Tea How To

A metal teapot pours royal milk tea into a white teacup with purple and yellow violets on it. A stack of books is in the background.

How to Make Royal Milk Tea

Drink, Recipes Using Tea, Tea How To, Warm & Cool Sips

Have you ever heard of royal milk tea? It is a popular Japanese milk tea that not only tastes great but looks pretty too. If you happen to head to Japan, you will notice it is on the menu at every coffee shop and restaurant. You can even find it bottled or canned in their […]

A white teacup with pink flowers sits on top of a book.

How to Figure Out Your Loose Tea to Water Ratio

Tea 101, Tea How To

It can be difficult to figure out just how much loose leaf tea you need in your cup. There are many factors to consider, from cup size to water amount. You also want to make sure you are accurate so your tea isn’t too strong or too weak. It can get frustrating to have to […]

A white and blue floral teacup full of red rooibos tea sits on a wooden table next to two other cups of tea with infusers in them.

How to Make Rooibos Tea Taste Better

Tea 101, Tea How To

Bitterness in tea usually stems from an over abundance of tannins. In right proportions, tannins make for a fantastic cup of tea by creating a complex taste. They also help the body thrive with their antibacterial and blood pressure lowering properties. Although rooibos has fewer tannins than black or green tea, they are still in […]

Tea concentrate is poured into a mason jar sitting on a wooden table.

How to Make a Tea Concentrate

Drink, Recipes Using Tea, Tea How To

There are times in our lives when we just can’t seem to slow down enough to enjoy a carefully prepared cup of tea. For times like this, we need a tea concentrate. Consolidate that tea crafting time by creating numerous cups all at once, to be enjoyed later without as much prep. Not only will […]

Overhead view of a tea-themed blue tea tin next to a white and floral teacup and saucer. They are arranged on a green cloth overlain with a white crochet doily.

Creative Loose Leaf Tea Storage Ideas to Organize Your Tea Time

Tea 101, Tea How To

There’s no such thing as too much tea, just too little storage. Between Plum Deluxe’s large offering of teas, old favorites, and samples, it’s easy for those bags of loose leaf tea to start to pile up. You may need to come up with a different strategy to store your tea than tossing bags into […]

A white and blue ombre mug full of tea sits in front of a show-covered camellia bush.

How to Make Sun Tea in the Winter

Drink, Recipes Using Tea, Tea How To

Here in Portland, winter is in full swing. Days are short. There’s a chill in the air. And sometimes in the dead of winter, we need a little reminder that there is light at the end of the “14-hours-of-darkness-every-day” tunnel. Enter: sun tea, a beverage that can capture the sunny spirit of summer all year […]

A package of Plum Deluxe tea peeks out of the seat pocket in an airplane. Behind it are several in-flight magazines and safety cards.

Travel Time: Can I Bring Loose Leaf Tea on an Airplane?

Tea 101, Tea How To

A commonly searched question is “can I bring loose leaf tea on airplane?” (Perhaps you stumbled across this article by Googling just such a phrase yourself.) The short answer is: yes! So rest assured all you weary world travelers: You can infuse a little fun into your next flight by bringing your favorite loose leaf […]

Overhead view of a white teacup and saucer full of tea with a silver teaspoon resting on the saucer. Three packets of Plum Deluxe loose leaf tea are fanned out to the right of it. In the upper left corner is a stack of books; in the upper right corner are several red roses.

When Does Tea Expire? How to Tell if Your Tea is Fresh

Tea 101, Tea How To

We have all been there: finding ourselves with a plethora of tea on our shelves. With so many different kinds and flavors of tea, it is easy to get carried away and have so much, you can’t go through it all fast enough. However, does tea expire? If so, how can we tell? Does Tea […]

A quote from Ernest Hemingway is written in cursive on a sheet of tea stained paper. A teacup full of black tea sits next to it.

Tea DIY: How to Tea Stain Paper

Home, Tea How To

Do-it-yourself crafts are always popular and great for those who are on a budget. Whether you are making a gift for your friend or a decoration for your house, it is a really fun route to go down. One great DIY craft every tea lover out there should try is tea staining paper. It gives […]

A white teapot and matching teacup, as well as plates of donuts with colorful icing, are arranged on a table in front of a window.

