The Tour De Tea's Triumphant Return!

If you know me, you know that I have a bit of an extremely large obsession with tea. Back in January I started a project called 'Tour De Tea' in an effort to work through the 60+ blends of tea we have in our house. Yes, 60 (and 90% of those are loose leaf). Well...as it turns out, when you drink a cup of tea a day, it makes you think about tea more...and consequently buy more tea. I believe our collection is nearing 80 blends now. I know, I know--we have a problem. The good news is that this means I was able to extend and continue my Tour De tea project. Yay! Follow along with me over here to see the progress. Today's tea? It's from Boulder, Colorado and it's called Blue Spring; Oolong leaves are wrapped tightly and then coated with ginseng powder. One of the most unique teas I've come across! And it's day 73 of the tour!

P.S. It's probably little coincidence that this coincides with the most well known tour de. July is Tour De France month, and I'm such a sucker for cycling!

Currently Coveting: Laura Amiss' Art

A little Friday afternoon eye candy for you. I'm completely in love with Laura Amiss' art. Is it any wonder--with the teapots, tea cups and the city scapes? So sweet & lovely.

Images all from Laura's Etsy Shop.

music monday: mr. scruff's 'music takes me up'

I love, love, LOVE Mr. Scruff. Never heard of him? He's a really fabulous DJ out of Manchester, UK, which is where I went to grad school. You may have heard his music around 10 years or so ago when one of his tracks (Get A Move On) was used in a super popular commercial for Lincoln (the car company).

Not only is his music totally chill and awesome, but the adorable cartoonified fruit in the video above is hallmark Mr. Scruff. Scruff draws completely awesome cartoons for his live sets, CD artwork and even for the tea company he owns. I know, I know--it's no wonder I love this guy: awesome music + an artist + a tea shop owner and a maker of my favorite brew? I'm sold.

Enjoy!

currently coveting: matcha green tea

My personal obsession with tea has been well documented, but it’s time to let you in on a little secret: while I love all teas equally, I have a penchant one kind in particular, and I love this one above all others.

I’m absolutely obsessed with Matcha, a form of green tea which is ground into an incredibly vibrant green powder. Aside from being packed with antioxidants, Matcha (or green tea powder) packs a punch of other health benefits. But let’s be honest, this is not at all about health—I’m absolutely obsessed with the flavor of Matcha. It’s earthy and slightly floral and completely unique. In the past six months or so, green tea flavored everything has been popping up everywhere, much to my delight!


You’ll often find me sipping on a Green Tea Latte from Starbucks, and sometimes I get really strange looks from fellow friends when I plop down into a comfy chair with a cuppa full of green. But since discovering Green Tea Lattes, I have eschewed almost all other coffee shop drinks. I’m a woman possessed.


Much to my delight, green tea is quickly becoming the flavor du jour at many bakeries, with places like Isobel’s Cupcakes here in Ottawa offering up green tea cupcakes and Asian grocery stores carrying Matcha-infused chocolates (above). It’s seriously like heaven for me!

So local chefs, bakers and confectioners, take note: green tea is the next big thing, folks. And if you add something to your menu with it, you can be sure that I’ll be there to snatch up every last bit of it!

the creative life: our tea collection

you’ve heard about my tour de tea project. now, a casual peek at our collection of 60+ teas. someday soon i’ll get around to taking a nicer picture & list out all the varieties. for now, enjoy the tea overload!