The Ritual of Tea

Tea.

So much to love and enjoy! What makes savoring tea special for you?

Do you feel like you just need to step out of the busyness of your day? I love moving into the ritual of making tea to do just that. Add herbs and you have a mindful cup of goodness supporting your well-being. Herbs are strong allies and one reason I love using them in my blends.

Refreshing the Spirit

Boosting Vitality

Reducing Weariness

These have been the driving forces for centuries of tea drinking. I participate in the ritual of making and savoring tea daily because of how it makes me feel. The act of preparing centers me, the aromas ground me, and the taste transports me.

There are many ways to savor tea and I believe that the way you prepare it affects the experience. What is your common method of preparing and drinking tea? 

To make the most of the experience, I encourage you to find a beautiful cup. Select on that brings you joy. It could be the color, the way it fits your hand, how it feels on your lips, the memories of a certain place it evokes, or even a quote that inspires you. Use this mug as often as possible in your tea ritual. Allow its beauty and familiarity to set your tea time apart from the rest of your day.

Loose leaf teas and whole herbs naturally lend themselves to the ritual of tea. Turn the steeping process into part of the entire experience by watching the leaves unfurl in the hot water. Whether you are making a cup or a pot, using whole leaves brings a flavor complexity missing in the finely chopped leaves of a tea bag.

To prepare a single cup in your mug, select something that allows the tea and herbs room to open as they steep. I prefer a tea infuser basket as it allows the most room for your tea and herbs to expand. It is open on top, allowing you to further slow down as you watch your tea transform. The ease in cleaning an infuser basket promotes frequency in performing your tea ritual.

A tea kettle to heat the water completes the ritual when I am home. The slow heating of my water to the temperature I desire; followed by slowly pouring it over the tea. Smelling the tea and herbs in the steam as a preview to the drinking experience prepares me to savor my cup. Sipping the prepared cup and tasting all the flavors present. 

A breath of calm marking moments of my day.

Tea has a way of bringing together community. Invite your closest friend over for a cup of tea. Savor the experience together.

“When tea becomes ritual, it takes its place at the heart of our ability to see greatness in small things. Where is beauty to be found? In great things that, like everything else, are doomed to die, or in small things that aspire to nothing, yet know how to set a jewel of infinity in a single moment.”

— Muriel Barberry

Citrus Joy Breakfast Muffins

Have you tried using tea in your recipes? It can turn an OK recipe into something special. For Mother's Day this Sunday, we are making these lovely gluten-free muffins for breakfast. By steeping our Citrus Joy tea in a small amount of water, we get a strong flavor for adding into our recipe.

This is an easy and delicious way to surprise Mom on Sunday or to treat yourself to something out of the ordinary. Be sure to order your own Citrus Joy tea before the weekend sneaks up on you!

Citrus Joy Breakfast Muffins

Makes 12

2 heaping Tablespoons Citrus Joy tea

¼ cup Hot Water

1 Tablespoon ground Flaxseed

3 Tablespoons Water

1 ¼ cups Almond Milk

¼ cup + 2 Tablespoons Unsweetened Applesauce

½ teaspoon pure Vanilla Extract

2 ½ cups Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Blend (I have used Bob’s Red Mill’s and King Arthur Flour brands in this recipe successfully)

1/3 cup Coconut or Date Sugar

3 teaspoons Baking Powder

1/3 cup Rolled Oats

½ teaspoon (or less) Himalayan Salt

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees

• Steep Citrus Joy tea in 1/4 cup hot water for 10-15 minutes

• Combine flaxseed and water in a small bowl and set aside for 5 minutes

• In a large bowl, combine almond milk, applesauce, and vanilla extract with a whisk

• Add in the flaxseed mixture and the tea (including the tea itself)

• With a wooden spoon, stir in the dry ingredients

• LIghtly grease muffin tin with a small amount of coconut oil

• Divide batter between muffin tins

• Bake for 20 minutes of until a toothpick comes out clean

• Remove from oven and allow to cool for 1-2 minutes

• Remove from tins and place on a paper towel, plate, or wire rack to cool before serving