Tea Blog

Thank you! Zhi honored in ‘Best of Austin’ Awards

Best of Austin 2014Our tearoom is in a flurry of delight! Kettles are whistling, tea cups clinking, tea leaves curling and unfurling.

This is a usual state of affairs at Zhi Tea, but today, it’s in response to a very special gift. Zhi Tea has been named a “Best of Austin” establishment by the Austin Chronicle. Yee haw!

Every year, the Austin Chronicle allows their readers to vote on their favorite local icons ranging from ‘Best Boot Scuffed Dancefloor’ to ‘Best Barbecue.’ They also invite their team of critics to pick their ultimate finds in categories like ‘Arts & Culture’ and ‘Recreation.’ Being chosen in any category is a true honor as it is an opportunity to feel the local love.

This year, Zhi Tea was included in the Food Section of the Critics’ Picks. Our category: “Best Way to Take Back the Tea Party.” We love the clever nod to current events as yes, we do want to take back tea from any possible stigma. Zhi Tea was founded on the effort to elevate tea culture in America.  Tea is amazing! Tea parties rule! Our passion for ultra premium organic tea is an opportunity to ‘be’ the tea culture. We pledge to keep Austin weird by staying enthused and appreciative of all our tea-freaks and tea-nerds, and sourcing the very best tea from around the world for them.

Many congratulations to the Austin Chronicle as well. This was their ultra special 25th Anniversary edition of their “Best of Austin” awards. And again, many thanks to everyone in Austin who makes this city such a great place to work, eat, live. And of course, drink tea.

 

Recipe Box: Zhi’s Iced Thai Tea Cocktail

Thai Iced TeaNaughty, nice, and over ice!

This colorful thai iced tea is the best way to surrender to one’s sweet tooth. While thai iced tea is something one usually enjoys at a restaurant or tea room, here is Zhi’s recipe for you to make at home. We make it with our Austin Breakfast, making it our ‘Texas’ version. We also use coconut cream to make it even silkier, another difference to celebrate in this signature.  Let’s get decadent!

This recipe makes a ½ gallon pitcher. As you can imagine, this is a luxury drink you’ll want to share…or keep sipping on all day long.

Zhi’s Texas Thai Tea

15 minutes, makes 8 servings.

Ingredients:

  • 4 oz of dry Sweet Desert Delight tea

  • 1 tablespoon dry Austin Breakfast tea

  • 6 cups hot water

  • 1 cup coconut cream

  • ½ cup condensed milk

  • ice

  • 8 oz vodka *optional

Teaware:

  • teapot or strainer

  • half gallon pitcher

  • cups

Directions:

  1. Steep 4 oz of Sweet Desert Delight in 5 cups of hot water for 10 minutes.

  2. When done, strain and pour steeped tea into half gallon pitcher.

  3. Steep 1 tablespoon of Austin Breakfast in 1 cup of hot water for 3 minutes.

  4. When done, strain and pour steeped tea into half gallon pitcher.

  5. Pour coconut cream and condensed milk into hot tea combo. Stir to dissolve.

  6. Chill by adding a few ice cubes to the pitcher. Stir to dissolve.

  7. Taste. You can add more coconut cream and evaporated milk to sweeten further.

  8. If you’d like to make it into a cocktail, add some vodka.

  9. Now, your pitcher of thai iced tea is complete.

  10. Pour over cups filled with ice and enjoy!

  11. Garnish with star anise.

 

Notes:  Keep stirring! The creamy ingredients will want to separate over time. Enjoy!