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More about Mote
More about Mote Beach Tea
Yes, Mote Beach Tea is a delicious caffeine-free herbal fruit infusion. One of our bestselling teas.
As a hot tea, you get a bit of tropical sweetness that can transport you to a hammock near the sea. As an iced tea, Mote is both incredibly refreshing and wonderfully healthy. No sugar added, powerfully hydrating and with hibiscus being one of the ingredients, the tea is packed with vitamins and minerals. And, the red color is gorgeous. You can learn more about Mote Beach tea from an earlier post here.
I want to share some details very dear to my heart about Mote Marine Laboratory. You may know or suspect that we contribute a portion of sales of Mote Beach Tea as a charitable donation back to Mote. Each quarter, I send a report detailing each of the forms we sell the tea in; Biodegradeable sachets, loose leaf and 1 gallon Ice Tea bullets, and our two channels, online purchases and sales to our Serving Partners.
Along with this report I send a check. And every quarter, about a week later, I get a letter from Mote thanking me for the donation and letting me know how much they appreciate our partnership. I also get a sticker, the round blue logo with a shark in the middle. I love getting those stickers, I love getting those letters, and I love working with Mote. To a person, Mote is a group of the highest quality people, all passionate and committed to the world undersea. Read More
Cuppa Tea in SRQ #9 – Cafe Evergreen – Nokomis
Cuppa Tea at Cafe Evergreen
For this episode of “Cuppa Tea in SRQ”, now available from our YouTube Channel, we visit Cafe Evergreen in Nokomis where Tristan talks with us.
This is one of our favorite spots, especially after a soak at Warm Mineral Springs. The Beet Reuben is off the charts, and all of their food is creative, ecletic and delicious.
Breakfast is best known for the Evergreen Scrambler with tofu, quinoa, spinach, and more. They also offer a fresh pressed juice bar, along with wheatgrass and ginger shots.
For lunch, check out the the Evergreen Club sandwich, voted Best Vegetarian Sandwich in America by the Restaurant Hospitality Magazine!! And the previously mentioned the Beet Reuben with roasted, pickled beets, house made sauerkraut and a chickpea thousand island dressing. Fantastic!!!
For dinner (or lunch) all the teas are organic, and Local Tea Company created a custom iced tea, Evergreen Peach. Try it. And all the hot teas are served as loose leaf teas in tea pots for the best tea expereince possible. Tristand and his wife likes our Organic Strawberry Smile green tea.
For each episode of ‘Cuppa Tea in SRQ’ we do a ‘Video Visit’ with one of our Serving Partners. It’s short, it’s light and above all, tries to be funny.
Please subscribe and after that, let us know what you think.
Cheers,
Episode #9 Cafe Evergreen – Nokomis
Cuppa Tea in SRQ #8 – The Overton Rosemary District Sarasota
Cuppa Tea at The Overton
For this episode of “Cuppa Tea in SRQ”, now available from our YouTube Channel we visit The Overton in the Rosemary District of Sarasota for a chat with owner Christian Hershman.
When we visited this week, the MTV reality show “Siesta Key” show was wrapping up filming. And, per usual The Overton had a buzz about it. The Overton is Americano, fast casual at its finest. Christian is a ground breaker and The Overton does it again.
The food is “On Trend” and eclectic, but more important, Delicious!!! They do things the Overton Way from the ‘Avo Toast’, thick cut bacon and a porridge along with many other breakkie favorites.
For later in the day, The Roadside Burger is probably the most popular with fresh ground beef by the Butcher Block. The Fries are available in beef tallow or olive oil and the list goes on…
Also, The Overton makes two styles of cold brewed iced teas, a Nitro and a Sparkling. The Nitro is frothy with a thick foam. The Sparkling is a bit bubbly, but not overwhleming. Try them and let us know which on you like better!
For each episode of ‘Cuppa Tea in SRQ’ we do a ‘Video Visit’ with one of our Serving Partners. It’s short, it’s light and above all, tries to be funny.
Please subscribe and after that, let us know what you think.
Cheers,
Episode #8 The Overton in the Rosemary District Sarasota
Cuppa Tea in SRQ #7 – Pastry Arts on Main Street Sarasota
Cuppa Tea at Pastry Arts
For this episode of “Cuppa Tea in SRQ”, now available from our YouTube Channel we visit Main Street Sarasota and Pastry Arts to chat with owner Chip Beeman.
They have a extensive Tea Menu to go with a massive pastry case. All pastries are made from scratch daily, with the espresso muffin most popular. Pastry Arts also serves soups and sandwiches for lunch. Chip is also the owner of Main Bar Sandwich Shop.
The walls are filled with the works from local artist Ron Genta, including a few pieces with the Local tea logo! Pastry Arts is jammed on Saturday mornings during the Sarasota Farmer’s Market. Stop by and enjoy the outdoor seating and watch Sarasota!!
