With Mother’s Day around the corner, what better way to show your love for her than with something you made yourself? We all love our Mom and Mother’s day is the perfect time to show her how much we actually love and care for her, and most importantly appreciate her. This sweet and simple earl grey tea cake is the perfect treat for your mom on this special day. It’s easy to pull together and is so delicious she will think you had it professionally made.
This earl grey cake is so elevated yet so easy to make. Making the tea infusion for this cake is as simple as steeping your tea in milk before adding it to the cake mix. All you need to do is steep your loose leaf tea in whole milk. Once steeped, you strain and add to your cake mixture. Viola! The tea flavor lends itself perfectly to a simple vanilla cake. The best part? You probably have all the ingredients in your kitchen right now! The flavor is light, sweet and perfect for breakfast, or lunch or really any time. Because cake needs no excuse does it?
How to Make The Cake
Making this cake is just like making any other cake with the acceptation of steeping your tea before adding in your milk! We used a bundt pan but if you do not have one of those lying around, one 9-inch round will work, too!
Ingredients
1/2 cup of butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs (at room temperature)
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups of flour
4 tsp of baking powder
1 cup of whole milk
2 tbsp of loose leaf Earl Grey
Powdered sugar as topping
How to prepare
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare a Bundt pan by buttering the pan and lightly dusting with flour. Set aside.
Heat up the 1 cup of milk (you can simply microwave your milk or put it in a pan on low heat), then add the tea leaves to the hot milk and let steep at least 10 minutes. Strain the milk and set aside.
In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar.
Add the eggs, one at a time.
Then add vanilla, and mix well.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, and baking powder.
To the butter mix, add 1/3 of the flour mix, then 1/2 of the tea milk. Repeat until all combined.
Pour into the prepared Bundt pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Once the cake has baked, let it cool for about 10 minutes in the pan, then turn the cake out onto a plate, and sprinkle with icing sugar.
Don’t have earl grey laying around? This recipe can easily have substitutions for the type of tea used! Our recommendations are lavender, chamomile or any citrus-y flavor teas like cinnamon orange spice.
Not in the mood for baking? We have you covered. Here are some simple ideas that you can do to pair with tea time!
Tea sandwiches
Dainty finger food is a staple at tea parties from Victorian style to modern. You can make your own sandwich fillings and serve them in triangles of crustless bread. Fillings may include chicken salad, salmon, curried egg salad, and turkey!
Jam-filled biscuits
Get store-bought jam-filled biscuits in flavors like strawberry, marmalade, and cherry. Then, serve them in pretty silver trays.
Mini fruit tarts
Tea time food offerings without the presence of sweets are unthinkable. When it comes to sweets, mini fruit tarts are a fabulous offering to snack on!
Making the switch from tea bags to loose leaf tea can feel intimidating at first but we promise it is easy and worth it! When you steep loose leaf tea, it has more room to expand and infuse the water with its many vitamins, minerals and aromas, resulting in a much stronger and flavorful drink. Whether you are a fan of earl grey or a herbal chamomile, we got you covered. We created an entire guide from what tools you need to how to steep the perfect tea every time. To brew the perfect cup of tea, you will need a few basics that you probably have laying around your kitchen right now!
About Tea
True teas are made from the leaves of the Camellia Sinensis plant. The Camellia Sinensis plant can be found in Asian and African countries, but is primarily native to the Eastern regions of Asia. It grows in tropical and sub-tropical climates. Today, tea is grown and produced in every continent except Antarctica.
In order to achieve the flavor of a certain type of tea, there are different processes the leaves must undergo. The different cultivation types allow teas to develop different scents, aromas, flavors, and colors. Oxidation plays a huge role in this process.
The type of tea that requires the least amount of cultivation is White Tea and is typically a great tea to start with as it is the easiest to brew. The delicate aroma and flavor of white tea is achieved through picking young tea buds that are tightly enclosed in new tea leaves. Because of the lightness of white tea, it is often combined with floral notes to create a tasty infusion. Our White Peony Tea is a perfect example of this delicious combination.
