March 2024 Newsletter

Hello everyone and I hope all is well! :)

I again need to start this newsletter with a simple thank you. It has been so wonderful to see you all and to reminisce about our time here in the shop and even before the shop when I was an exhibitor at varioius fairs and festivals. We've shared and experienced so much over the years - some of which I have forgotten - and it has been truly heartwarming to think and talk about these memories. As we enter the final few weeks of Infuse Tea Bar, I am reminded of what an amazing community looks like. I continue to be truly touched by your outpouring of expressions of sadness, along with the support and well-wishes.

This is the final reminder that the last day the shop will be open will be Saturday, March 30th and we will be online only thereafter. Please be sure to check your inventory and stock up before then. I anticipate to be back up and running shipping out orders by May 1st. There are some additional logistical details below. If you are new to my community or missed the announcement in January's newsletter and would like to read it, please click here. All of the additional logistics that were included in February's newsletter are listed below with some additional logistics and updates, but feel free to click here if you would like to read that newsletter as well.

It is also important to note that the wait time at the shop has increased tremendously and it is now not uncommon to be waiting upwards of 30 minutes before I have the opportunity to get back after the greeting. I cannot emphasize enough that now is a fantastic time to take advantage of the pre-order process through the online shop, especially if your order contains upwards of 5 teas. Pre-orders are also highly recommended if you are planning on stopping by toward the end of our operational hours, as some have been inconvenienced to come back to pick up their orders when the amount of time needed to fill each custom order would have gone much beyond our closing time or impacted overall operations in the shop. The shop needs to close promptly at 5:00 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and 4:00 on Sundays in order to get to all the other obligations that I need to then turn my attention to. Details for pre-orders are listed below and it is never to early to place your order for pick up. Please do not email orders to me, as I will most likely not see them - I am currently many weeks behind in my emails and not sure when I will catch up given the volume I receive daily.

Gong Fu Tea Service will be available for a few more weeks and details for this appointment-only service, along with the winter menu are outlined below. As a reminder, the last day for Gong Fu Tea Service will be Sunday, March 24th.

I continue to be busy restocking and blending teas to ensure that you are able to purchase what you need. A few of the autumn and holiday teas are still available, but some are in limited supply. All that are currently available are listed in the New at the Shop section, so grab them before they are gone :) Even though it is still winter and you are probably not thinking about summer teas just yet, I brought these teas in early so that you have the option to purchase them for pick up at the shop. They are all available in the shop and online shop and returning favorites are listed below in the New at the Shop section.

This month we are traveling to Taiwan and we take a closer look at the highly sought after quality teas from this tea-producing island. A new tea from Taiwan, which was introduced in our Newly Found Treasures workshop last month, has been added to our origin teas menu. Enjoy your travels as you explore the teas of Taiwan with us!

As always, I appreciate your continued support of my small business!!

-- Kristine, FDN-P

Joongjak Organic South Korean Green Tea is finally back in stock! Blended up fresh batches of Honeybush Apple Nut Crumble Herbal Tisane, Tulsi Chai Organic Herbal Tisane, Chai Spice Organic Herbal Tisane, Chamomile Citrus Organic Herbal Tisane and Digestion Helper Organic Herbal Tisane! :) And I just received some samples for new-harvest teas - stay tuned for details over the next few months :)

Gong Fu Tea Service

This Chinese method of tea preparation means "done well" and it requires time and focus, delivering a more aromatic and flavorful infusion than those prepared using the more familiar western method of tea preparation. I am happy to be able to offer this cultural aspect of tea and guide you further through your own tea journey.

This is an appointment only, seated service and, at the moment, is limited to four appointments at a time. Each session lasts approximately 1-1/2 hours (allow 2 hours in case it runs long) and costs $30 paid upon booking. It includes multiple infusions of the tea that you select from the Gong Fu Tea menu and there are 4-7 infusions, depending on the tea selected and as time allows. It also includes a Gong Fu lesson, if you like, so that you may incorporate this method into your own tea ritual at home.