Tea is featured most afternoons as perfect for a break from the office. There is a bit of an afternoon rush when guests stop in for a cuppa and something sweet. Spend some time out front with the rest of Sarasota
For each episode of ‘Cuppa Tea in SRQ’ we do a ‘Video Visit’ with one of our Serving Partners. It’s short, it’s light and above all, tries to be funny.
Please subscribe and after that, let us know what you think.
Cheers,
Episode #7 – Pastry Arts on Main Street Sarasota
Cuppa Tea in SRQ #6 – Bean Coffeehouse in Siesta Key Village
Cuppa Tea at Bean Coffeehouse
For this episode of “Cuppa Tea in Sarasota”, now available from our YouTube Channel we go back to the very beginning to where it all began. The first location of Local Tea Company, and Local Coffee + Tea in the heart of Siesta Key Village for a cuppa tea at the Bean Coffeehouse
The shop, now known as the Bean Coffeehouse was opened in 2007 and you can read more about it in the history section of the Local Tea Co. website. The interior is wildly colorful with many works by local artist Ron Genta.
For this Holiday episode we visit the Bean late in the day, just before closing to chat with Zach and his massive tea menu. They only serve loose leaf teas AND they have a great selection of retail tea packets available.
Where else can you find so many #Rooibos teas to pick from?
Each episode of Cuppa Tea in Sarasota we do a ‘Video Visit’ with one of our Serving Partners. It’s short, it’s light and above all, tries to be funny.
Please subscribe and after that, let us know what you think.
Cheers,
Episode #6 – Bean Coffeehouse in Siesta Key Village
Cuppa Tea in SRQ #5 – Selby House Cafe by Michael’s on East
Cuppa Tea at Selby House Cafe
For this episode of “Cuppa Tea in Sarasota”, now available from our YouTube Channel we go back to our roots. We visit the Selby House Cafe at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. for a cuppa tea at the Selby House Cafe.
The cafe is now operated by Michael’s on East and they do a fantastic job, and serve an incredible cuppa tea!!! Selby Select Rooibos, Secret Garden Green and Little Monkey fruit tea to name a few, and we are always creating new tea for the annual garden exhibitions. Previously art from Marc Chagall, Andy Warhol and Paul Gauguin have been on display at Selby Gardens..
The annual holiday Lights in Bloom celebration starts December 14 and when we visited, the gardens were humming in anticipation. Millions of lights in the trees, Santa Claus, reindeer games, live music, and much more.
Local Tea Company previously operated a tea shop, the Carriagehouse Tea Room at Selby Gardens, as well as the cafe. It is always nice to come home for a visit.
Each episode of Cuppa Tea in Sarasota we do a ‘Video Visit’ with one of our Serving Partners. It’s short, it’s light and above all, tries to be funny.
Please subscribe and after that, let us know what you think.
Cheers,
Episode #5 – Selby House Cafe by Michael’s On East
Cuppa Tea in SRQ #3 – Cafe in the Park
Cuppa Tea at Cafe in the Park
Our latest episode of “Cuppa Tea in SRQ” is now available from our YouTube Channel. We visit Cafe in the the Park in downtown Sarasota in Payne Park. Each episode we do a ‘Video Visit’ with one of our Serving Partners.
It’s short, it’s light and above all, tries to be funny.
Please subscribe and after that, let us know what you think.
Cheers,
Episode #3 – Cafe in the Park
YouTube for Local Tea Co.
YouTube for Local Tea Co.
We are having fun with our new “Cuppa Tea in SRQ” YouTube Channel. Check out this series visiting our wholesale Serving Partners, in and around Sarasota. We find the owner and have a ‘video visit’ with them.
It’s short, it’s light and above all, tries to be funny.
Please like, comment and subscribe. You will see the first 2 below, Oasis Cafe and Lila.
Cheers,
Episode #1 – Oasis Cafe & Bakery
Episode #2 – Lila
Visit Edison Ford Winter Estates
A visit to Edison Ford Winter Estates?
You may have seen my earlier post about the newest tea from Local Tea Company. The Edison Ford Fruit Tea created to celebrate the beautiful winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford at the Edison Ford Winter Estates. Recently I had relatives visiting from Yorkshire and decided to take a day trip south to the Edison Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers. If you read my blogs you know I like to share my tea experiences with you (England , Northern Michigan, South Carolina Tea Plantation.) This one is on my own doorstep, I just have to share. A ‘one tank trip’ not to be missed! Read More
Life is too short to drink bad tea
Life is too short to drink bad tea
I like this quote. When I went to find someone to attribute this quote to, I couldn’t find anybody so I’m claiming it for myself. That may be right, wrong, maybe morally questionable, but the truth is, life is way too short to drink bad tea. And there is no reason to drink bad tea when so many great options exist, everywhere.
