212°F Steep tea 5+ minutes then strain off liquid Heat Apple Cider in sauce pan Combine brewed tea and Apple Cider in mug Add sweetener if desired Garnish with Cinnamon Stick & Orange Wedges Enjoy!!

Matcha is one of those “acquired taste” sorts of beverages.  It has an earthy, very vegetal flavor that some would describe as "grassy".  And it differs from other green teas in that the entire leaf is consumed rather than steeping and discarding the leaves.  It can be enjoyed hot or cold…..  All by itself or with added milk (with this recipe we are adding milk)….. With or without flavor syrups….. the possibilities are endless with Matcha. And you're going to LOVE our Matcha Latté. Matcha Latté Matcha is a wonderfully nutritious beverage with a fresh earthy/grassy flavor. Serve this Latté hot or iced. Prep Time 5 minutes mins Cook Time 5 minutes mins Total Time 10 minutes mins Course: Beverage Servings 1 Equipment Matcha Whisk Tea Kettle 16 oz Glass or Mug Ingredients .5-1 tsp Matcha 1 oz Distilled Water heated to 165ºF 12 oz Milk of choice  Almond, Soy, Whole, Skim, Half & Half, Heavy Cream 1-2 Tbsp Flavor Syrup  Lavender, Vanilla, Caramel, Salted Caramel, etc Whipped Cream  optional Ice  optional Instructions Heat Water and add Matcha powder Whisk Matcha powder until well blended and frothy Add Flavor Syrup of choice and to taste Stir well Add Milk of choice (steamed/frothed or cold) Add ice if desired Top with whipped cream if desired Enjoy!! Notes Be creative.  You can add sprinkles of Matcha Powder to garnish, a sprig of mint or lavender, etc.

Hibiscus is a popular floral tea these days. It can be quite tart. But it is antioxidant & vitamin C packed, and nutrient-rich. We have selected our Hibiscus Divini-Tea loose leaf blend for this recipe. The hibiscus and rosehips are rounded off perfectly with orange & lemon peels with the addition of lemongrass. It is naturally caffeine-free. And just wait until you taste it in this delicious smoothie recipe. Our Divini-Tea Smoothie is to-die-for. Divini-Tea Smoothie This is a great tasting healthy smoothie. Be creative with other teas using add-ins and yogurts that go well with the tea selected. Print Rec Prep Time 5 minutes mins Cook Time 5 minutes mins Servings: 1 Course: Beverage Equipment Tea Steeper Teapot/Kettle Blender Large Glass Ingredients 2-3 tsp Hibiscus Divini-Tea Loose Leaf Tea 8 oz Distilled Water 1 Greek Yogurt individual serving container 2 Tbsp Sweetened Coconut Flakes 2 Tbsp Hulled Hempseed 1/2 Cup Frozen Berry Blend 1/2 Cup Ice Instructions Heat water to 212°F Steep loose leaf tea 5 minutes – cover to keep hot Add brewed infusion and the rest of the ingredients to blender Blend until smooth Pour into favorite smoothie cup Garnish with coconut flakes & hemp seeds Enjoy!! Notes Make it a protein shake by adding 2-3 T Vanilla or Berry Flavored Protein Shake Powder (use your favorite brand) Sweetened Coconut flakes can be substituted with unsweetened flakes if desired. Pineapple can also be added if desired.

