Tea Information: Brewing

Tea Information: Brewing

It has been brought to my attention that some people are not as fluent in loose leaf tea as others. So I have put together a small "cheat sheet" if you will, and it will lead you on the path to great tea!


First off, you need loose leaf tea, a tea spoon (tsp or one purchased from my Etsy), a tea ball (or steeping ball. Again, you can purchase one from me on Etsy if you can't find one locally), a mug and hot water.

Now the fun tidbits:
When making any tea, be sure you begin with good water, if your water tastes really good out of the tap chances are it will make good tea. If there is any noticeable unpleasant taste in the tap water, e.g. Metallic, chlorine, earthiness etc. that taste will come through in the tea.

Different teas require different steeping temperatures. Using the wrong steeping temperature is probably the most common error people make when preparing tea.
You can buy a thermometer to gauge temperature or you can look for visual clues.

Black tea generally should be made with water at a full, rolling boil, 200 - 212 degrees. 3-5 minutes.
Green and white teas should be made with slightly cooler water, between 160 and 180 degrees. The steam should be wafting or gently swirling out of the kettle. 1-3 minutes. If your green tea goes bitter it's either steeped too long or in water that is too hot.
Herbal teas are also typically be made with boiling water, roughly 200 to 212 degrees again. 5-8 minutes or to taste.

If you receive a blend that is a mix of two tea types, I suggest doing a bit of playing around with temps and times. To err on the side of caution I would suggest starting with the lower temperature and time of the two teas as a guide.
I hope that helps! If any of you have questions feel free to ask :)

Custom Blends

In the past, when I was first starting out with Dryad Tea I would often take custom blend requests and over time the demand increased to the point that I just don't have the time to do them for "free" anymore. Besides, a lot of the time I'd create a blend and the person it was for never bought any (I'll admit, that was very discouraging).

So I created the Custom Blend part of the Dryad Tea Website! Yes, there is now a cost but you get 4oz of tea no matter what.

Here I wanted to talk about custom blends and the way that I generally do things. When someone fills out the survey with a custom blend often times I'll then send a followup email asking further questions just so I have an idea of what the customer is looking for.

Then the blending starts.

I take the base ingredients and work out a good tasting ratio. Sometimes this is the hardest part, and there are blends that I will take upwards of a week just to get the ratio perfect. I let the blend sit and mellow for a few days and do the final tasting. If I feel the blend is what the customer is looking for I send another email. If I feel it's off then I start over.

I take custom blends very very seriously, and it is my ultimate goal to make the custom blend requester, the customer happy. 

FAE Team Fantasy Art Exhibition

What a great theme for this month's FAE Exhibit!

FAE is a group of fantasy artists on Etsy who support each others' handmade shops in the effort to bring a bit of magic and whimsy into everyday life. Go take a look at their amazing offerings!

The importance of a great support system.

Hi. My name's Rubiee and I'm a complete loon.

Well, I would be a complete loon if it weren't for the amazing support system of people that I have in my life. Not only have I managed to find amazing friends that support me and keep my head above water when I decide to take on three projects at a time (*cough* seven *cough*) but they are also the people that I trust to help with Dryad Tea.

Some of you may have seen them at shows, or seen their postings on the Dryad Tea Facebook Page...
This is TeaMonkey and Dame Ursula Wiffenpott.

These two are the people that catch me the most when I stumble over the things that I didn't expect, they are the pair that give me inspiration or tell me to sit down and have a drink after a really long day selling tea. I could probably do all of this without them, but I might not be as happy as I usually am!
So here I am, telling you all how very important it is to have a support system in a small business. It keeps you grounded, helps you brainstorm (with more than one brain!) and overall keeps the insanity at bay. Everyone should have one.

The end. 

Of things and stuff

Hello Blogger-land!

I hope that your summers have been going well? I've been busy working on Kickstarter launches, Kickstarter finishes, and everything else too.
Oh yeah, and I started making pottery.

I'm really enjoying all of the creative things that I'm able to move into. From infuser charms to pottery, I can honestly say there is never a dull moment here!

Dryad Tea is also working on its Holiday line up of shows. So far you can find us at these places:

September 27-29: MALCon (their Facebook)
                        Sheraton Denver Tech Center                        700 S Clinton St. Greenwood Village, CO 80112

October 18-20: Mile High Con
                       Hyatt Regency Hotel – Tech Center
                       7800 E. Tufts Ave. Denver CO

 November 8-10: Colorado Merchandise Mart Country Christmas Gift Show - Booth: G31                        451 E 58th Ave  Denver, CO 80216
                        (Visit their website for a $1 off entry coupon)

November 24: Holiday Tea Party
                        7680 E Arizona Dr, Denver, CO 80231

December 7: Grandview Craft Fair
                        20500 E Arapahoe Rd. Aurora, CO 80016
We're also working on a few more shows to sneak in there and are holing to hear back very soon! At shows we are looking to offer "create your own" gift baskets, pre-made gift baskets, pottery, infusers and charms, honey sticks and of course, tea! We look forward to seeing all of your smiling faces out there!

Inspiration: Blueberry Imp

Blueberry Imp

This tea is very, very blueberry. When I blended it I honestly had no idea what to call it, just that it smelled amazing and I simply had to make a tea out of it. There's a touch of vanilla in the blend as well.

When the magical Imp was brought up to me in conversation the idea just clicked. What about a line of fruit teas named after imps? Well, they are coming. This is only the first!

On Etsy

Tea Duelling 101

Dryad Tea Presents:

Tea Duelling 101

First: Select your favourite tea.  Loose leaf tea is encouraged (Especially Dryad Tea) but we will not mock you  (too much) for opting for bagged tea.

