The Best Packaging Ever!!!

Don't you love it when you get a Christmas gift a month after the holidays? I do. What better reminder of the joys of receiving than getting something really cool long after the tinsel and lights are put away and when Monday feels like just another Monday....


This year Madam Potts was gifted with the Tea Forte gift set!

Tea Forte is that gifty tea company that is often found in gift stores and kitchy card stores and the like. It's also one of those things that has always registered in my mind more as a gift to give, and not so much an item I might buy for myself.

Tea Forte is by far the most unique packaging, as they sell their teas in silken tea pyramids with a teeny signature green tea leaf on the end of the short, sturdy string that is attached to the tea pyramid (please, this haute couture is hardly a tea bag). Each one is indivdually wrapped in its own paper pyramid - surely an award must have gone to the designer of this packaging. It is fun just opening the tea!

The lack of steeping instructions indicates that this tea is not at all fussy, allowing it to be enjoyed by everyone. Tea Forte is accessible, not exclusive to all but the cognoscenti - thus its presence in card stores more than tea cafes. Note to self: easy way to share tea with my non-teaophyte friends...

I also received the Cafe Cup that is designed to go with the unique pyramid. I like that the cover can double as a saucer. It's larger and stronger than a proper tea cup - half way betrween tea cup and mug really...which suits me perfectly! :o)

The tea is so-so. I was not blown away by the Oasis (green blend) or the Citrus Mint (herbal blend), and found them to be rather weak actually. However, the Earl Grey had a delightful sweetness with the soft bergamot finish which I liked very much - I even steeped it twice!

The website offers a lot to look at and many of the blends sound tasty, in that way that any catalogue of tea blends makes one salivate just reading the alluring names such as African Solstice, Cocoa Truffle, or Orchid Vanilla...

Should I ever receive another variety pack or Tea Forte gift set, I will be equally excited - and as I have always felt, the best gifts are the ones that get used up, and the gift of tea is always top notch in my book!

From the Cup, UP...

"If he can do it, so can I..." she said, after reading this article featuring Tazo Tea (found at Starbucks everywhere). Did you know, that in 1999, when Starbucks bought Tazo, the Tazo Tea Company only had 10 tea bag types!

Read Article Here.

The article clearly states that tea continues on an upward climb (not news, but always refreshing to read), and that there is a lot of potential in this industry. Having started this blog 2 years ago, with the wish of launching myself more fully into the world and business that is tea, words like these, which were printed in the Seattle Times are very encouraging...

With a hearty book of blends, and a spot of inspiration, I need to choose my Top Ten.

Ok, so this isn't the first time I have considered picking a select few and focusing on just those blends. Picking only 10 from the Book of Mad Blends feels like choosing which child I love more. I am currently having troubles picking only 3 blends!!!

And while a simple selection of featured blends does not automatically place me in line for greatness, it would motivate a "Drink Something Mad" campaign for the new year. Now that I have just graduated from school, I will have more time to spend once again with my Tea! (and more regular postings too dear reader!)....

And this Year I Will....

::pours cup of tea::

Ok, let's begin....

I am grateful for the people in my life - for without them,
where and what would life be?

I am grateful for all that has happened in my life - with the knowledge
that everything that happens is connected to the choices I have made.

I am grateful for new days, new years and new ideas.

I look forward to meeting new people, traveling to new places,
trying new things, and achieving new goals.

*** *** *** *** *** *** ***

Now if you'll join me, I'd like to share with you a New Year's Ritual
that I started a number of years back...

Picking a theme for the Year.

First, choose a Word. Maybe it's something you would like to invite into your life, like: Love or Self-Confidence or Trust or something you'd like more of: Adventure, Focus or Freedom.

Sit with this Word as you watch the steam rise and disappear from your tea cup or mug of tea. Now finish your tea with this Word in mind.

This is your Word. Listen for it, watch for it, write it down, find ways to support this Word, to make it happen, to spread this word, notice it when you read something or watch TV. Remember this Word months from now, after you've forgotten all about it. May you suddenly hear it and may it ring a bell in your heart, which leads you back to this quiet moment that you just might take to do this today.

May your life be a never-ending teapot of warmth and goodness that is shared with friends and family at the table of Life.

Happy New Year!

With Love, Warmth and Gratitude,
Madam Potts