Green tea has a quick turn around due to the lack of oxidation. Green tea leaves can be picked in the morning and served as tea the same evening. Because it does not undergo the oxidation process, green tea retains the chlorophyll and minerals from the plant and remains dark green as it produces a more astringent flavor. Green tea can be associated with various different health benefits including promoting brain function and cardiovascular health. To read more about the different benefits that come alongside green tea, read our post on the health benefits of green tea. Some of our favorite green teas to brew, including Chinese Sencha and Jasmine Special Grade Green, can be found in our online collection.
In contrast to green tea, Black Tea is oxidized which is how it earns the dark brown coloring. Following the oxidation of the tea leaves, they are fired in an oven to stop the process and allow the leaves to turn color. Black tea is generally stronger and more potent than the other types of tea. It is a common tea that can be used to make Southern Sweet Tea, and afternoon tea as the British tea tradition stands. One specific Black Tea that is commonly served at afternoon tea is Earl Grey tea.
Oolong teaundergoes partial oxidation allowing it to find its place in between black and green teas. It combines the astringent flavoring of green tea and the complexity of black tea. Oolong tea is rich in flavor and like any other tea, you can control the strength of your tea by the timing of each steep.
What you’ll need:
Loose leaf tea of choice. Picking out a quality leaf is crucial for the perfect cup of tea. Some easy tips to follow are: the larger the leaf, the higher the quality and the better the flavor; Smell the tea to make sure it hasn’t gone stale. Generally speaking, if it smells good it will taste good; For herbal teas, you want to focus on color and scent; if the herbs are faded or don’t have a fragrance, they are probably too old.
Electric kettle, stovetop kettle or pot. No worries if you don’t have a kettle lying around. You can easily use a pot that you have in your cupboard. Your trusty old Frenchpress is also perfect for brewing tea! Nothing special here; use the press like you always do and use tea leaves instead of coffee (just make sure to clean the press very well first so you don’t get any coffee flavors mixed with your tea). If you are interested in stepping up your tea game and are needing a new teapot, check out this blogpost for the best teapots.
Tip: If you don’t have a thermometer laying around, use this rule of thumb: 180° F = bubbles form on the bottom of the pot, 195° F = the first bubbles begin to rise, 212° F = full rolling boil.
Tea infuser. If you do not have a tea infuser, you can use a kitchen strainer. If you do not have a kitchen strainer, you can place the tea leaves directly into the hot water for infusion. However, the tea prepared by this method will be harder to drink for someone not used to drinking this way because tiny bits of leave will float on the surface. You can avoid the tea leaves hitting your lips by blowing a bit in your cup.
Fresh water. Tea is made up of nearly 99% water. This primary ingredient definitely deserves some consideration! Using clean water will help with the best taste for your tea. Using water that has been in your kettle overnight may result in a stale tasting tea, and we definitely do not want that!
How to:
1. Pour fresh water into your tea kettle or pot and bring to appropriate temperature.
2. While waiting for water to boil, add the appropriate amount of loose leaf tea to your tea infuser. Place the tea infuser inside your teapot or mug.
3. When the water reaches the desired temperature, pour it over the tea infuser into your mug or teapot. This will allow the water to circulate through the leaves.