The menu is crafted and rotated seasonally and curated from the larger origin tea offering available in the shop. The winter menu is now available:

• Laoshan Village Green Tea - Shandong, China
• Satemwa Estate Antlers White Tea - Malawi
• Ben Shan Medium Roast Wulong Tea - Anxi, Fujian, China
• Wild-Grown Ancient Tree Wulong Tea - Vietnam
• Golden Curls Black Tea - Guangxi, China
• Kanoka Estate Black Tea - Assam, India
• 2013 Shou Pu-er Brick - Yunnan, China

Gong Fu Tea appointment start times are available:

Thursdays - 11:30 through 3:00

Fridays - 11:30 through 3:00

Sundays - 11:30 through 2:00

Please note that there are no appointments on Saturdays and the last day for Gong Fu Tea Service will be Sunday 3/24.

If you would like to make an appointment for this unique experience, please email kristine@infuseteabarny.com or reply to this email and put "Gong Fu" as the subject so that I can find your email when I do a search. Please let me know how many the appointment needs to be made for and the date and start time you are looking to schedule. I look forward to preparing tea for you! :)

Pre-order Reminder

As a reminder, pre-orders of loose leaf teas are encouraged in order to streamline the preparation of your custom orders and reduce your wait time, especially if the shop is busy when you arrive and there is somewhere you need to be. Orders also continue to be shipped nationwide and all (pre)orders can be placed in our online shop pleasuresoftea.com.

• Please place orders at least 24-hours ahead of desired pick up time, if possible, to ensure that it will be seen in the portal and there is enough time to pull it together in time for your arrival.
• Indicating the approximate date and time of pick up in the Comments section in the Cart helps ensure that your order will be ready for you upon arrival. Pick-ups can only be done during shop hours.
• If you plan to browse at the shop or grab a cup of tea, then please do not pay online - select the Pay at pick-up option.
• You will receive an emailed notification once your order is ready for pick-up.
• DO NOT send orders to my email or leave on voicemail - they will most likely not be seen until weeks after you are looking to pick up your order.

Thank you for your continued assistance in helping to serve you in the most efficient and expeditious manner possible! :)

Teas of Taiwan

This month we are going to travel to Taiwan and explore the fabulous teas that are produced there. Taiwan is a relative newcomer in the commercial production of tea; however, its top-quality teas are among the most famous in the world. It is a mountainous island located off the coast of China, directly across the Taiwan Strait from the Fujian Province of China. Prior to Dutch

rule from 1624-1662, the indigenous Taiwanese produced tea from the wild tea trees growing in the upper elevations of the mountains. During Dutch rule, many Chinese laborers were relocated from Fujian to Taiwan and they brought their tea-making knowledge with them. In the mid-1800's the first tea bush varietal used to make wulongs in Fujian was planted in Taiwan, thereby starting their modern commercial tea industry.

Taiwan is comprised of several islands, with the main island covering 13,826 square miles. Approximately 46 square miles are dedicated to tea cultivation, with roughly half of this area in the largest tea-producing county, Nantou. The areas where tea plants thrive benefit from a subtropical or temperate climate, depending on location. Elevations can range from about 650 feet to over 3,200 feet. Taiwan produces mostly sought after wulong teas, of which it is most famous. It also crafts a fair amount of well-known black teas, along with very small amounts of green and white teas. In fact, many tea manufacturers produce competition-grade wulongs that are among the most expensive teas, some of which sell at auction for hundreds of dollars for just over a pound of tea!

Prior to being named Taiwan, the island was known as Formosa and today many of its teas contain "Formosa" in their name. Other variables that may be incorporated in the naming of teas from Taiwan include tea cultivar, mountain on which it was grown and produced, agricultural practices, and production steps. A few popular cultivars are Qing Xin, Jin Xuan, Ruby 18, and Si Ji Chun. Names that indicate where the teas are grown include Dong Ding, Ali Shan, and Li Shan. Bug-bitten teas are an example of a particular agricultural practice that produces beautifully aromatic teas. Every year small leaf hoppers arrive and chew on the tea leaves. The plants execute their defensive mechanism, which results in sweet, honey notes in the finished tea. Lastly, processing steps may include level of oxidation in a wulong tea and/or whether any roasting has been applied.