Gather your supplies.  Necessary supplies include: Tea pot, Two Cups, known as Kegs (extra points for saucers, matching or otherwise) and Biscuits (American Tea Duelling Rules strongly suggest use of Pepperidge Farm Chessmen.)

While non-standard Kegs may be allowed under certain "House Rules" the pair of  Kegs must maintain similar volume and depth.  Even though the depth may seem similar, if a Keg is Bigger on the Inside, it shall be (sadly) disallowed.

Kegs may, however, be made of differing material, provided reasonable consistency in size and volume is maintained.

Approved additions to the tea (hereafter known as the Martial Brew) include: Dairy-like substance of choice, Sweetener (Honey is discouraged) and if agreed to by all parties, a judicious nip of alcohol, which makes the Martial Brew to be considered a Toddy.  All aforementioned additions are applied on the basis that they do not overly alter the temperature of the Martial Brew.

The preparation of the Martial Brew is done by the Pot Master.  Likewise, the overseeing of the Duel itself is done by the Tiffin Master.  For reasons of time and personnel, these duties may reside with the same person.

We now await the readiness of the Martial Brew.  
Today we are using the "Rubiee" blend, kindly supplied by our host and sponsor, Dryad Tea.  

Removal of the tea dregs, for presentation of the Martial Brew.

Presentation of the Weapons.
Six biscuits on a charger.  No more.  No less.
The number thou shalt have is six.  Eight is WAY out.

   

Preparation by the Duellists of their Martial Brew.
Tails not required, but encouraged.

Choose your destiny.  Each Duellist selects one biscuit.  Once you touch a biscuit, you must use it.
No give-backs.  That's just icky.

Prepare thine Weapon for the Dunk.
 Firmly grasp your biscuit between thumb and forefinger only, with the biscuit pointing downward toward the Keg.
This is a proper duel, and the rules of polite biscuit-handling MUST be observed.
Never point a loaded Weapon at your opponent.

Upon the count of three (No more, no less) as issued by the Tiffin Master, Dunk your weapon into your Martial Brew for the count of five.

On successful completion of the five-count, each Duellist shall remove their Weapon from their Keg and, holding it at an angle of your choosing, the combatants proceed into the battle of wits, will, and nerve.
Note that experienced duellists recommend an upright hold for your weapon, though this is not required.  

And now, we wait...

...and wait...

......aaaannnnnddd wait.....
(Read further for acceptable -and not- behaviour during the waiting.) 

...Until finally...

The waiting is done, and the biscuit is Snarfed.  This is known as a Nom.

In order to be declared the victor, you must be the last duellist to CLEANLY Nom your biscuit.

Despite the Clean Nom by our Duellist on the left, the Duellist on the right was the last to cleanly Nom her biscuit, hence she is declared the Victor.

HOWEVER: In a tournament setting, a Clean Nom allows a defeated Duellist to return as a "Wild Card" competitor later in the tournament.

Remember that Manners Always Matter.  Accept your defeat with grace and poise - at least you still have tea.

Devilish Duelling Details

The Many Ways the Cookie Crumbles

During a duel, sometimes tough choices need to be made.
To Nom or Wait to Nom.  That is the Question.

Weather 'tis nobler in the mind, to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous messiness... 

Or by Nomming, end them.

Should you be forced by circumstance into a Dirty Nom, when your biscuit is more on your face and/or person, rather than in your mouth...

Oh the HUMANITY!

BUT! All is not lost.
While you may still be defeated by a Clean Nom, a Dirty Nom is still far superior to the following Biscuit Offences:

The Splash - Whereupon the Biscuit falls into your Keg of Martial Brew.

The Splatter - When the table catches your fallen Biscuit.
Note your opponents look of disdain.

The Splodge - When your Significant Other finds crumbs later because you had a Bodice Biscuit.

The Splash, Splatter or Splodge may be awarded points at the discretion of the Tiffin Master, based on style, reaction, and overall mood of the official.  These points may be used later on to determine placement in Wild Card rounds.
Most Tiffin Masters accept bribes.

Should a competitor suffer an attack of nerves, they my surrender by upending their EMPTY teacup onto their saucer or the table.
Note that in the event of a surrender, the duellist may nominate a Second to take their place on the Table of Honour, or, at the discretion of the Tiffin Master, allow their opponent a hollow victory.
Surrendering duellists may offer a donation to dry cleaning the table covering as a show of good form.

When Tea Duelling Goes Bad

The seedy underbelly of the Tea Duelling world

  

Bagging - When one Duellist clearly and intentionally delays their Dunk.
If you are found to be a Bagger, the round must begin again.
If you are caught being a Recurrent Bagger, you will forfeit your place at the Table of Honour.
And be denied any more biscuits. 

There shall be no physical interference or tampering with the weapon of  your opponent.
Keep your hands and spoons to yourself.
Don't make me tell your mother.

Utilising ballistic projectiles is a strictly prohibited practise. 

However....

Intimidation of your opponent is most assuredly permitted, provided that no projectiles are ACTUALLY utilised. 

  

Pouting...

...Menacing...

...And poor behaviours are considered high offences against good manners, and are the final word in Bad Form.

 A Note On Coffee and Other Beverages

But Mostly Coffee

Coffee, while a delicious and invigorating beverage similar to tea, is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN from use as the Brew Martial.  
Other prohibited beverages include, but are not limited to: Cocoa, Warm Milk, Ovaltine, Iced Tea, or Water lacking the addition of Tea Leaves.
Chai may be permitted with the approval of all parties.  But you will be mocked.

The consumption of coffee, while no offence offered to the drinker, does not compliment the flavour of the biscuits, and would be more suited to be paired with pirouettes.
Of note, coffee is not a recommended way to ingratiate oneself with "The Ladies".

With the offending beverage removed, the duelling may now commence...