Valentines Day - The Tea Kitchen

The Best Valentine’s Day Gifts for Every Tea Lover

January 26, 2022

Looking for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift? Look no further. We created a list of the best gifts (especially for the tea lover in your life) to give this Valentine’s Day! There’s nothing quite like cozying up with a warm mug in hand, whether it’s filled with a calming chamomile, caffeinated English breakfast or flavorful matcha; especially when it’s a meaningful gift. Weather you are celebrating Valentine’s Day with a partner, yourself or with your galentines, here are out top choices for this year!

Digital Electric Glass Kettle

The Chefman Electric Kettle has a digital touch display with programmable steep times and boils water faster than traditional methods. This kettle has eight presets included to make it easy to get the perfect hot water for your all teas including black, herbal, oolong, white, green, and delicate teas! Just pick your preset and the hot water boiler can make up to 6 cups.

Tea Storage Container

Nothing says I love you quite like making sure that person always has the freshest cup of tea possible. This beautiful, vacuum sealed container is the perfect gift for all tea lovers!

A Tea Subscription Box

Our tea subscription box is the perfect gift. What’s better than being able to try out new teas from around the world? Monthly tea subscription boxes are a great way to find new teas that you love. We have over 100 teas to try and a tea for everyone.

Hand painted tea kettle

This vibrant tea kettle has more than just one use so it makes the perfect gift! This Indian kettle has been handpainted by trained Pattachitra artists of Odisha. This kettle is a tribute to Odisha’s rich art and culture interpreted for the modern home décor through their artistic manifestations. This kettle is not to be used as a pot on the stove. It can be used for Home Décor, as a planter, as kitchenware, a jewelry holder and is ideal for serving!

Matcha Chocolate

I don’t think many people would be upset with chocolate as a gift. Especially not on one of the biggest sweets days of the year! This matcha chocolate melts in your mouth and is loaded with antioxidants! As a bonus, you will be supporting a small business. It’s a win-win all around!

Gold Heart Tea Infuser

Everyone needs a tea infuser handy! This beautiful gold tea infuser filter is the perfect way to say ‘I Love You’ to the tea lover in your life. It is made with high quality food grade stainless steeled is rust free. Because of this, you will have this piece around for years and years to come.

Heart Shaped Tea Mug

These heart shaped double lined mugs are the perfect way to show your partner, friend or yourself love each morning! The double-layer glass with handle allows you to safely hold hot drinks without worrying about getting burned or slipping. This design eliminates condensation on the external glass. The insulation effect it creates keeps beverages hot or cold.

Green Tea Bath Bomb

Everyone can benefit from some extra self-care time. This green tea bath bomb infused with lavender is the perfect gift to do so! It also has all-natural epsom salt for true self-care, sore muscles and pure relaxation. It cleanses and detoxes your skin in a natural and gentle way.

A Tea Infused Sweet

Looking to make something yourself? We have a whole blog dedicated to tea-infused desserts and treats that is sure to make every tea lover smile. To add a v-day flare, add a few drops of food red food coloring to these recipes!

Which one of these would you give your Valentine? What ever you choose, being present is the best thing you can be. Even spending the morning sipping your favorite tea together can be a meaningful gift to your Valentine. If you get any of these gifts, be sure to let us know!

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at The Tea Kitchen!

Be sure to follow us on Instagram @theteakitchen for daily tea posts, recipes and inspo!

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Tea Gifts

Gifts for Your Tea-Loving Valentine

February 12, 2018

This Valentine’s Day, give your tea-obsessed better half a tea-inspired gift and you’re sure to get rave reviews. Consider these delightful presents this February 14^th:

1) A Couples’ Mug

You can’t go wrong with two mugs that go together just as well as you and your sweetheart. Boldloft has a series of mugs that, when put together, form a sweet picture. Each set retails for $26.99, and each mug holds 12 ounces. They’re made from stoneware ceramic and are both microwave- and dishwasher-safe. Pick your favorite design:

2) Valentine’s Day Sugar Cubes

Make sure bae has a sweet start to the day with these specially-shaped sugar cubes from Chiara Sweet Art. Available in pink or blue, they’re the perfect way to start his or her day off with a smile. Each cube is equal to about a teaspoon of sugar, and they come in an adorable box of 100.

3) Heart-Shaped Tea Bags

Wake your valentine up with a piping hot cuppa that’s full of love—literally. These heart-shaped tea bags will make you paramour’s breakfast a little sweeter, or her afternoon tea extra special. Tea flavors include earl grey, Ceylon black tea, and green. They’re also a great value: a 6-pack sets you back only $10.

