Reno, NV's Favorite Tea

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Too Soul Premium Organic Coffee - Medium Roast December 08 2017



New Teaware Accessories Now Available For Holiday Time November 20 2017

Maui Pitcher
Just in time for the holidays we have expanded our teaware selection to included new mugs and infusers. Have a great holiday season.

Halloween Gift Boxes October 13 2017

Halloween Gift Boxes for 2017 are available through the 24th of October for all of your ghoulish family and friends.

Halloween Gift Box

We have selected three tantalizing fall favorites so you can introduce the special ones in your life with some neat zingy tea infusions.

Our Cinnamon Orange Spice Rooibos, is warm yet bright for fall. This is a great introduction to Rooibos, the healthy South African tea. Great for your next Halloween party or school function. Caffeine-free.

Our ever popular Soul Soother, a great friend to your hurting winter throat and sumptuously delicious anytime, is a must for this great gift box selection. Caffeine-Free.

Then it wouldn't be Autumn without the delicious flavor of pumpkin. Yup, our Pumpkin Spice Black Tea is always a winner. Whether by a warm hearth or for your morning rise, Pumpkin spice takes our wonderful South Indian Black Tea up an autumnal notch!

Order now, supplies are limited.

May the winter months, wherever you are, find you well.

 

 


A Brief History Of The Use Of Teabags October 11 2017

In 1901, Roberta C. Lawson and Mary Molaren applied to the U.S. government for a patent on what they called a 'tea folder', claiming it simplified the tea-drinking process. The invention, they declared, would allow drinkers to use a specified amount of tea leaves for a consistent drink every time, and would make clean-up much easier, since leaves would not have to be scraped out of a brewing pot.

The tea folder itself was made of stitched mesh, which served two purposes: it contained the leaves so they wouldn't be floating freely inside the drinker's mouth, and allowed the water to swirl in among the leaves to diffuse the flavors of the tea leaves into the drink. From this humble beginning, was born a practice which has been adopted by virtually every household in America, as well as in restaurants, cafes, and other food service establishments.

How teabags became popular

In 1908, an American tea importer named Thomas Sullivan began sending out samples of his loose leaf tea in pouches to prospective customers, and some of them brewed their tea right inside those pouches, thinking that was the intention. When he learned about this different usage, Sullivan went right along with it, and upgraded the silk pouch to a gauze fabric, after noting that the silk was too fine-meshed to permit optimal infusing.

While there is some debate over whether Sullivan's idea or the Lawson/Molaren patent should be credited with being the main springboard to teabag popularity, there's no doubt that both played a role in developing the popularity of the teabag. It wasn't long after this that the Lipton Tea Company began packaging its tea products into teabags, and as the largest tea company in the world, it was only natural that a huge boost would be given to teabag usage.

Since its introduction, the teabag has provided a perfect solution to tea drinking. Since all that's really required is boiling water and about five minutes of steeping time, the process could hardly be improved upon, and after drinking, it's only necessary to throw away the bag and wash the cup. Few pleasures in life are obtained so simply, and enjoyed so thoroughly.


Loose Leaf Tea - A Short History September 27 2017

The story of loose-leaf tea is shrouded in the mists of ancient times in the Far East, and at least according to Chinese legend, its marvelous appeal as an invigorating beverage was discovered entirely by accident. Chinese legend tells us that the Emperor Shen Nong discovered the exhilarating properties of loose leaf tea in the year 2737 B.C., when he happened to be spending time in the Imperial Garden, and for whatever reason, boiling some water.

At that time, a single leaf from an overhanging wild tea tree fell into his hot water, and on a whim, he tasted the resulting beverage. Feeling pleasantly refreshed and stimulated, he researched the properties of the wild tea tree which had provided this refreshment, and discovered that in addition to its pleasant flavor, it also had certain medicinal properties.