An Herbal Tisane is a combination of herbs, fruits and florals to create an infusion similar to that of tea.  But, true TEA contains actual tea leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant.   Many will call it an “herbal tea”.  However, if the beverage does not contain tea leaves from this plant it is called a TISANE.  Thus, Herbal Tisane. Tisane is French for "herb tea". Herbal Tisanes range in flavor from bitter to sweet, delicate to bold, grassy & earthy to floral or spicy. Chamomile is one of the most popular herbs used in making tisanes.  It has a light, sweet, apple-like aroma and imparts a natural “sweetness” to the tisane. Most Herbal Tisanes are naturally caffeine-free with the exception of Yerba Maté, Guayusa, and Yaupon (all are in the holly family).  Yerba Maté is a South American bush in the holly family.  Guayusa is a type of holly tree native to the Amazon rainforest, particularly in Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia. Yaupon is a type of holly native to the southeastern United States, particularly in coastal regions from Virginia to Florida and westward to Texas. But unlike other herbal components, they do contain caffeine. Another popular herbal tisane is Rooibos.  Rooibos is also known as Red Bush Tea.  It is from a South African bush and has a rich, slightly sweet flavor.  Rooibos is used as a base in many herbal blends. Some herbal blends aren’t as palatable as others.  Components often used to help with the flavor of some herbals are Rooibos, Yerba Mate, and even real teas.  Many herbal blends are blended for their health benefits (which would account for some of the unpalatable flavors of a few blends). It is wise to be sure the herbal components in an herbal blend are not contraindicated with medical conditions or medicines one is currently taking. To prepare Herbal Tisane:1-2 tsp ~ 8 oz water ~ 212 F ~ 5+ minutesUnlike regular tea, herbal tisanes can be steeped for as long as you’d like.  The longer the steep the stronger it will be.  It can also be made stronger by increasing the amount of herbs per 8 oz water.

Are you looking to improve your health and well-being? Look no further than the world of loose leaf teas! Steep Right Up is here to introduce you to the wonderful world of loose leaf teas and the many health benefits they offer. Whether you're a tea connoisseur or just starting your tea journey, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Loose leaf teas are known for their superior quality and taste compared to tea bags. They are made from whole tea leaves, which retain more of their natural oils, flavors, and antioxidants. This means you get a richer, more flavorful cup of tea with every sip. Plus, loose leaf teas are often sourced from organic and sustainable farms, ensuring you're getting the best possible product. Let's dive into some of the health benefits of loose leaf teas: 1. Boosts Immune System: Many loose leaf teas, such as green tea and herbal teas, are packed with antioxidants that help strengthen your immune system. These antioxidants help fight off free radicals in the body, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and promoting overall health. 2. Supports Digestive Health: Certain loose leaf teas, like peppermint and ginger tea, have been used for centuries to aid digestion. These teas can help soothe an upset stomach, relieve bloating, and promote healthy digestion. 3. Enhances Mental Clarity: Need a little pick-me-up? Loose leaf teas like black tea and oolong tea contain caffeine, which can help improve focus, concentration, and mental alertness. They also contain L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation and reduces stress. 4. Promotes Weight Loss: If you're looking to shed a few pounds, loose leaf teas can be a great addition to your weight loss journey. Certain teas, such as green tea and oolong tea, have been shown to boost metabolism and increase fat oxidation, helping you burn calories more efficiently. Pu'erh teas are known for having naturally occurring probiotics to assist in maintaining a balance of a healthy gut biome. 5. Calms the Mind and Body: Loose leaf teas like chamomile and lavender tea have soothing properties that can help calm the mind and promote relaxation. Enjoy a cup of these teas before bed to unwind and improve sleep quality. Now that you know some of the health benefits of loose leaf teas, it's time to start exploring the wide variety of flavors and blends available. At Steep Right Up, we offer an extensive selection of loose leaf teas, from classic favorites to unique and exotic blends. Whether you're in the mood for a refreshing green tea, a bold black tea, or a soothing herbal infusion, we have something for everyone. Visit our physical store at 111 W Main Street, Ste 200, Garner, NC 27529, or explore our online shop to discover the world of loose leaf teas. Don't forget to check out our custom tea blending options, where you can create your own unique blend tailored to your taste preferences. Remember, when it comes to loose leaf teas, the possibilities are endless. Cheers to your health and well-being!