4) Love-ly Coasters

Coasters may be practical, but they can also be beautiful and special. These coasters will dazzle any girlfriend, boyfriend, husband, or wife:

These natural wood coasters from All About Impressions are the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for the nature-appreciating love in your life. No two coasters are identical, and come in a set of 4. They’re personalized with the initials of you and your loved one, and cost only $34.

These puzzle-piece coasters from Pretty Personalized UK are perfect if you and your valentine fit together like a glove. Four coasters come together to form one personalized block of text.

These anatomically-inspired heart coasters from Think Geek are perfect if you and your valentine appreciate the human body on a scientific level. The coasters are printed on glass, measure 4×4 inches, and come in a set of six for just $16.99. Bonus: each coaster has rubber feet to further protect your household surfaces!

5) Green Tea Bath Bombs

These bath bombs from Spa Girl Soaps are a great way to treat your love to a relaxing Valentine’s Day. They come in a set of 14 in flavors such as: green tea, green tea lemon, green tea lemon honey, and green tea lemon ginseng. The tea and oils in the bombs will help your skin look beautiful and healthy, plus they smell delicious! Add one or several to the bath for a luxurious dose of you-time.

6) Sweet Indulgence Tea Sampler

This sampler from DAVIDsTEA presents you and your valentine with 12 individual tins of flavorful loose leaf teas. Get ready to taste: Alpine Punch, Banana Nut Bread, Cardamom French Toast, Chocolate Macaroon, Coconut Cream Pie, English Toffee, Forever Nuts, Hot Chocolate, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Movie Night, Strawberry Rhubarb Parfaitm, and Toasted Walnut. This tea set will add interest to tea time for months, and will make dessert a healthy, guilt-free time that you and your valentine can look forward to. All this for just $26!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Tea Recipes

7 Tea-Spiked Chocolate Desserts for Valentine’s Day

February 12, 2018

Roses, hearts, and chocolate are the three pillars of Valentine’s Day planning. This year, bake your valentine a unique kind of chocolate dessert—a tea-infused chocolate dessert. In brownies, cookies, cupcakes, and tarts, tea and chocolate are a perfect pair, just like you and your valentine. Sweeten your night this February 14th with one of these recipes:

1) Earl Grey Chocolate Pots de Crème

These pots de crème from Gourmande are gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and downright delicious. Described as “super silky” and “dark and complex,” the author promises that “each spoonful is plush and velvety like the center of a good chocolate truffle.” Prep time is 20 minutes, and cook time is 25 minutes, making these treats an easy-to-make choice for your Valentine’s Day dessert.

2) Vegan Strawberry Matcha Brownie Tarts with Coconut Whipped Cream

These tarts from The Baking Spoon are adorable, and incorporate two Valentine’s Day must-haves: strawberries and whipped cream. A brownie shell is filled with matcha cream filling and topped with coconut whipped cream and a strawberry garnish for a bite-sized, picture-perfect dessert that will delight and impress your date. As a bonus, the recipe is vegan, and uses healthy substitutes like carob powder, maple syrup, and cashews for unnatural sweeteners.

3) Double Chocolate Irish Tea Infused Oat Muffins

Present your valentine with a basket of these muffins from Half Baked Harvest to score major points this year. The recipe calls for 2 black tea bags, maple syrup, steel cut oats, and dark chocolate, among other ingredients. Prep and cook time combined equals about 30 minutes, and yields 18 muffins. Since they’re muffins, you can also eat these chocolate desserts for breakfast!

4) Chocolate Dipped Tea Infused Shortbread Cookies

These cookies from Dish It Girl require just a few ingredients to pack a sweet punch. The author used Puerh Indulgence Good Earth Tea to spice up shortbread, grinding the tea leaves into a fine powder in the food processor before combining them with the cookie batter. Dipped in fudgy chocolate, these tea-infused shortbread cookies are great with a hot cuppa and a serving of fruit.

5) Green Tea Filled Oreo Cookies

These cookies from The Chocolate Bottle have a cakey texture, thanks to the use of Devil’s Food Cake mix. Green tea, cream cheese, and sugar combine forces to make a sweet, tea-infused filling. Dip each cookie sandwich in chocolate for an extra dose of chocolate!

6) Chocolate Cake with Tea-Infused Berry Frosting

This beautiful cake recipe from Beginning with Bergamot is perfect if you and your better half have big appetites. Treat yourselves to a generous slice (or two) on Valentine’s Day, and then share it the rest of the week to make Valentine’s Day last a little longer this year. This recipe’s tea-infused berry frosting makes this chocolate cake standout, and the strawberries and raspberries that top it make for a picture-worthy dessert hour.

