The Cup of Spiced Tea I Couldn’t Forget — and Had to Recreate

There was a tea I drank last fall and winter that I haven’t stopped thinking about. I found myself looking forward to autumn just knowing I’d be able to sip it again. It’s a spiced blend I found online, and though I didn’t know it at the time, that little box of tea would become part of my daily routine through the colder months.

It had just the right balance of warmth and depth — cinnamon, cardamon, and a touch of other spices. I would usually make it with raw whole milk and a splash of maple syrup or raw honey, and just loved the feeling of wrapping my hands around the mug on cold and rainy afternoons.

I ran out of it a few months ago and decided to use up some of my existing tea stash before buying more of this blend that really is better suited for colder months. A few weeks ago, when I started looking for it again, I specifically searched for an organic version, but couldn’t find one. 

One option was to buy the same one as last time, but I couldn’t help think about the source of those spices. Were they grown with care? Had they been sprayed or processed? These are questions that have mattered to me more over the years.

Instead of giving in and purchasing it again, I began to wonder whether I could make my own.

I spent a few hours researching online for a place where I could buy organic spices in bulk.  I wanted a high-quality retailer that would allow me to recreate the fragrant tea but without the added junk. I ended up landing on a company called Mountain Rose Herbs for most of the ingredients.

Buying spices in bulk isn’t cheap, and I knew I’d end up with far more tea than I could drink myself. That’s when the idea occurred to me: this could be perfect to offer in my little shop, for others to discover and enjoy. I can’t be the only person looking for a high quality, organic spiced herbal tea to sip on this season!

This blend brings together the sweetness of Ceylon cinnamon, the floral heat of green cardamom, and the grounding notes of roasted chicory and carob, rounded out with star anise, ginger root, and cloves. It’s one of the best flavors I can describe, especially that very first sip.

When I was developing the blend, cinnamon was one ingredient I spent extra time choosing. Most store-bought cinnamon is cassia, cheaper and more common, but chose Ceylon instead. It has a softer, more complex flavor that’s warm and a little sweet, without the harsh bite cassia can have. It’s also lower in coumarin, a compound that can be harmful in large amounts. Ceylon is more expensive, but it felt worth it. I wanted this tea to feel special — something I’d truly be happy to share with others.

In the morning, I still reach for strong coffee — usually in the form of a homemade latte. It’s a part of my early morning routine that I enjoy. But by the afternoon, I find myself wanting the comfort of something hot in hand but without the caffeine. That’s when I turn to this tea. It carries the same warmth and depth I love in coffee, but without the jolt. Especially in the colder months, it becomes a daily ritual to help me slow down and reflect.

Introducing a New Blend at this Saturday's Market

This blend will be available for the first time at Saturday’s online market. It’s called Warm & Spiced — and that’s exactly what it is. A cup to slow down with. A tea for quiet mornings, candlelit evenings, or any time you feel the pull toward warmth and stillness.

If you take it with milk and a little maple syrup or honey, I think you’ll find it tastes just like comfort itself.

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Warm & Spiced Herbal Tea will be available this Saturday in the online market.
As always, made in small batches with organically sourced ingredients.