For best service, please feel free to pre-order your must-have teas in our online shop at www.pleasuresoftea.com!
|
|
Hello all and I hope that everything continues to be well!
June is National Iced Tea Month and Iced Tea Day is on June 10th, so be sure to celebrate with your favorite cuppa - either iced or hot. Every June the newsletter is dedicated to iced tea making techniques and tips and this year is no different. For those of you who have never made your own fresh iced tea using loose leaf, then you're in for a treat and you may find the information below useful. And the information is always a good refresher for those of you who may need it. All of the summer teas are in and the complete list of returning favorites and new options is in the New at the Shop section below.
***Just a reminder that the shop will be closed from Monday, June 7th through Wednesday, June 23rd. Please be sure to stock up before we close promptly this Sunday, June 6th at 4:00 PM.***
Gong Fu Tea Service at the bar is back!! :) Details for this unique, by appointment service are outlined below as well.
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. Orders also continue to be shipped nationwide and all (pre)orders can be placed in our online shop www.pleasuresoftea.com. Your order is not finalized until you pick up, so there is no need to input your credit card info. This allows flexibility to browse the shop, add more teas, a cup of tea, or some of our goodies to your order. Revised COVID policies and procedures have been implemented to ensure the best possible experience in the shop and they have been posted for easy reference on the shop website www.infuseteabarny.com. The updated policy that was communicated in April has also been provided below for your reference.
I appreciate your continued support of my small business and I wish you much health and great tasting cups of tea!
-- Kristine
|
|
Updated Shop Schedule
Please note that the shop will be closed on the following days:
Monday, June 7th through Wednesday, June 23rd
Sunday, July 4th
Be sure to stock up on all your favorites before our June break!
***Please note that the shop will also be closed on Sunday, July 4th.***
|
|
Gong Fu Tea Service
Gong Fu Tea Service may once again be enjoyed at the bar!! 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 again be able to incorporate this cultural aspect of tea into the shop and guide you further through your own tea journey.
This is an appointment only service and, at the moment, is limited to two appointments at a time. Three may be accommodated if from the same household/group. Each session lasts 1-1/2 hours and costs $30, including the tax, paid upon booking. It includes multiple infusions of the tea that you select from the Gong Fu Tea menu and there are 3-7 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 will be crafted and rotated seasonally and will be curated from the larger origin tea offering available in the shop. Our spring menu is now available and the following teas are being prepared Gong Fu:
- Pre-Qing Ming Premium Longjing Organic China Green Tea
- Arakai Estate Pan-Roasted Australian Green Tea
- Ya Bao China White Tea
- Vietnam Imperial Wulong Tea
- Luye Charcoal Roast Organic Formosa Wulong Tea
- Jin Xuan Organic Thai Black Tea
- Shizuoka Organic Japanese Dark Tea
Gong Fu Tea appointments are available:
Thursdays & Fridays - 11:30 through 3:00
Sundays - 11:30 through 2:00
Please note that there are no appointments on Saturdays.
If you would like to make an appointment for this unique experience, please email kristine@infuseteabarny.com or reply to this email. I look forward to preparing tea for you! :)
|
|
Iced Tea Techniques & Tips
For many, the return of summer signals the return of iced tea. Iced tea is an American phenomenon that is credited with being "invented" just over one hundred years ago. This refreshing beverage is attributed to Richard Blechynden, a merchant who wanted to provide samples of his tea at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. It was very hot during the exhibition and the fair-goers were not interested in his hot tea, so he decided to pour the tea over ice....and it was a huge success! Even though Mr. Blechynden is credited for inventing this summertime favorite, there are several earlier references in recipe books and other sources. Today eighty percent of the tea consumed in the US is iced, the majority of which is not a healthy addition to your diet due to the amount of sugar. In reality, hot tea actually cools you down much more effectively, as it stimulates the cooling action of sweating. Iced tea, on the other hand, can cause a constricting action and may keep the heat in. Regardless, we know you love iced tea, so here are some tips for making your own flavorful, healthy and refreshing teas all summer long.
Making a pitcher of fresh iced tea using loose leaf tea is easy and healthy. Making it yourself provides you the freedom to make what you want, the way you like it, and nothing tastes better because you control what's in it and, more importantly, what is not! There is an unlimited selection of teas that can be used - black, green, wulong, white, scented, flavored, herbal and fruit tisanes.
Iced tea can be prepared using several different methods. I find that each method has pros and cons and the method should be selected based on the type of tea/tisane being made, the volume being made, and how quickly you need it. The methods are as follows:
-
Hot-Brew - prepare the tea in the traditional manner using the proper temperature water and steep time; let it cool down slightly before chilling. Pro: Great for any tea or tisane. Con: Takes time to get it chilled.
-
Flash-Chill - prepare the tea as usual, but use only about 1/3 the amount of hot water - in essence, you're making a concentrate. After it steeps, add 1/3 ice water and stir. Add 1/3 ice to top off. Pro: Great for making an immediate cup of iced tea or tisane (it's the one we use in the shop to make it to order). Con: Requires a fair amount of ice depending on how much you need to make.
-
Cold-Brew - add cold water to tea leaves, cover, put in fridge and let steep overnight or at least 4 hours for green and white tea, 8-10 hours for wulong, black, and Pu-er/dark teas. Iced tea will be ready in the morning - it works while you sleep! Pro: Great way to make iced tea by the pitcher. Con: Takes time. Also, it is not the best method for making iced herbal and fruit tisanes because herbs and fruit need more of a "wake up" to ensure the best flavor; use the hybrid method instead.
