But why have so many people in the United States jumped on the tea wagon?  There is the simple side of the spectrum:  tea tastes delicious and is refreshing to a parched body.  But the more prevailing reason is that tea is touted as good for us, loaded with antioxidants, helping to fight “against free radicals that can contribute to cancer, heart disease, and clogged arteries,” experts at WebMD explain.  And tea, especially unsweetened tea, is much lower in calories than sugar-laden sodas—great for those watching their waistline or diabetics who need to keep their sugars in check.

It used to be that a patron of a restaurant ordered a glass of iced tea and received a run-of-the-mill black tea, perhaps with a slice of lemon, and a packet or two of their choice of sweetener.  Now, though, as customers—especially millennials—are exposed to premium, high-quality teas, the expectation for better grades has climbed as well.  No longer is that basic staple black tea enough to satisfy every guest.   While restaurants and coffee shops are quick to find ways to cut their expenses, a glass of premium tea costs just pennies more, a small price to pay for the promise of future business.  After all, a happy customer will not only likely return in the future, but will also spread the word about the quality of the tea they purchased from you.

Tea comes in a variety of flavors. Photo Credit: Two Leaves and a Bud

As the domestic tea market continues to gain momentum, tea producers are scrambling to keep up with customer palates.  Richard Rosenfeld, CEO and founder of Two Leaves and a Bud, is quick to stay up with the market trends.  His latest three teas, Organic Meyer Lemon, Organic Blood Orange, and Organic Tart Berry are an offering to the tea crowds based on the gaining popularity of sour drinks—beers, cocktails, and other beverages that have lately been in the spotlight.  As Rosenfeld describes to World Tea News, the tarts are “Tart enough to give you that satisfying, lip-smacking flavor,” but not so sour as to make you pucker up.  The new tart line tastes great hot but even better on ice.

Tea may be one of the oldest beverages in the world, but as it gains more popularity among the young and hip crowds across the United States, it is imperative that the market continues to reach new customers and increase profits.  From specialty tea drinks to cocktails to premium tea leaves and marketable blends, operators are in constant search of innovative ways to make the beverage more alluring.  Adding a splash of fresh fruit juice, for example, changes the ordinary cup of brewed iced tea into more of a mocktail with character.

Have you joined in the iced tea drinking craze?  Do you have a favorite blend or a favorite concoction you can share with us?  Let us know so we can run out and try one of our own!

The post Iced Tea: Get it While it’s Hot! appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Two Leaves and a Bud was founded in the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado in 2005. After traveling the world for business, Richard found it nearly impossible to find a good cup of tea in the United States.  This set him off on a journey to find the best teas and to establish relationships with growers in order to bring excellent tea back to America, and then to make it available to consumers everywhere.  Two Leaves and a Bud pays premium prices to small farmers in order to ensure the best harvest, the best processing, and most importantly, to ensure the money spent goes directly to the source.

Two Leaves and a Bud tea sachets are comprised of organic, high-quality whole leaf tea.  The pyramid shape allows the leaves to expand as they steep, and each bag is individually wrapped to preserve flavor.  Perk up with a steaming cup of whole leaf green tea, never bitter, and with a delightfully green color.  Enjoy the complex flavors of whole, organic black tea, dried to perfection to deliver a superb cup of tea.  Or sip whole leaf, 100% caffeine-free herbal teas day or night, available in single-ingredient or artfully-crafted blends.

Paisley Label is a high quality tea in a traditional paper bag…with no staples!  Great flavor and great value, Paisley Label is all organic and all certified Fair Trade, with the exception of peppermint, which is grown in Washington State.  This less expensive version is not whole tea in sachets, but no value has been sacrificed; these teas brew up fast and in cooler water, perfect for hurried mornings on the go. When you drink organic Paisley Label black tea, be ready to indulge in a bold, rich flavor that holds up well to milk and sweeteners.  Paisley green tea offers a “bright, vegetal, and perky” flavor that will start your day off right, or give you a boost in the afternoon.   And the organic herbal teas—100% caffeine-free and available in single ingredient or crafty blends—are sourced from only the best fruit and herbs across the world and are perfect for early morning or late evening enjoyment.

Summertime refreshment.

Cool off this summer with Two Leaves and a Bud deliciously refreshing organic iced teas in black or green.  Their black iced tea is made from the sweet leaves of select orange pekoe and delivers a complex malty flavor with a deep amber color.  Sweeten the tea if you’d like, but try it without first.  You may find it to be delightfully sweet on its own.  For those who prefer green tea, try Two Leaves and a Bud organic tropical green tea, featuring Japanese style sencha green tea leaves infused with tropical melon-berry flavors.   This tea is invigorating without sweeteners but try it with honey, agave, or simple syrup for a smooth and tropical bit of wow.  Both flavors are available in a 1-ounce filter bag or a 3-ounce loose leaf pack.

Along with the iced tea varieties, Two Leaves and a Bud and Paisley Label offer an extensive lineup of amazing flavors.  With so many options you can be sure to find a tea that suits your taste buds, whether you prefer a strong, black Assam, a spicy Chai, fruity tartness, a gentle herbal tea, or anywhere in between.

Two Leaves and a Bud

Alpine Berry:  An herbal tea that is naturally sweet and tart with hibiscus, blackberry leaves, and orange peel.  Great hot or iced.

