Category: Wellness
Try a New Tea In Our New Mug
To celebrate the release of our new mug, we wanted to give you a list of tea to try that you might enjoy drinking from it!
Black teas
When you think of tea, you are probably thinking of a cup of English Breakfast. This is a black tea, which means that the leaves have been oxidised resulting in a dark color and a stronger flavor.
Did you know that black, green and white tea all come from the same plant, the Camellia sinensis? How the leaves are treated creates the different colors and flavors of the tea. There are also some variations based on the climate and soil in which the tea is grown.
Black teas include Assam, the most widely produced variety, Darjeeling, and Ceylon. Darjeeling has a very mild, fruity flavor and is grown in India. Ceylon, grown in Sri Lanka, is also light and will vary in flavor depending on the altitude at which it is grown.
Some black teas, such as chai and Earl Grey, have flavors added to them. Chai includes spices such as cardamom and cinnamon, whilst Earl Grey has bergamot oil which imparts a citrus taste.
Green teas
These leaves do not undergo the same drying and oxidization as black tea, leaving them fresh and green. It is sometimes slightly bitter in flavor.
To brew excellent green tea, the water should be left to come off the boil to avoid scalding the leaves. Sencha has the whole leaves, whilst matcha has been powered to produce a different effect. Again, some green teas have flavors added to them.
White teas
The lightest of the drinks from the Camellia sinensis, white tea features young, minimally processed leaves. They are often simply left to wilt in the sun and are not rolled or oxidized. The resulting drink is extremely light and delicate, with a natural sweetness.
Herbal teas
There are now herbal drinks in every flavor you can think of. Some have health benefits from their active ingredients, whilst others will simply offer a fruity alternative to your usual drink. These are particularly good options if you are trying to cut down on your caffeine intake, as many of them will be naturally caffeine free.
Hot chocolate
Of course, some of you might not be tea lovers. For you, we recommend checking out our top tips for making a great hot chocolate. Whether it’s choosing great toppings or adding a little extra flavor, we’ve got all the ideas you need to make a cozy evening at home even better.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our quick foray into different types of tea. Rest assured, if coffee is more your thing then that’s great too! We even stock the delicious REACH coffee right here in the store. Our mug is designed to show your pride in shopping here at Shisler’s Cheese House and even comes with some Heggy’s Chocolates for you to enjoy as you sip on your latest teas.
What’s your favorite tea? Let us know in the comments!
Hiking? The Snacks to Take Along With You
As the weather warms up, we know that some of you will be heading into the outdoors for some hiking. Whether you’re tackling a gentle walk or your nearest mountain, we’ve got the snacks to keep you fueled up.
1. Trail Mix
The clue is absolutely in the name. When you’re on the trail, eat trail mix.
Our original trail mix is packed with nuts and dried fruit. Our diet trail mix is great if you’re hiking to get fit. Buggy trail mix has butter toffee peanuts, honey roasted sesame sticks, cheddar crackers, pretzel nuggets, and wheat crackers. They’re sure to keep you walking even when the going gets tough.
We also offer a banana split mix which contains cranberries, banana chips, almonds, chocolate covered peanuts, chocolate drops, pineapple tidbits, raisins, yogurt covered peanuts, peanuts, and yogurt drops. You could also try Mikey’s Mix which is packed with nuts and chocolate treats in case you need an extra incentive to keep hiking.
If you’ve got time, you could try making your own trail mix. Check out our gourmet foods section and pick your favorite things to mix up.
2. Dried Fruit
Dried fruit is a great source of energy while you’re hiking. We especially love dried strawberries, kiwi, banana chips, and pineapple.
We also offer Think Fruit Dried Fruit Snacks in a variety of flavors, packaged up and ready for you to take out on the trail.
3. Jerky
Jerky is full of protein which makes it perfect for hiking. Try our Uncle Mike’s Beef Jerky, which we offer in Mild, Hot or Teriyaki flavor. It’s easy to pack and pull out as you’re walking.
4. Nuts
We have a great range of nuts including peanuts, pistachios, and cashews. They’re a healthy source of protein and fats. You can even create your own mixes of them or take along sachets of nut butter to snack on.
5. Energy bars
There are loads of different energy bars out there, but most of them are great for keeping you on the go. Take your favorites along with you hiking and remember to pack a few for your friends as well.
We hope that these ideas will help you to plan your next hiking trip. Remember to take plenty of water along with you to keep hydrated. Make sure that you plan your route and take along a map to keep you safe. Appropriate footwear, layers and waterproof clothing will keep you warm and dry – we know that the weather can be unpredictable sometimes!
Where is your favorite hiking spot? What snacks do you like to take along? Let us know in the comments!