7) Earl Grey Chocolate Tart

This tart recipe from Pemberley Cup and Cakes uses two tea bags’ worth of Earl Grey tea to spice up the chocolate ganache filling. Paired with a sweet tart crust, this dessert will satisfy any sweet tooth this Valentine’s Day.

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Tea Gifts

Romantic Teas for Valentine’s Day

February 12, 2018

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, so it’s time to plan a tea-riffic night for you and your sweetheart. Treat that special someone to a hot night with one of these hot teas:

1) Valentine Tea Sampler

This sampler from Artful Tea provides you and your better half with 14 romantic tea flavors. The handmade, compostable tea bags are bundled in lovely red ribbon to enhance the mood. Flavors include Chocolate Strawberry, Vanilla Velvet, and Pasion Petal Oolong. Yum!

2) Heart Chakra Tea Pack

This tea from Sarah Taylor Moore is “especially formulated to take care of the heart chakra,” and promises to promote balance and encourage “an open and peaceful heart.” Presented in a 6-inch tin, the tea is green, fruity, and floral. Brew a cuppa if you want to feel the love this Valentine’s Day.

3) Midsummer Night’s Dream Tea

This blend from DAVIDsTea is perfect for the loved one who loves Shakespeare. The tea boasts citrus and mint notes, with flavors of apple, gooseberry, marigold, and rose filling out its profile. Caffeine-free, pair this tea with a few poetic compliments, and your night will be Bard-approved.

4) White Chocolate Obsession Tea

This tea from Bigelow is all-natural, gluten-free, and kosher. Black tea is flavored with cocoa powder, white and dark chocolate flavors, carob, and grape seed extract, building a complex and satisfying cuppa for you and your plus one.

5) Blueberry Acai White Tea

Treat your love to a unique type of tea—tea drops. Simply place this innovative product in a teacup, pour hot water, and watch your tea dissolve before your eyes. The heart-shaped drops are perfect for the occasion, and the fruity, tart flavors of this tea will create a playful, romantic mood. Tea ingredients include: organic white peony tea, blueberry, acai berries, and cane sugar.

6) Cuppa Chocolate Tea Assortment

This assortment from Republic of Tea gives you and your bae a sinfully delicious array of options. Choose from: Red Velvet Chocolate Rooibos, Coconut Cocoa Herbal, Stawbverry Chocolate Rooibos, Peppermint Chocolate Rooibos, and Banana Chocolate Rooibos. All zero or low calorie and sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

7) Pride and Prejudice-Inspired Tea

If your paramour considers Pride and Prejudice to be the ultimate love story, this tea will knock his/her socks off this Valentine’s Day. This sampler from Bingleys Teas includes four teas inspired by characters in the classic novel. The first tea in this pack is Mr. Darcy’s Pride, a medium roast oolong from the Wuyi Mountains in China blended with a black tea from Sri Lanka. The tea begins with “an assertive, almost mineral” taste that eventually “opens up to chestnut and finishes with soft plum,” the same way that Mr. Darcy’s true, swoon-worthy character is slowly revealed. The second tea, Lizzie Bennet’s Wit, is a strong black tea blend, reflecting her strong character with notes of cranberries. The third tea, Sweet Jane Bennet, is a blend of green and black teas sweetened with notes of vanilla, imitating Jane’s “angelic sweetness.” And finally, the fourth tea, Longbourn Wedding, is a romantic white tea with champagne and rose flavors that make it perfect for any spouses to celebrate being forever Valentines.

8) Chocolate Decadence Sampler

This Valentine’s Day, enjoy a dessert tea from this Stash Tea Sampler, which includes 10 tea bags each of Chocolate Mint Oolong, Decaf Chocolate Hazelnut Black Tea, and Black Forest Black Tea. With 30 total teabags, this is one way to make Valentine’s Day last all month long.

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Tea Health Benefits

Aphrodisiac Herbal Teas For Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2017

If you and your Valentine are looking for ways to add even more spice to the romantic holiday, consider sipping on an herbal tea that doubles as an aphrodisiac. According to a study from Ontario, Canada’s University of Guelph Department of Food Science, the following herbs will improve human sexual function: panax ginseng, saffron, and yohimbe. The study also found that consuming the following herbs increased sexual desire in humans: the Brazilian plant muira puama, the mustard plant maca root, and cacao aka chocolate. Armed with this information, we set out to find herbal teas made from these plants in order to increase you and your loved one’s sexual appetite or enhance your performance in the boudoir. Enjoy!

