APPRECIATION SALE!!!!!!

I want to thank all of you for your thoughts, comments and good wishes as I retire from the tea business.

The past five years have been full of wonderful experiences and I have enough memories to fill many mental scrapbooks. I have a great passion for tea and I hope you have absorbed some of that passion and will continue to create Total Tea Experiences for yourself and your friends.

I have found a wonderful “Tea Lady” to take over SBS Teas and more details will follow shortly as we hope to have a smooth transition by the end of the month.

As a thank you for all of my fantastic customers and tea friends I have set up a discount code for you to use. All you have to do is enter the code: appreciation at checkout and you will get a 25% discount on your purchases. You can only use the code once and it expires at midnight on Feb.22.

Start shopping here: SBS Teas

Till we sip together again,
Barb and Sharon
The SBS Teas Ladies

Website Update

My husband and I have decided to retire from the tea business and tackle our bucket list before we run out of time and energy. We both have had significant health issues–a brain tumor for me and he is in a study at Duke for memory loss.

The past five years have been exciting and challenging. We have worked very hard to make SBS Teas a business we could be proud of. None of this would a have been possible without YOU–our wonderful customers!!!!

If you have ever thought about owning your own tea business I would love to talk with you. We will be closing the doors the end of February.

Again, thank you so much for all your kind words and loyal support of SBS Teas.

Large Flowering Teapot Gift Set!!!!!

Packaged in an exotic hand-made dark mahogany bamboo case, this Flowering Tea Gift Set is filled with six bouquets of tea leaves that blossom into a myriad of flavors from sweet and subtle to rich and bold. The stylish glass teapot included is ideal to observe the flowering tea petals. A simple luxury that heightens the tea experience and makes for a conversation piece, these Leaves of Art are a true tea lover’s bliss. We invite you to experience the simple elegance of a true tea transformation–elevating loose leaf tea to the next level; Art. Requiring no tea bag or strainer, flowering teas are environmentally kind as well as easy to serve; just use the glass teapot (included). The gift set includes six varieties:

•Dragon Lily: White Tea with orange Lily petals and osmanthus flowers has a velvety apricot flavor.
•Jasmine Lovers: White Tea leaves and string of jasmine flowers releases honey nectar taste.
•Lavender Dream: White Tea leaves and crisp, aromatic Lavender flowers compliment a tangy Hibiscus flower.
•Shooting Star: Green Tea and pink Amaranth bulbs have a buttery fragrance with fruity notes.
•Sunset Oolong: Oolong Tea leaves and Lily flower have nutty richness highlighted by peach.
•Golden Jasmine: Golden-tipped Black Tea scented with delicate jasmine imparts hints of chocolate.

This lovely set is bargain priced at only $15.00!! Be sure to get yours today!

Happy Sipping!

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Japanese Green Tea Petits Fours

Ingredients:
2 eggs
3 egg yolks
6 tablespoons white sugar
1/3 cup cake flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon powdered green tea
2 egg whites
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons powdered green tea
4 teaspoons superfine sugar

6 tablespoons almond paste
1 teaspoon powdered green tea

confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Grease an 11×7 inch pan. Line bottom with parchment paper and grease and flour paper. Sift together the flour, cornstarch and 1 tablespoon green tea. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, beat eggs, yolks and 6 tablespoons sugar until tripled in volume, about 5 minutes. Fold flour mixture into whipped eggs. In a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar until foamy. Add 2 tablespoons sugar, continuing to beat until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into the batter, then quickly fold in remaining whites until no streaks remain. Spread batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until center of cake springs back when lightly tapped. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar, then invert onto a flat surface. Let cool.
4. To make the Green Tea Whipped Cream: In a medium bowl, whisk the heavy cream with the 4 teaspoons superfine sugar and 2 teaspoons green tea until stiff peaks form.
5. To make the Decorative Green Tea Marzipan: Knead the almond paste with 1 teaspoon green tea. Roll out between 2 sheets of plastic wrap, or lightly dust with confectioners’ sugar while rolling.
6. When cool, remove parchment paper from bottom of cake. Cut cake horizontally down the middle to make two layers. Spread bottom layer with 1/2 of the whipped cream, then cover with top layer of cake and spread top with remaining whipped cream. Cut assembled cake into 12 pieces using a knife or decorative cutters. Roll out the marzipan and cut into 12 pieces to match the shapes of the cakes. Place the decorative marzipan pieces on top of cakes.

