Lady Grey a la Creme Black Tea “London Fog”

A note on sweeteners… The Spice and Tea Exchange has a wealth of sugars and honeys that would beautifully accentuate the flavors of the Lady Grey a la Creme Black Tea. If you purchase the tea, peruse the sugars and I think you’d find something you’d like.

I steep the tea for a London Fog, my absolute favorite tea drink. The tea is very good straight-up, but I enjoy it to the fullest as a London Fog.

The Lady Grey a la Créme loose tea is some of the prettiest and aromatic teas, in my opinion, that The Spice and Tea Exchange offers. Earl Grey is a very traditional blend for London Fog, but the additions of lavender, lemon, and more create a beautiful balance.

The steeping instructions on the tea packet state 2 teaspoons of the loose tea to 8 ounces of water, but I personally like it less strong. I like 2 teaspoons to 10 ounces of water for a London Fog.

This recipe is adjustable. Use less or more frothed dairy. Use less or more tea leaves according to your personal tastes. Use a little, a lot, or no sweetener. Add a little squeeze of fresh lemon. Use a vanilla or lavender flavored syrup, or honey. Have fun with it! And, if a London Fog is not your forte, the Lady Grey tea is excellent flying solo!

Enjoy!

“Baker’s Secret” Chocolate Black Tea (The Spice and Tea Exchange)

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Steep/Cook Time: 5 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes | Serves: 1

Heads up, this recipe was specially created featuring The Spice and Tea Exchange’s Black Chocolate Tea, Baker’s Secret Spice Blend, and ground True Ceylon Cinnamon. I am collaborating with The Spice and Tea Exchange in Blowing Rock, NC. It is a beautiful store, filled with aromas and flavors that would make any foodie swoon. You are encouraged to smell and taste. The teas, spices, salts, sugars, etc. are fresh! You’ll be satisfied with your purchase, because you were able to “test” before buying. The area in North Carolina is beautiful, so stick around to tour the attractions and enjoy the local faves.

The Chocolate Black Tea is simple, yet very aromatic and flavorful. But!, paired with a dairy that has been steeped with the S&TEx’s Baker’s Secret Spice Blend (lightly sweetened with turbinado sugar and so many more flavors!), it is an indulgent breakfast or afternoon delight. Let me note here… Be sure to taste the foam on its own! It. Is. Delicious.

I added more sweetness to my cup, but my husband enjoyed the tea as it is crafted in the directions. I have a link to my Vanilla Sugar below. It’s so easy and nice to have on hand for splurges like this tea.

A note on the Baker’s Secret Spice Blend. Grinding the blend in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle will create more surface area of the spices, allowing for a bit more flavor and fragrance. It is not necessary to grind, but it is an option.

I was in the process of my first trial run when the dusting of the Ground True Ceylon Cinnamon came to mind. You may omit the dusting, but it adds a “barista” flair and flavor. Not to mention, it looks professionally crafted.

Enjoy!

Blue Hawaiian Green Tea by The Spice and Tea Exchange (Blowing Rock, NC)

Some very exciting news… I have been invited to collaborate with The Spice and Tea Exchange in Blowing Rock, NC. They are the third highest grossing store of the franchise, which has over 90 stores nationwide since 2008. This location is known for over 85 handcrafted seasonings, which are mixed daily by hand. Blends are tested before introducing them to the consumer. And something special I love: local restaurants create dishes using various spices and teas from the store. Local businesses supporting one another, it’s a beautiful thing.

The Blowing Rock location is nestled in the quaint town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a beautiful drive and an adoring town. Boone, Grandfather Mountain, and Tweetsie Railroad are among the things to do and see in the area.

Entering the store, you’re immediately greeted with knowledgeable, foodie enthusiasts. Smell and taste everything! Ask questions and receive flavor suggestions. It’s quite difficult to walk out empty-handed.

The Spice and Tea Exchange carries a wide variety of spices, spice blends, salts, sugars, teas, and more! The “more” includes teapots and diffusers, honey, mortar and pestle sets, salt cellars, and on and on…

Stop for a meal at locally owned restaurants, grab some ice cream, and take a walk through the boutiques and parks.

The Blue Hawaiian Green loose tea, just one of their aromatic teas, is a green tea blend. You’ll bring your water temperature up to 185 for this green tea. A digital thermometer or tea kettle with regulated temperature settings is very handy. Easy-to-understand information is on each label, which I love.

My simple syrup uses vanilla bean seeds, scraped from a vanilla bean. Don’t throw that vanilla bean away! See my Vanilla Sugar recipe for use!

This recipe is for a single serving. However, this loose tea blend can be steeped twice! See Notes in the recipe card below the instructions.

I have a hot version of the Blue Hawaiian tea coming very soon!

Enjoy!

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 5-10 minutes | Total Time: 10-15 minutes | Serves: 2

There is currently ice on our trees creating this beautiful winter wonderland in middle Tennessee.  We don’t get ice very often (much less, snow!).  But inside today has been warm and toasty.  

I’ve had this recipe on paper for quite a while, revamping every time I glanced at it or checking in with friends about their thoughts on this spicy concoction.  We have Nigerian friends who have habanero juice running through their veins, who suggested some lovely spices for this hot chocolate.  I know it’s called “Mexican,” but I do like the heat a fresh chile brings!  This recipe gives that little bite and kick that makes you clear your throat.

Hot chocolate has been around since 500 BC, but it was a much different taste and texture than what we know today.  With its origins in Mexico, but drunk around the world, one thing that has remained consistent is the use of chile peppers.  And for that, I am ever thankful.

Enjoy!

Citrus–Sage Tea

My husband loves Irish black tea with heavy cream, no sweetener. I love the flavors of chai, fruits, and florals with some sweetener. I had ordered a London Fog at a Starbucks for the first time and fell in love. I knew there had to be some way to remake this at home. I used Twinings Earl Grey for a bit, but then stumbled upon information that Starbucks used Teavana’s Earl Grey Crème, which is available in my local grocery store. (I stockpile the tea in my pantry. If there’s a tornado siren, I’m grabbing my tea. You get my drift.) Teavana’s Earl Grey Crème is really delicious in a London Fog.

So…. Saying all that leads me to this… I started trying the other flavors Teavana offered in my area and learned to make infused simple syrups to give them some flair. (Check out my recipe for a Lemon-Cinnamon Fog. It’s out of this world. My friends call my lemon simple syrup “liquid gold.”)

I found a Citrus Lavender Tea by Teavana and the description says, “with pineapple, orange, and notes of sage.” I wanted to amplify some of these scents and flavors. This simple syrup uses fresh sage leaves and orange zest. “Bruising” the sage in your hands helps release the oils in the leaves, making more flavor and aroma come out into the syrup. Steeping the syrup helps all the flavors and scents meld. Ah, happiness.

Hot Mulled Cider

My mother-in-law introduced me to not just hot cider, but hot mulled cider. This takes apple cider to a whole new level. I took her recipe and added more citrus, cranberries, star anise and vanilla. I absolutely love this around the holidays. It’s so simple, just dump everything into a slow cooker or stockpot and allow it to come to piping hot. It’s sweet, a little tangy, and a little earthy from the star anise. A world of delicious Christmas in a mug…. or anytime of the year, for any occasion.

This feeds a crowd, but can easily be halved if needed. You can change up the spices and fruits to your tastes, too. If you have any leftovers, just strain into a container and refrigerate for up to a week. IF you have leftovers…

And be sure to use “real” apple cider. You know, the kind that you start seeing around the fall? Real apple cider generally has the sediment in the bottom of the jug. That’s what you want!