Tea Business Dreams

Iced Tea- Liquid Gold for Tea Business Owners

 Have you ever wondered why nearly every cafe in town offers iced tea? Simple. Iced Tea sells for a fortune and costs nearly nothing to make. Yet for all its availability, iced tea quality varies greatly from restaurant to restaurant. Let's take a moment to look at Iced Tea and how you can use it to further your tea business dreams.

Let's look at the numbers: Ok, to start out let's price a 16 oz glass of iced tea. In general – wholesale costs are somewhere around .5 cents excluding the cost of the cup. Free refills? Figure another .10 cents. Average price in America? Somewhere in the vicinity of $2.95 for unlimited refills.

At $2.95 you will make $2.65 per customer. If you serve 50 customers a day and you are open 360 days of the year you would bring home at least $47,700!

WOW~ That is why people sell iced tea!

Now think about the fact that most companies serve terrible iced tea... and suddenly you are onto a business idea. How about an Iced Tea bar? Think multiple flavors and levels of exotic iced teas, priced right and ready year round. With this one item you could build a business in areas like Florida or California where the sun likes to shine and Iced Tea or Sweet Tea is a staple.

(remember do not scrimp and serve poor quality tea your customers CAN taste it!)

What am I getting at? To have a successful tea business you have to think outside the box. You have to think without measure and look at the little things that add up. Your ideas matter and you r passion counts. Need a low cost focus group to help clarify your vision?

Test your idea at Farmer's Markets, Fairs, Events or Fundraisers... Get out there and share your tea passion. You will be glad you did.

Not sure how to properly make iced tea?  Watch this!

Here's a unique Iced Tea Recipe you might enjoy as well: Apricol Iced Tea

16 tea, ceylon black, bags (o 16 tsp loose leaf tea)
12 cup(s) boiling water
1 cup(s) mint, fresh
6 can(s) apricot nectar, 11 1/2 to 12 ounces each
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
apricots, wedges
sprig(s) mint, fresh

1. In a very large heatproof pitcher, combine tea bags, boiling water, and the 1 cup mint leaves. Let steep for 5 minutes. Remove and discard tea bags and mint. Cover tea; let stand for 1 hour. Stir in apricot nectar and vanilla. Cover and chill for 4 to 48 hours.

2. To serve, fill tall glasses with ice cubes. Fill with tea mixture. If desired, garnish with apricot wedges and/or mint sprigs.

Afternoon Tea at the Belagio - Las Vegas

  

Hi Tea Family-

I am back from Las Vegas and wanted to be sure to share this personal review of afternoon tea at the Belagio.  If you have ever wondered whether or not pay $35 for tea time at the Belagio hotel this blog should help you.

While Las Vegas is the place to be for world class shows and dining, afternoon tea is offered few and far between in a city that never sleeps.  Your basic choices consist of the Four Season's Hotel, The Belagio and a couple small tearooms in town.

This year I decided to try the Belagio. Here is what I found:

First off, the cost of the tea is $35 plus tax and gratuity.  About average.  If you want the Jasmine  Pearl tea that is $37 and the sparkling wine afternoon tea is $47.  

Tea is served from 2-5 pm daily.  Reservations are strongly recommended.  Call the Belagio and they will connect you to the lounge. 

After arriving for tea you will be seated back in the lounge.  While I found the overhead decor and the table setting delightful the smoke from the Casino and my view of the slots was not the ambience that I had expected.  The constant ding, ding, ding, filled my ears and I was unable to hear the pianist from my table which was disappointing.

Service was divine.  The staff took special care of each guest, keeping our water fresh and offering to take photos, etc.  I really appreciated the option of choosing my 4 tea sandwiches from a selection of 8 choices.  I also appreciated the delightful combination of loose leaf teas on the menu.  Refreshing!

Overall the food was spectacular.  The sandwiches were not only fresh but the bread was the perfect density for the fillings.  Scones are traditional English style with currents and real Devonshire and Clotted cream (both) along with lemon curd and jams.

My favorite dessert was the mango/passion fruit tart with a hint of chocolate.  WOW.  I wanted to take a plate of those home!  A very clever combination of  winning flavor and texture.

While the Belagio hosts an incredible Botanical Garden (which would be perfect for afternoon tea) they have chosen to serve it in a somewhat smoky lounge. This was quite a shock. 

The Four Season's Hotel offers a very peaceful setting for their tea time and to find that the Belagio a top of the line hotel would place me with a view of spin and win slots was a real let down.  Here was my view from my table. 

 

Now to the tea business side of this article.  What can we learn from the Belagio?  First off, great service and super food count.  I did not question the $35 price tag when I saw the table settings, the food, the tea list and the service.  I did however highly question whether I would return based on the location in the lounge.  So here are some questions to ask yourself in your own business.

#1  What is the overall experience of my guest?

#2 What is the main impression that they come away with?

#3 What is the view from my guests table?  (if it's the kitchen then the table isn't any better!)

#4 How can I adjust my weaknesses and make them strengths?

Each step in the afternoon tea process counts.  Learn from the Belagio and consider your clients or future clients full experience .

Wishing you tea success,

Lady Dawnya

Earl Grey Shortbread - Perfect For Your Tea Business

With the new year already here, I thought I would share with you all a delicious new tea cooking video. Today I am cooking with Earl Grey tea, making a delightful shortbread. Watch this easy to follow recipe, then make it, and let me know how it turns out.

Earl Grey Shortbread Recipe Ingredients:

2 tbs. Earl Grey Tea

2 cups Flour

1 tbs. Salt

2 sticks Butter

1 cup Powder Sugar

1 tbs. Fresh Orange Zest

Masala Chai Pot De Creme Recipe

This recipe is by Eric Bauer executive chef of Morels French Steakhouse and Bistro. 

Masala Chai Pot De Creme

Ingredients:

12 ozs of Heavy Cream

4 oz Milk 2 %

14oz of Castor Sugar

8 oz Egg Yolks

1 pc Vanilla Bean

2 Tblsp Rishi Masala Chai (www.Rishi-tea.com)

Heat all ingredients except for the egg yolk and the tea to scalding boil.  Add the tea and let steep for 7 minutes.  Strain the tea and cool down the base until well chilled.  Once chilled blend in the yolks with a hand blender or regular blender on the lowest speed.

Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer and let rest for 24 hours.  Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes in a pan with water filling up 1/4 of the way of a small pot de creme ramekin.  The creme is done when it is slightly wiggly in the center.  Baking times vary on the oven.

Let cool for 20 minutes and then place in the fridge.

Enjoy covered with sugar and burnt to create a creme brulee or left cold and served with custard. YUM.