Whether this story is strictly true or not, it's certain that tea-drinking and the appeal of tea leaves was first popularized in the general region of Tibet, China, and Northern India. By the time of the Chinese Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.), the classic age of tea prevailed throughout China, and tea-drinking had become so popular that the beverage was hailed as the national drink.

Acceptance of tea in the West

Tea-drinking as a custom was not immediately adopted in the countries of the West, and in fact it was only centuries later that loose-leaf tea really became popular throughout Europe, and later on in America. One obvious reason for this is that there simply was not a great deal of contact between the Eastern world and that of the West.

Another reason for the slow global spread was China's continuing reluctance to share its discovery with the world, and the fact that its government enacted laws restricting the sale of tea beyond the country's borders. It was not until the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), that restrictions on the sale of tea were finally lifted, and trade with the Western world began in earnest. 

India joins China in the tea trade

Beginning in 1610, shipments of Chinese tea commissioned by the Dutch East India Company arrived in Europe, and tea-drinking as a custom spread to Paris, London, Amsterdam and beyond, although its high price limited appeal to the aristocracy. By the middle of the 17th century, the British East India Trade Company was competing with the Dutch for tea trade, and eventually established itself as the dominant trading power with China.

For the next century, Britain ruled tea trade through its British East India Company, but by the 1760's and 1770's, tremendous political upheavals were taking place in the American colonies and elsewhere, and the British monopoly on tea trade was severely disrupted.

In 1823, British Army Major Robert Bruce discovered a native tea bush growing in a Assam, India, and it wasn't long before an employee from the British East India Company was experimenting with the growth of bushes in Assam and in Darjeeling, India. The Darjeeling tea bush experiment was wildly successful, and led to the immediate development of plantations in northeastern India.

American acceptance of tea

After the American Revolution, the United States wanted to establish its own tea trade, and by the 1850's was trading directly with China. Already somewhat popular in America, tea became even more widely accepted when two important discoveries came about – tea bags and iced tea. Both of these innovations occurred just after the turn of the 20th century, and in the case of iced tea, it was at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. The invention of the tea bag came in 1903, when it was patented by tea merchant Thomas Sullivan.

From this long and storied history, tea has become the world's second most popular beverage, with only water having greater universal appeal.

#toosoultea


Body & Soul Line To Be Announced April 14 2017

Our new herbal line, prepared by a pharmacologist, is almost here. The Body & Soul line focuses on healthy herbals for better digestion, an adrenal boost, a sleepy tea, a slimming tea and more. All 12 of these new herbals will be available soon and in a new shaped tin too - so stay tuned! Stay Soul!

Green Tea Sale Going To End Soon March 15 2017

Our green tea sale in honor of St. Patrick's day is going to end on March 17th at midnight. All green teas and Irish Breakfast Black tea are 20% off!!

Plus, we're offering free shipping on all orders over $29.

As we move towards spring, we're happy you're with us!

Thanks from Too Soul

 

 


Valentine's Soul Collection January 27 2017

We've announced our Valentine's Soul collection for 2017! We are also now offering free shipping on all orders over $50.00 too. Well, alright! So enjoy a cup or a teapot with your special someone while enjoying free shipping.


New To Loose Leaf? Learn our tricks! December 12 2016

It's simple!

Step 1. Fill a Tea Ball, or an infuser like our Total Tea Infuser or a Tea/Coffee Press like our Bonjour Press following the simple teaspoon per ounces of water directions on each of our packages.

Step 2. Place your infuser in a mug of hot water or fill your press.

Step 3. Steep your tea in the hot water for the suggested time (usually around three minutes). Remove your infuser or press your press's mesh downward to filter the leaves from the water. You don't need to add anything but you can add sweetener, lemon, milk of whatever your preferences might be and enjoy! 

We use a tablespoon per 16oz of water! For iced tea you are going to brew it using the same amount of tea leaves but half the amount of water and then pour over ice. 


