How To Make Iced Tea

Hot Water Method

For 1 gallon of iced tea, bring half a gallon of filtered water to boil in a pot. Turn off heat, and add 3 tablespoons (1 oz of tea), let steep for 5-7 minutes. Strain the tea into the other half gallon of cool water and refrigerate. If you want to serve immediately, you can pour the concentrate over ice to cool and dilute, then pour over ice again.

Sun Tea

Use a glass container and add 1 tsp of loose tea of each cup of water directly into the jug. Then set in the sun for a few hours, tasting occasionally to get the desired strength.

Cold Brew

The slow cold-water-steeping method extracts natural sweetness and flavor from the tea leaf. It lessens the bitterness and tangy-ness produced by tannic acid so your tea tastes smooth and mild. Add 1 tsp of tea per cup of cold water and put in the refrigerator. When the water is chilled, your tea will be ready!

Tie Guan Yin

The tea is named after the Chinese Goddess of Mercy Guanyin. Guanyin is a female embodiment of Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva. Tie Guan Yin can be translated into "Iron Goddess of Mercy," or "Iron Bodhisattva of Compassion"

Mr. Wei, a tea farmer from Fujian, is the legendary creator of this tea. Each day as Mr. Wei walked down to his field he would admire the rundown temple which held an iron statue of Guanyin. He would always say to himself that “Something has to be done,” about the condition of the temple. One day he had had enough and decided to do something about the condition. Being that he was poor he was only able to sweep the temple clean, and burn some incense as an offering. Mr. Wei continued this practice for quite some time so as to keep some semblance of dignity for Guanyin.

Guanyin eventually appeared to him in a dream telling of a cave behind the temple where a wondrous treasure awaited. But this treasure was not for Mr. Wei alone; he was to share it with others. The next morning he ran to the temple and in the cave the farmer found a single tea shoot. He planted it in his field and nurtured it into a large bush, from which the finest tea was produced. He did not forget about Guanyin's instructions to share his treasure, and so he gave cuttings of the plant to all his neighbors. Together they began selling the tea under the name Tieguanyin, Iron Bodhisattva of Compassion.

Vintage Earl Grey

A sophisticated twist to an undeniably sophisticated black tea. Vintage Earl Grey adds the subtleties of rose and lavender to the familiar well-loved tradition of Italian orange bergamot for a smashing afternoon delight. Enjoyed with an intimate circle of friends or in your own personal retreat time, this soothing and lively combination will stir memories of pleasant times well spent.

The Earl Grey blend is named after 2nd Earl Grey, British Prime Minister in the 1830s and author of the Reform Bill of 1832, who reputedly received a gift, probably a diplomatic perquisite, of tea flavored with bergamot oil. Bergamot is a citrus fruit typical of Southeast Asia and grown commercially in Italy.

Guayusa from the Ecuadorian Amazon

These chilly November mornings are a reminder that the holiday season is here. For me this time of year is exciting because it is an opportunity for friends and families to get together, to relax, enjoy each others’ company, and tell stories about the past year.

The Kichwa people of the Ecuadorian Amazon don’t wait for the last two months of the year to celebrate: Every morning at dawn, they gather to share stories, dreams, music, and myths. The village elders pass on their knowledge to the youth, teaching them hunting techniques, social values, and what it means to be ‘runa’, or ‘fully living human beings.’ During all of this wonderful exchange they drink gourds full of guayusa until the sun rises.

Guayusa is similar to mate (the caffeinated plant from Argentina), however in addition to caffeine is also has theobromine (the stimulant in chocolate) and L-theanine which is in green tea and reduces both physical and mental stress. On top of all that, its anti-oxidant levels are through the roof. Read more about it on our Guayusa page.

Several Kichwa myths recount how guayusa was the first plant that taught people how to conquer fears and have poise and presence through difficulty. If only we were open on Mondays so you could have some before you go Halloween trick-or-treating!

Green Tea Chai from Kashmir

Kashmir’s beauty is unparalleled. Upon visiting the Valley of Kashmir, the Mughal emperor Jehangir exclaimed: “If there is paradise anywhere on earth, it is here...”. It lies in the northwestern region of the Indian subcontinent, originally consisting of the majestic valley between the Himalayan and Pir Panjal mountain ranges. 

Today it’s a much larger area split into three subsections: Forty three percent under Indian control, 37% administered by Pakistan, and 20% by China. Since 1947, Kashmir has experienced at least three wars, owing to an ongoing territorial dispute between India and Pakistan. In recent years, the political and public sentiment has turned towards granting Kashmir its own autonomy--with the exception of the Chinese controlled region--though any official resolution between India and Pakistan is not likely in the near future. 

Our Kashmiri Chai is modeled after Kahwah, a popular green tea recipe in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Kashmir Valley. Traditional Kahwah is made by boiling green tea leaves with cinnamon bark and cardamom pods, and is served with sugar or honey and crushed almonds. Saffron strands are sometimes also added for honored guests. It is also common to prepare Kahwah like a Masala Chai with both cream and sugar; this is our favorite way to drink it. Our Kashmiri Chai is a blend of cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, chopped almonds, and green tea. We did not include saffron, which sells for over $500 per pound. But if you happen to have some, don't hesitate to throw in a few strands for yourself.