Enjoying Tea: Simple Tea Pleasures and Rituals

Tea 101, Tea How To

Tea isn’t just a drink. Enjoying tea is an experience and an essential part of life for many of us around the world. If you were to ask most tea drinkers about their first experience with tea, you would likely get a story. Tea entered my life in college while on a spontaneous visit to […]

Overhead view of a mug of tea, purple crochet scarf, bags of Plum Deluxe loose leaf tea, and paper snowflakes arranged on floral wrapping paper.

6 Creative Tea Gift Basket Ideas for 2019

Home, Tea How To

As the barrage of end-of-year holidays descends upon us, it can be a challenge to think of gifts for everyone that are both creative and meaningful. If you are a tea lover looking for gifts for other tea lovers (or future tea lovers), you’ll want to give something that has to do with tea. A […]

Overhead view of a wooden tea tray with a colorful tea towel, white tea pot, loose leaf tea, tea sugar, and teacups.

Gift Guide: What To Get a Tea Lover

Blog, Tea How To

Looking for ideas about what to get for someone who loves tea? You’ve come to the right place. There are lots of ways to answer the question of what to get a tea lover, from something simple like loose leaf tea or a mug, to fancy infusers and accessories. One, Two, Tea! You would be […]

A red teapot, white teacup with a gold snowflake, and a bag of Plum Deluxe loose leaf tea are arranged on a gold tablecloth. In the background are evergreen boughs decorated with lights and red and gold ornaments.

5 Minute Quick Guide: How To Buy Tea Gifts If You’re Not a Tea Drinker

Home, Tea How To

The holidays are here, and with that comes the inevitable challenge to find that perfect “something” for your special “someone.” If your special someone is crazy about tea, but you think that Earl Grey sounds more like a character from Downton Abby than a warm beverage, we’re here to help! We’ve made it easy to […]

A glass pitcher and two glass mugs filled with tea sit on a white table along with a silver teaspoon and a glass bowl of sugar.

How to Remove Tea Stains from Everything You Love

Home, Tea How To

We have all been there: One minute you are drinking your tea on a crisp morning, and the next minute it has somehow managed to make its way all over your nice shirt. While tea is great to drink, it can be such a pain to get out of clothing. Tea can also be pesky […]

Overhead view of ingredients for bath tea, including loose leaf tea, salt, mesh bags, and a pile of lavender in the shape of a heart, all displayed on a wooden table.

Self Care Soaks: How To Make Bath Tea

Health, Home, Tea How To

A hot cup of tea is the perfect way to escape everyday stress — but have you tried putting it in a hot bath to wind down after a long day of work? Today, we’re talking about how to make bath tea. What’s Bath Tea? Bath tea, or tub tea, is just that — a […]

Overhead view of a pitcher of pumpkin spice creamer, a pumpkin, teacup and saucer with infuser, and a bag of loose leaf tea on a wooden table.

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Creamer Recipe

Drink, Superb Sides & Sauces, Tea How To, Warm & Cool Sips

It wouldn’t be fall without pumpkins. They’ve become synonymous with this time of year, when the leaves turn to rich bright colors and crackle underfoot. Perhaps your favorite part of fall is the abundance of pumpkin spice treats. Plum Deluxe has some wonderful fall tea flavors, such as Pumpkin Spice, Apple Cinnamon Warmth, Full Moon […]

A glass jar full of black tea smoothie garnished with mint leaves sits on a rough wooden table.

Start Your Day Right With a Cool Black Tea Smoothie

Breakfast & Brunch, Drink, Recipes Using Tea, Tea How To, Warm & Cool Sips

Sometimes, the best thing for a summer morning boost is a power-packed, refreshing smoothie. You don’t need to abandon your daily tea routine just because you’re craving a smoothie, though. Enjoy the best of both worlds by whipping up a black tea smoothie! What Is a Black Tea Smoothie? There are two routes you can […]

Side view of a glass of pina colada frozen iced tea with a pineapple and blue flower garnish.

Chill Out: Four Ways to Enjoy Frozen Iced Tea

Drink, Recipes Using Tea, Tea How To, Warm & Cool Sips

Sometimes, iced tea just doesn’t cut it. As we get into the hottest of summer days, you may find yourself looking for something even colder than iced tea. May we recommend frozen iced tea? Frozen iced tea can come in several forms, but when made correctly, still carries that burst of flavor and energy you’ve […]

Two glasses of bubble tea sit on a counter with a bowl of green straws in the background.

