Phyllis is a Shambhalian, private chef, photographer and painter. She lives in Piermont, NY. View her web site at http://www.cookingontheriver.com/.
Monday, March 9, 2009
"Tasting: Tea, The Essential Pause" in Tricycle Magazine
Phyllis is a Shambhalian, private chef, photographer and painter. She lives in Piermont, NY. View her web site at http://www.cookingontheriver.com/.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
New Selection of Jasmine Scented Teas
We've also changed to a new supplier for our Dragon Phoenix Pearls, by far the finest Pearls I have ever tried.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
"Track Your Package" Now Available from Pot Luck Tea Company
FEDEX will send a tracking number to the email address you provided with your order when the package is accepted by Fedex for delivery. Tracking numbers from USPS will be sent directly from us for now until the USPS interface is operational.
To go to the new tracking page, click here.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Deeper Discounts on Yixing Teaware; New Selection
The "Texture" teapot (viewed right) is on sale for $20.00. It originally sold for $32.00. It is 12 ounces, very unusual, collectible and makes a great gift. Our remaining stock is limited, so please order today.
Also, we've discounted our popular Catwalk teapot (from $35.00, now $26.25) and our Catwalk Tea Mug (from $13.50, now $11.50).
All quanitites are limited and discounts are only available while supplies last. Check out our Yixing page on our website for the full selection and discount prices.
We are also planning some major changes to our web site over the next few weeks including order tracking, and a vast new selection of EU certified organic teas. Stay tuned.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Tea Tasting: A Wonderful New EU Organic Assam (TGFOP)
Pot Luck Tea is moving forward with our goal to switch over to all organic teas, with either USDA or EU Certifed Organic.
I truly enjoyed this tea and will definitely order it for our spring tea additions. Dethlefsen & Balk are members of the German and European Tea Councils.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Deep Discounts on Popular Yixing Teaware
For centuries, Yixing potters have fashioned teapots from the purple-brown clay of the region. The beautiful stoneware vessels became the models for the earliest European teapots in the late 17th century. Yixing pots were made in China until the communist revolution brought production to a halt. It wasn’t until the 1970s that Yixing potters resumed this ancient craft. Today Yixing pots are collected and treasured throughout the world.
Because they are not glazed, the clay pots absorb the tea. Over time, a layer of tea sediment forms and with subsequent use the pots retain the flavor, color and aroma of the tea. This is why it is best to use one kind of tea in your Yixing pot.
We are offering deep discounts on some of our most popular Yixing teapots and tea mugs.
Here are some examples:
- Catwalk Yixing Teapot, was $35.00, now $26.56
- Top Dog Yixing Teapot, was $19.00, now $14.25
- Yixing Catwalk Mug, was $13.50, now $11.50
- Covered Yixing Mug (pictured above), was $15.00, now $11.25
- Butterfly Glazed Teapot, was $28.00, now $21.00
- Cicada Bamboo Teapot, was $32.00, now $24.00
- Simplicity Yixing Tea Set, was $38.00, now $28.50
- White Glaze Yixing Tea Set, was $35.00, now $26.25
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Shade-Grown, Certified Organic Yerba Mate
Yerba Mate is a lightly stimulating beverage from South America with a mild amount of caffeine and just the right kick. Our Yerba Mate is organically grown and produces a light green beverage, with its characteristic sharp flavor.
Our Yerba Mate is untreated and contains no filler or flavoring agents, just pure organic shade grown Yerba Mate leaves. It does contain trace amounts of caffeine. Yerba Mate has over 196 active compounds, shadowing the active compounds in Green Tea which has about 144.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Culinary Herbs & Spices In Bulk Packages
We've added a link on our home page to a new section called "Culinary Herbs & Spices." We're starting small with just five items, but will add to the list as our sources of supply become more secure. All items will be either "Certified Organic" or "Cultivated Without Chemicals." Some will also be "Fair Trade." To start, we are offering:
Indonesian Cinnamon Sticks
Indonesian Ginger Root
Lavender Flowers from France
Star Anise From Vietnam
Jasmine Flowers from China
All are bulk packaged in one pound bags. Delivery is generally 7-10 days. To get to the Culinary Herbs & Spices page, click here.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Free Shipping On Valentine's Day Tea Infused Chocolate Truffles
Each gift box contains five truffles: Oolong, Hibiscus Flower, English Breakfast, Chai and Jasmine. This is a nice gift that simply says, "I'm thinking about you." Order now for delivery on or before February 14th.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Our China Superior Ti Kuan Yin Oolong -- A Very Special Tea
Recommendations: Use 1 heaping tsp. per 6 oz. cup; heat fresh cold water until steaming briskly (195ºF); let steep for 2 1/2 minutes. The leaves support many consecutive infusions.
