'Tis the season for Tea Parties

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Dear Oliver, December is an important month in the history of tea in the “New World” as earlyEuropeans dubbed the lands across the Atlantic. These early settlers were relianton European goods and services for many of the staples that they wereaccustomed to using and enjoying in their daily lives. Tea was one of the valuablecommodities primarily traded by the East India Company.   By 1773, the East India Company had a virtual monopoly on tea shipped to thecolonies, which was set in place by British Parliament in the Tea Act. This actgranted the company preferred status and a monopoly on tea exports to thecolonies, exemption on export taxes, and refunds on certain surplus teas. All thiscut out independent colonial shippers...

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Happy Veteran's Day

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As the United States prepares to honor its Veterans this November 11, it is interesting to note the role of tea and coffee as traditional staples for troops both stateside and overseas during times of training, deployment, and conflict.

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Tea in the 18th Century

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At first, tea was mainly accessed and consumed by wealthy individuals and families. The high cost and the expensive tea “equipment” made purchasing prohibitive for most people. By the middle of the 18th century when costs declined more people began to enjoy daily tea – possibly a third of all households took part in this ritual daily or at least on special occasions. “America was becoming a country of tea drinkers.”

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Labor Day Cold Teas

Posted by Darren Hartford on


  A cool morning at the beginning of September is what we call 'false-fall', and people in the south know 'second-summer' with the heat and humidity is coming back soon.   As we head into Labor Day weekend, and the unofficial end of summer, I thought I would share the following note with you from a dear friend who is a huge Oliver Pluff fan.  I hope you enjoy it and use it to help you pick you favorite  end of summer iced and cold brew teas.  Please let me know your favorite way of making iced tea.    Have a great Labor day Weekend! ~Oliver Sitting here at the neighborhood pool in late summer, with cool fall days still in...

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Tea Cocktails

Posted by Darren Hartford on


  Gunpowder Punch Any green tea will do, but we love the refreshing taste of Gunpowder garnished with fresh mint and a squirt of lemon.  Ingredients: Gunpowder Tea Ginger Beer Rum Mint Leaves Lemon Wedge Ice Shop Spiked Sweet Tea   Dip the rim of an empty glass in a bowl of water and a bowl of sugar to create a perfectly sweet sugared rim, then mix the ingredients in a cocktail shaker before pouring over ice in the glass.  Ingredients: Southern Style Sun Tea Vodka Lemon Juice Sugar for the Rim Ice Shop Boozy Bohea Arnold Palmer Elevate everyone’s favorite summer afternoon cocktail with our Colonial Bohea black tea. Mix equal parts tea and lemonade for the perfect blend...

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Commemorative Tin for the 100th Anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment

Posted by Darren Hartford on


August marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment and a chance to celebrate the courageous generations of women who led an almost 100 year struggle to secure their rights. To honor that milestone in American History, we decided to create a limited-edition commemorative tin and to honor the women who changed the world back then, continue to change the world today today and will change the world tomorrow!    We came up with the idea for this project as we put together this custom label for the Women’s Rights National Historical Parkin Seneca Falls NY, which tells the story of the first Women’s Rights Convention held in Seneca Falls, NY on July 19-20,1848. During the course of our partnership with the Historical...

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History Unplugged: Coffee, Tea, Chocolate and Revolution

Posted by Darren Hartford on


  This past week I had the privilege of 'sitting down' for a Facebook live event on History Unplugged with Middleton Place's Director of Engagement, Carin Bloom, and the George Washington Foundation's Mara Kaktins, who is their Archaeology Lab Supervisor.   The George Washington Foundation owns and Operates, Historic Kenmore and George Washington’s Ferry Farm.  The mission of The George Washington Foundation is to enhance the public understanding and appreciation of the lives, values, and legacies of George Washington, Fielding and Betty Washington Lewis, and their families. The George Washington Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, headquartered in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Foundation relies on support from its generous donors and volunteers for its ongoing programs.    History Unplugged is hosted by Middleton Place...

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Environmentally Friendly Teabags

Posted by Darren Hartford on


Recently, I was asked if the teabags we use are safe for individuals and the environment. I am happy to let you know our Teabags are all natural, non GMO and fully biodegradable and are perfectly safe for you and for nature. Teabags have been around for over 100 years. The most common story about their invention relates how the tea and coffee shop merchant, Thomas Sullivan from New York, shipped samples of his tea in small silk bags. He intended the customer to remove the loose tea from the sample bags when they steeped it, but the customers found it easier to brew the tea still enclosed in the porous bags. Sullivan’s accidental discover or any of the other potential invention stories,...

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August Transitions and New Beginnings

Posted by Darren Hartford on


I have always enjoyed August. To me it is a month for transitions and new beginnings. I grew up in Maine and every year at the start of this month, the temperature seemed to change ‘overnight’ and I had to wear jeans and put away my shorts. Combined with the start of the school year, August is also a transition away from summer and into fall. August transitions extend beyond the weather and into new schools, new friends, new jobs and settling into new routines. For this August, to help you with whatever transition you are going through, I am introducing a new herbal blend, two new tea blends and a new coffee blend to help you settle into a...

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Bohea Barbecued Brisket Recipe

Posted by Darren Hartford on


A dear friend (and great photographer) shared the following recipe for using Colonial Bohea Tea as a dry rub for Brisket. I thought I would share, Hope you enjoy! ~Oliver Dinner last night was TOO good and TOO easy not to share!  My mom got us an instant pot for Christmas, and it has been one of the greatest kitchen appliances I have ever owned. I have been so grateful. And I am striving to use the extra time that it provides for me with wisdom and care. One of the phrases that has been going through my head the last few weeks is “don’t waste the minutes”. I used Oliver Pluff’s (I’m going to sound like an advertisement here,...

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