4. Time your tea. Once the time is up, dunk the infuser a couple of times to circulate the water. Remove the infuser.
5. Serve in your favorite mug and enjoy your delicious cup of tea.
Brewing Guidelines:
Black Tea If you like your black tea to be full bodied and rich, we recommend steeping it with boiling hot water. If you are looking for more of a caffeine kick, black tea with broken leaves will release caffeine more easily. Teaspoons: 1 to 2 Brew time: 3 to 5 minutes Temperature: 190 to 210 F
White Tea White tea is usually quite forgiving when it comes to brewing. It is hard to over-brew and it shouldn’t get too bitter if you steep it at high temperatures. However, lower temperatures might give you a more nuanced brew, so this is a great opportunity to experiment and find out for yourself what you prefer! Teaspoons: 2 Brew time: 3 to 4 minutes Temperature: 170 to 180 F
Green Tea Green tea is slightly more sensitive to temperature, especially with Japanese green tea. Make sure to keep your water temp lower so your tea does not come out bitter. Teaspoons: 1 to 2 Brew time: 1 to 3 minutes Temperature: 170 to 180 F
Oolong Tea Oolongs vary significantly in the level of oxidation. Some lighter oolongs are much closer to green teas (you’ll recognize the low oxidation level by the green color of the dry leaves). Therefore, brewing these teas at a lower temperature might bring out some interesting notes and flavours. However, in general oolongs are quite forgiving and can be brewed with boiling water. Teaspoons: 1 to 2 Brew time: 3 to 5 minutes Temperature: 170 to 180 F
Herbal Tea Unlike real types of tea such as green and white teas, herbal teas are much easier to brew. They also steep for longer, too! Teaspoons: 1 to 2 Brew time: 3 to 5 minutes Temperature: 190 to 210 F
Chai Tea Chai tea’s base is black tea so, like above, if you like your cup full bodied, make with boiling hot water. If you are making this as a chai tea latte, using whole milk will bring ut all the richness in the spices (but all milks will do!) Teaspoons: 1 to 2 Brew time: 4 to 5 minutes Temperature: 205 to 212 F
Must Try Loose Leafs:
If you are a newbie to brewing loose leaf, your safest bets are black and herbal teas. These tea types are more forgiving with the brewing temperature and timing. Our recommendations for black teas are China Keemun, Autumn Cranberry Black and Vanilla Black tea. For herbal teas, Hibiscus Flower and Lemon Ginger are fan favorites.
FAQ’s:
How do I store my tea? Will it go bad? Tea should be stored away from light, moisture, and strongly flavored or fragranced foods. Storing in an airtight container is recommended. Green and white teas will keep fresh for up to a year. Black and oolong teas for no longer than a year and six months.
Can loose leaf tea be reused? Yes, if the tea is green or oolong. Do not reuse black tea. When reusing tea increase the brewing time with each successive infusion to ensure sufficient taste.
What are the health benefits of drinking tea? We have some great blog posts written on the benefits of tea here!
Make sure to follow us on Instagram @theteakitchen for daily tea tips and more!
With fall being just around the corner, it’s a perfect time to consider tea lattes. Tea lattes are the perfect combination of warm and cozy that is necessary for the fall, and they are easy to make from the comfort of your own home. Just like a regular latte, tea lattes are equal parts tea and steamed milk and can have other added flavors for your liking. We rounded up 4 of our favorite tea latte recipes that can be enjoyed at any time of the year.
Matcha Latte
Matcha is a popular form of green tea that has become a trend inspiring drinks, desserts, and more. It is high in antioxidants and has 10x the nutrients of regular green tea, which is why matcha lattes are the perfect drink to get your day going. Here is everything you need to make a perfect matcha latte. The recipe for this tasty drink is simple, but requires certain techniques to make it smooth.
Ingredients:
Matcha Powder
Hot Water
Honey, or another natural sweetener such as agave
Milk
Instructions:
First, we recommend using a matcha whisk. Begin by sifting your matcha powder to avoid clumping. We want your latte to be as smooth and clump-free as possible to make it more enjoyable.
Next, add the matcha to a cup or mug. Pour the hot water over the sifted matcha and whisk using your matcha whisk. The outcome should be a smooth dark green paste.
After the paste is whisked to perfection, heat your milk of choice in a small saucepan and pour into the cup or mug. If you prefer and iced latter, use cold milk.
Use your matcha whisk to thoroughly mix the milk and paste together. This should produce a light green color.
Following this step, you can add honey or a natural sweetener such as agave for your liking. Add a sprinkle of the matcha powder on top for decoration.
Chai Tea Latte
Craving something spicy and don’t feel like spending the money on a chai tea latte from Starbucks? Make your own Chai Tea Latte at home with this easy recipe. Chai tea is a version of black tea that includes chai spices such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger, black pepper, and cardamom. The infusion of spices and a touch of milk creates a perfect creamy combination perfect for a fall day.
Your milk of choice (non-fat, almond, etc.). The higher fat your milk is, the creamier texture you will achieve. Starbucks uses 2% milk for their lattes.
Granulated sugar, brown sugar, or another artificial sweetener of your liking
Cinnamon and nutmeg (for garnishing purposes)
Instructions:
First you want to create a chai concentrate using the loose leaf tea and sugar. Brew this mixture and then remove from the heat and allow it to steep for 10 minutes.
After the tea is done steeping, heat your milk of choice over medium-high heat until warm. Once the appropriate temperature is achieved, whisk the milk to create the froth.