Historically, Formosa wulongs have been known for their floral aromas and complex character; however, recent experimentation from tea makers has greatly expanded the taste and aromatic profile of these teas. Oxidation levels range from about 12% to 75% and there are also various levels of baking or roasting that can be applied in the later stages of processing. There are five main tea-growing regions in Taiwan, but only four of them produce the island's sought after wulongs. Here are the five regions, along with their notable teas:

Northern Taiwan

Consists of New Taipei City, Taipei City, and Yilan County. Best known teas:

• Baozhong - slightly twisted leaves that are the least oxidized (12%-15%) of wulongs; similar to green tea, but more complex with floral aromas.
• Jade Wulong - loosely rolled leaves that have been lightly-oxidized (15%-20%); delicate and smooth.

Tao-Chu-Miao Area (northwest coast of Taiwan)

Consists of Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli Counties. Best known tea:

• White Tip Bai Hao (Oriental Beauty) Wulong - softly-twisted leaves that are mid- to high-oxided (55%-75%); one of the most famous of the Formosa wulongs, known for its aromas and notes of honey, peaches, and apricots.

South-Central Taiwan

Consists of Nantou, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Pingtung Counties. Best known teas:

• Dong Ding Wulongs - loosely rolled leaves that are usually low mid-oxidized (20%-40%) and may receive a final baking/roasting; one of the most famous of the Formosa wulongs, known for a complexity of taste and aromas due to various processing steps.
• Sun Moon Lake Black Teas - a tradition that goes back 100 years and produced from Camellia sinensis assamica plants. Other cultivars used to produce these smooth and rich black teas include Ruby 18 and Hon Yun 21.

Pacific Ocean Coast

Consists of Hualien and Taitung Counties. Best known teas:

• Luye Wulongs - tightly rolled leaves that are known for a complexity of taste and aromas due to various processing steps. We offer a lovely highly oxidized charcoal roasted wulong from Luye.
• Black Teas - delicious Ruby 18 and Bug-Bitten black teas.

High Mountain (Gao Shan) Regions

Consists of the highest elevation tea-growing regions in the Central Mountain Range. Best known teas:

• High Mountain wulongs - range in oxidation levels and are complex with intense floral aromas, a full mouth-feel and long-lasting sweet aftertaste. They can be found under the name Gao Shan or High Mountain wulong, or as the mountain from which they originate, such as Ali Shan, Li Shan, and Shan Li Si.

We have a wide-ranging selection of teas from Taiwan - mostly wulongs, and also a few black teas and a white tea. A new tea that has just been added to the menu is the Roasted Jade Formosa Wulong Tea. This lightly oxidized and heavily roasted wulong is delightfully rich and smooth. This tea was introduced in our Newly Found Teas Tasting Workshop in February and was a favorite. It is available in the shop and online shop.

Taiwan has such an expansive selection of teas that are produced and this is only a brief introduction to these teas. I hope that you feel armed with the knowledge to dive in and explore these wonderful teas! :)

In Preparation for March 30th

I know the next few weeks will go by fast and there are some key additional things in preparation to move to the online format. Here is the list from last month's newsletter, with some updates and new considerations:

