Even in summer, don’t forget your little pause with tea!

🍃 Hello, it's been a while since I last greeted you! 🍃

After sharing news with you at the end of May, I'm sitting at my desk again after a long time, reflecting on the past months and sending you my warm regards. How have you all been?

During this time, I've had some complicated days dealing with trademark registration issues and tax matters for the nail salon, and I've also been busy with funerals and various events. Most importantly, time has flown by as I've been preparing to launch new teas and having exciting daily conversations with two companies that handle tea blending for me.

Especially, I recently started working on a blended tea for women’s hormonal balance (PMS support), and I’m thrilled that the first batch of sample teas is scheduled to arrive tomorrow! I even prepared a little notebook to got down my impressions while I sip and savor each aroma — because for me, tea isn’t just something we drink, but a healing ritual of scent, flavor, and mindfulness. Only then can I fully gift this peace and wellness to all of you. I'm preparing it with all my heart. 🍵

☀ Tea is for all seasons—even summer! ☀

Summer is officially here. On hot days, you might feel tempted to swap tea for something cooler. But honestly, I think the comfort and peace that tea brings transcend the seasons.

Whether it's a warm cup of tea or a refreshing glass of iced tea, brewing tea is like brewing a little moment of calm for yourself—a small pause just for you.

The Cool History of Iced Tea

The iced tea we love so much actually began with quite an ingenious idea. While hot tea has been enjoyed for thousands of years, cool iced tea started at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, USA. When people turned away from hot tea during a heat wave, Richard Blechynden, a British tea merchant, poured his black tea over ice and served it, and people began lining up. This was the birth of the iced tea we know today!

Since then, iced tea has become like a summer essential in the South, and now various iced tea recipes are being created worldwide every summer.

How has iced tea evolved these days?

While the past was dominated by simple sweet drinks loaded with sugar, today it's transforming into "wellness iced tea"!

• Local honey: Boosts immunity and reduces sugar impact

• Organic fruits: Add refreshing taste packed with vitamins and antioxidants

• Herbs and flower petals: Bring nature's healing fragrance

This new iced tea culture, which is healthy while offering beautiful colors, is gaining popularity through 'personal home cafes' and 'social tea gatherings'. Even in our busy lives, a cup of tea provides that precious moment of joy and creates warm connections with the people we care about.

How about hosting a small iced tea gathering with your beloved family or friends this summer? It could be such a meaningful time to share hearts and comfort each other over a refreshing cup of tea.

Here are 3 summer iced tea recipes I'd love to share! 

Watermelon Mint Iced Tea Ingredients:

• 2 cups watermelon chunks

• 2 green tea bags

• A handful of fresh mint

• Lemon slices (optional)

• 1 tablespoon honey or local honey

Instructions:

1. Brew green tea strongly and let it cool.

2. Blend watermelon and strain to get just the juice.

3. Mix tea with watermelon juice and honey, add plenty of mint and ice to finish!

👉 Pairs beautifully with: Cucumber sandwiches, ricotta salad

Hibiscus Orange Strawberry Iced Tea Ingredients:

• 2 hibiscus herbal tea bags

• 1 fresh orange, sliced

• 5-6 strawberries

• 1 tablespoon honey

Instructions:

1. Brew hibiscus tea strongly and let it cool.

2. Slice strawberries and orange, add to tea, and adjust sweetness with honey.

3. Enjoy refreshingly with ice!

👉 Pairs beautifully with: Lemon scones, yogurt parfait

Peach Mint Black Iced Tea Ingredients:

• 2 black tea bags

• 1 peach, sliced

• A handful of fresh mint

• 1 tablespoon local honey

Instructions:

1. Brew black tea strongly and let it cool.

2. Add peach slices and mint to infuse the fragrance.

3. Add gentle sweetness with honey and finish by filling with ice!

👉 Pairs beautifully with: Tea sandwiches, cheese platter, blueberry muffins

A Little Break, A Little Gathering 

Even simple preparations like these can turn you into someone who offers a refreshing moment of comfort to your loved ones this summer. Never underestimate the power of tea—it opens hearts and brings warmth. ✨

Wishing you peaceful, cool, and refreshing moments throughout this summer. In my next newsletter, I'll share my tasting notes from the PMS-balance tea samples I'm working on!

Don't forget to make time for a cup of tea—even in the summer.

With warm wishes,
Bo, The Tea lady
UR Happy Place