The tea is priced at $20.00 for four ounces, or $68.00 per pound. But for a slightly inconsistent leaf appearance the tea would be priced higher. If you were going to splurge on one oolong this year, this would be it. And as alway, use current coupon codes for discounts.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Check out "The Teashop Girls" by Laura Schaefer
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Spice Melange Postcard & Coupon Code, Valentine's Day
the coupon code is on the back, just under the return address. We'll be posting our Valentine's Day offering in a day or two. This year, we will likely go with the tea infused chocolate truffles. Stay tuned, and thank you for your continued support.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
New Advertisement in Natural Awakenings Magazine
This "Remedy Tea" is part of a new line of utility teas. We also offer a "Flu Fighter Tea," a "Memory Aid Tea," a "Hangover Helper Tea." Find these teas here.
Monday, January 19, 2009
We're Not Ready To Re-Stock Pu'er Tea Until Quality Issues Are Resolved In China.
We used to carry one or two Pu'er teas but stopped after finding erratic pricing and quality problems. When prices went through the roof about two years ago, we found ourselves uncomfortably having to charge our customers prices for tea that we didn't think worth the money. Even though prices are back in line, we are not going to carry Pu'er. The market is flooded with fake Pu'er tea, and even the best tea buyer would be hard pressed to not get taken.
Because the market flooded with poor quality tea, and given that we a small company, we can't risk our customer goodwill on an unreliable product.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
The New Tea Book: A Guide to Black, Green, Herbal and Chai Teas
The New Tea Book focuses on the ritual of tea drinking and how it informs our daily routine and creates space for contemplation and relaxation. Featuring information on tea varieties as well as recipes for chai and pastries, this book aims to inform your own tea-drinking customs.
To order the book from Amazon.com, click on the link to the right. Check out all of the books selections on this blog (right hand column) or view a more extensive selection at: http://potlucktea.com/Books.htm
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Discount Coupon Code
We are thinking about closing out and discounting our remaining inventory of Japanese Tetsubin. It seems that competition from cheaper Chinese knockoffs has made our original Japanese product non-competitive (except to those who appreciate the Japanese quality, and will not accept the Chinese knockoff). If we go that way, I'll post a notice here on the blog first.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Jasmine Flowers, Cacao Nibs, Cardamom, Carob and Cinnamon Sticks
We also get inquiries about our Cacao Nibs. Ours come from Peru and are certified both organic and Fair Trade. They also come in one pound containers, and we can resell them for $30.00.
We can also discount these items in larger quantities. Please inquire by email.
I hope to have these items under a heading called "Culinary Herbs & Spices" on our web site within the next month or so. Other items include Organic Cardamom from Guatemala, Organic Carob from Spain, and Organic Cinnamon Sticks from Indonesia.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Black Tea Improves Immune System (Yeah, yeah, yeah)
I haven't seen the study, but hardly a day goes by without some group touting the results of another organization's study. I post them on the blog from time to time, but have never really put much stock in the reports. Of course, I wish everyone drank five cups of tea a day, for their health (and mine). Anyway, enjoy your tea, and thanks for reading.
Rick Tannenbaum
Monday, January 5, 2009
88% of Specialty Tea Purchases Are Made By Women
We've just closed out our year, and while we need some time to study our sales and trends, I would guess that sales of spice melanges, lattes, herbal tea blends and remedy teas were all up. I'd also guess that loose leaf tea sales were either flat or up slightly.
Tetsubin sales were weak -- that trend has passed.
Yixing sales slid a bit, but nothing shocking. Tea filters, cups and accessories were probably in line with prior years. Tea infused chocolate sales were a disappointment.
Although loose leaf tea may be considered a luxury item; sales overall were not off. Our regular repeat customers -- the heartbeat of our business -- maintained purchases at their regular or even increased volumes.
Fedex has been a cost saver for orders shipped to the West Coast, and new updates to our web site including order tracking should be coming this year. To anyone we disappointed, I personally apologize.
And to all of our loyal customers: thanks again, and to all a good year!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Spicy Ginger Riot Blend Change
We welcome any comments on the new blend, and as always appreciate your support.
Normal shipping resumes January 5, 2009.