1. All order pick ups on Saturday, March 30th must be pre-ordered! Please note this, as I do not want to turn anyone away. I would like to spend the final day serving tea and enjoying the final moments. Unfortunately, it has been so busy over the past several weeks, that I have not been able to adequately answer questions or spend as much time chatting with you as I would like. Working behind the bar requires a high level of focus in order to ensure that everyone is serviced in an expeditious and accurate manner. I apologize to all of you who have had to wait an inordinate amount of time for your order or were not able to get your questions answered.
2. Pre-orders in our online shop at pleasuresoftea.com for the remaining weeks are highly recommended due to the increase in wait time as your custom orders are prepared! This is especially helpful when your order contains at least four teas, as larger orders severely impact my ability to assist everyone that is in the shop. This is also ideal if the amount of tea you plan to purchase is greater than what I have available at the shop and I need to bring in from the warehouse. If you have not yet placed an order in our online shop, this is a great opportunity to test it by creating an account and placing an order, while still having the option to ask questions when the shop is open. You don't need to place your entire order online - just the teas you know you definitely want! The process is super flexible and you can add anything else you want at the shop. Just remember to select the Pay at Pick Up option (DO NOT input credit card info if you plan to add to your order at the shop). Also, please note that I have started updating the business address in the backend of the online shop, solely to accommodate any undeliverable shipped orders. All pick-ups will still be at the current location through March 30th, regardless of any other addresses that may appear.
3. I have not been able to test the linking of accounts created online with the ones that I have created in the shop; however, some feedback I have received from some of you over the past several months is that your purchase history in the shop is linking to the account that you created online. This is an ideal situation so that you will be able to see all of the teas that you have purchased in the past. Some of you have indicated that the accounts aren't linking and you are not seeing your history, so I have started a list based on this feedback. When you pick up your pre-orders, please feel free to share with me if you are seeing your purchase history when you create your accounts online. I will be able to manually link them, but this will take some time, and the list that I'm putting together will tremendously help speed up the process.
4. Some teas have recently gone out of stock or are running low; however, I have been trying to keep up with keeping everything in stock and blending teas and tisanes in case you plan to buy larger quantities as March 30th approaches. The summer blends have arrived so that you may opt to grab them while the shop is open. The teas will store well for quite some time. As some of the quantities begin to run low, please let me know in the Comments section of the Cart if you are looking to purchase more than what the system says is available - it is easier for me to accommodate on the ones that I blend in-house.
5. I am anticipating a 3-4 week interruption in service after March 30th, so it will be best to stock up beforehand. I anticipate being fully operational shipping out orders by May 1st, but will not wait if everything is in place before then. As always, I will keep you all posted :)
6. If you have had your eye on any particular teaware in the shop, now is the best time to purchase it. Much of what remains are one-of-a-kind pieces and I am not planning on continuing to offer the diverse selection of teaware once it is all sold. This is also a great time to purchase teaware for Mother's Day, Father's Day, and birthday gifts, and, even though it's super early - this year's holiday teaware gifts.
7. I have stocked up on Double Devon Cream, which is a great accompaniment with scones. This stock is dwindling and I am not planning on restocking it once out. The expiration date is August of this year, so it will keep (unopened) in the fridge for any spring or summer tea events that you may be hosting or attending.
8. Effie's Biscuits, honeys, chocolate-covered fruit confections from Spain, and macarons will all be discontinued upon closing. Grab these products while still in stock. All Effie's will be discounted 20% for the remainder of the month. And great news about the scone mixes! Based on your feedback, I will continue to offer the scone mixes on the website after the shop is closed. This stock has gotten very low and I just placed a restocking order, so that you may grab what you need before March 30th :)
9. I will be selling the two tea trays on the bar that I have used for tea service, along with a few more of the beautiful unglazed jars that I have stored my Pu-er teas in. I will also be selling some of the black tins that have stored my teas - some are never used and some are used, being sold at a discount. I will also be selling some of the tea ware that has been used in the shop, so please let me know if you are interested and I will show you what I have. All of this is first dibs, but won't be available to take until the last week of the shop being open :)

Re-post of January's logistics:

1. It will be very difficult to continue to manage the volume of teas and tisanes that I currently offer. Some will no longer be carried because they are no longer being produced or I don't have a way to purchase any longer. I have a really good sense on the teas that you may want to continue to purchase; however, I would love to hear your must-haves. Please feel free to reply to this email with your favorites and I will make note!
2. For all outstanding gift certificates - feel free to redeem them in the shop before March 30th. Or you may also redeem them in the online shop before or after this date. To redeem, please input the following information in the Comments section in the cart: compliments of, especially for, gift certificate number, amount, and date. You will still need to input your credit card, but only the balance will be charged, if there is one. Gift certificates never expire - I put an expiration date on them because I want them to be used and not forgotten in a pile of paper ;)
3. I always put love in every cup of tea that I prepare for you, but extra love will be put in everyone's cup moving forward :)
4. I will also be selling some of the pieces in the shop that I will no longer need. I will be making more definite decisions as March approaches, but I already know that the commercial stainless steel 3-compartment sink will not be needed. Please let me know if anyone is potentially interested in purchasing it.