Loose Leaf Tea
Perhaps the quote should be, “Life is too short to drink anything except loose leaf tea” Loose tea is the better tea, fresher and allowing for the best flavor, the deepest, resonant, complex and any other word you can think of to describe awesome flavor. There are superb teas in bags or sachets, seek them out and stop drinking bad tea. The difference is immense.
Tea is an emotional beverage. What other drink conjures memories, alters moods and makes you a better person. Yes, there is a similar quote, “Life is too short to drink bad wine”, but tea is healthy and can be drunk every day. And you should drink tea every day. We all want to extend our time on this planet, and get the most out of each and every day. So drink tea and drink great tea.
Motivating? I’m not sure, perhaps I’m just trying to get to the end of this blog post. But how about this?
“Make the most of every day” I won’t try to claim credit for this adage, but if you are going to drink the world’s most popular beverage after water, make the most of it and drink a great tea.
Black Tea
Drink great black teas. A robust, strong Assam or Darjeeling with a splash of fresh almond milk or a rich cream. Drink a great breakfast blend like our Organic Sarasotan Breakfast Blend, Or a mild, sweeter Nilgiri. Or if you want more flavor, a spicy chai might be the perfect option. I almost forgot to mention Oolongs! Especially our ‘milky smooth’ Dung Ding Oolong.
Green Tea
Drink great green teas. Froth a pinch of a matcha green tea, or gently steep a pure Organic Sencha. Add a touch of flavor, maybe strawberry or gojiberries or any other subtle sweetness that brings out that cool wonderful green tea flavor. Yes, white teas too. Drink them!
Rooibos Tea
Drink great rooibos teas. This is wonderful in the afternoon when there is no fear of caffeine stealing sleep from you. Drink Rooibos or Bush Tea when faced with solving a mystery ☺☺ This is not only a lovely, mild flavor, rooibos takes on other flavors like vanilla and orange peel (Selby Select) or Lavender or Rose (Mable’s Rose Rooibos). Drink Honeybush, and Chocolate Honeybush and the list goes on.
Herbal Tea
Drink great herbal teas, peppermint, Yerba Mate or hibiscus or tulsi. I just saw this weekend that Roselle blossoms were available at the Sarasota farmers market. They are they’re blooming in Florida and they make incredible tea as well as a gorgeous jams and jellies. Drink a fabulous chamomile tea from Egypt and dream of Cleopatra or floating down the Nile.
Fruit Tea
Drink great fruit teas. Share them with a young person. Introduce a child to the joys of tea. Start with the anticipation of the kettle boiling, then take a moment to select a tea to fit the mood, watch when hot water meets tea leaves and the flavors release. This called the ‘Agony of the Leaf’, what does it conjure in your imagination. Heat the mugs with hot water while you wait for all the flavor to extract, and then pour two mugs full, and blow cool air over your brew.
Start a young person on a tea journey, drinking tea as a part of a ritual, after dinner, before bed, in the morning, later in the day. There are so many opportunities to drink tea. This ‘Tea Journey’ will last a lifetime and you will be responsible for the the very first steps.
And then there is the perfection that are Mote Beach Tea or Little Monkey fruit teas. Make a cuppa either of these herbal gems before you go to bed. I promise you that your dreams will be finer, they’ll be sweeter and your sleep will be deeper and richer and better. I can’t promise that your dreams will come true, but a great cuppa tea can bring hope.
Share Tea
Share that idea with everyone, a life of sound sleep and fantastical dreams. You are never too old to begin a ‘Tea Journey’. And what a wonderful community to be a part of, drinkers of great teas!
Appreciate all that goes in to a great cuppa tea. Where the tea was plucked, how far it might have traveled, who else might be enjoying the exact same cup at this same moment. How many years or decades or centuries have people been drinking this same tea. Or how much progress has been made in heating up the water. Before electricity, 200 years ago or 2000 years ago, how did they boil water, what was the mug like or bowl or the cup. There is much to consider in a simple cup of tea.
And be sure to steep your tea for the correct time. Not too short, robbing yourself from a fully expressed cuppa. And not too long, for the bitterness or astringency might distract from the beautiful flavors intended for you.
Give Tea
Give the gift of tea. Nothing can be so easy to share, so thoughtful, so considerate for either a tea lover experienced in drinking great tea, or introducing someone to your favorite tea. Tea elevates the idea of a gift to a new level.
Yes, I want you to buy my teas, and we have plenty of options for you. But find a new place to buy tea, a wonderful loose leaf tea. You will recall the moment later, when you are drinking or serving this tea. Tea comes with its own story, you just have to be a bit creative about it. The story is available and there is joy to be had.
Serve a great cuppa tea in a fine piece of China, in a cup that needs a saucer. Take a moment and make it special. You will enjoy the experience even morel, or help someone else feel special. That’s where this big thought started, with living your life to the fullest. Life is too short and so find the moments, the joys to extract a bit more than you may have expected. Surprise someone, delight them. Give that gift or treat yourself. You deserve it.
So drink up, Life is too short to drink bad tea.
Local Tea Company