Boba Shop Delights: How to Make Bubble Tea at Home

Drink, Recipes Using Tea, Tea How To

Have you ever wished you knew how to make bubble tea so you could enjoy it at home? With this bubble tea recipe, you’ll be able to make endless flavor combinations with all your favorite tastes. What is Boba or Bubble Tea? Bubble tea is a Taiwanese drink usually made of black or green tea, […]

Overhead view of a glass of iced tea, basket of strawberries, and white dish of loose leaf tea on a red and white checkered cloth.

How To Make Sun Brewed Iced Tea

Drink, Recipes Using Tea, Tea How To

There’s nothing quite as satisfying in summertime as a refreshing glass of iced tea. When you have a sunny afternoon in front of you and some strong, fruity black tea in your tea cupboard, you can make the weather work for you, and make yourself some sun brewed iced tea! Best Teas for Sun Tea […]

Bulletproof Tea Recipe

Drink, Recipes Using Tea, Tea How To, Warm & Cool Sips

Do you ever wish you had a tea that could give you all the powers of a superhero like Superman or Captain Marvel? A bulletproof tea recipe that made you impervious to all man made weapons? Me too, honestly. Unfortunately, this is not that recipe. If I ever find one, I promise I’ll share it […]

A mug of tea sits next to a tea infuser full of spent tea leaves on top of a white doily on a pink tablecloth.

Does Tea Need to be Refrigerated

Tea 101, Tea How To

Maybe you started a warm cup of tea too late at night. You know it’s going to keep you up if you drink it, but it’s so good! You can’t just let it go to waste! You can save it for the morning, but does tea need to be refrigerated? The good news is that […]

Overhead view of a bag of loose leaf tea, an ice pack, and an ice cube tray on a yellow background.

The Fastest Way to Ruin Loose Tea: Storing Tea in Freezer

Tea 101, Tea How To

You’ve found it: Your absolute favorite blend of tea. The temptation to stockpile as much as you can is strong. The first solution that comes to mind may be storing tea in freezer bags and packing it away in the back of your icebox. However, when you come back to finish your frozen tea, you […]

Overhead view of boiling water being poured from a clear glass teapot into a white and blue teacup.

The Best Way to Boil Water for Tea

Tea 101, Tea How To

Maybe you’re just starting out with loose leaf tea. Maybe you’ve had the same routine around your daily cuppa for years. Either way, you may start to wonder how you can get the best water for tea. The world of tea is vast and diverse. There are so many ways to make a good cup […]

Overhead view of brownie bites, mini sandwiches, and other best snacks with tea in a teacup on the side.

The Best Snacks With Tea

Drink, Food, Tea How To

Right now, I’m having some gluten free toast with a cup of Strawberries and Cream tea. I love having tea and toast together. Tea and snacks come in infinite combinations, and every tea drinker seems to have that one tea-and-food combination that we pull out when we need a self-care afternoon. Here are some of […]

Closeup of bright green matcha green tea powder in a white square dish.

What to Make with Matcha Powder

Drink, Recipes Using Tea, Tea How To

Matcha has recently become a bit of a trend in the foodie world. Matcha ice cream, cookies, and cakes are popping up left and right. Want to get equipped for the upcoming matchapocalypse? Here are a few ideas of what to make with matcha powder. While it has become popular in the west in the […]

Overhead view of a dark blue teapot, teacup infusing loose leaf tea, and a digital timer on a teacup print tea towel.

What Does it Mean to Steep Tea?

Drink, Tea 101, Tea How To

If you’re a regular tea drinker, you probably do a lot of steeping on a daily basis. But what is that magical process that turns some hot water and dry leaves into a steaming, delicious beverage? And how can you make it work to give you the best possible cup of tea? At first glance […]

Overhead view of a tea steamer in a white mug, sitting next to a cherrywood spoon on a wooden table.

How to Make a Tasty Tea Steamer

Drink, Tea How To

I rarely like to add any extras to my daily cups of tea, but there’s something magical and soul warming about a well-balanced, warm, creamy tea beverage. Tea lattes are a popular option that can be found at most coffee shops. However, another decadent tea-based treat, the tea steamer, is just as warm and cozy […]

Overhead view of three teacups with different shades of tea, on a white and gray teacup print tea towel.

Everything You Ever Needed to Know About Re-Steeping Tea

Drink, Tea 101, Tea How To

You just finished a delicious cup of tea. It seems like such a waste to throw away the leaves… but will the flavors still hold up if you steep them again? How can you ensure that the tea doesn’t taste too watery, or too bitter? Re-steeping tea can be a bit of a delicate art […]

What’s the Best Way to Drink Tea?