I am not currently taking on new clients, but will have the availability to do so after the shop closes. As a Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition (FDN) Practitioner, I help clients get to the root of their health and wellness issues and reclaim the vitality that they very much deserve. I offer fully customized, programs that are unique to each client and that incorporate functional lab testing and holistic protocols addressing body, mind, spirit and senses. This is an extension of my work in tea and herbalism for the past seventeen years, but I will now be able to help those of you who need it at a much deeper and more personalized level than I can offer in the shop. In addition to the new tools in my toolbox, I will continue to draw from my experience in using tea for health, along with my herbalism training, during the development of the comprehensive protocols that will be specific to the bio-individualized needs of each client. I will educate and empower you to make the choices that are best for YOUR health so that you can be your own health advocate moving forward. I look forward to showing you what I can do to help you achieve your wellness goals and enjoy continued vitality well into the future!

Over the past few years I have had the extraordinary opportunity to study with and be mentored by some leaders in their field. I am excited to incorporate this new information to help my clients and will be using the skills and knowledge gained from these certifications to roll out new programs later this year when I will begin to accept clients again:

• Functional Nutrition Certificate with Chris Kresser - world-renown integrative medicine practitioner; based on this knowledge I will be using functional and ancestral nutrition to support the needs of the body and educate clients about the foods that create the environment for chronic inflammation and disease. Clients will also have the option to obtain diet and lifestyle practice reports based solely on their genetics.
• Certified Terrain Advocate with Dr. Nasha Winters - world-renown Naturopathic doctor who uses an integrative, metabolic approach to help her clients survive and thrive with cancer; I will be using the principles of the Metabolic Approach to address internal and external underlying drivers in the cancering process, but also with autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia, and other inflammatory chronic conditions.
• MRC Healthy Gut Specialist Certification with Dr. Jason Hawrelak - among the preeminent international researcher/clinicians in the realm of gut microbiome testing and addressing GI issues using natural methods; using the extensive new tools in my toolbox, I will be able to help my clients better address a broad array of GI issues and enable them to balance their gut microbiome for optimal wellness.
• Art and Science of Herbalism Certificate with Rosemary Gladstar - the "godmother" of herbalism here in the US; I will be able to use the extensive herbal and natural remedies knowledge gained from this program in developing my own protocols.
• FDN Advanced Course Certificate - Coaching Skills and Teaching Emotional Wellness
• FDN Advanced Course Certificate - Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis
• FDN Advanced Course Certificate - Blood Sugar Management
• FDN Advanced Course Certificate - Advanced Guide to Mitochondria Dysfunction and Support

To learn about my health and wellness services, feel free to visit the Vitality Holistic Wellness website https://vitalityholisticwellness.net. New programs and additional information about my health and wellness services will be added in a few months, so stay tuned!

I haven't had the time to craft and distribute the Vitality Newsletter in over a year, but am planning to pick this back up after the shop closes. The newsletter will include health and wellness tips that do not fit within the scope of this newsletter. If you are interested in receiving it, then please feel free to sign up while you're at the website!

New at the Shop

Roasted Jade Formosa Wulong Tea, a brand new delicious roasted wulong from Taiwan has been added to the menu! In addition, some of our autumn and holiday teas are still available in the shop and online shop. The following teas are still available, some in very limited supply: Chocolate Peppermint Black Tea, Gingered Vanilla Toddy Black Tea, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Black Tea, Roasted Chestnut Black & Green Tea with Yerba Maté Blend, Maple Walnut Green Tea, White Chocolate Peppermint White Tea, Rooibos Chocolate Peppermint Herbal Tisane, Rooibos Christmas Cookie Herbal Tisane, Rooibos Maple Walnut Herbal Tisane, Rooibos Orange Gingerbread Herbal Tisane, Candied Pomegranate Herbal Tisane, and Holiday Punch Fruit Tisane.

Summer teas are available in the shop and online shop! Returning favorites include: Minted Coconut Lime Green Tea, Cherry Pineapple Herbal Tisane, Coconut Fruit Punch Fruit Tisane, Kiwi Peach Fruit Tisane, and Watermelon Fruit Tisane.

Infuse Tea Bar & The Pleasures of Tea

106 Main Street

West Sayville, NY 11796

www.infuseteabarny.com - shop

www.pleasuresoftea.com - online shop

**************************************

500+ Loose Leaf Teas, Herbal Tisanes & Functional/Medicinal Herbs

Certified - Tea Professional, Tea Sommelier & Tea Health Expert

Forever Student of the Art & Science of Herbalism

Certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, MRC Certified Healthy Gut Practitioner & Certified Terrain Advocate - Vitality Holistic Wellness