Name: Jenn
Bio: It’s Tea Time! Steeped and Infused offers a premium selection of quality loose leaf teas and unique accessories. My name is Jennifer Best and I am the founder of Steeped and Infused. I have had the opportunity to combine my love for people and delivering exceptional customer service, my passion for tea and its health benefits, and a desire to be an entrepreneur to launch a tea shop that is welcoming, informative and offers an unparalleled tea experience. My personal challenges with my health four years ago introduced me to the world of tea and the many healing properties tea promotes. Having personally benefited from a lifestyle that includes a variety of quality loose leaf teas, I bring my passion, insight and commitment to health to customers at Steeped and Infused. On the blog you will also find information on various subjects related to tea, events hosted by Steeped and Infused and discussions that provide valuable information that we can all apply to our daily lives. I truly appreciate your support, welcome your comments and hope you enjoy the information shared. Sincerely, Jenn
Posts by :
- We use organic teas as much as possible
- We focus on loose-leaf tea which can be put into your compost with no waste from tea bags eliminating the energy and by-products in producing materials to make tea bags.
- We consciously package and print using recyclable materials wherever possible.
- We offer on-line transactions to minimize the use of paper and our website will be used as much as possible as a communication and marketing tool.
Tea Newbies: Here’s What You Need to get Steeping!
August 30th, 2011So you’ve decided to enter the wonderful world of tea (yay!) but aren’t sure how to get started. No problem! We’ve put together a list of all the things you need to get steeping and sipping!
Tea Leaves
Okay, so you may have seen this one coming. But the tea world can be overwhelming to newcomers since there are so many choices. Here are the different types (in a nutshell).
Black tea:
…these tea leaves go through the most processing but are popular in Canada. Examples are Earl Grey, English Breakfast and Irish Breakfast.
Green tea:
…these tea leaves don’t go through the oxidation process that black teas do. They also contain HGCG – an antioxidant that can’t be found anywhere else!
Matcha:
…gaining popularity, this green tea is finely milled into a powder. It’s a health-nut favourite because it has more antioxidants packed into it than your traditional green tea. Plus it makes a delicious smoothie!
Oolong tea:
…these leaves go through the same oxidation as black tea leaves though, but it’s a shorter process.
White tea:
…these leaves are the least processed and are loaded with antioxidants.
Yerba Mate:
…derived from a small plant, yerba is a great source of energy and can aid in digestion.
Pu-Erh:
…you don’t need to be in a rush to drink pu-erh tea, because it actually gets better with age!
Roobois tea:
…while all the above tea leaves come from the same plant, roobois comes from a red bush plant in South Africa. It has great antixodiant properties, can help with allergies and is anti-inflammatory. Caffeine-free
Herbal:
…does not contain tea leaves but are actually a blend of herbs and spices. Herbal teas have many therapeutic benefits. (Just ask our Digestive Helper and Hangover Helper). Caffeine-free
Fruit tisane:
…does not contain leaves but is filled with delicious fruits. Caffeine-free
If you’re not sure how to properly steep your tea, be sure to check out our post here on specific instructions for each tea.
Steeping Tools
So many to choose from! Here are the best tools, all of which you can come find in store.
Tea Balls:
Fill with tea, let it steep, empty the ball and voila! Delicious tea in your cup!
Tea Filters:
Know how you get tea bags in a box from the grocery store? These are tea bags that you fill up with your favourite leaves! You can either let it hang over your tea cup or tie a knot and plunk it right in.
Mug Infusers:
These guys rest right in your mug – no opening/closing required like with the tea ball. You can also buy mugs with an infuser! (PS: Not sure what “infuser” means? It’s just a tool that helps steep your tea!)
Teapot:
One of our favorite things about tea? Sharing with a friend or family member! Many teapots now come with infusers as well, so it’s easy to make more than one cup for you and that friend. You could also drink a whole pot to yourself, but remember…sharing is caring. 
Water
Alright, so this one probably doesn’t come as a surprise either. But just as important as water is something to boil it in. In a pinch a pot on the stove will do, but really you want to invest in a kettle. You can grab an electric one (plugs into the wall) or you can grab one like grandma had, which you use on the stove.
Adventurous Spirit!