Jasmine Petal:  A quality green tea dried with petals of jasmine flowers to absorb the flavor and leave a delicate floral aroma.

Organic African Sunset:  A rich and balanced mix of organic red or rooibos tea with a sweet, earthy flavor and a hint of lemongrass.

Pyramid-shaped sachet allows the whole leaves to expand while steeping.

Organic Assam Breakfast:  Rich brown and golden tipped black tea leaves yield a multi-layered malty flavor and amber color.

Organic Bai Mu Dan:  A smooth and savory white tea that comes from the unopened bud of the tea plant, with a light and slightly astringent flavor and a hint of apricot.

Organic Better Belly Blend:  A pleasant mix of ginger, fennel, crisp mint, calendula, and apple that will help soothe, relax, and unwind.  Caffeine-free.

Organic Better Morning Blend:  A naturally energizing blend of flavors like lemon, rosehip, and peppermint, with a citrus aroma.  Caffeine-free.

Organic Better Rest Blend:  A balanced mix of chamomile, peppermint, and lemon for a relaxing herbal tea.  Caffeine-free.

Organic Chamomile:  A naturally sweet and relaxing tea, with a rich apple scent and soft honey and lemon notes.

Organic Darjeeling:  Golden orange pekoe tea leaves that combine the delicate nature of green tea with the character of black tea.

Organic Earl Grey:  A deep, smooth black tea with a light citrus zip from an added hint of natural bergamot oil.

Organic Gen Mai Cha:  A combination of Japanese sencha green tea and puffs of roasted brown rice for a toasty, nutty flavor.

Organic Mountain High Chai:  A great black tea with pure, whole spices added for a real Indian tea experience.

Organic Orange Sencha:  A classic Japanese style green tea with the added tang of Italian red oranges.

Organic Orchard Berry:  A delightful combination of fruit, flowers, and herbs for a sweet and balanced chamomile blend.  Caffeine-free.

Organic Peppermint:  Made from large-cut peppermint leaves that are both crisp and buttery to provide the fresh, pure aroma of 100% pure peppermint.

Organic Tamayokucha:  A Japanese-style green tea that is steamed as it dries, yielding a sweet and light flavor with no bitterness.

Organic Tropical Green:  Japanese style sencha green tea leaves infused with tropical melon-berry flavors.

Paisley Label

Organic Chai:  Organic black tea blended with traditional Indian spices to create an exotic, bold, and spicy tea.

Organic Chamomile:  100% pure organic chamomile flowers with a bright, honeyed flavor.  Caffeine-free.

Organic Earl Grey:  A classic high quality organic black tea punched up with citrusy bergamot oil.

Quality tea in a traditional bag with no staples!

Organic English Breakfast:  A classic blend of rich and organic Indian teas with a bold flavor that holds up well to milk.

Organic English Breakfast Decaf:  A classic blend of rich and organic Indian teas with a bold flavor that holds up well to milk.  Decaffeinated with CO2.

Organic Ginger Green:  Organic ginger, lemongrass, and licorice root make this a snappy, bright, and slightly sweet green tea.

Organic Peppermint:  Made from large-cut peppermint leaves that are both crisp and buttery to provide the fresh, pure aroma of 100% pure peppermint.

Organic Sencha Green:  A high quality Japanese style tea with mildly astringent, bright, and slightly vegetal flavor.

Organic Tart Berry:  A bright and flavorful tea blend of hibiscus and berries.

Organic Tart Blood Orange:  A tart and zesty tea with a deep tart orange flavor and a hint of spice.

Organic Tart Meyer Lemon:  A delicious balance of sweet and floral notes, with the tartness of juicy lemons.

All of the tea flavors from Two Leaves and a Bud and Paisley Label taste delicious both hot or iced.  We encourage you to “go there,” to try one or try them all.  Check out the Knowledge Center on their website or find them on Facebook.  Just don’t wait to get started; there are so many teas, and yet so little time!  Stock up now and let us know what you think.

*All photos courtesy of Two Leaves and a Bud

The post Two Leaves and a Bud: Go There! appeared first on Houston's Blog.

Chocolate Fudge Latte

1 ounce Monin® Chocolate Fudge Syrup
2 shots espresso
Steamed milk

• In a 16-ounce mug combine espresso and syrup. Stir and set aside.
• Steam milk in a pitcher.
• Pour the steamed milk into mug, stir gently,
  and garnish as desired.

Iced Chocolate Cherry Latte

1 oz Monin® Chocolate Cherry Syrup
2 shots espresso
5 oz milk
Ice

• Fill a 16-ounce glass with ice.
• Add remaining ingredients and stir vigorously.
• Garnish as desired.

Chocolate Fudge Frappe

1 oz Monin® Chocolate Fudge Syrup
4 oz milk
1 scoop vanilla frappe powder
1 shot espresso
Ice

• Combine ingredients, except ice, in blender. Fill a 16-ounce glass with ice and add to blender.
• Blend until smooth and pour into glass. Garnish as desired.

Chocolate Cherry Cocoa

1 oz Monin® Chocolate Cherry Syrup
½ oz Monin® Dark Chocolate Sauce
Steamed milk

• Combine syrup, sauce, and steamed milk in a 12-ounce mug.
• Stir and garnish as desired.

**All photos courtesy of Monin

The post The Ultimate Chocolate Beverages appeared first on Houston's Blog.