Drink, Tea 101, Tea How To

At this point, you’ve probably been bombarded with ideas and opinions about how tea is best made and served. Advice from tea-loving friends on what sweetener to use. Pinterest graphs on the ten best tea infusers to buy. Amazon reviews for this tea pot or that. Arguments between cream enthusiasts, and tea purists. But what […]

Several brightly colored mugs, tea infusers, and bags of loose leaf tea are arranged on a purple placemat.

How Do You Use a Tea Infuser?

Tea 101, Tea How To

If you are curious about the world of loose leaf teas, you have probably asked yourself: How do you use a tea infuser? The answer is easier than you think, so read on and get your mug ready for some loose leaf brewing. What Is a Tea Infuser? An infuser is a tool that allows […]

How To Make Good Chai Tea

Drink, Tea 101, Tea How To

Is there a more well-known tea beverage around the world than chai? Whether you’re sipping a frothy chai latte in your local cafe or a spicy traditional cup in India, chai is known all over for its signature warm, soothing spices and its dark and hearty brew. Today, we’re going to take you one step […]

Overhead view of a white teacup of tea with a lemon slice floating on top, on a purple placemat next to a wooden cutting board with more lemon slices and anise pods.

How To Make Tea Taste Better Without Sugar

Drink, Tea 101, Tea How To

Life has enough dessert-like temptations without you adding sugar to your teacup as well. If you have a sugary habit in your mug, you might be wondering how to make tea taste better without sugar. There are lots of ways to switch up your favorite cup to taste delicious without added sugar. Leaves and Infusion […]

Overhead view of loose leaf tea, tea infusers, mugs of brewed tea, and weights on a blue and white tea towel.

How To Make Strong Tea

Drink, Tea 101, Tea How To

Sometimes there is no better feeling than having a mug of bold and flavorful tea in hand. That cup of tea can be essential to waking up, feeling good, or rewarding yourself. But if your cup of tea is leaving you unfulfilled, perhaps you could benefit from some of our suggestions on how to make […]

Overhead view of bowls of herbal loose leaf tea, bowls of sugar and honey, and a teacup with victorian tea infuser.

How To Make Herbal Tea Taste Better

Drink, Tea 101, Tea How To

Your favorite everyday tea doesn’t always have to be a typical breakfast black tea. Herbal teas can be a great change of pace in both caffeine levels and flavor. But if you’ve ever asked yourself how to make herbal tea taste better, maybe your mug is in need of a little experimentation. Unlike other teas, […]

A sick day tea care package includes tea, honey sticks, fuzzy socks, a movie, and a book.

How To Make a Tea Care Package

Home, Tea How To

Let’s face it, friends — we are living in the era of the subscription box. Now, while some of these are just lovely (Tea! In my mailbox! In a purple pouch! Every month!), I can’t help but notice that the abundance of prefab options has taken some of my own care-package-creation creativity down a notch […]

Overhead view of blue and yellow teacups with loose leaf tea on a green and white floral tea towel and wooden tray.

Thank You Tea: How to Express Your Gratitude by Gifting Tea

Home, Tea How To

I am grateful for tea every morning when I brew my favorite cup, but tea can also be used to express a deeper sense of thanks to a friend. Use these ideas to send some thank you tea to someone who’s meant a lot to you. If you need to get started right away, Plum […]

Two glasses of sparkling iced tea with green tea and lemonade are garnished with lemons and fresh basil.

Carbonated Tea Recipe: How To Make Sparkling Iced Tea

Drink, Recipes Using Tea, Tea How To

As far as drinks go, iced tea is a pretty classic choice that we love — but as you know we sometimes we like to add a little something special to standard recipes. In this case we are opting for a carbonated tea recipe for our little something special. We will show you how to […]

How To Make Thai Tea from Scratch

Drink, Recipes Using Tea, Tea How To

Thai iced tea, which originates in Thailand, has become an incredibly popular drink here in the U.S. First introduced in Thai restaurants across the country, its deep color and sweet, creamy flavor make it an easy drink to enjoy. But don’t think you have to venture to one of these establishments just for a glass […]

Communi-tea Roundup: Favorite Tea Mix-Ins

Blog, Drink, Tea How To

One of the loveliest, most fun things about tea is simply how customizable it can be — for every unique tea drinker out there, there is a tea blend to match. But what about when you start feeling the itch to get creative in your tea corner? Mix-ins can be an inspired way to doctor […]

Overhead view of loose leaf tea brewing in several cups, a cup of matcha and a whisk, and a bag of tea on a wooden board.

