Tea Blog

Every year, more and more customers are looking for higher quality tea. When Zhi was founded in 2007, specialty tea was just beginning. Today, two out of three homes have tea in their pantries (and we love when it’s Zhi tea

But how does one start their relationship with tea?

In their article “Loving the Learning, “Fresh Cup magazine researched America’s growing tea culture and interviewed several tea retailers to talk about how to share tea education.

They found that while tea might be intimidating at first, simplicity and enthusiasm will be the shop owner’s tools to connect with their customers.

It’s Dr Oolong’s opinion that for beginning tea drinkers, experience trumps education. Do you agree?

Naughty, 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!

The new year always brings opportunity for healthier habits and high hopes. Year after year, we continue to see diet, health and financial resolutions top the list of self-improvement projects.

What are you looking forward to improving in 2013?

“Each spring, we witness (and experience!) a strong desire to cut back on sugar, fat, dairy and gluten, as we clear the slate after an indulgent holiday season,” says Dr. Oolong, co-founder of Zhi Tea and resident cookie-lover.

“Zhi strives for balance, while never sacrificing beauty or pleasure. Fittingly, our teas are pure, healthy and indulgent. Tea helps us answer the question, “How can one have decadent food experiences without sacrificing health?” It’s easy! It’s right there in your cup.”

For everyone who is working off a wellspring of will power, Zhi would like to offer custom tea choices to support your efforts. (We can use the extra help too!)

For a sugar-free treat: try our Sweet Desert Delight. Crave cream, but want to be dairy-free? Try our Masala Chai with a drop of almond milk. Need a gluten-free drink? All of our teas are gluten-free, organic and fair trade. Want to cleanse and detox? Purify with Silver Needle. Caffeine-free morning? Let the awakening power of our Turkish Spice Mint keep you upbeat, without the jitters! Caffeine-free evening? Our Restful Blend (pictured above) is a soothing nightcap and guaranteed lullaby.

So, how do you resolve to incorporate tea into your life more?