Happy Autumn to you all and I hope that everything continues to be well!
This is my favorite time of year and these early autumn days have been absolutely beautiful. All of our autumn teas are available for you to enjoy and the complete list is outlined toward the bottom of the newsletter below, along with some other goodies that have arrived just in time for the season :)
As mentioned in September's newsletter, new shop policies and procedures would be implemented this month in order to be proactive and get ahead of the anticipated increase in wait times at the shop that will occur during the busiest times. The traffic at our small shop has increased and so have the lines outside. There have been lines even during the week and last weekend some were waiting outside for 30-45 minutes before being able to enter the shop in order for me to serve them. Due to the personalized nature of your shop experience and the need to follow COVID-19 guidelines, all transactions take much longer to process and I am not able to assist as many people at a time as I used to. As you know, my shop is not an off-the-shelf shop; instead, I offer a customer-focused approach where everything is custom prepared to order and we offer the unique option of having any of our 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. I work fast and efficiently, but there is only so much that can be accomplished each day and I will need your assistance moving forward in order to continue to provide you with high level and timely service. As with my strategy in developing and communicating policies and procedures during the height of the COVID-19 spread back in the spring, I continue to keep current on the latest information in order to identify potential risks and mitigate them in the interest of all who enter my shop. With the upcoming busy seasons in the shop, along with colder and inclement weather that make waiting outside not a viable option, the new policies and procedures are designed to continue to provide you with as much of the experience in the shop that I am able to provide during these continuing challenging times. I apologize for the length of this newsletter, but I wanted to provide some insights into the daily operating challenges in order to try to manage expectations and eliminate any disappointing experiences for you.
Every year at this time I like to focus the content of the newsletter on teas and tisanes for immune support. And this year is no different, especially since coronavirus will be accompanying the cold and flu this year. Instead of trying to put all of the content into one newsletter, I am splitting it into two. This month we'll be focusing specifically on how teas and tisanes can support your immune system, along with some great options we have available in the shop to assist you here. Next month we're going to discuss how teas and tisanes can provide support to other systems of the body so as not to put undue stress and strain on the immune system.
Please note that, as of now, the last day for Gong Fu Tea Service for this year will be Sunday, 11/1. This date is fluid as I am monitoring the patterns of traffic in the shop to see if I will need to discontinue the service earlier in order to reduce any potential risks. The appointments have been running long, so I will be booking fewer each day and further apart so that I can keep up with the time and focus needed for this service. These remaining appointments may book up fast, so please be sure to schedule asap if you are interested and please allow 1.5 to 2 hours in your schedule. Details about this unique cultural tea service are below, along with the associated autumn menu of teas.
The new website for our online shop www.pleasuresoftea.com is live and it looks like the Comments section is finally working again! We ship nationwide and the new website will make it easy for you to place your pre-orders for pick up at the shop. Please see details below under the new procedures regarding the best way to place your pre-orders and the requested steps to ensure that we can continue to serve you in the best way possible.
I know it's a ways away, but please note that the shop will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and from Monday 1/4 through Wednesday 1/13. We will be open on Saturday 1/2 and Sunday 1/3 for all of your last minute stock up needs before our much needed post-holiday break. Some additional days and extended hours will be added for the holiday season, but this schedule still needs to be finalized. It will be communicated in next month's newsletter. As a reminder, current hours, along with future schedule changes and policies, can always be found on our shop website www.infuseteabarny.com.
I appreciate your continued support of my small business and I wish you all much health and delicious tea!