How to Start Liking Tea

Drink, Tea 101, Tea How To

Today we delve into a question about personal taste, namely, how to start liking tea. There are so many different types of tea and so many different ways to brew and experience tea, you are bound to connect with at least one of them. Tea Types and Flavors When most people think of tea, they […]

How Long Does Tea Last In the Fridge?

Drink, Tea 101, Tea How To

Iced tea: It’s cold, it’s refreshing, and it’s what everyone looks forward to on a warm day. Many folks like to make big batches of tea ahead of time, for easier as-needed sipping. But just how long will it stay good? Today, let’s answer the question of how long does tea last in the fridge. […]

overhead view of cupcakes with pink and white icing on a blue plate, a yellow cup of tea, and Plum Deluxe loose leaf tea on a wooden board.

Tea Gifts for Birthdays

Home, Tea How To, Tea Parties

Do you have someone’s special day circled on your calendar? Share some marvelous tea gifts for birthdays during your next celebration. Tea-Infused Birthday Cake Cake is almost synonymous with birthday celebrations. If you are looking for great tea gifts for birthdays, bake a tea-infused cake for the person. For a cake that pairs sweet honey […]

Gifts for People Who Like Tea

Home, Tea How To

Whether you’re shopping for a celebration or just a thoughtful surprise, pulling together the right present can seem daunting. No matter if your giftee is a seasoned tea enthusiast or a first-time sipper, today we’ve got countless ideas for gifts for people who like tea. First, let’s decipher who you’re shopping for. If your recipient […]

Here's our guide on how to make fruit infused tea, for your comfort and sipping pleasure all year long.

How to Infuse Tea with Fruit

Drink, Tea How To

As winter winds whip around the eaves, it’s lovely to make something that remind us of summer, like infusing tea with luscious fruits that hark back to days of endless sunshine and brilliant blue skies. Here’s our easy guide on how to make fruit infused tea, for your comfort and sipping pleasure all year long. […]

Feeling less than your best? Let's dive in to the best tea to drink when you have a cold.

Sniffle Supporters: The Best Tea to Drink for a Cold

Drink, Health, Tea How To

For those of us who love tea, a hot cuppa on a daily basis is just a part of our routine. But there’s nothing that better unifies the tea lovers with less habitual tea drinkers than feeling under the weather. Something about a case of the sniffles brings out our innate desire for a warm, […]

Here are our picks for the best tea for winter to warm up, heal up, and cheer up this season.

Health and Cheer: The Best Tea for Winter

Drink, Tea How To

The winter season is known for its snowy weather, sparse landscape, and the busy holidays. Some people find it to be pleasantly crisp and peaceful, while others might feel a bit glum and chilled. The good news is that we have found the best tea for winter to warm up, heal up, and cheer up […]

As you begin your search for new tea like Teavana, let's compare popular Teavana tea flavors to similar Plum Deluxe blends and help you connect with a new source for tasty tea.

Where to Find Tea Like Teavana

Drink, Tea How To

It is a specific kind of disappointment when a product you like gets discontinued and you can no longer find it on the shelves or in stock. When that happens, you have to embark on a trial basis with similar products, hoping one of them is the right fit for you. Maybe this is all […]

What Liquor Goes With Tea

Drink, Happy Hour Cocktails, Tea How To

Here at Plum Deluxe we think tea can pretty much go with anything. This is because there are so many varieties of tea and an infinite number of tea blends that it’s pretty easy to find a pairing that works. We have paired tea with cheeses and tea with soups, and now we are talking […]

How to Make a Chai Tea Latte at Home

Drink, Recipes Using Tea, Tea How To

Long ago, before the days of my super-stocked tea cabinet and desire for encyclopedic knowledge about every loose leaf tea that crossed my path — er, cup — there were the days of the chai. All I knew was that it was creamy, spicy, sweet, warming, and autumnal, and with $4, I could pick one […]

Tea Time Etiquette with Julia Livingston (Tea Time Podcast Episode 13)

Podcast, Tea How To

What a lucky treat for you today! Our Plum Deluxe tea time podcast is back from hiatus for a special episode with community member Julia Livingston. Today’s topic is Tea Time Etiquette – specifically the tea etiquette certification that Julia recently completed. Julia is more well known as the Happy Tea Time Lady where she is […]