Pour the chai tea concentrate over the milk and stir to create your desired mixture. An optional last step is to add Cinnamon and nutmeg on top for garnishing purposes.
Lavender Tea Latte
The hint of floral notes in this tasty tea creates a soothing and sweet taste enjoyable by all. Lavender is an aromatic plant that is used as a popular essential oil, and scent for body products and home fragrances. It is also used to add a floral taste to any drink or dessert. The Lavender tea latte is surprisingly delicious and easy to create.
Steep the lavender flowers and earl grey tea in hot water for 7-10 minutes.
While the tea is steeping, heat the milk in a small saucepan.
Strain the tea and stir in the agave. After fully stirring the mixture, add in the milk and continue to stir.
Top off the drink with lavender as a pretty garnish and enjoy.
Honey Chamomile Tea Latte
Not only is this latte perfect if you are feeling sick, but it also is a nice way to hit refresh for your body. The combination of the calming effects of Chamomile and the warmth and sweetness create the ultimate mixture.
Milk of your choosing, we recommend trying coconut milk for this recipe.
Instructions:
Bring your water to a simmer and add the tea. Allow it to steep for 10 minutes while covered.
Heat your milk in a separate container and whisk until frothy.
Add the honey to the tea followed by the milk. Stir until the mixture is completely dissolved.
Serve and enjoy.
No Barista skills are necessary to create these simple lattes. Not only can you try one of these 4 recipes, but you can also transform any of our loose leaf teas into a tea latte by adding milk and a sweetener.
Tea infused desserts are here to stay, so why not try one. Switch up your dessert palate and add tea for an exciting change. Below you’ll find 3 of our favorite tea infused desserts.
Take a modern twist on everyone’s favorite summer lemon bar by adding earl grey tea to your recipe. Everyone loves a good lemon bar, so why not add something new to the mix. The sweet tangy taste of lemon combined with the subtle citrus aroma from the earl grey tea creates a perfect custard to accent the crunchy taste of the shortbread. Our earl grey tea is our favorite to use for this recipe as it provides a delicate blend of large leaf black teas and features oil of Bergamot.
All of the ingredients for this simple earl grey infused lemon bar can be found at your local grocery store. First, you’ll start with your shortbread.
Shortbread Ingredients:
1 ¼ cups of flour
1/3 cup of powdered sugar
1/8 tsp of Salt
1 Tsp Loose Leaf Earl Grey tea
8 Tbsp of chilled butter cut into smaller pieces
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine together the flour, sugar, and 1 tsp of tea leaves until they are fully combined and then add salt for a bit of a flavored accent.
Press the butter squares into your baking pan and add the ingredients on top of the butter.
Let it bake for 19 minutes or until lightly browned.
CustardIngredients:
¼ cup of fresh lemon juice
1 Tsp of Loose-Leaf Earl Grey tea
2 Tbsp of flour
1 cup of sugar
½ tsp of baking powder
2 tsp of lemon zest
3 eggs
1 Tbsp of powdered sugar
Instructions:
Microwave the lemon juice on high for 30 seconds in a medium microwavable bowl.
Add 1 tsp of loose-leaf earl grey tea to the heated lemon juice and let the combination steep for 10 minutes.
Whisk together sugar, flour, and baking powder in another bowl.
Add the eggs, lemon zest, and sugar to the heated lemon juice combination after the 10 minutes are over and mix until combined.
Combine the juice mixture with the sugar mixture and whisk until fully combined.
Pour the filling onto the hot shortbread and bake for 23 minutes or until set.
Allow the lemon bars to cool for 30 minutes. Once the 30 minutes is over, dust the bars with powdered sugar and enjoy your tasty treat.
Not only is Matcha high in antioxidants, like many other green teas, and boosts your immune system, but it can also be a tasty addition to any dessert. Hop on the matcha dessert trend and test these Matcha White Chocolate Cookies. These buttery and crispy texture of these cookies are perfect to enjoy with your afternoon cup of tea. Although Matcha is not apart of our online collection of teas, there are plenty of other green teas to check out to include in other recipes.
Ingredients:
2 cups of all-purpose flour
2 ½ Tbsp of matcha green tea powder
¾ cup of unsalted butter
1 cup of powdered sugar
Sea salt
2 large egg yolks
¼ cup of white chocolate chips
Instructions:
Whisk together the flour and matcha green tea powder in a large mixing bowl.