-- Kristine
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New Shop Procedures
Before outlining the new policies and procedures, I would like to speak to a few things to help provide context around some of them and why I may approach certain situations in the shop in a particular way. First, I would like to thank you all for your continued support and cooperation as we all work through these unusual times. It is normally challenging to run a small business here on Long Island, especially one as specialized as mine, and it is even more so during these times. And for me personally, these times pose a unique challenge because of my own health issues. As you may recall from prior communications, I am in the high risk group due to being immuno-compromised and autoimmune for 30 years. But I view these conditions as also having an advantage at the moment due to the fact that I have a very good understanding of how pathogens are transmitted. Social distancing, being aware of what my hands touch, and regular hand-washing have been part of my life for decades. I have had to live differently than most people and, as a result, I need to work within a fairly rigid structure and have developed lots of different strategies and ways of thinking in order to accomplish everything I would like to despite my physical limitations and to minimize the potential of flares or relapse. In fact, about six months ago with the onset of COVID-19 I started working on a new project because of my own health history and the knowledge and experience I have accumulated seeking to overcome these challenges every day to support the inner warriors of my immune system. I am excited to be able to share it with you when it is finished, hopefully early next year. Despite the risk, I do not live in fear and I don't believe in stopping my work. I am passionate about and love what I do and appreciate the opportunity to be your trusted source for quality teas and tisanes and as an educational resource. I learn what I can about the potential risks and I take the necessary steps and make informed decisions to mitigate them, and I do not think it smart to tempt fate. For 13 years I have run my business according to strict hygiene and sanitizing practices, not only to protect myself, but to protect everyone who enters my shop. I know many of you have similar health issues and others live with someone who has health issues. I do not take my responsibilities lightly to provide a welcoming and safe environment and I appreciate the trust you continue to place in me. It is with all of this in mind that I develop and implement all of my policies and procedures, and will not hesitate to enforce them, in order to continue to provide you with the unique experience that you look forward to.
The second item I would like to address is the wearing of masks. As part of my policies for the past several months, masks are required to be worn in the shop. Some of you may have seen the applicable sign that is posted in the window as you walk in the front door, along with the statement that I am not wearing a mask - which you would then have noticed when you walk in the shop. In our current climate where wearing masks or not may be interpreted as political or (dis)respectful, I wanted to address this to assure you that I am not making any political statements and I mean you no disrespect by not wearing one. I am not able to wear a mask due to other health reasons and I am very aware of this hypocrisy, so I would like to explain this vague statement. One of my autoimmune conditions involves my body attacking my fluid-producing glands. My eyes are very dry, sticky, and gritty and sometimes this makes it difficult to read. My sinuses are dry and inflamed, which also impacts my ears making my hearing slightly muffled and the reason why I may need to ask you to repeat or spell out words or won't understand you if my back is turned. And lastly, I am always thirsty and dehydrated, requiring me to constantly drink throughout the day in order to prevent a dry, hacking cough (not very comforting during the time of COVID) that can quickly get out of control and making it difficult for me to breathe (I'm also asthmatic). I can only wear masks for very short periods of time and, since there is almost always someone in the shop with me, wearing a mask is not an option. For those of you who would feel more comfortable with me wearing a mask during your visit, please let me know when you arrive.
The last item I would like to address is to provide you with a little insight into how I work and think during the very busy times, which may appear to be chaotic and stressful for me. Working behind the bar requires intense focus, adaptability, and attention to detail. There are always multiple moving parts and priorities in this dynamic environment. My job is not a linear one, meaning I cannot do one task at a time, and I need to multitask in order to accomplish as much in a day as I need to get done. I thrive under this pressure and during busy times I try to rise to meet each challenge. I rarely get mentally stressed; instead, I take a step back to assess the situation and develop a new strategy for how I am going to achieve my goal of serving you in the most effective, efficient, accurate, and timely manner as possible while trying to maintain a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I have learned to compartmentalize, which enables me to keep track of lots of constantly changing information, and can quickly switch between multiple tasks and thoughts. Even during slower times, I am usually processing or calculating 5-10 different things in my head and I use what I call "pockets of time", or small blocks of time in between each customer, to keep up with the workload. This is a job of timing and for each transaction I am working against four clocks: 1) the timers if you have ordered a prepared cup of tea; 2) the "clock" for the amount of time it takes for me to prepare your loose leaf order; 3) your clock - your time is valuable and there are better things you can be doing than stand in line, so I try to be cognizant of how long you are waiting; and 4) my end of day clock when I need to have a prompt closure in order to turn my attention to the additional 3-4 hours required for my other obligations to keep the shop running, personal obligations, and ensure that I do not burn out given my 70-hour work week (I unfortunately do not have free time to tap into to catch up). When there are multiple customers in the shop, these clocks overlap and I then implement my "triage" approach to streamline the workload. Prior to COVID, I would be able to simultaneously assist up to 15 people pretty effectively using my strategies. Now however, I have to limit the number of people in the shop and drinking at the bar is not available as part of your experience. It was during these times that I could get to know each of you or you would start to speak with someone else in the shop, giving us the affectionate nickname "the Cheers of tea". This was a great environment for all to reduce stress and give me the opportunity to seamlessly prepare your orders while you relaxed. I miss the conversations and providing you the opportunity to relax at my bar with a cup of tea. And the new way of doing business has eliminated this "cushion effect" and has greatly increased the length of time for me to be able to assist you.
