Starbucks, the coffee giant, has this and that on its menu for tea- but rumor has it that Starbucks may sell Darjeeling in the nearest of futures!(this is according to the Tea Council of the United States)

How's that for something new? Will keep you posted on this.

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Extreme weather conditions have hampered the growth and cultivation of Pu-erh/ loong Chen tea in China. Because the weather has been harsh there is less tea and that has resulted in a 50% increase in price.



Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Safety Recall!

Moroccan Tea Glasses are deemed not food safe!

This product comes in 7 oz. & 11.25 oz. they have sku # 394476
& #394477 . They were on sale at the Cost Plus World Market, please return to the store for a full refund on these items.

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor/ Green Team Member

Has anyone seen the great & inexpensive eco-friendly-ish tea line at the Walmart?

A nice and cheerful green color of tea equip. and tea pots, as well as tea accessories are available there.

*I am not being compensated for this mention.

This is not an endorsement simply an informational mention of available products!

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

If you have visited any Cost Plus World Market- I don't need to tell you the pretty tea pots, tea cups, tea sets, and teas and flowering posies that are available there! They are reasonably priced and the store even makes up gift baskets on request or you can make your own!

Fabulous for Christmas!

*I have no affiliation with this store in any way-just letting our tea lovers when I see things available!

Happy tea shopping

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Oh dear! Confusion on the horizon!

TEA is an abbreviation that is often used for the word triethanolamine! (as one can see the tea is in all caps!)

When one sees this on a cosmetics label -this is not the good kind of tea! It is a chemical additive found in cosmetics like sunscreens, lotions, moisturizers, foundations and haircolors! TEA is also used as a fragrance ingredient.

This is a known carcinogen and can be toxic to skin, respiratory systems, and immune systems.

Please do however, use cosmetics that contain real tea.

Be an informed consumer and always read labels-there is very loose or hardly nonexistant regulations on the cosmetic industry!

Look for organic cosmetics there you will likely find products that contain real tea (no caps!)

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Mail order Houses like Signals & Linda Anderson have many tea related items for sale for Christmas gifts both are reachable by on-line and are their sites are their names.

Signals carries cute tea pots and tea cups w/words for two examples, and Linda Anderson has tea towels, Celtic tea pots, funny "tea towels w/attitude", and tea pot silhouette chalkboards! Funny, gift-worthy!

*I have no affilitation with either of these business and am not a paid endorser, just sharing tea gifts w/readers!

There's tea everywhere!

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

More tea gift ideas:

When I look around I see a world of tea around me(I know it's because I am "zoned in" as they say..so I'll pass along some more to you
Lillian Vernon carries wonderfulk little whimsical musical tea cup & tea pots porcelain tea cup has mouse family dancing around a christmas tree to Jingle bells Tea pot has Snowmen parading to We Wish You a Merry Christmas, Little girl tea set available too(just like mom)! Adorable

Tea house garden dome do it yourself terrariums tea gardens & herbal garden! Cute & reasonable grow on your counter everything you need incl.
This is available on e-bay & amazon use name tea garden dome for search.

I have no affiliation with any of the above mentioned companies & am not being compensated for this mention.

Just sharing a tidbit w/readers! Happy Holiday shopping!
Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

January is flu season and tea will help boost up your antioxidant levels. It helps protect and when the flu has set in-tea helps to minimize symptoms and hydrate. Looking for an inexpensive gift for flu season? Make a small gift basket for a friend that contains green teas & honey & soup and a mug!

Very lovely and a gift of cheer that would make anyone feel better!

A tea horoscope for me!
On Jan. 24,2012 this horoscope ran in my newspaper that I had to share it!

Today is a seven. Focus on home & family warms the hearth. It's good medicine-take as much as you can, with tea and company. Renew your spirit to go back out into the world again!

Wow! I think I'd give that horoscope a 10! Surrounding yourself with family, and friends and tea! What else could one need?


Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

I love World Market and often shop at the one near our house. If you join their online club, they keep track of what you spend and then sent you great coupons, like $10 off a $30 purchase.

I have a tea pot from there and I buy Republic of Tea there also.

Thank you joanj! It is a wonderful store~with very interesting and fun and affordable tea products. The world around us drinks alot of tea and many countries as well as many tea suppliers are represented there. I do recommend joining the free on-line club to get coupons and special sales! Making a tea basket to give to a friend is a snap there! Have fun shopping!

*I have no affilliation with this store nor am I being compensated in anyway for this mention. Just sharing and agreeing with our tea readers as a great source of tea & tea products!

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

The Hamilton House and The Bradfor Exchange have very adorable figurines that include adorable dogs/kitty's in a tea cup and a funny lady character in a tea cup w/sacastic saying....very cute very giftable and relatively resonable!

check it out!

