Today, I thought a fun conversation to take part in would be comparing our teas to the different slope levels. Let's talk about what to drink, based on which slope you're skiing! Here we go!

If you are new to the slopes and hopping your way over to the bunny hill, we're going to compare that to being a tea newbie. You love the thought of tea and sipping it. You are eager to learn but are nervous to try a double black diamond like our Chinese Silver Needles (don't worry, we'll get to this) for your first run. Chill out! We've got something for you, bunny hill babe! If you are new to the tea game and just starting to get your feet wet, we recommend starting with one of our tisane teas. Here's the catch; there isn't actually much tea (as in actual tea leaves), if any, in these teas. They are comprised mostly of dried fruits, spices, and herbs. This is what makes them the perfect fit for someone who is just starting to sip our teas and isn't quite sure what tea flavor they favor just yet. My personal favorite of our tisane teas is our Angel Falls Mist. It is a beautiful blend of citrus and strawberry, that is highlighted with apple and orange pieces, and then finished with pieces of hibiscus, rosehips, and calendula. After enjoying a few cups of this decadence you will be more than ready to tackle some of our "green circle" slope teas!

Once you've master the bunny hill, you move onto the green circle trails. These trails are wide, well groomed, and very popular. They appeal to skiers of all levels and are a good base line for really starting to move down the mountain. We've got just the tea to compare. If you are semi-familiar with your teas, you've had more than a few cups, but still aren't totally sure of yourself, we recommend our Ceylon tea. This black tea is pure and one which we pride ourselves on for being both clean, and full at the same time. You will encounter a few, subtle citrus notes, but for the most part, this tea is just classic and simple. It is used in various other teas as a base as well! As you get more astute in your tea tasting you will notice this! Just as you would refine your skills on the mountain and build upon them, use this Ceylon base as you move toward more complex teas! (We have this tea in a Decaf Ceylon as well so that you can continue sipping the tea slopes all day long!)  

So, now we know that you can safely make it to the bottom of your cup, knowing full and well what you're doing. Let's try something a little more tricky! Once ski and snowboard savants have mastered the green circle, they then move to the blue square trails. These trails are a bit steeper than the green circles. They may have a few moguls, or bumps along the way. They are intended to challenge their riders a bit and give them something to think about. At Good Life Tea, one of our blue square trail teas is, not surprisingly, our Blue Sapphire. This consists of a base black tea, sourced from Kenya, which is highlighted with blue cornflowers for visual appeal. Now, don't forget to rely on your green circle background. You know how to ski the black teas! You've had Ceylon. While this isn't exactly the same, you can certainly make your way to the bottom of the cup safely. In Blue Sapphire you will find the pure and clean flavors that you savor from black tea, only to be surprised by breathes of amber. This tea is known not only for it's clarity of flavor, but also to provide clarity to it's drinkers as it can aid in improving focus. You'll need all the focus you can get as we move to the black diamond teas!

Black diamond ski trails are known to be for the advanced and experienced slope riders. They are significantly steeper, narrower, un-groomed, and incorporate more moguls. If you see someone head toward the black diamond, you can be sure that this isn't their first rodeo! Just as this person knows a thing or two about slicing through the snow, the black diamond tea drinker, too has a cutting edge palette. When you are sipping with these tea drinkers, you better be ready! For those ready to ride the black diamond, we have our Hot Cinnamon Spice tea. We chose this tea as when you become proficient in both skiing and tea drinking, you like a challenge. Once you start to get your legs below you, you will spend most of your time on the black diamonds! Hot Cinnamon Spice is by far our most popular tea and we think you'll be spending a lot of time with it! Again, this tea (at least not the caffeine free version) is a black tea that smolders with 3 different types of cinnamon. Whilst drinking this, you will have to negotiate not only these different types of cinnamon either. You will be confronted with the moguls of clove and ember-like citrus chips as well. As you swish through this tea trail, remember to ride the flavors all the way through so that you don't miss anything. Just as the cold of snow opens your chest as you breathe it in, this tea will similarly cause your lungs to feel warm and to expand. We highly recommend you take at least one trip down this one. You won't regret it and we can almost guarantee you'll be back for another try! (Again, we have this in a Decaf Hot Cinnamon Spice as well if you're more of a night skier!)

 

Once you have mastered the bunny hill, the green circles, the blue squares, and the black diamonds, you have become quite the expert in your teas. You can easily decide between an Assam or a Darjeeling and you shudder at the thought of bagged tea from the grocery store. You, my friend, are ready for the "expert only" double black diamond. Double black diamond ski trails are very, very narrow and steep. They incorporate different obstacles such as exposed rock or cliff drop offs that only the most precocious of winter sport athletes can handle. As mentioned above, if you are a double black diamond tea drinker, you drink our Chinese Silver Needles. Just as only very adept skiers can appreciate the prestige of the double black diamond, only tea sommeliers can appreciate the beauty of our Chinese Silver Needles. This white tea is intended for special occasions and is described as "ethereal". It is plucked as the immature bud and leaf of the first bloom from the tea plant after the long rest of winter. It is said to pack an abundance of healthy goodness amidst its delicate and dry flavors. As you sip it, you will notice a subtle sweetness to the finish. Imagine the satisfaction of sliding to the bottom of your ride down the double black diamond you have just conquered. This is the same sweetness you will taste in this exquisite white tea. 

                           

You've made it to the bottom of this blog post mountain, tea friends! Take a minute to smile and then perhaps head to have some après-ski! Let us know which teas you head to the mountain with and how you fare with them! We love to know your experiences! In this case, if your life is going downhill, you're headed in the right direction! See you on the slopes! - Kaytea :) 

P.S. Even if you are proficient on the black diamond trails, don't forget, it can still be fun to ride down the bunny hill every once in awhile! :) 

                              

P.S.S. As a quick reminder for our Finger Lakes folks, the always anticipated Downtown Canandaigua Fire & Ice Festival is this weekend! This Saturday, February 19th, from 10AM-5PM join us right on Main Street in Canandaigua for the ultimate in seasonal celebration featuring the coolest ice carving competitions and sizzling fire shows! Melt away your winter blues and enjoy a unique winter experience with food, festivities, and family fun!