Enjoy!!

Happy Sipping!

Scone Mixes BUY ONE GET ONE FREE!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy fresh baked scones with your favorite beverage from SBS Teas. These scone mixes are easy to make and you only have to add buttermik and butter. Mix and bake for a very “English” treat. For a limited time only we are offering these yummy mixes at Buy One Get One Free!! No need to add your free mix to the cart or use a coupon code. We will automatically send it in your order!

Original Recipe is the scone mix that began it all. The most versatile of mixes, it can be the base for blueberry, or cranberry, or streusel, or… Sprinkle it with cinnamon sugar and bake it “plain”, top it with butter and jam and enjoy the sensory experience. OR, top it with fresh strawberries or peaches and ice cream,and you have the best shortcake around!

Lemon Poppyseed scone mix has a fan club all its own. The scones have the light, delicate flavor of fresh lemons, and can be glazed with a combination of lemon juice and confectioners sugar. If you are looking for something just a little sweet, but light in flavor, this scone mix is the answer. You will add butter and buttermilk to the mix, along with a little lemon juice.

Each bag makes 8 delicious scones.

Happy Sipping!

Fun Fact Friday…Three Teas That are Good for Your Health!!

Three Teas That Are Good For Your Health

Drinking tea has been proven by research many times over to provide many healthy benefits. Because it has been shown white and green tea contain antioxidants which can help fight cancer and slow down the natural aging process, they are deemed very good for your health.
There are many other health benefits that can be obtained from drinking tea daily. Common benefits are to help with certain tumor and cancer prevention, lowered cholesterol, and a healthier heart. But did you know that the properties in tea can also help keep your skin look younger by destroying the free radicals which cause dark spots and wrinkles. Tea has also been shown to even fight cavities. Polyphones found in some teas help to strengthen teeth by naturally reducing damage inflicted upon them by plaque.

Polyphones are found in some teas and they are beneficial in aiding digestion by increasing the flow of digestive juices in the stomach. Also, polyphones help to strengthen teeth by naturally reducing damage inflicted upon them by plaque.

All teas come from the same plant—camellia sinensis and gives us the leaves that can become the four main types—black, green, white, oolong. It is the processing the leaves go through that determines their classification or “color.”

Green Tea Varities:
Some common forms of green tea include: Jasmine, Dragon Pearls, Japanese Green tea, and also Peony tea.
Because it is high in health giving properties and is also popular for weight loss program because it increases metabolism. Because of the special way green tea is harvested it is able to retain more nutrients than black teas which are subjected to more processing. Green tea leaves are pan fried and not fermented.

White Tea Varieties:
Because white tea is harvested from the very young leaves and unopened buds of the tea plant. The younger leaves provide even more nutrients than green tea. White tea has a lighter flavor. Some varieties of white include the following: silver needle, white peony, jasmine silver needles

Oolong Teas:
If you suffer from indigestion then oolong teas may help you. Oolong is also famous for helping to lower cholesterol levels. This magnificent tea is made from large, mature plants and this results in a full-bodied taste. Because the leaves are left in the shade to wither naturally after picking, they are classified as semi-fermented. You will be pleasantly surprised with the pleasant aftertaste and sweet, but fruity aroma. Some very tasty and popular varieties include, Jasmine oolong, WUYI rock tea, and peach oolong.

Formed Hearts Green Tea!!