I am trying to implement procedures that will provide more structure to the operations at the shop, enable flexibility so that I can keep the traffic moving into and out of the shop, while still being able to maintain the welcoming and educational atmosphere as best as possible. I prefer to remain adaptable and make on-the-fly decisions as needed to meet each challenge. For example I am not incorporating into my policies that only "X number of people" will be allowed in the shop. I find this too restrictive and does not allow me to make the best decision based on the situation. I may need to make immediate adjustments to policies based on a situation taking place in the shop, which will be communicated at the time. I am aware that during very busy times my take-charge, intense and decisive personality, and direct, straightforward verbal communication style may be viewed as rude, offensive, or off-putting to some. This is not my intent as I will most likely be in intense focus assisting everyone at the shop at the time and calculating how long each of you would need to wait before I can finalize your order. I am deeply humbled by those of you who have been stating that my shop is worth the wait, but in my mind a relatively long wait outside without a cup of tea is not good customer service and once the work backlog begins it can quickly spiral to hours of work with a steady stream of new customers that arrive at the shop. I also appreciate the offers of assistance, but due to my high risk status and need to be assured that my very strict sanitary protocols are being met, I am not able to have anyone behind the bar with me at this time.
During very busy times I will do my best to answer your questions, but I may not be able to answer all of them or have the conversations that I would love to have. This is not meant to be rude; instead, it is so that I can keep my focus on serving everyone that I need to serve and not forget the amount of information that I am trying to keep track of in my mind. You may notice that I rarely write things down; instead I rely on my working memory to provide you with a more efficient experience. I employ lots of strategies to ensure accuracy, but every once in a while an error may occur. I do my best to identify and fix errors to your order before you leave my shop and the last check is the confirmation of your order that I read off at checkout.
I am hoping that this has provided some really high-level detail around my desire and attempt to continue to provide you with a quality product and excellent customer service and how the new policies and procedures will enable me to accomplish this no matter how busy the shop gets during the upcoming late autumn and holiday seasons. Please do not hesitate to let me know during your next visit if any of the policies and procedures are unclear or if you have any questions regarding them. I again appreciate your support and cooperation.
Policies & Procedures
Due to social distancing requirements, congregating in the shop and drinking at the bar is, unfortunately, no longer an option. Our complete menu of prepared teas and small bites remain available, but these will need to be taken to go. My standard practice is to always prepare your cup of tea first, if you order one, and this will continue.
A limited number of patrons will be permitted in our small shop at a given time and I will need to keep the flow of traffic moving, especially during busy times. You may need to wait in a line outside, so please allow ample time for your visit even if you are planning to be quick. I need to be fair and consistent to all who visit the shop and are already waiting. Unfortunately, I cannot let you know when is a quieter time to visit the shop - there are no consistent patterns. I ask that once your transaction is completed, you open up space for the next customer(s) to enter the shop to begin their experience. I am also requesting that, if there is a line, only customers who plan to purchase items enter the shop. Again, this will free up space for another waiting customer. This is contrary to the welcoming experience I have been trying to offer for the past seven years in the shop and I apologize if during the busiest times while others are waiting I need to hasten the transaction time and may not be able to answer all of your questions. I appreciate your understanding and cooperation to ensure that all customers have equal opportunity to access the shop to get the items they need and have the same experience.
Pre-orders are more than strongly encouraged to be placed in the online shop at www.pleasuresoftea.com. Please provide at least 24-hours (earlier is definitely better) notice, if possible, so that there is enough time to pull your order together in time for your arrival. It would be a good idea to pre-order the teas you know you definitely would like to order and then browse and add any additional items at the shop, including prepared teas to drink. Since pouching the teas is so time-consuming and this is where the back up occurs, the pre-orders will speed up the processing of your order and reduce any potential of needing to wait outside if the shop is busy when you arrive or while your order is being prepared. Waiting outside is not ideal, especially as we move into the colder and more inclement weather of late autumn and winter.
