brewing the perfect cup of tea

welcome to my world. all DragonLady Teas are loose-leaf. This helps you form a relationship with the herbs and an awareness of what you are putting in your body. free your tea!

to maximize the benefits, dLTeas are best enjoyed 6-9 months from purchase. the fresher the tea, the more it can offer.

brewing instructions:

1. bring freshly drawn water to just a boil.

2. pour over herbs (1 teaspoon per cup). you can use a teapot, teaball infuser, cloth tea bag, mason jar, whatever makes you happy, to brew your herbs. it's all about the ritual.

3. cover your tea while it steeps. nutrients can be lost in the vapors. exception = Raven Tea likes to be uncovered.

4. steep as little or as long as you'd like. it's personal preference.

5. enjoy. and i mean really enjoy your cup of tea. experience it with all of your senses. it will alter your day. soak it in.

6. repeat often. you can use the same herbs several times if you'd like.

steeping suggestions for each individual tea:

remember, these are only suggestions. find the flavor you like. rule of thumb: the longer the steep, the deeper the flavor. so find which end of the flavor spectrum you tend to favor. i like to leave my herbs steeping for the duration of my sipping experience.

note: a cup or teapot that you LOVE will enhance your experience.

Happy: steep longer for a happier and sweeter cup. 15-20 minutes.

Morning Dew: about 10 minutes for light and minty. too hot for too long will alter its flavor. go for light.

Chill Me Out: steep lightly. flavor will be fresh and clean. the chamomile will like it better. 5-7 minutes.

Lady's Blend: this tea could go either way. lighter steep for a light and refreshing cup. (5-10 min) a deeper steep when you feel depleted (15-20 min).

Be Well: my personal fav. i like a deep steep for this tea. the color turns to purple and the ginger jumps out more. 20-30 minutes.

Belly Rub: usually when i really need this one, i don't have time to let it steep very long. lighter steep 5-10 minutes = more minty/lemony. a longer steep = more gingery/fennel. nothing better for a sour stomach.

Peace Tea: steep long for a more peaceful cup. 20 minutes. this tea likes the water slightly cooled. too hot will burn off some of the relaxing agents.

Raven: the tea with the most distinct brewing likes and dislikes. this tea prefers to be brewed and enjoyed in glass or a glass. and it does not like the water too hot. bring to JUST a boil. and leave it uncovered while steeping. if you follow these instructions, your Raven will be perfect every time.

Chai: this tea can handle the heat and just keeps getting better. at least a 20 minute steep to experience the flavors. steep this tea overnight for a rich and spicy cup. warm up in the a.m. and add a little milk and honey. yum.

Navigator. let this tea steep long (15-20 min) for a dark and roasted cup. steep lightly (7-10 min) for a more floral cup. this tea likes to breathe. keep it uncovered for a bit.

Green Tea w/Jasmine. green tea is sensitive to water temperature. use slightly cooled, boiled water or pour just before the water reaches a boil (my preference). the 2nd steeping is sometimes yummier. steep 1-3 minutes, to taste.

Earl Grey. the longer the steep, the darker the cup. 2-3 minutes for the first steeping. 3-5 min. thereafter.

*note: if you are caffeine sensitive, you can 'decaffeinate' your tea by pouring water over it and letting it steep for 1 minute. discard the water and steep again. this will remove up to 80% of the caffeine.

best advice? start with guidelines, then fine your own way. let your nose and feelings guide you. create your own ritual. there are no 'rules'.