The ancient tea makers of Yunnan, who developed the method of pressing tea into miraculous shapes back in medieval China, knew that when things were done well, amazing results could be achieved. The finest leaf available makes its way to the factory where is is steamed and pressed into these delightful heart shapes before drying.

Like the famous love story of Romeo and Juliet, this tea has the power to take you away to another place and time. Thankfully unlike the tragic love story, this is a happy place where the tea is fresh with a cup that’s light on the nose, grassy and full-bodied hinting at honey with subtle astringent notes. Shakespeare would have loved this one.

These adorable and delicious hearts would make a wonderful gift for your special someone this Valentine’s Day or even a special treat for yourself!

Happy Sipping!

What’s in Your Cup Wednesday…..

This morning I awoke to a dark, rainy day. I think the best course of action is to brew a pot of English Breakfast tea and add lots of cream and sugar to help brighten my mood. I am sure this will help me chase away the chill in the air!

Just for fun…do you put your cream in your teacup first or do you pour your tea and then add the cream? I pour my tea first and then add cream and sugar. There are lots of theories as to the best method so I am curious to hear what you think! I say anything goes in the personal world of tea!!

Don’t forget to let me know what is in your cup today!

Til we sip together again…

Tasty Tuesday…Coffee Chocolate Truffles!!!

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I found a recipe for some delicious truffles using coffee as an ingredient. These yummy truffles can be coated in chopped pecans and cocoa powder or with other compatible foods, such as shredded coconut, chopped walnuts or confectioners sugar. Why not make these for your special someone or even as a special treat for yourself? Enjoy!!

Coffee Chocolate Truffles

Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours, 45 minutes
Yield: Makes about 20 to 25 truffles.

Ingredients:
•3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
•8 ounces good quality, chopped semi-sweet chocolate
•2 tablespoons finely ground coffee beans
•2 tablespoons unsalted butter
•2 tablespoons Kahlua (or homemade coffee liqueur)
•1.5 cups finely chopped pecans, walnuts or other nuts, or 1/2 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder or confectioners sugar

Preparation:
1.In a double broiler, bring the cream to a simmer.
2.Slowly add the chopped chocolate a few pieces at a time, whisking constantly until the mixture is thick and smooth.
3.Whisk in the coffee.
4.Whisk in the butter until it is fully melted.
5.Slowly whisk in the Kahlua. Add it very slowly if it is chilled. (This will prevent it from hardening the chocolate and harming the final product’s texture.)
6.Remove the mixture from heat and pour it into a shallow baking dish.
7.Place the baking dish in the fridge overnight or in the freezer until the chocolate has hardened (roughly a few hours).
8.Once the chocolate has hardened, spread the chopped nuts or other toppings across a large, flat surface (such as a cutting board).
9.Remove the chocolate from the fridge/freezer.
10.Scoop a bite-sized piece of chocolate from the baking dish, roll it into a ball with your hands and roll it in the toppings. Set it aside on parchment paper or a baking sheet.
11.Repeat until you have used all of the chocolate.
12.Cover and refrigerate the truffles until they are firm.

Serve cold or at room temperature. When stored in a sealed container, the truffles keep about two weeks in the fridge or two months in the freezer… assuming you can keep yourself from eating them all first!

Happy Grinding!

SBS Teas Signature Cocoa Collection!!!

Want to try our cocoas but don’t know where to start? We have grouped five of our favorite, best selling cocoas together in one fantastic sampler. Our SBS Signature Cocoa Collection is perfect for you, the office, gift giving and more! Your sampler will come in our Signature Collection box and all ready for gift giving!
You will receive one 3 ounce tin of each of the following:

•Aztec Gold Cocoa
•Milk Chocolate Cocoa
•Chocolate Raspberry Cocoa
•Triple Fudge Cocoa
•French Vanilla Cocoa
•Chocolate mint Truffle Cocoa

Each 3 ounce tin makes approximately 3-4 servings of delicious cocoa.

Enjoy!!

Til we sip together again…