*I have no affilitation nor am I being reemburssed for this mention.
This post for the sheer pleasure of the tea reader and to share.


Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Greg Mortensen has now agreed to pay $1 million dollars back to his Montreal charity!
This is to settle the accuisations that he used the non-profit to promote & buy copies of his book that provided him profit.

The Central Asia Institute spent some 3.96 million since 2006 to buy copies of The Cups of Tea.

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Adorable & affordable! Tea Party stuff for a little girls' tea party at Oriental Trading.
Decorations, goodie bags, treats, character tea pot suckers, even a tea pot pinata! Totally cute!

Tiara's ,placecards,and stickers little tea party just so sweet!


*I have no affiliation with this company, nor am I being reembursed in any way~this mention just for your FYI & fun!

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Don't forget to use your free any size iced tea coupon expires 5/12/12 from Dunkin Donuts

(was found in newspapers this past week)

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Heads up more couponery!!

Have you seen these coupons in your last newspaper inserts?
Swiss Premium Tea- .55c off 1 gal. or 1/2 gal.

Lipton tea bags- .40c off 1 Lipton tea bags, Honey-to-go or pitcher size or Iced tea mix

Sweet Leaf Organic Tea- save .55c on 1- 16 oz. or 1- 20 oz. bottle

Keurig K-Cups- K cup pack coupons Celesstial Iced brew tea save $1.50 on 1- 12 ct. box or $2.00 on 1- 12 ct. box of Brew over ice k-cups also by mail free ice tumbler.

Sounds like good tea deals!

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

With all of this talk about colorful tea pots and cups, I have to wonder how many of these items have lead paint. It would be hard to tell, especially for items made out of the country. Even Macy's at one time said that some of their dishware could have lead paint in them, and the only brand I was able to find that stated they do not use lead paint is Fiestaware.

I am personally leery to buy colorful teaware only because I drink a lot of tea, and I would not want to expose my tea to lead paint and then drink it. Does anyone know of legitamate companies that do not use lead paint in their crockery besides Fiestaware?

Dear Debbie,

Thank you so much for revisiting this subject matter. Every once in awhile it does come up & in this day and age we are concerned what can possibly go into our bodies-

Let me do some checking around to see what kind of answers I can come up for you. Also asking readers if you have heard or seen news regarding lead paint please let us know here.

The subject will be mentioned here and nothing in the forum is ever a closed subject. Thank you Debbie

Mary Caliendo
Tea Eitor

Dear Debbie,
Did some checking around and did not actually find much complaints about the Brand Fiesta Ware. Homer Laughlin was notified that few people had questioned the lead content. They brnd currently tests at .02PPM for lead & cadmium~so not 100% but very close.

It is made in the USA so they are compelled to follow strcit guidelines set forth from FDA.

Most in the know claim that if any type of ware glaze is pitted,cracked, or disentregrated in any way it should not be used.

Fiesta Ware that predated 1986 did not have these standards & it is thought that 1960-1970's ware most likely contained none.

So I hope this helps a bit!

Thanks for the great questions.

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

*Don't forget to check your circulars & newspapers for tea coupons!

This past week: Sweet Leaf tea & coupons for Tazo brand pitcher sied tea bags! or Latte concentrate.

*I have no affiliation withese companies and may or may not actually drink them. This is tea news to pass along. *Coupons do vary in allareas of the U.S.

This week the brand named Turkey Hill ran in our papers with a coupon for refrigerated gallons & half Gallon teas.(in current papaers expiration date of 11/30/12)


Don't forget also: check your grocer's "dented" cart or clearance table in back ~boxed tea & bottled tea items allways reduced~ (helps when making a gift basket)

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Be aware that not all teas are alike~

Teas may be blended or mixed with other edible flowers, and or other teas,or other herbs. Reading labels is important if you are on specialized diets. Always ask your doctor if a particluar brand or type is ok for you.

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Dear Forum readers:

What is your favorite tea country & the type or brand you drink from?


Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Has anyone seen the cute little girl tea party things at the Pottery Barn?

While these things are on the pricey side these are very giftable things to give & save as keepsakes for a lifetime!

they carry 3 tea sets porcelain, silver, or a fun stakable~
cake stands for the tea table

a cute white tea cart
tea party aprons (these can be personalized!)

Just adorable!

* I have no affilitation with this store, nor am I being compensated.
This tidbit was just to let my readers know about fun tea-related gifts and products!


Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Starbucks buys Teavana!

For about $620 million Starbucks buys Teavana Holdings, Inc.