1) Panax Ginseng Tea

Ginseng is a root that has two main varieties: American ginseng (panax quinquefolius) and Asian or Korean ginseng (panax ginseng). According to WebMD, American ginseng is “less stimulating” than Korean ginseng. And on Valentine’s Day, we’re going for stimulating. You can apply panax ginseng directly to the penis as a homeopathic way to curb premature ejaculation, but if you’d prefer to drink something, look no further than a panax ginseng tea. Get your panax ginseng tea shipped directly from South Korea with Korean Red Ginseng Root Tea from kkumsa, or opt for looseleaf ginseng tea from Bulgaria or panax ginseng tea bags from Terra Vita.

2) Saffron Tea

Saffron is a purple flower whose red stigmas are used to make medicines and, in our case, tea. While saffron is used to increase sexual desire, WebMd cautions that it may also cause sweating, so be prepared. Terra Vita produces loose leaf saffron tea, Buddha Teas offers a saffron and green tea, and GourmetFood.com carries a number of saffron tea fusions that pair saffron with flavors like peach, mango, cinnamon, citrus, and hibiscus.

3) Yohimbe Tea

Yohimbe is an evergreen tree native to central and western Africa. Its bark contains the chemical yohimbine, which increases blood flow to and activates nerves in the penis and vagina. If you’re looking for a tea that will make you tingle, reach for a yohimbe blend. Tea Haven sells Yohimbe Bark Tea in a variety of blends, as does Terra Vita.

4) Muira Puama Tea

Muira Puama is a tree that grows in the Amazon rainforest that also goes by the name “potency wood.” That sounds promising… This tree’s bark and root have been used medicinally for centuries, and today, the herb is used to curb erectile dysfunction and boost sexual desire. Terra Vita sells muira puama tea, as do Tea Haven and Gift From Nature.

5) Maca Root Tea

Maca is a Peruvian plant in the mustard/cabbage family that grows in the Andes Mountains. Its root has been used to treat erectile dysfunction and boost libido. Moringa Source sells maca tea bags, and Buddha Teas whips up Organic Maca Tea as well. Bonus: it smells like butterscotch!

6) Chocolate Tea

We’ve saved the best (known) for last: chocolate! Chocolate not only tastes great, it may increase your desire to get it on. Slight downer: the study from the University of Guelph found that while eating chocolate increased sexual desire, it did not yield actual arousal or satisfaction. So you’ll have to rely on your own skills in that department. There are a bevy of chocolate teas on the market, including: Tazo’s Cocoa Mint Maté, Bigelow’s Chocoalte Chai Tea, and Arbor Teas’ Organic Chocolate Pu Erh Tea.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Tea Recipes

Chocolate Tea-Spiked Valentine’s Day Desserts

February 9, 2017

Chocolate and Valentine’s Day go together like peanut butter and jelly. If you’re planning to present your significant other with chocolate this February 14th, you can never go wrong with a hand baked good. If you want to go the extra mile, try infusing a Valentine’s Day chocolate dessert with a splash of tea. From early grey and chai to matcha and chamomile, tea is a trendy, unique ingredient that will make a treat extra-special for that someone very extra special. Here for your culinary experimentation are five chocolate dessert recipes that use tea. Ready, set, bake:

1) Earl Grey Infused Blender Chocolate Mousse

This dessert from Food 52 uses a blender to make moose easier than ever to prepare, and adds Earl Grey tea to give it a little something extra. Start by boiling orange zest and sugar with an earl grey tea bag in water. Strain, and then add to blended chocolate chips and vanilla extract. Add egg whites, serve into mousse cups, and refrigerate. 3-4 hours later, remove and top each mousse cup as desired with greek yogurt, mascarpone, or whipped cream.

2) Chai Chocolate Sables

This shortbread recipe from Annie’s Eats adds about 5 tea bags’ worth of chai to chocolate shortbread batter. Turbinado sugar, egg white, and water mix together for a top coat that crystalizes these tea-infused cookies. The chai will provide spice and a unique speckled look to each cookie.