Sift the combination to ensure there are no chunks.
Add the unsalted butter to this combination and blend it together until you reach a smooth and creamy consistency.
Add a pinch of sea salt and continue blending.
In a separate bowl, add the powdered sugar and egg yolks and mix until well combined.
Combine these two mixtures for a thick, doughy consistency.
Add the white chocolate chips and mix until dispersed in the combination.
Take the doughy combination out of the bowl and roll it into a ball. Cut the ball in half and roll into 2 cylinders.
Wrap the cylinders in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until firm. This should take around 2 hours.
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
Cut the cylinders into 1/3 inches thick rounds and place them on your baking sheet.
Bake the cookies for 15 minutes or until the edges are slightly browned. Let them cool for 5 minutes and then enjoy them with a cup of your favorite tea.
Fall is just around the corner, and chai tea is always a fall favorite. Enjoy a chai tea scone to remind you of the festive and flavorful tastes of fall.
Ingredients:
½ cup of milk
2 bags of chai tea
10 Tbsp of butter
2 cups of flour
1 ½ cups of oats
1/3 cups of sugar
1 Tbsp of baking soda
1 Tsp of cinnamon
¼ Tsp of cardamom
½ Tsp of ginger
½ Tsp of salt
1 egg
½ cups of powdered sugar
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit
Heat your milk and two bags of chai tea in a small saucepan. Let this simmer for 6 minutes.
Combine the flour, sugar, oatmeal, baking powder, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and salt in a mixing bowl and mix until fully combined.
Remove the tea bags from the heated milk and squeeze to get out all of the rich flavor.
In a separate bowl, add milk, an egg, and the heated butter and mix together.
Combine the two mixtures.
Once a doughy consistency is achieved, place the dough on a rolling pan and roll it out.
Cut the dough into your desired shape and bake for 10-13 minutes, or until golden around the edges.
For a yummy drizzle, combine powdered sugar, the remaining chai infused milk and stir.
Allow the cooked scones to cool for 3-5 minutes and then drizzle on top of your cooked scones and you are ready to enjoy this fall flavored scone.
Adding tea to dessert can be a fun twist for any recipe. We hope these tea-infused desserts please all of our sweet-tooth readers. Take your tea-time to the next level and try one of these tasty desserts today. Our vast collection of loose leaf tea gives you room to experiment with your own tea-infused dessert.
If you’ve looked at a restaurant menu lately, chances are you’ve seen earl grey somewhere on it. Supermarket News lists earl grey as one of the top 10 trends of 2018, and it’s easy to see why: this tea flavor is booming, appearing on 1 in 10 menus, and not just in the tea category, according to Mike Kosto, senior publications manager at food trends market research giant Datassential. Following the rise of matcha as an ingredient used far beyond the teacup, earl grey is being used to flavor non-beverage items, mostly desserts and cocktails. Check out these earl grey desert and cocktail recipes to get in on the trend:
DESSERTS
Honey Earl Grey Fig Cake
This cake from The Little Epicurian tops an earl grey-flavored cake with honey cream cheese frosting and garnishes it with real figs, honey, and pistachios. The cake batter uses milk that’s been infused with earl grey tea and egg whites, resulting in a soft and delicate texture. The author feels that the cream cheese frosting “works well to enhance the orange notes of Earl Grey,” and we have a feeling you’ll agree.
Earl Grey And Mango Tiramisu
This recipe from Red Magazine offers three new flavors to this traditional Italian dessert: earl grey, mango, and pistachio. Sponge biscuit fingers are soaked in earl grey tea, then lovingly layered with cream and mangoes. Dust with pistachios for a crunchy finish!
Earl Grey Chocolate Pots de Crème with Honey Coconut Whip
This recipe from The Pig & Quill pairs earl grey with chocolate in an adorable medium: pots de crème. Light coconut milk is used as a healthy substitute to half and half. Begin by steeping earl grey tea in coconut milk, then add to a mixture of chocolate chips, eggs, vanilla, and salt. Pour into individual glasses and chill at least four hours—or, ideally, overnight—and then top with honeyed whip, chocolate chips, and crushed cookies. Picture-perfect and oh-so-delicious!