What to Mix with Green Tea

Drink, Tea How To

I know most days, I reach for my tried-and-true black tea, but sometimes I need to take a break from all that robust flavor and caffeine. The lush flavors of green tea are just the right alternative. Green tea can be in loose leaf form, ground into powder, or even rolled into little tea pellets. […]

Best Hot Teas to Drink

Drink, Tea 101, Tea How To

Something happens to me every year around Labor Day. The leaves start changing, I start sneaking sweaters and scarves out of the back of my closet (even if I may be sweating while wearing them for a few more weeks), and all of the mason jars full of cold-brewed tea sit, abandoned, in my fridge. […]

Best Tea for Sweet Tea

Drink, Tea How To

In the movie “Steel Magnolias,” Dolly Parton’s character proclaimed that sweet tea was, “the house wine of the south.” We’re here to affirm that yes, Dolly was onto something. Summer just doesn’t feel complete to me without jar upon jar of cold-brewed, loose leaf tea clinking into one another on my refrigerator shelf. But while […]

What Tea is Good for You?

Drink, Tea How To

What tea is good for you? In one sense, all of them! Many people consider tea to only be blends derived from the camellia sinensis plant. This includes tea that we label black, pu erh, oolong, green, yellow, and white. All of these have natural antioxidants which may offer a variety of health benefits such […]

What Goes Well With Tea

Drink, Home, Tea How To

Tea-lovers know there are plenty of things that pair well with tea, like honey and lemon, or milk and sugar. But let’s explore some less-expected accompaniments and look at what goes well with tea. Teaware A cup of tea always tastes a little better from your favorite mug or brewed with your best kettle. The […]

Oh Sugar: The Best Sweeteners for Tea

Drink, Tea How To

Hand a cup of tea to any tea-drinker, and you’re likely to see them doctor it up in a whole variety of ways. Cream? Black? Sweet? Even within those categories, the customization choices are endless. One of the most impactful ways that you can change the flavor profile of your tea to suit your liking […]

How to Keep Tea Fresh

Drink, Home, Tea How To

It’s a conundrum most tea lovers have in common as their stash begins to grow: How on earth am I supposed to keep tea fresh? Tea leaves are delicate creatures, and storing tea improperly can quickly cause it to lose its flavor and freshness, which can make for one disappointing cuppa. When stored properly, however, […]

How to Make Tea for Kids

Drink, Tea How To

Kids can be picky eaters, there’s no doubt about that, but like any parent we all want our kids to be both happy and healthy. Learning how to make tea for kids can be an easy way to introduce them to a healthy and satisfying drink that they can love. Sometimes it feels like trying […]

Iced is Nice: How to Brew Tea In Cold Water

Drink, Tea How To

As soon as springtime temperatures start to creep past winter-coat-required levels, my thoughts and tastes immediately turn to iced tea over my usual hot cuppa in the mornings. I’ve become known around my office as the iced tea lady (a title I’ll proudly accept), strolling into work with an impressively-sized 32 ounces of freshly made […]

loose leaf tea - the best tea for sun tea

3 of the Best Tea Flavors for Sun Tea

Drink, Tea How To

Whenever the sun is shining and the temperature is even moderately warm, we almost always want to tear outside and get a pitcher of sun tea going. For me, it reminds me of those thoughtful moments with mom or grandma — all that’s missing is some clothes drying on the line and a pile of […]

Things to Know Before Baking With Tea

Food, Recipes Using Tea, Tea How To

Tea and baked goods are one of those time-honored combinations that we can’t help but love. Tea parties have, for centuries, been synonymous with everything from scones to specialty breads, cookies, and pastries. However, the idea of incorporating tea into the baked good itself is a newer trend that results in numerous delightful combinations of […]

10 of the Best Herbal Teas

Drink, Tea 101, Tea How To

The right cup of tea can do wonders to help your mood, health, or state of mind. Let’s take a look at the best herbal tea to help you with ten different daily-life scenarios. Just as an aside: This article will focus on naturally caffeine-free blends. If you’re feeling adventurous and want an herbal tea […]

How to Create a Tea Ritual to Practice Presence

Health, Home, Tea How To

We all need ways to come back to center! For me (and I’m guessing you, too, since you’re reading this), one of my mainstays is the everyday ritual of tea. Anytime I make and settle in with a cuppa, I feel more present. Sometimes, I like to create more space around my tea time and […]