3) Chocolate Matcha Pocky Cake with Matcha Mousse

This uniquely decorated chocolate cake from The Road to Honey starts with a rich chocolate cake filled with matcha mousse, progresses with matcha buttercream icing, and finishes things off with matcha Pocky stick decorations. If you’ve never tried a Pocky stick, run to your grocery store’s Asian foods aisle and pick up a box now. Thin stick biscuits covered with chocolate and other flavors, Pocky sticks are a popular snack in Japan. Here, they create a bamboo-like gate around the cake, adding intrigue to the dessert. If your bae considers him or herself a Japanophile, this cake will score major points this Valentine’s Day.

4) Earl Grey Tea Macarons with Orange Infused White Chocolate Ganache

Macarons are often overpriced at bakeries, so why not try making your own? Your Valentine will definitely appreciate the effort you went to in trying something new, ambitious, and, not to mention, delicious. These macarons from Lauren Caris Cooks add earl grey tea to both the macaron shells and the white chocolate and orange ganache filling, giving them extra texture and detail.

5) White Chocolate, Honey, and Chamomile Cupcakes

Now remember, chamomile tea isn’t technically tea, as it doesn’t come from the camellia sinensis tea plant, but we’ll make an exception and include this herbal tea-boosted cupcake recipe because it looks so delicious. Ground three tablespoons of chamomile flowers or sprinkle them via chamomile tea bags into cake batter. Bake and then top with a white chocolate and honey glaze topping for a sweet finish.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Tea Gifts

Valentine’s Day Tea Gifts

February 7, 2017

Looking to create the perfect day for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day? We’ve got you covered. From romantic teas perfect for sipping together to tea-based massage oils, we’ve sourced an array of gifts and goods that will make this Valentine’s Day tea-ming with romance.

1) A Heart Full of Tea

If your valentine isn’t into the clichéd bouquet of roses, opt for a bouquet of teas. This Teas From The Heart collection from Tea Forte delivers twelve tea infusers in a heart-shaped container. Flavors include: Cherry Amour, Strawberry Apply, Vanilla Peach, Jasmine Chamomile, and Passion Fruit Papaya. A sweet gift for your sweetheart.

2) A Tea Full of Hearts

If you’re looking for a tea that literally shows your love, try this “love affair tea” from Capital Teas, which blends sugar hearts with rose petals, strawberry, raspberry, and chocolate. The mixture creates a sweet flavor profile and cute visual perfect for sipping and staring into each other’s eyes.

3) A Mug For Your Lovebug

If you and your main squeeze go together like biscuits and tea, this handmade ceramic mug makes a great gift. Hailing from a British artist, biscuits mean cookies in this case. Bake a batch of your lover’s favorite variety to go with the mug, and you’ve got a Valentine’s gift that’s both tasty and easy.

4) Tea-Based Massage Oil

Once you’re alone in the bedroom, break out this green tea massage oil and treat your better half to a Valentine’s Day massage. Made from green tea, olive oil, and avocado, this Shea Moisture massage oil—which can double as a relaxing bath infuser—is not only a great tool to spice up a massage, but also hydrates dry skin and can help prevent signs of early aging.

5) Tea-Infused Chocolate Covered Strawberries

If you’re comfortable in the kitchen, try whipping up these delicious tea-infused chocolate covered strawberries. Dip strawberries in a delectable mixture made from your love’s favorite tea, oil, and almond bark, then garnish with candies as desired. Your significant other will appreciate the elbow grease and your departure from the overdone chocolate-dipped strawberries.

6) Beard Oil for Your Bearded Bae

If your honey is rocking a beard this Valentine’s Day, gift him this Tea Infused Beard Oil from Bearded Oregon. Handmade in Portland, Oregon, this beard oil is a pleasant-smelling mixture made from tealeaves, rose, vanilla, cinnamon, almond oil, jojoba oil, and avocado oil. Beard oil is a great way for your man to moisturize his facial hair and the skin underneath, achieve a polished, flake-free look, and smell great. This tea-based beard oil will make your hunk feel great, and you’ll relish every whiff of his lovably scruffy face.

7) Tea-Infused Candles

Looking to set the mood? Achieve some very special lighting by making these tea-infused rose peony candles. The tea provides more of a visual accent in this DIY project than smell, so pick the tea whose leaves most achieve the mis en scene you’re going for. Your loved one will definitely appreciate the effort you went to, with the added bonus that you’ll both look great by candlelight.

8) Tea-Infused Chocolate Bars

Plain chocolate bars just don’t cut it anymore. Go the extra mile and track down a tea-infused chocolate bar for the sweetheart with a sweet tooth in your life. Try one of many varieties from The Tea Room which infuse chocolate bars with teas such green earl grey, lapsang souchong, black masala chai, mint, chamomile, jasmine, and raspberry rooibos.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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