This tea adding to Starbucks already Tazo Tea line will offer at least 100 loose leaf teas! They have about 300 stores already and they believe that the two tea brands are complimentary toward each other. Many cafe's however, only offer one or the other or both, they have not decided as of yet.


Good to know......



Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Seasonal gifting is about to be going into full swing:

Don't forget to homemade tea baskets make wonderful gifts for teachers,bus drivers, crossing guards, bosses,secretaries to name a few!

Currently World Market has lovely little tea towels embellished with tea pots & flowers etc. for $7.99 just an idea for something to add to your tea gift basket.

*I have no affiliation or revceive no compensation for this mention this is just to give readers an idea of things that are available.

Let us know if you make a tea basket this year for gifting!


Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Ideas for tea items is endless:

Not only do people use old cracked cups (or mismatched) to make DIY craft projects~old tea pots can be used as well. They can become planters for small plants and given when one needs a quick gift for a sick person or teacher for example.

Tea pots that are similar in size shape or color can be used as decorative canisters for loose sugar or even cookies if the lid is tight.

I know of at least one person that used a tea warmer as her candle light for tables or when the lights went out! haha sweet idea right?

Your ideas can be endless with tea!

If you think of more let us know ASAP!

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Looking for lovely tea gifts?

Try Vivaterra. very nice tea pots, budha bowls,cheeses,Veggie & pickles fresh "canned", honey,cookies, cakes,confections, brownies and Teatulia Teas!

All organic all artisan made as well as housewares! Lovely gifts!


www.vivaterra(dot)com

* I have no affiliation with this company nor am I being reembursed in any way. Letting readers be aware that this company sells things of reader interest.

Chai to go!

Chai in an instant~as seen in the Chicago Tribune Newspaper~ New chai tea blends on the market of interest:

Tipu's Chai Now (trio)All that is needed is boiling water & your fav. dairy product~ called the sweet & spicy

The Simple Life is to stir in a tsp. of black tea spice mix into milk or water~

All You Need~ is simply to stir in hot or cold water.

Sounds easy!

Their taste testers rated: Sweet & Spicy as the best!

Try them if you see them & let us know what you think~

Tribune suggests tipuschai(dot)com to locate a store or to buy.



Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

White peony tea~ has healing properties and is restorative is a very delicate yet filled with flu fighting/cold weather fatigue fighters!
Have a cup to calm you as well as help you in the fight against the flu.

*Can be found at retailers everywhere~

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Tea Cups & Tea Saucers windchimes as cute as they can be!

Ran across them in: Through the Country Door (countrydoor(dot)com)
adorable & affordable one has beads, tea cups, creamer, mini tea cups and flatware to chime

still another in four colors has a large tea cup base and metal chimes
11.99 & 9.99 respectively
also offers a 3 qt. whistling tea kettle in red, purple, or green!

cute!


*I am not affilited with this company in any manner-I enjoy telling readers about tea related items that I spot.

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Argo Tea & Argo Tea Cafe's are spotted here and there around major cities and some wholesome markets have Argo Tea bottled tea for sale.

It's great news! They are expanding into more areas such as Universities, hospitals, and will have more Cafe's. The company is also introducing more bottled teas in 8 oz. size!


Yeah Tea!

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

A Modern take on the old-fashioned tea party? As seen in the April 2013 issue of Better Homes & Gardens under the heading of "Fresh" Ideas For Living Well

a cute 2 page mention of a modern makeover for a casual get-together with tea.

Ideas and products to make your party a sucess.

Tea is here to stay.


Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Hello Tea lovers..... in the March 2013 issue, HGTV magazine asks...When is the last time you cleaned....your tea kettle?

(writers Jessica Dodell-Feder and Kelly Tagore tool on everyday items and used their expertise and research to come up with good answers to their questions)

how often? they found that a kettle should be washed about every 4 to 5 uses.

They DO NOT recommend any kettle in the dishwasher!!!

You'll be cleaning the outside of the kettle~
the writers consulted Patrick Farrell, VP of merchandising for Teavana. He reccommended no steel wool or scouring pads they scratch.Wash the outside with warm soapy water and a sponge.

If you have hard water & you have deposits on the kettle it's ok to add vinegar to water and heat for 10-15 minutes.

Heat and rinse to remove any traces of vinegar.

Volia! Clean kettle!

page 29 HGTV Magazine to see the article.

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor

Anyone shopped for tea at Teavanna? I experienced this place at Christmas. WOW.

Dear Angie:

Oh yes Teavana is a beautiful store. Their stylings and products packaging are quite beautiful!

Some of their products are quite pricey, however, these are very gift worthy.

Any store that encourages the art of tea and the health of tea in my book is a good one.

Thank you for sharing!


*I have no affiliation with this above mentioned tea store or its products.

Mary Caliendo
Tea Editor