MiniFact Break! The Assam Bush November 27 2016

Did you know the Assam bush resembles more that of a tree than a bush, can grow 30 to 50 feet tall, likes 100 inches of rain a year and an average temperature of 85 degrees Fahrenheit. In prime conditions, the Assam bush can be picked every ten days.

BLACK FRIDAY & Cyber Monday Sales November 21 2016

BLACK FRIDAY & Cyber Monday Sales have been announced!

Black Friday, November 25th, we'll have 20% off tea and coffee accessories in store, which includes gift baskets and apparel.

Cyber Monday this year, we're starting our 30% off online sales event on Wednesday November 23rd. The 30% off site-wide will continue until midnight Monday November 28th. 

Please enjoy and we look forward to being a part of your holidays!

                      Happy Holidays from Too Soul.


Holiday Favorites Soon To Arrive November 04 2016

Get ready! Soon we will unveil our newly discounted Holiday seasonal collection just in time for Christmas. We are also going to offer a cold season / winter collection that will be on sale and run through the spring. We're sure you'll enjoy! Many thanks from Too Soul Tea.

Soul Flavors Of Autumn October 01 2016

Well, we've expanded our Flavors Of Autumn Collection! This wonderful cooler weather collection now includes:

  1. Pumpkin Spice
  2. Vanilla Mint Sencha
  3. Hazelnut Black
  4. Vanilla Spice Herbal
  5. Apple Black
  6. Cinnamon Apple Black
  7. Spicy Pear Black
  8. Cinnamon Orange Spice Black
  9. Cinnamon Orange Spice Rooibos

 And, for the season, this collection is on sale! So indulge your palette. Enjoy!


Pumpkin Spice Is Here! September 20 2016

Oh, Happy Days! We have added our awesome Pumpkin Spice black tea blend to your online choices. This is another great fall and winter tea that is also now found as well in our Autumn Collection.

Enjoy it hot with a little milk and if you can make foamed milk, soy et cetera at home, make it a LATTE!


Soul Flavors of Summer June 15 2016

Yes, they are here and so is summer! We have put the Soul Flavors of Summer on sale at 20% off. These great teas on sale are:

 Enjoy these flavors in the back yard, on a road trip, when you grill out, at the lake, when you visit friends... and have a wonderful time this summer! 

 


Teas & Tisanes April 07 2016

Thinking about your next purchase to steep something new at home? Well, you’re thinking smartly and here is some information to consider. Do you want a pick me up, something more relaxing or even just super flavorful?  We have plenty of options from caffeinated teas, to decaffeinated teas (herbals), sometimes referred to as tisanes (pronounced ti - 'zan) and everything in between.

A tisane is a fancy word, from French, which refers to an herbal infusion and is also often referred to as “herbal tea” and is, most of the time, a beverage that is caffeine free.

The use of the word “tea’ in herbal tea allows for a bit confusion to exist, however. It has become typical that we use the word “tea” more often for anything like a plant, fruit, root or bark to be infused in water as “tea.” Similar to saying “Kleenex” for any brand of facial tissue, the word “tea” has become synonymous with what we derive when we put some sort of plant into (usually hot) water – in other words the “infusion” that results from this process.

Tea itself really comes from the tea plant, the Camellia sinensis plant, which contains caffeine, being the big behind-the-scenes difference between the a tea and a tisane.

Enjoy your next decision! Feel free to let us know how you love your "teas". Just Contact Us.


A Note About Sugar February 16 2016

Sugar can be a great in some things but we know that some folks don't need sugar in their diet or don't desire sugar in their diet but either way we wanted to write a few words on sugar. 

We do not add sugar to our teas and blends but blends with fruit added, however they may contain very small amounts of sugar derived from the fruit(s). Even our Passionfruit Mango Rooibos (yummy) doesn't scream out super sweetness, though it sounds really sweet. Some palettes used to less sugary drinks will notice that this rooibos is not too sweet, but palettes used to sugary drinks will think this rooibos is certainly not sweet enough - in this case, sweeten to taste :)

We do have, however a seasonal Holiday Blend called Santa’s Gingerbread that does have added sugar in it because the blend contains a chocolate powder.
So, a few words about sugar. If you have any questions though, feel free to Contact Us.
 

