top of page
Tea Leaves

Steep with me...

A Hug in a Mug

"Be with the tea"

What does that mean?

purposefully choosing a loose-leaf tea

choosing a mug/cup

heating the water

steeping the tea

enjoying the moment

​Will you join me?

Ohio Tea Festival Logo™️

Ohio Tea Festival

Join me at The Ohio Tea Festival every September! We host an event filled day with a variety of educational & interactive workshops, dozens of tea vendors, live entertainment, unlimited tea tastings, and so much more more! For tickets and exclusive festival merch. click the links below.

Steeping Concentrates for a Latte

This recipe is perfect for a Masala Chai Latte, a London Fog (Earl Grey) Latte or a Jamaican Spiced Latte.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup Loose Leaf Tea

  • 4 cups Spring Water

  • 3/4 cup sugar (optional)

Equipment Needed:

  • Tea Kettle

  • Large Tea Strainer

  • Heat Safe Glass Container w/Lid

  • 1/2 cup dry Measuring Cup

  • 4 cup Liquid Measuring Cup

Directions:

  1. Measure dry tea into strainer.

  2. Pour water into kettle & boil (212° F)

  3. Pour boiling water over tea.

  4. Steep for 5-7 minutes

  5. Remove tea leaves

  6. Dissolve sugar in hot tea if desired.

  7. Allow tea to cool to room temperature.

  8. Cover and store in refrigerator up to 5 days.

 

* (loose leaf tea leaves can be steeped 2-3 times so place the used leaves in an airtight container and refrigerate overnight or freeze if you don’t plan to reuse them within 12 hours)

To Serve Iced:

  1. Add ice to a tall drinking glass.

  2. Pour concentrated tea over ice.

  3. Add desired amount of cream or milk.

  4. Add whipped cream and spices as desired (optional).

To Serve Hot:

  1. Pour concentrated tea into microwave safe mug.

  2. Add the desired amount of cream or milk.

  3. Microwave until desired temperature is achieved.

  4. Add whipped cream and spices as desired (optional).

  • Facebook

Like this recipe? Share your tasting experience on Facebook!

Summer Teas

How to brew a delicious Iced Tea

Iced Teas

Nilgiri Iced Tea

Equipment:

  • Heat safe pitcher or carafe with lid

  • Large disposable or reusable infuser

  • Thermometer or temperature controlled electric kettle

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Place dry tea leaves into a large sachet or infuser in a heat safe pitcher or carafe.

  2. Heat water to 200° F

  3. Pour water over the tea leaves and steep for 7 minutes.

  4. Remove the leaves.

  5. Add sugar to taste and stir to dissolve.

  6. Allow the tea to cool to room temperature.

  7. Cover and refrigerate up to 5 days.

  8. Serve over ice.

I've been an iced tea drinker for as long as I can remember. We had a giant Tupperware jug that I could barely handle. Every picnic, vacation, drive-in movie... we would brew 7 lipton tea bags in this jug and add 7 saccharin tablets then fill the rest of the container with ice and away we would go!

​

I still love iced tea, but I have learned to drink it black. And I have found the Nilgiri Iced Tea from India makes the most flavorful, clear, crisp iced tea on earth.  This region is on the side of the mountain where monsoon season offers the perfect amount of rain and the air is clean and cool in the mornings. I imagine these things when I brew a jug of this iced tea. When properly steeped, the liquor stays crisp and clear for as many as 5 days in the refrigerator (I usually can't let it set that long though).

​

I measure 6 heaping tablespoons of dry Nilgiri tea leaves into my tall infuser (you can also use a large ball infuser or a large disposable or reusable sachet). I bring 4 cups of fresh water to 200 degrees F. If you do not have a thermometer, you can use the ancient Chinese method of watching the water. The stage of 'String of Pearls' is when the bubbles rise rapidly to the surface as if they are on a string and is generally between 195-205 degrees F. This is the right range for brewing a black tea concentrate.

​

Pour the hot water over the tea leaves and steep for the longest measure of time listed for that tea (Nilgiri will steep for 5 minutes) then remove the leaves.  If you prefer sweet tea, now is the time to add sweetener. I add about 2/3 cup sugar to the 4 cup concentrate. But you do you!

​

Allow the concentrate to come to room temperature before refrigerating. I suggest storing in a clean glass container with a snug lid. This will keep your tea from absorbing unwanted flavors. Serve over ice with a fresh sprig of mint or lemon.

​

And there you have it; a lovely glass of refreshing iced tea for these hot summer days.

 

bottom of page