There are so many ways to brew iced tea.  They can be brewed hot and then refrigerated or they can be brewed cold.  And it can be made with virtually any loose leaf tea. But as with hot tea, the quality of the tea leaf and water used, as well as water temperature and steeping time, makes a HUGE difference in the flavor of the final tea. Brewing Hot: Use the brew instructions listed here on our Brewing Guide page.  Remember, you are using double the amount of loose leaf tea so that when ice is added it will not be diluted. Once the tea has steeped for the appropriate amount of time allow it to cool to room temperature prior to refrigerating to help prevent “clouding”.  Or, pour over ice and serve. Below is a more detailed explanation. The favored method for brewing hot is to brew up a concentrated batch of tea. Use only half the amount of water desired in the final amount with the appropriate amount of loose leaf tea (for example: the final amount of tea desired is 16 oz, use 8 oz water heated, 2 tsp loose leaf tea), steep for the appropriate amount of time, and then either pour over ice directly in a glass or add ice to the pitcher. The ice will dilute the tea concentrate to the correct strength. A few tips for brewing hot for iced tea: Do not over-steep. This will produce a bitter astringent brew. For a stronger tea, rather than steeping longer (see above), add more loose leaf tea. Steep using the appropriate temperature and time for the type of tea you are brewing up. For full strength and full flavor tea double the amount of tea leaf so that ice doesn’t over-dilute the final brew. Cold Brew: Cold-brew is probably the easiest method to use. It produces a very smooth cup of tea. It takes very little effort. There is no chance of over-steeping or steeping at a temperature too hot. The flavor is a bit milder than with hot brewed tea. And there is less chance of “clouding”. To cold-brew tea just simply measure out the tea leaves as you would for hot tea (1 tsp per every 8 oz of water) and add the appropriate amount of water (the same amount as you would if you were making hot tea). Give a quick stir and put the pitcher in the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours (we prefer overnight for more flavor). The next morning strain off the tea leaves and it’s ready to enjoy. Sweetening Iced Tea: If you’re sweetening with sugar (a crystallized sweetener that will need to dissolve such as coconut sugar or cane sugar) you will want to use the hot brewing method and dissolve the desired amount of sweetener in the tea concentrate while it is still hot. Sweetening cold brew, or tea after it has been cooled to room temperature or in the refrigerator, can be a little trickier as the crystalized sweeteners that need to be dissolved do not dissolve as quickly or as easily. If we are sweetening already cooled tea or cold-brewed tea we will use either a simple syrup made with cane sugar or we’ll have liquid stevia extract on hand. Honey does not emulsify/dissolve well in cold liquids. Another option is to add a bit of Stevia Leaf to the loose leaf tea during the brew. Only a small amount is needed as Stevia is very sweet. We start off with just a little pinch to each cup of tea brewed. A little goes a long way. “Cloudy” Iced Tea: It’s not the prettiest sight to see.  But there’s nothing wrong with it.  It’s still drinkable.  The cloudiness will not affect the flavor at all.  But what causes the tea to cloud in the first place?  Generally, it is from cooling too quickly. It is believed that it can be caused by the polyphenols (antioxidants) contained within the leaves and how they bind with minerals in the water.  It is also said that it is due to the tannins and caffeine binding together. Temperature brewed can also be a factor, as well as how fast it is cooled (the faster the more clouding). The only teas we have tried that have NOT clouded are lower-quality commercial teas.  If it is true that clouding is caused by the antioxidant, tannin, and caffeine content in the teas this may speak to the quality of commercial teas. You can lessen the likelihood of clouding by a couple of different methods: Hold the temperature at room temperature and serve within a few hours of brewing over ice. Allow your brewed tea to come to room temperature prior to refrigerating. Cold brew your tea. Only brew enough that you will consume in a 24 hour period eliminating the need to refrigerate. A pinch of baking soda may help to “neutralize” the tannins – we’ll have to give this a try to see if it really works 😉 Our Favorite Iced Tea Blends: We have several teas that are our favorites to brew for iced tea. While there are many others that make great Iced Teas, these are our house favorites. Tropical Delight – a flavorful black tea blend Mango Black – a delicately mango flavored black tea Sweet Summer Green – a light and airy fruity flavored green tea Dilly Dally – a wonderful summer herbal blend