Guide to Loose Leaf Tea for Beginners

Drink, Tea 101, Tea How To

Loose leaf tea is gaining in popularity, with many people trying it for the first time. Not sure what to buy or how to brew it? Here’s our guide to loose leaf tea for beginners. Choosing Loose Leaf Tea While tea bags are convenient, most of the flavor is lost, which is why loose leaf […]

How to Set Up the Perfect Iced Tea Bar

Drink, Tea How To

When the first hot sunshine of spring hits, that’s the time to head outside with friends and family for a fabulous iced tea bar under the trees. While simple black iced tea, especially sweet, always refreshes on a hot day, there’s so much more you can do to iced tea to make it extra special […]

How to Interpret Tea Leaf Reading Symbols

Home, Tea How To

As a tea leaf reader, I often get asked what, exactly, reading tea leaves is and how it works — and how on earth I go about interpreting those tea leaf reading symbols. So I thought I’d share the basics of this fun and relatively simple form of divination. Pop the kettle on and let’s […]

Tea for Two: Darling Dates for You and Your Sweetie

Drink, Home, Tea How To, Tea Parties

Want to do something unexpected with your date? Forget the tired old “dinner and a movie” cliché. Whether you’ve been together a long time or have just met, these tea for two date ideas are great ways to have fun and get to know your partner a little better. Be Romantic Light some candles, snuggle […]

The Right Way to Brew Tea

Drink, Tea 101, Tea How To

When it comes to making tea “the right way,” everyone has their own opinion. What kind of tea is best, how much to use, water temperature, brewing vessel — these and more are all factors when it comes time to brew a cuppa. The British even have an ongoing argument over whether the milk or […]

Cocoa and Tea: The Perfect Combo for Cool-Weather Sipping

Drink, Recipes Using Tea, Tea How To, Warm & Cool Sips

This time of year, one of the biggest, most important questions we hot beverage lovers face is: cocoa or tea? Well, we have a solution for that. Instead of using hot water or milk to make your cocoa, you can use freshly brewed hot tea! Trust us, tea and cocoa are not as strange a […]

Best Tasting Tea for Beginners

Drink, Tea 101, Tea How To

One of the most common questions we get here at Plum Deluxe is what is the best tasting tea for beginners? It’s a good one – especially if you grew up drinking inexpensive supermarket teas that might not be quite what you are hoping for in a hot beverage. Below, we’ll explore first some of the […]

Three Horror Movie & Tea Pairings for a Spooky Evening

Drink, Tea How To, Tea Parties

Fall is the perfect time for horror. The evenings are cool and it starts getting darker sooner; all the trees are changing into gorgeous colors. Since Halloween is on the horizon, what better way to get you in the Halloween mood than holding a horror movie night? I have chosen three horror movies with tea […]

A person in jeans and sneakers holds an orange mug full of tea while standing next to a welcome mat full of loose leaf tea mail.

You’ve got Tea Mail! 5 Tips When Buying Mail Order Tea Online

Food, Tea How To

Remember the old AOL message, you’ve got mail? (Yes, the one they made the movie about.) First we were excited about getting email, then it became a deluge of spam offers and email became a drag. These days, mail is back – the physical kind. Subscription boxes and eCommerce are growing fast, but the mail that […]

Tea Before Bed, and 5 Other Bedtime Rituals for Mindful Sleeping

Health, Tea How To

Everywhere I turn, I seem to find someone talking about their morning rituals — miracle mornings, mindful mornings, how to be a morning person… the drumbeat of the sunrise power hour is strong! I think mornings are important. But, being happily not a morning person, I am more focused on my bedtime evening rituals. Tea […]

How to Make Infused Lemonade

Drink, Recipes Using Tea, Tea How To, Warm & Cool Sips

When the hot days roll around, my interest piques for lemonades and Arnold Palmers. Even on a cooler, grey day, there’s something about an infused lemonade that brightens the mood — and even better if you can share with a friend. I have a slight serious obsession with lavender lemonade. And I have opinions on […]

Tea and Toast: The Best Recipe for Comfort

Breakfast & Brunch, Food, Tea How To

There are few things more comforting in this world than a cup of tea and buttered toast — especially when the tea is hot and the toast is fresh and spread with delectable toast toppings. I adore toast. I love it plain with butter or topped with tuna, a slice of tomato, and a slice […]

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