Tea for Two, Two for Tea. What could be more romantic than sharing a steaming pot of tea with

your loved one? This Valentine’s Day, let’s flout convention. Let’s forget the fancy wine, ditch the bottle of bubbly, and set our kettles boiling. Tea warms hearts and melds spirits. Sharing a teapot and filling each other’s cups are intimate acts of understated elegance, echoing centuries of ceremony.

In the spotlight this month are two Short and Stout teas ideal for celebrating Valentine’s Day, be they for sharing with a significant other or simply to enjoy solo. (Let us not forget the importance of self-love.)

Midnight Rose Black Tea

First Whiff: Pure potpourri. Strong, floral, and heady.

Prep: Add 2 tsp per 8 oz of boiling water. Steep for 3 to 5 minutes.

First Sip: True to its name, this tea tastes like a rose garden. Black tea makes an ideal base for rosehip and rose petal, rounding out the floral tones and lending a fragrant, full-bodied flavor. Some sippers may deem Midnight Rose too rosy for their tastebuds, in which case, sweetener should help temper the intensity. Take it to the next level with a touch of milk or cream.

Champagne Fizz White Tea

First Whiff: Enticing and sweet, with hints of grape.

Prep: Add 1.5 tsp per 8 oz of hot (175-degree) water. Steep for 3 to 5 minutes.

First Sip: So light! So airy! This white tea provides the perfect contrast to darker, headier Midnight Rose. Berry and floral notes mingle in perfect harmony. For strongest flavor, steep for the full five minutes. Delightful by itself or with honey.

Midnight Rose, Champagne Fizz, and more are available for purchase in pre-wrapped Valentine’s gift boxes at our tea lounge. Add a selection of our tasty French macarons, and you have yourself the perfect Tea for Two.

This Valentine’s Day, all you need is love…and a cup of tea.

TEA

I like pouring your tea, lifting
the heavy pot, and tipping it up,
so the fragrant liquid streams in your china cup.

Or when you’re away, or at work,
I like to think of your cupped hands as you sip,
as you sip, of the faint half-smile of your lips.

I like the questions – sugar? – milk? –
and the answers I don’t know by heart, yet,
for I see your soul in your eyes, and I forget.

Jasmine, Gunpowder, Assam, Earl Grey, Ceylon,
I love tea’s names. Which tea would you like? I say
but it’s any tea for you, please, any time of day,

as the women harvest the slopes
for the sweetest leaves, on Mount Wu-Yi,
and I am your lover, smitten, straining your tea.

― Carol Ann Duffy

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With the holiday season comes a flood of familiar, feel-good flavors: foamy eggnog, spicy mulled cider, piquant gingerbread…and of course, the magical marriage between chocolate and peppermint.

Choco Mint Fantasy Rooibos

At Short and Stout, our Choco Mint Fantasy flavored tisane will satisfy any pallet that appreciates the refreshing richness of chocolate mint. An organic rooibos-based infusion featuring real peppermint and cocoa beans, this tea reflects the decadence of a Peppermint Mocha without the caffeine kick.

First Whiff: Cool and rich, just like an Andes Mint.

First Sip: Smooth, gentle, yet delectable. Chocolate and mint can be tricky to balance, but in the case of Choco Mint Fantasy, neither flavor overpowers the other. Cacao gives the drink its depth, while peppermint adds subtle brightness. The blend’s yogurt bits lend a barely perceptible milky quality.

Brewing a cup of Choco Mint Fantasy requires no fuss. Simply add 1.5 teaspoons per 8 oz of boiling water. Steep for 7 minutes to achieve optimal choco-mint deliciousness. Spend those 7 minutes reveling in eager anticipation.

In the mood for a sweet, creamy, and energizing version? Try our latte-style Choco Mint Warmer (or Chiller, if you prefer iced). To create this specialty latte-style drink, we use our Chocolate Fix black tea mixed with peppermint, add foamed milk (or non-dairy milk) and sweetener, and top it all off with crumbled peppermint candy and a sprig of fresh mint. The result is a beautiful drink guaranteed to fill the grumpiest of humbugs with holiday spirit.

If enjoying your Choco Mint Fantasy or Choco Mint Warmer/Chiller at our tea lounge, consider pairing with our seasonal White Chocolate Peppermint or Gingerbread macaron to complete the experience.

Choco Mint Fantasy, along with a variety of teas and a quality selection of tea accessories, are available at our online shop. Find the perfect holiday gift for the tea-lover in your life, or discover ideas for your own wish list!

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