Making Tea Lattés are a fun and delicious treat. You can go completely wild with your creations or keep it simple as we’ve outlined below. Scroll down for a few pictures of some of the versions we’ve tried and love. Making Tea Latté A Tea Latté can be enjoyed hot or iced or even blended like a milkshake. Start by selecting your favorite tea that takes milk well (we're using our Café LatTea here). Most black teas take milk well. Print Rec Prep Time 5 minutes mins Cook Time 5 minutes mins 10 minutes mins Servings: 1 Course: Beverage Equipment Tea Steeper Tea Kettle Milk Frother/Steamer 16 oz Glass or Mug Ingredients 2-3 tsp Café LatTea Loose Leaf Tea 8 oz Distilled Water 2-4 oz Milk of choice  soy, whole, skim, half & half, heavy cream, etc 1-2 tsp Flavor Syrup of choice  optional Whipped Cream  optional Ice  optional Sweetener of choice  optional Instructions Heat water to correct temperatre (follow instructions on tea package) Steep tea for correct time (follow instructions on tea package) Add sweetener & flavor syrup of choice Steam & froth milk of choice to 130ºF (froth with a whisk if needed) Pour hot frothed milk over tea Top with whipped cream and sprinkles of your choice if desired Enjoy!! Notes Some of our favorite syrups to use are Vanilla, Caramel, and Salted Caramel. Café LatTea Latté

There are so many brewing methods and vessels available. We wanted to share with you just a few of the ones we’ve tried….what we’ve liked, what we haven’t, etc. Below is a video we’ve uploaded to our new Youtube channel. Check it out. Subscribe to our channel (yes it’s new and we're still trying to get a handle on this whole video concept, so there aren’t a lot of videos posted yet and very few subscribers…help us build our audience by subscribing). The video discusses various brewing vessels such as: My personal brewing vessel assortment Tea Bags – paper tea bags with and without drawstrings – while we don’t generally recommend using teabags, if you do prefer to go that route be sure the tea bags are large enough that the leaves have room to open up to produce the best infusion possible. Tea-Ball – We don’t usually recommend a tea-ball as they do not provide ample space for the tea leaves to open up which will produce a weaker infusion. Silicone Steeper – While these are great in that they provide a larger belly area giving the leaves ample room to open and they are very portable…..the holes do sometimes allow for small pieces of the loose leaf tea to slip out into the infusion. But other than that we do like the portability and the fact that they allow room for the leaves to open. Stainless Steel Mesh Infuser – This is a very good option for steeping your loose leaf tea. The mesh is usually a fine mesh that doesn’t allow the loose leaf tea to slip through (unless there are powdered herbs included in the blend). It also provides plenty of room for the leaves to open completely providing you with a wonderfully complex infusion. Teapot without built-in infuser – We use this method often but it does require the use of a separate strainer/infuser. When we do we will use TWO teapots. One for steeping the tea leaves and one for decanting the infusion into. You would pour the infusion off through a strainer into the second teapot. And if you aren’t drinking the entire amount all at one time you can use a tea warmer with a tealight candle underneath to keep it hot. Teapot WITH built-in infuser – This is one of the easiest methods available. Since the infuser is built in you just place your tea leaves into the infuser that sits inside the teapot, pour over your water, and allow it to steep for the appropriate amount of time. Once steeping is complete just remove the infuser containing the leaves and enjoy. Tea For One Set – This is a great option for a single cup of tea. And it looks nice on the counter. :-). The top part is the teapot with the infuser built-in and the bottom is the teacup. Infuse the tea as you would with the previous method and then pour it off into the bottom teacup and enjoy. Gass Teapitcher with Infuser – This one is a bit new to me as I just got it in. It’s similar to a teapot but for one serving. You just add your leaves to the built-in infuser and pour water over them. When it is finished steeping you just press the button on the top and the tea decants into the lower