-
Hybrid - based on the type of tea or tisane, pour enough of the proper temperature water over the leaves to just cover them. Let steep for 1 minute, fill with cold water, cover and put in fridge. Follow the rest of the cold-brew steps from here. If preparing in a glass container, please be sure that it is a heat-safe, tempered glass container. Pro: Best method to "wake up" the herbs and fruit in the tisanes and allows the preparation of a larger volume. Con: Takes time.
Whichever method you choose, it is important to be sure to use an adequate amount of tea leaf, especially if the tea will be poured over ice. To minimize the risk of ending up with a weak iced tea, you may want to make a concentrated tea or tisane that can be diluted to the proper strength once it is poured over ice or diluted with cold water.
When your iced tea is ready, garnish it as desired. Slices of fruit and mint sprigs add flavor and color. Citrus slices not only taste good, but they also help your body absorb more of the healthy antioxidants! Use a simple syrup (plain or infused with herbs and/or fruit) or fruit juice to sweeten, if necessary. Add a splash of seltzer for some bubbly. For a boozy blend, add some rum, vodka or other favorite spirit for an iced tea cocktail.
Keep in mind that tea is full of healthy nutrients - polyphenols, amino acids, essential oils, and minerals. In addition to providing healthy benefits to our bodies, these nutrients may provide a food source for bacteria, if the infused tea is not consumed immediately or stored properly. The chance of getting sick is low, but to minimize any potential risk, be sure to cover and refrigerate left-over iced tea and consume it within two to three days.
Finally, here is our annual caution about sun tea, a tradition that captures the essence of summer, and one which most of us have prepared at least once. It is important, however, to be aware of the potential risks that may be associated with consuming this favorite summertime beverage. As the sun heats the water, it reaches a temperature that is ideal for any bacteria that may be present to multiply - it never gets hot enough to kill it off. To minimize any potential risks, it is important to follow these steps:
- Use a very clean container. If the container has a spigot, be sure that the area around it is clean and sanitized - bacteria can thrive here and then become part of your tea.
- Use fresh cold water.
- Steep the sun tea for no more than three to four hours.
- Consume the same day. If any tea remains, refrigerate and consume it the next day. Discard any tea that remains after the second day.
- This method is not recommended for tisanes or flavored teas that contain a lot of fruit pieces. The fruit pieces could provide a food source for any potential bacteria that may be present. In addition, herbs, particularly organic or fresh from your garden, may possibly harbor insect eggs, which would not be neutralized in the lukewarm water.
Whichever tips and techniques you test out this summer, be sure to unleash your creativity and feel free to share your concoctions or your own tips on our facebook page!
|
|
Summer teas are here!! The following popular blends from years past have returned: Cherry Pineapple Green Tea, Minted Coconut Lime Green Tea, Rooibos Guava Citrus Herbal Tisane, Cherry Pineapple Herbal Tisane, Coconut Fruit Punch Fruit Tisane, Kiwi Peach Fruit Tisane, Pomegranate Lime Fruit Tisane, Raspberry Blackberry Fruit Tisane, Rhubarb Cooler Fruit Tisane, and Watermelon Fruit Tisane. Three new blends for this year are Lavender Rose Petal Green Tea, Berry Crush Herbal Tisane and Coconut Lime Herbal Tisane. All are currently available in the shop and online shop.
|
|
COVID Procedures and Pre-Order Reminder
The COVID procedures remain in place, but one of the procedures is being revised. As a result of the latest information about COVID, I am slowly relaxing the policy on the number of people that can be in the shop at a time and drinking at the bar is now back (with some restrictions)!! Please note that I may need to make immediate adjustments to this policy during your visit, if conditions warrant it. There will still be some requirements with the relaxed policy:
- Due to constraints of space in the shop, no more than four can be accommodated to drink at the bar (may be subject to change based on the traffic at the shop at a given time). This will also enable additional customers to come in for pick-ups and to browse. I may ask you to shuffle around or wait outside if the traffic at the shop picks up. I apologize up front for this inconvenience, but will always try to strike a balance in each unique situation.
- Time restrictions may be implemented so that the bar is available for all who would like to enjoy a cup in the shop again, i.e. no camping out at the bar. I ask that you please be respectful of other customers and be mindful of those who are waiting to drink at the bar, especially if you have been there for a while.
- Masks will continue to be required in the shop, even if you have been vaccinated. Yes, I agree it's not ideal to be fussing with the mask while drinking your tea, but it is the only way to open the bar back up responsibly.
As a reminder, mine is not an off-the-shelf shop; instead, I offer a customer-focused approach where everything is custom prepared to order and I offer the unique option of having any of my 500 teas prepared fresh for you either hot or iced. The benefit to this approach provides the greatest flexibility to personalize your experience and best meet your needs, but the downside is that everything takes time to prepare and there are no shortcuts. It is strongly recommended that you continue to pre-order your teas for pick-up in the online shop at www.pleasuresoftea.com, especially if you prefer to shorten your wait time. Pre-orders of one or two teas are no longer necessary, but appreciated. Larger orders are still requested to be pre-ordered. Any teas or herbs that are not currently on the website yet can always be added to your order at the shop, along with anything else you would like to add. I am not putting the pre-order tips in this newsletter because they have been included in the newsletters over the past six months. These newsletters are all available for reference by clicking here.
I continue to stay current on COVID-related information and will make adjustments to the remaining policies when I believe it is acceptable to do so. I will be sure to communicate any relevant changes in future newsletters, on our facebook page Infuse Tea Bar by The Pleasures of Tea, on the shop website www.infuseteabarny.com and the online shop website www.pleasuresoftea.com.
|
|
106 Main Street
West Sayville, NY 11796
**************************************
500+ Loose Leaf Teas & Herbal Tisanes
Certified - Tea Professional, Tea Sommelier & Tea Health Expert
Student of the Art & Science of Herbalism
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