Earl Grey Chocolate Bread Pudding
This recipe from Bite Me More elevates classic bread pudding with chocolate and earl grey tea. Add whipped cream for a silky finish and you’re off to the races.
COCKTAILS
Earl Grey Martini
This martini recipe from Olivia’s Cuisine combines strong earl grey tea with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg whites. Says the author, “The subtle botanicals in the gin pair nicely with the earl grey and lemon flavors, making this a very delicate and aromatic cocktail.”
This cocktail recipe from Beginning With Bergamot is a simple combination of bourbon whiskey, earl grey tea, blackberry, and simple syrup. A rosemary and blackberry garnish finishes things off. The author promises the cocktail is “rich, warm, and fruity.” Sounds good to us!
Earl Grey Lemon Vodka John Daly Cocktail
This cocktail recipe from Boulder Locavore is the perfect way to dress up vodka with flavor and fun. Start with earl grey iced tea, add lemonade and lemon vodka, and presto: it’s happy hour.
There are many benefits to drinking tea, but did you know you can get some of those same benefits by using it in a different way? Below are a few creative ways to repurpose those tea leaves and tea bags you’ve already steeped. It’s both sustainable and easy to incorporate into your everyday life.
1. Hydrating face mask
You’ll need:
2 tbsp green tea leaves
1 tbsp mashed banana
1 tsp plain yogurt
1 cup water
Instructions:
Mix 1 cup of water in a pan and 2 tbsp of green tea leaves.
Boil it in the low flame for few minutes.
Allow it few minutes to cool and then strain the tea.
Add 1 tbsp of banana and 1 tsp of plain yogurt to the green tea.
Mix the ingredients well to make a smooth paste.
Apply the paste to your face and leave it on for 20 minutes.
Wash off with cool water.
Repeat this method twice or thrice in a week.
Follow this remedy till you get relief from this acne issue.
Note: You can replace banana with peach or papaya.
2. Acne fighting mask
Green tea has antibacterial properties and honey does as well. This combination plus the rice will help reduce oils and bacteria on the skin, which will reduce acne.
You’ll beed:
1 tbsp honey
2 tbsp rice flour
1 tbsp or 1 green tea bag
3-4 drops of lemon juice (optional)
Instructions:
Take ½ cup of boiling water and boil the green tea powder in it.
Add 1 tbsp of honey to the mixture.
Add 2 tbsp of rice flour to make a thick paste.
Increase the content of honey or rice flour to make the paste thick enough to apply on your face.
Mix the paste well to avoid lumps.
Apply it on your face with your fingertips.
Keep it on for 20 minutes.
Remove it using warm water.
Apply it twice a week to quickly reduce the spread of acne and remove the scars.
3. DIY fabric dyeing
You’ll need:
100 tea bags
4 tbsp salt or vinegar (optional and to your discretion)
Wash the fabric first to remove any manufacturer’s chemicals which may interfere with the dyeing process. (I recommend experimenting with small swatches first.)
Fill pot with water.
Simmer tea bags with salt (or vinegar) for 30 minutes.
Turn off the heat.
Remove tea bags from the pot (leaving them in results in splotches where the bags make contact with the fabric.)
Add fabric to the pot. The fabric must be damp first, to eliminate air pockets.
Soak fabric for up to one hour, depending on the desired shade. Stir every few minutes so the fabric takes the colour evenly.
4. Green tea ice cream with earl grey dark chocolate fudge sauce
Traditional Japanese Green Tea Ice Cream Recipe
You’ll need:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup sugar
3 tbsp matcha green tea powder
1 pinch of salt
Instructions:
Put the cream, milk, sugar, matcha powder, and salt in a heavy bottomed saucepan and whisk ingredients until combined. Try and whisk the majority of lumps away, but don’t worry if it’s not perfectly smooth. The next step should help eliminate most of the lumps.
Heat the mixture on medium-high heat until it comes to a full boil. Keep whisking until it starts to foam. At this point, your mixture should be pretty lump free — the heat will have eliminated most of the lumps. Remove from heat.
Transfer the mixture into a large bowl and let it cool down. Cover, then refrigerate the mixture in the coldest part of your fridge for at least four hours, or, ideally, overnight.