portion of the vessel. Pour into your favorite teacup and enjoy. French Press – While most people think of coffee when they see a French Press, it is also very useful for infusing tea. Add your tea leaves, pour your hot water over them, place the “plunger/lid” on top, allow it to steep, press the plunger all the way to the bottom and your tea will not continue to brew. Pour into your favorite teacup and enjoy. French Press is available in multiple sizes from a single cup and up. This is one of my personal favorite methods (it's Mr. Crazy Tea Lady's favorite as well) as it allows for the tea to open completely giving a wonderful brew and it is easy to clean up. Gaiwan – Traditional Chinese brewing method that consists of a bowl, lid, and saucer. The set that I’ve shown in the video is a travel set that also includes 4 small cups. The travel carrier acts as a washbasin for pouring off the rinse water. The lid acts as the saucer for the bowl. The bowl is the brew vessel. The lid to the bowl acts as the strainer when decanting off the infusion. This is my favorite way to enjoy Oolong, Dark, and Black teas. With this method, you can get many more infusions from your tea leaves as you are only steeping for 10-30 seconds with each steep. There will be a video specifically covering the use of a Gaiwan. Matcha Whisk Set – This set includes a whisk, spoon, and measuring scoop. Matcha has its own methods entirely and we will be doing a video on making the perfect cup of Matcha.

If you love tea….then you will love some of these resources for everything tea accessories. I just recently found a fairly new HANDMADE marketplace called Goimagine. Everything on Goimagine is handcrafted in the USA. And 100% of the Goimagine profits go to charity. If you’d like to learn more about Goimagine’s Caring Economy, and perhaps help support small handcraft businesses, you can check it out here: https://goimagine.com/caring-economy . If you are an Artisan with handmade in the USA items and are looking for a platform to sell your wares....check out GoImagine.com. Here's a referral code for a free month if you choose to sign up - K301ER (yes, I get a free month as well when you use the code). Below are a few of the Artisans that I’ve connected with that have handcrafted items that may be of interest to the tea lover in you.  Please note that ALL of the links below will open in a new window. A FurBaby Favorite https://fbf.goimagine.com/ Love tea……AND have some furbabies? A FurBaby Favorite has some beautiful beverage sleeves.  They are adjustable to fit almost any cup or mug, insulated, made of cotton, machine washable, and a percentage of each sale goes to rescue dogs.  Take a look at a few of the items you can find in Deborah’s shop. Art Ore Décor https://goimagine.com/artoredecor/ Art Ore Decor has a variety of unique handpainted one-of-a-kind pieces to compliment your love of everything tea.  And if there’s something specific you are looking for you can custom order it.  Check out a few of the handpainted items I found at this shop. Delano Designs https://goimagine.com/delanodesigns Every tea lover needs table linens to complete their table setting for tea.  Check out what Delano Designs offers.  Beautiful table runners and placemats to accent the table for tea parties large or small.  This Artisan sources fabrics from small women-owned businesses and their products and supplies are all environmentally friendly.  For more information about how their products are made be sure to check out their “How It’s Made” tab on their shop page. Gobby Brit Designs https://goimagine.com/gobbybritdesigns Custom sandblast engraved mugs, tumblers, glass items, and gifts. Personalized and handmade in the USA.  If you don’t see what you’re looking for be sure to message them as they also take custom orders.  Below are just a few examples of some tea-related accessories they offer.  They have many others to see on their site so be sure to visit. Herbal Chest https://goimagine.com/herbal-chest Did you know Matcha is rich in antioxidants?  It is.  And it’s perfect for inclusion in skincare products.  I’ve found a fellow herbalist on Goimagine and she makes butters, balms, and lotions that include Matcha infused oils. Her products are hand-crafted using all natural ingredients. Prose & Polish https://goimagine.com/ProseAndPolish This Artisan takes antique silver pieces and stamps them making them a truly unique personalized and sentimental keepsake.  You can see a few examples of their work below. *Note* This page will be updated frequently as I connect with more Makers on Goimagine.com .  So be sure to check back frequently.