I was recently on a flight home from London where I watched “Janet Planet”. For nearly 2 hours, I sat still in my seat as waves of laughter, and tears of nostalgia washed through me. Growing up in Massachusetts, this film made me yearn for the feeling of a late 90’s summer - if you know, you know, I guess. There is a scene in the movie where the young girl, Lacy, pushes tiny drops of juice from her juice box into miniscule teacups. Surrounding the cups are various dolls and silly childhood objects. These are her friends, her chosen company for a very serious teatime.
My own introduction into sipping tea began when I was about 6, in my Nana’s kitchen. I would watch her as she placed the teabag (it was Irish Breakfast or maybe Yorkshire Tea? Either way it was very strong) into a porcelain cup. She proceeded to splash milk in and 3 generous spoonfuls of sugar. My grandparents loved sugar….it must be hereditary. I remember sipping and thoroughly enjoying the strong bitterness of the black tea and then munching on the mound of sugar that didn’t dissolve at the bottom.
Over time, I grew up (when did that happen?) and my tastes naturally evolved. During the pandemic, I found myself with the time to truly ritualize a cup of tea which opened up an entire world of caring for myself in the morning. It has now become such a part of my essence, many of you cannot even visualize me without thinking of a cup of tea. From the moment my eyes open, until they close at night, I am sipping on something warm. In every class on Range, you can find me with a cup or mug nearby. Unsurprisingly, since so many of you who move with me on Range know this about me, I am asked on a daily basis what my favorites are.
So, grab a cup of tea that’s already in your cupboard, and let’s discover some new ones. Also unsurprisingly, the majority of these teas are made from small, women owned businesses who I adore supporting.
EARL GREY’S
Bardo Tea / Grey Gardens / This is my everyday staple. I steep for roughly 5 minutes and then enjoy with whole milk and local, raw honey. I dream of this.
Sing Tehus / Organic Earl Grey / You know when you receive something and you instantly fall in love? For me, there is nothing sweeter than when someone says “this reminded me of you.” After a recent trip to Copenhagen, I fell in love with the Earl Grey from Democratic Coffee and was bummed that I only swept up one bag. A Range member, and new friend, who I had the pleasure of meeting during my time in CPH just sent me this tea with a lovely, handwritten note. As I inhaled in this morning, my senses were filled with delight. I see myself alternating mornings with this and Bardo!
Mariage Frères / Earl Grey Provence / This was gifted to me on one of my last Retreats and it’s delicious. Admittedly, I am partial to Bardo, but I know that people are so loyal to this brand!
Harney & Sons / Earl Grey Supreme / This was my initial Earl Grey love before I explored loose leaf black teas. Harney & Sons is a classic for a reason!
HERBALS
Elements Aligned / Maidens Of The Moon / My relationship to this tea makes me want to cry. Made by my dear friend and fellow Vermonter, Claire Keith, this tea has held me in the darkest of times. As someone who lives with endometriosis and adenomyosis, this is what I sip every time I feel myself beginning to cramp. This will always live in my tea drawer.
When do I make it? This is a staple for me but I find myself naturally gravitating towards it during ovulation and right before I start my period. It is medicinal.
Heilbron Herbs / Color Therapy / Without exaggeration, I squealed when I first brewed this. The purple shiso releases the most technicolor blue when it first meets the hot water. Sipping this blend makes me feel like such a witchy woman.
When do I make it? When I’m craving some magic and invigoration in my day.
Wood Pigeon Wellness / Flow Tea / Made only about an hour away from me, this is such a beautiful blend. Caroline sources the most gorgeous herbs and flowers which makes sipping it such a gorgeous, sensory experience. Your lymph will love it too!
When do I make it? On the days that feel particularly stagnant, still and dry to boost my circulation and mood.
Foster Farm Botanicals / Be Well / At the hint of feeling icky, this is my go to!
When do I make it? Uh oh, I feel sickness coming on….
Six Cups / Green Road / The newest to my herbal rotation but it is here to stay. When I am in the mood for the invigorating kick of turmeric paired with earthy notes, this is what I reach for.
When do I make it? On cooler, grey days when I am craving the warmth of turmeric.
I’ve always been horrible at keeping exciting things quiet. As a wee clue, a collaboration with one of these small businesses is currently underway. For a few months, we have been creating an herbal blend that embodies the soul and spirit of Range. It’s something that I’ve been sipping on multiple times per week and I am bursting at the seams to share it with you when ready. Magic (and sunshine) in a cup.
VESSELS, HONEY, STRAINER, POT
As a daily tester of this hypothesis, I am an avid believer that tea tastes significantly better when you sip from something that makes you happy. How does the cup feel in your hand? What’s the texture? What handle do you gravitate towards? Colors?
My favorite vessels are from…
Dacia Martinez (@bydacia)
Elena Pottery (@elenapottery)
Ginny Sims (@ginnysimsceramics)
Shoshi Watanabe (@soshiwatanabe)
My favorite teapot is…
My favorite honey is…whatever you can find locally! If you live near Woodstock VT, my favorite honey is Pumpkin Village and I get it at Kiss The Cow Farmstand. I also love Activist Manuka Honey particularly during allergy season!
My favorite strainer is…ok this is unfair because I just brought home a 1920’s silver strainer from an antique shop in England but this one will do justttttttt fine.
Do you have any recommendations for teas that I should try? If so, please place them in the comments! Sipping a cup of tea is a sensual experience that grounds you into your space, body and surrounding environment. If interested in learning more about the history, ritual and elemental influences of tea, I strongly recommend the book Tea, Remembering The Essence Of Life, written by Jade Brunel.
I would love to invite you all to take a cup outside, place your feet in the grass, inhale deeply and sip intentionally.
For MOVEMENT that feels like the warmth of tea, I would love to have you join us on Range. For 50% off your first month of Range, input code CUPOFTEA at checkout! This code will expire on May 16th and will only work with the Monthly Membership.
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This is the conversation I didn’t even know I needed. A tea breakdown?! Yes please!! ps: frothing with jealousy over the silver steeper lolol what a find!! ☕️🌀
Free Verse Farm is a great herbal tea farm from Chelsea, VT.