Please be advised that there may arise the scenario where I may need to ask you to return on another day to pick up your order. I would like to state that this measure is not ideal and will only be taken as a last resort because of the impact that it would have on you. This will go into effect in the instance where the workload and orders ahead of yours will take a lengthy amount of time to prepare (estimated to be greater than 1 hour without new customers arriving at the shop) or if it is too close to the end of the day. I know that many of you travel from Montauk to Manhattan and beyond to visit my shop, hence my insistence that pre-orders be placed. It will pain me to communicate to you that I will not be able to fill your order at that time. I can accomplish a lot in a day, but I can only do what is realistically possible. When the backlog is getting lengthy, I will do my best to communicate the estimated wait time so that you can make an informed decision to wait or come back. Your understanding and patience will be very much appreciated.
Important (Pre)-Ordering Info:
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Please indicate the anticipated day and time of pick-up in the Comments Section on the cart page. This tremendously helps with workflow so that your order will be ready when you arrive. There is no need to let me know if you cannot make the original pick up time - your order will be set aside for when is convenient for you to stop by.
- If looking to pick up an order on Thursdays, please plan on a pick up time after noon to ensure there is enough time for it to be pulled together.
- For those of you placing orders for pick up and do not plan to add anything at the shop and plan to pay with a credit card, please input your credit card info at the time you place your order for a quicker check out. If you plan to pay with cash, then please select the "Pay when picking up order" payment option. If there is a line at the shop when you arrive, please come to the front door to let me know you are there. I will figure out where I can squeeze you in so that you don't need to go to the back of the line.
- For those of you placing orders for pick up and you plan to browse in the shop and add items to your order, then please select the "Pay when picking up order" payment option so everything can be processed as one order. If there is a line when you arrive at the shop, then you will need to wait in line.
- As a reminder, most of our teas have been added to the website, along with a few other items. We continue to add items weekly and if a tea you would like to order has not been added to the website yet, please mention the tea and quantity you would like to order in the Comments section at checkout. White and Pu-er/Dark Teas and the functional herbs are still being added to the online shop.
- Once I finish preparing your order for pick up, an automatic notification will be emailed to you to let you know that it is ready for whenever is convenient for you to stop by.
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Teas & Tisanes for Immune Support
Teas and tisanes are great options to have in your toolbox for immune support and I have been using them to support my own compromised immune system for about twenty years. During the autumn and upcoming holiday and winter seasons a swarm of variables all come together to create a perfect storm that stress our immune systems. Even though we may not be inundated with the usual stresses this year - hectic schedules, holiday parties, and exposure to germs in crowded places - our immune systems will still be challenged with the colder, drier air that will arrive and other stresses that will increase the possibility of getting infected with a cold, flu or coronavirus. Tea and tisanes can be great partners in the fight against stress and supporting the immune system to keep us healthy and at our best all season long; however, they alone will not prevent you from getting one of the nasty "bugs" of the season. They will provide the greatest benefit as part of a holistically healthy lifestyle, which includes getting proper rest, exercising or staying active, employing stress reduction techniques, staying hydrated, and eating well in order to provide the support and nutrients necessary to keep our bodies healthy. Reducing or eliminating sugar, refined carbs, and alcohol will help to reduce strain on the immune system. It's never too late to get a jump start on supporting the immune system. Here are some key teas and tisanes to consider adding to your seasonal regimen for immune support and we'll cover herbs to assist with stress reduction in next month's newsletter.
Any tea will do, so drink them all - black, green, wulong, white, yellow, dark! Just make sure they are good quality and, if they are flavored, that they contain a very high percentage of tea leaves instead of other ingredients. The tea leaves contains many healthy compounds and a few of note are: 1) caffeine provides energy, reduces fatigue, and enhances cognitive function; 2) the amino acid L-theanine induces calm and relaxation, reduces stress, enhances cognitive focus and alertness, and strengthens the immune system; and 3) polyphenols support the immune system and reduce the damage created by stress. Current research is showing that polyphenols may actually provide an adaptogenic action in the body rather than that of an antioxidant.
Tisanes, which derive from hundreds of plants, are the mostly caffeine-free herbals that are just as healthy as tea. They originate from various parts of plants including roots, bark, leaves, fruit, flowers, and seeds. They contain many different healthy compounds due to their diverse origins and many have been used medicinally for thousands of years. Tisanes can be categorized into drinking and functional herbs. The drinking herbs are good for every day consumption and will support overall health and wellness, so drink the ones you enjoy most. Examples include rooibos, honeybush, tulsi, chamomile, mint, and any blends of these herbs and others - there are just too many to list!