Play around with different types – we offer sample sizes of teas so you can try 3-4 cups before committing to a full bag. Not only is the variety fun, but it will help narrow down what your favourite tea is! The more you try the closer you get to that perfect cup!
Now….
GET TO STEEPING AND INFUSING!
And let us know how it goes! 
Caffeine in Pregnancy
May 31st, 2011An informative article on what is a safe and healthy amount of caffeine to consume during pregnancy, written by our friend Dr. Lisa Watson ND. Please visit Lisa’s website to read the full article. There you will also find much more information on various health topics.
http://www.drlisawatson.com/caffeine-in-pregnancy
The Importance of Sleep
April 13th, 2011Most of us at one point in time will struggle with sleep. For many of us, this has become a normal part of our lives. So much so, that often we don’t even realize that it is a problem. Proper sleep is essential to our health and wellbeing. Lack of sleep weakens our immune system, increases our risk for obesity, developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease and infections. Our memory and concentration becomes poor and our ability to cope with stress lessens. We are at a greater risk for depression and anxiety. When we are sleeping our body heals and repairs itself and our hormone production is regulated. When we sleep we feel good about life and are HAPPY! These are just a few reasons why good sleep is absolutely necessary.
There are many factors that contribute to our inability to sleep. It usually is not just one thing. I crashed and burned over 4 years ago now because of the long-term side effects of very little sleep. It was a long road back to recovery. I had to develop different eating habits, exercise routines, coping skills, make time for fun and relaxation and take a deep look within to determine what my priorities were, both personally and professionally.
Part of this road to recovery was my introduction to our Sweet Dreams tea blend. This is how I actually got started in the tea business. I still to this day enjoy a cup of it every night and not just for the sedative effects. I enjoy the ritual. Taking this time every night to prepare my tea, unwind and enjoy a soothing cup also offers so many benefits that are beyond physical. That is something I never want to give up as it is a very important part of my day. Having an evening ritual that is personal, meaningful and relaxing can really impact how well we sleep, thus impact every aspect of our lives, especially our health. Whatever this may be for you, we encourage you to start tonight. It is so important and you deserve it. You’re body needs it. If you already have a night time ritual, we’d love to hear about it. Please share in our comments section.
Amber Mac’s commandN filmed at Steeped and Infused
March 11th, 2011We apologize we are a little late posting this, however we figured better late than never. Our friend Amber Mac taped one of her commandN.TV episodes at our store on January 22, 2011. It was fun to watch!!
Tea and Iron Deficiency
March 11th, 2011Our friend Dr. Lisa Watson ND, wrote a very informative article on tea and iron deficiency.
http://www.drlisawatson.com/tea-and-iron-deficiency
Baking with Matcha Tea
November 11th, 2010Jennifer; a customer of Steeped and Infused was kind enough to share with us some fabulous pictures of her bundt cake made with our very own Matcha Green Tea. She served it with honey ginger ice cream and said it was absolutely delicious! You can visit http://www.bakerella.com/bundt%e2%80%a6-whats-matcha/ for the recipe.
Thanks Jennifer!
Enjoy!!
Our Commitment
November 10th, 2010The Steeped and Infused Commitment
Steeped and Infused’s commitment to health and well-being includes doing our part to support the environment and protecting our planet.
You will also find Steeped and Infused attending various events within the natural health and wellness community. We want to meet like-minded individuals and those discovering and experimenting with the benefits of tea!
On this website, you will find a wealth of information on tea, its benefits, recipes and related articles on various perspectives for health and wellness.
Check out our blog on a regular basis for further insight and tidbits we’d like to share.
We currently have 2 locations in Toronto and our on-line store is always open for business! We also offer free shipping on orders $50 or more. We thank you for your business and look forward to serving you.
TEA LATTES
October 26th, 2010As the cooler weather gently knocks on our doors, we naturally gravitate towards food and beverages that are warm, comforting and soul soothing. What’s better than curling up with a delicious Rooibos Chocolate Supreme Tea Latte while you are watching your favourite fall TV show? Or like many of us, you need a kick start in the morning to get going? Let me suggest a Yerba Mate Vanilla Chai Latte. This is sure to put a kick in your step…or at least get you out of bed.