When the mixture has chilled, remove cover and give the mixture a whisk to bring it together. Churn for 20 – 25 minutes in an ice cream maker, or, according to your manufacturer’s instructions. Serve freshly spun — it will have an incredibly creamy texture (almost that of soft serve) at this point. For a more traditional ice cream texture, transfer to an airtight container and freeze overnight.
Dark chocolate earl grey fudge sauce
You’ll need
3 tbsp water
1 garl grey tea bag
1 ounce 72% dark chocolate, chopped
2 tbsp unsweetened, dutched cocoa powder
1/8 tsp kosher salt
2 tbsp light corn syrup
2 tbsp sugar
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan or in a tea cup in the microwave. Remove from heat, add the tea, and let steep for 4 minutes or longer (depending on how much you want your fudge sauce to taste like tea).
Wring and remove the tea bag and pour the tea into a medium bowl. Add the chocolate, cocoa powder, and salt.
Combine the corn syrup, sugar, and heavy cream in a heavy-bottomed saucepan and stir intermittently while bringing to a boil over high heat. The moment it boils, pour it into the bowl holding the chocolate. Let sit for 1 full minute.
Slowly begin to whisk the mixture. Then continue, increasing the vigor of your whisking every 30 seconds, until the mixture is glossy and silky-smooth. This will take 2 to 4 minutes, depending on your speed and strength. You can use the sauce at this point, or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Do not freeze.
Brew two bags of tea, wring them out then simply apply a tea bag on each eye. Let sit for 10-15 minutes. It really does soothe tired eyes, and it’s easy enough to incorporate with a face mask to achieve total spa level relaxation.
6. Bug bite relief
Repeat #5 above, rather place tea bag on bug wounds. Green tea bags make a great itch reliever.
Tea never disappoints. For something so old, we’re constantly finding new ways to use it.
What are some other ways you’ve discovered to creatively use tea?
Now that it’s fall, odds are you’ve encountered the pumpkin craze. But pumpkin spice latte isn’t for everyone. Some people see it as the epitome of the season but there are plenty of other flavors to enjoy this time of year. Here are some of our suggestions for those of you looking to expand your taste beyond pumpkin
Apple
An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but who said it couldn’t be apple tea! This tea makes us especially reminiscent of our childhood of drinking warm apple cider, less thick and heavy. Here’s an Apple Tea that you’ll love and is perfect to cozy up with on a chilly night.
Chai
You can really never go wrong with chai. There are so many variations that you’re bound to find some type you like. Our personal favorite is Bigelow Vanilla Chai. This flavor has the best aroma every time you make it and has the perfect balance of sugar and spice. If you’re going for more of a sweet drink, add some milk, sugar and/or honey and you’re golden!
Gingerbread
Who says it’s too early for holiday flavors? Gingerbread is the perfect essence if you’re looking for something to awaken those taste buds. This gingerbread spice tea, with a blend of cinnamon and ginger, will satisfy any sweet tooth and it’s naturally caffeine free! (Ideal for an after dinner delight)
Vanilla
We love this vanilla black tea! It’s tasty with some milk and sweetener but still lighter than a latte.
Caramel
This new salted caramel tea from Bigelow is to die for and has a combination of sweet and salty! Like vanilla black tea, salted carmel is best with milk and sweetener and paired with a treat.
Maple
Maple tea has the smoothest flavor for those looking to indulge. This particular tea comes in a wooden box, which can be used for decor or preservation!
Cinnamon
Cinnamon tea is just slightly spicier than chai but still has that cozy flavor perfect for fall! This combination of warm and spicy flavors is best enjoyed outdoors by a campfire.
Earl grey
Earl Grey is a classic tea that can really be enjoyed year-round. But what we love the most is the blend of citrus and black tea, especially in the fall. Bigelow makes a great earl grey with amazing bergamot oil from Italy.
Chamomile
This honey vanilla chamomile tea is our all time favorite variation of the herb. The honey vanilla flavor adds sweetness but doesn’t overwhelm the chamomile flavor. At the end of a long fall day, this too is the flavor to cozy up to.
While pumpkin is the obvious popular trend this time of the year, there are plenty more flavors to “fall” in love with! Cozy-up to some of our flavors by fireside or on a brisk walk — we guarantee you’ll enjoy every sip.
Have any additional flavor suggestions of favorite fall teas? Let us know in the comments below!