The functional or medicinal herbs are classified based on the actions that they have in the body and they include some of the drinking herbs. Here are just a few types of important immune-supporting herbs to keep on hand at this time of year, along with several examples. You'll notice that several of them fall into multiple categories:
- Adaptogens - support the systems of the body and reduce the negative physical effects of stress. Such herbs include any of our tulsi herbs and in-house tulsi blends, astragalus root, eleuthero root, schisandra berries, rhodiola root, ashwagandha, licorice, and our in-house Organic Immune Support Blend.
- Immunomodulators - help to support and balance the immune system by strengthening and building it. Such herbs include astragalus root, any of our tulsi herbs and in-house organic tulsi blends, ashwagandha, and our in-house Organic Immune Support.
- Immunostimulants - stimulate the immune system for general support or during acute viral infection in order to reduce viral replication, shorten duration of infection, and lessen severity of symptoms. Such herbs include elderberry, elderflower, Echinacea (only to be used for a short duration), and our in-house Organic Cold & Flu Blend (only to be used for a short duration).
All above herbs and in-house blends, along with many other options, are available in the shop. The tulsi and tulsi blends, Cold & Flu, and Immune Support and all of our herbal tisanes are also available in the online shop, but the functional herbs have not yet been added to the website. If you would like to order any, please indicate which one and how much in the Comments Section of your order. Due to unique individual responses to herbs, some may work better than others for your individual needs. Let us know how we can best help you find the herbs that will provide the greatest potential benefit.
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Gong Fu Tea Service
Just a reminder that Gong Fu Tea Service may still be enjoyed at the bar for a limited time. 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 have been happy to be able to finally 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. Each session lasts one hour and costs $25 paid upon booking. It includes multiple infusions of the tea that you select from the Gong Fu Tea menu and there are 3-6 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 autumn Gong Fu menu is as follows:
- Huang Shan Huang Ya Yellow Tea - Anhui, China
- Tumoi Tea Farm Purple Leaf Green Tea - Nandi Hills, Kenya
- Khongea Estate Silver Needle White Tea - Assam, India
- Tie Guan Yin Light Roast Wulong Tea - Anxi County, Fujian, China
- Kim Tuyen Mid-Oxidized Wulong Tea - Son La, Vietnam
- Wu Yi Large Leaf Black Tea - Wu Yi, Fujian, China
- Bug-Bitten Formosa Black Tea - Hualien, Taiwan
- 2002 Liu Bao Dark Tea - Guangxi, China
Gong Fu Tea appointments are available:
Thursdays & Fridays - noon through 3:30
Sundays - noon through 2:30
Please note that there are no appointments on Saturdays. If you would like to make an appointment for this unique experience, please email requested date and time to kristine@infuseteabarny.com or reply to this email. I look forward to preparing tea for you! :)
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Autumn Teas & Goodies Are Here!
Your favorite flavors of fall have returned! Apple Molasses Black Tea, Gingered Vanilla Toddy Black Tea, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Black Tea, Pumpkin Pie Black Tea, Roasted Chestnut Black Green & Yerba Mate Blend, Maple Walnut Green Tea, Rooibos Maple Walnut Herbal Tisane, Rooibos Pumpkin Creme Herbal Tisane, Rooibos Pumpkin Spice Herbal Tisane, and our house-blended Mulling Spice Organic Herbal Tisane.
The following goodies are available: Pumpkin Cinnamon, Champagne Brut & Champagne Rose Macarons. The deliciously swirled Pumpkin Spice and Apple Cranberry Walnut Povitica, which represent my Croatian and Slovenian heritage. Seasonal scone mix flavors Pumpkin Spice, Maple, and Apricot have returned and Lavender White Chocolate is back in stock. We also restocked Lemon Curd, a deliciously fresh, sweet, and tart topping for a freshly baked scone. All scone mixes and lemon curd are available in the shop and online.
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106 Main Street
West Sayville, NY 11796
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500+ Loose Leaf Teas & Herbal Tisanes
Certified - Tea Professional, Tea Sommelier & Tea Health Expert
Student of the Art & Science of Herbalism
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