How do you make a tea latte you ask? Well, it’s pretty simple.
First double the amount of tea you use. 2 tsp for 6oz cup.
Froth or steam milk of your choice. For those of you that do not have the equipment at home to froth milk, heat it up in a sauce pan on the stove top.
Pour the hot milk over your tea leaves and let steep for 5-7 mins.
Add your choice of sweetener if desired.
Enjoy!
Here is a list of some our favourite blends for tea lattes. Remember, the fun of loose leaf tea is that you can be creative! Don’t hesitate to mix different blends together and come up with your own custom made latte. We would love it if you shared your recipes in the comments section. If you live close to one of our locations, we offer tea lattes on our to go menu.
Steeped and Infused Tea Latte Suggestions:
Monk’s Blend
Earl Grey de la Creme
Black Bourbon Vanilla
Masala Chai
Black Canadian Maple
Yerba Mate Vanilla Chai
Chocolate Cappucino
Green Chai
Matcha
Romantic Spirit
Rooibos Chocolate Supreme
Pure Red Organic Rooibos
Rooibos Coconut Almond
Rooibos Chocolate Mint
Rooibos Chai
Rooibos White Chocolate Toffee
Rooibos Earl Grey
Iced Tea Steeping Instructions
August 11th, 2010We love our tea…especially iced! At Steeped and Infused we offer a large selection of teas that are delicious served iced.
Iced Tea is a great alternative for sugar filled juices and sodas and also great when used as a base for a tasty and refreshing cocktail…with less calories and full of antioxidants. You can’t beat that!
Not sure how to make iced tea? It’s really simple. Below are two methods; the hot method and the cold method.
Remember, have some fun with your teas. Don’t hesitate to blend some of your favourite teas together to create your own signature infusion. We invite you to share your recipes and/or pictures of your favourite iced teas.
Iced Tea is a great alternative for sugar filled juices and sodas and also great when used as a base for a tasty and refreshing cocktail…with less calories and full of antioxidants. You can’t beat that!
Not sure how to make iced tea? It’s really simple. Below are two methods; the hot method and the cold method.
Remember, have some fun with your teas. Don’t hesitate to blend some of your favourite teas together to create your own signature infusion. What’s your favourite iced tea recipe?
Hot Method.
Use 2 tsp of tea per 6oz of water (double the amount used for hot tea). Infuse for the length of time required for the type of tea you are using. Remove leaves, and pour hot tea over ice. Pouring the hot tea over ice cools it dilutes it to its normal strength. Sweeten with sugar and add a squeeze of lemon if desired.
Cold Method
Use 1 tsp of tea per 6oz of water. Infuse tea in cold water overnight in the fridge. The cold method of steeping iced tea is ideal for making green and black iced tea as it gently steeps the tea, bringing out its full flavour and avoiding bitterness. Ice tea can also be made by placing your regularly steeped hot tea in the fridge for a couple of hours.
TEA & FIBROMYALGIA
May 31st, 2010Since I have started this business, I have met many people who have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia or know someone who has. Quite often I am asked how tea can help with the effects of Fibromyalgia. I have decided to write this blog post so that I can share with you what I have personally experienced with tea and its health benefits.
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2003, but it wasn’t until just four years ago, when I was in an acute flare up, that I began my journey that introduced me to the lifestyle that was going to grant me the opportunity to manage my illness and enjoy a full life. Tea played a critical role in this journey. I have always had the drive to become an entrepreneur so I felt what better way to help myself and others then to start my own business that promotes wellness regardless of your state of health.
I must first say that there are many factors that contribute to the management of Fibromyalgia. Making our health; physical, emotional, mental and spiritual, a top priority will have a direct impact on how we feel day to day. Regardless if you are currently in perfect health or are struggling with an illness. Tea is part of a healthy lifestyle, however alone it is not the answer. Diet, stress level, exercise, quality sleep and more, all contribute to the successful management of Fibromyalgia and to this day play a very important role in my overall well-being. For the purpose of this blog post though, I am only going to discuss some of the benefits of why someone with Fibromyalgia would introduce tea to their health regime and discuss some of the blends I currently enjoy.