 

 


Oolong Tea – Your “Resolution Solution” Slimming Friend January 30 2016

Did you happen to make a resolution this year to reduce some of your unneeded extra daily calorie intake? Too Soul has a simple resolution solution. It’s easy with one of our wonderful Oolong Teas.

Pour your hot water over our premium Oolong Loose Leaf tea and watch the leaves as they expand and lighten your cup with apricot and warm colors. Oolong Tea will brighten up your sleepy afternoon, whether it's at your desk or on your way to your workout. This tea is great for helping you make beneficial small tweaks to your daily diet in a positive way.

Oolong tea can also assist in speeding up your metabolism slightly and also assists with fat oxidation, which in other words is breaking down fat in order to be used as energy.

When you Take The Time™ to indulge in a delicious cup of our great Oolong tea, with its fresh, flowery and fruity infusion, it can help keep yourself looking and feeling good and possibly assist in avoiding partaking in some afternoon sweets. Have some local, natural honey on hand for a healthy little sweetening if desired.

Additionally, by keeping a whole lemon around, scrape some lemon zest (more info on that here) into whatever manner you infuse your Oolong for an additional zing or add a ¼ teaspoon of our Citrus Peppermint Herbal for added flavor or to help sooth a sore throat.


Loose Leaf and Tea Bags – The Scoop December 24 2015

What are some differences between LOOSE LEAF TEA and TEA BAGS and why do we, Too Soul, choose loose leaf tea?
Loose Leaf Tea
  • Full Leaf
  • Room to Expand
  • Fuller Aroma and Flavor
  • More Antioxidants, Vitamins and Minerals
  • Can decide however much you want
 
Tea Bags
  • Fannings and Dust
  • Less Room to Circulate
  • Less Aroma and Flavor
  • Fewer Antioxidants, and Minerals
  • Stuck with what’s in the bag

Essentially, what is in a tea bag is often the dust of what is left from rolling and preparing better tealeaves. Using the dust was a way to sell what would otherwise be discarded.

 

When it comes to a nice warm cup of tea or a blossoming large pitcher of delicious iced tea, Too Soul’s Teas will delight your palette year round. We offer you the ability to create a delightful brew with our loose leaf choices and since they’re loose leaf they are customizable by you in any configuration you wish by mixing different flavors and types.

Like peppermint zing or ginger razz with a black tea in the winter months? Just add a desired amount to your black tea infusion. Perfect choices to send to friends as well as anytime of year – the choice is delightfully yours. CHEERS!


Online Gift Cards - Happy Holidays December 23 2015

Too Soul now offers online gift cards for you too send to your family an friends, which are redeemable online for anything on our site.

When you purchase and online digital gift card, the card information is emailed to the recipient of your choice. They can then simply redeem the amount of the card during checkout when they purchase their favorite teas and accessories.

It's as easy as 1, 2 3. HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Too Soul Tea.


Peace On Earth December 06 2015

We, at Too Soul, wish you…

Happy Holidays from us to you.


Think! December 05 2015


Black Friday 2015 Site-Wide Sale November 23 2015

This Thursday from 12:00 midnight through 11:59 PM on the 27th, everything across our online store will be 20% off. This includes all accessories on our teaware page.

Just use the coupon code THANKFUL at checkout and 20% will be thankfully shaved off your total. We thank you all for your purchases at toosoultea.com and wish you joyful and safe holidays.

 


GIFT CARDS Online Now Available! November 20 2015

Now you can purchase a Gift Card for friends or family right online and your card and information will be emailed to the recipient with super simple instructions of how to redeem the card at checkout online. Sweet!

 

Gift Cards for brick and mortar shops can be purchased and used, in person at the shops. The online Gift Card doesn't work for the shops (yet:) Thank you from Too Soul.