SLEEP: Quality sleep is critical. Without proper sleep pain levels increase, we become depressed and suffer from anxiety and irritability. This is because when we sleep our bodies heal and produce the necessary hormones (especially serotonin) that are absolutely necessary to be well. Sleep, or lack of, is one of the biggest issues someone with Fibromyalgia faces. Sweet Dreams Herbal Infusion is what really initiated many of the big changes that took place in my life. In a serious acute flare up, due to little or no sleep for well over 2 years and having tried absolutely everything, I came across a tea that is known as our Sweet Dreams blend at Steeped and Infused. One cup and I finally started sleeping! I couldn’t believe it. Today Sweet Dreams is one of top-selling herbal infusions. I still drink it every evening.
PAIN: Getting quality sleep will definitely help minimize the pain but sufficient quantities of nutrients such as minerals are also imperative. Therefore I consume a lot of Rooibos. Also, like the rest of us, I too at times take on too much and experience high levels of stress and overwhelm. A cup of Rooibos can really help me feel calm and regain focus. Rooibos is naturally caffeine free, very high in vitamins and minerals and has a soothing effect on the central nervous system. It is strongly recommended for people suffering with mild anxiety and/or depression, irritability, headaches and insomnia. It also helps reduce inflammation in the body (which can cause pain, depression, anxiety, insomnia – this is entirely different blog post) and is great for the skin. It is highly recommended for children as well. It has a natural sweetness and makes excellent iced teas and hot teas. At Steeped and Infused we currently offer over 17 Rooibos blends.
BRAIN FOG: We all experience it at times where we feel like we can’t focus or think. Those with Fibromyalgia tend to experience this often and many times don’t realize that this is a symptom. To combat this, I drink green tea. Often in the form of a Matcha Tea Smoothie as this is one of my favourites. However, consuming any green tea will give you the “wake up in the brain”, as I call it, without experiencing a crash that many people often do after consuming something such as a coffee or chocolate. With green tea, you are also consuming something that is good for you; high in vitamins and antioxidants!
CLEANSING & OVERALL MAINTENANCE OF OUR HEALTH:
In addition to working with a Naturopathic Doctor and learning about my food sensitivities, making changes to my diet, exercising, meditating, having some fun, I try to drink regularly two additional herbal blends. One is our Digestive Helper; an excellent tea to enjoy after a meal but also a great tea to drink throughout the day. Digestive Helper contains Yarrow which is known to be a powerful liver and blood detoxifier and tonic for the digestive tract. Consuming an herb that will help detoxify our liver and blood is important for all of us.
Lastly, Lapacho (also known as Pau D’Arco ) is known to be antiviral, antimicrobial, antifungal and used in the treatment of Candida (overgrowth of yeast in the body). To summarize it can help fight off illness, infections and help reduce inflammation in the body, thus minimizing pain and the many other symptoms of inflammation in the body. It is often suggested by Naturopathic Doctors to those with Fibromyalgia to go on a Candida diet; eliminating all yeast, starches and sugars from the diet to cleanse the body. At Steeped and Infused we offer two LaPacho blends; LaPacho Pear Cream and LaPacho Vanilla Chai.
The teas that I have mentioned in this article are a handful of teas that I personally suggest and use. The best words of advice that I can give to anyone with Fibromyalgia is to become educated; educated on your body and take control of your health. Research various modalities of health care and find what works best for you. I have combined a little bit of everything. There were certain things that were needed at various stages. I now enjoy good health with minimal flare ups. I am far from perfect with my lifestyle but I do try my best to take care of myself properly. Most importantly I am in tune with my body and can now easily recognize the signs when I need to take a step back, revisit what I’m eating, slow down a bit, get some extra rest, not skip my exercise regime and ensure that I am taking my vitamins and supplements daily etc. before things get out of control and I am in bed for days in severe pain and exhaustion. It can be a long journey at times; however I do not believe that Fibromyalgia is a life sentence of pain, exhaustion and depression (which naturally occurs due to the lack of sleep and our bodies not producing the hormones we need). I am always happy to spend time sharing my experience if it will help someone perhaps not struggle as much as I was years ago. If you are interested in more information about how I have managed Fibromyalgia, please feel free to email me at [email protected] and place the word Fibromyalgia in the subject heading.
I hope you find some of this information helpful.
Jennifer Best
