offering eclectic tea-adjacent stuff imagined by the joyfully inquisitive

visit the instagram tea blog @13birdsstuff | check out the art store | find out more

pour your heart out to me // painted collage by @p

pour your heart out to me // painted collage by @pheinixx | referencing vintage "blossom time" royal albert bone china, england
visit our art shop to purchase - link in bio | #playingwithtea #painting #paintedcollage #gouachepaint #gouache #collageartwork #collageart #collage #teaart #teacups #vintageteacup #teaware #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff @royalalbertengland

Gaoshan (high mountain) // These oolongs from Taiw

Gaoshan (high mountain) // These oolongs from Taiwan are grown at altitudes higher than 3,300 ft above sea level - the perfect tea for...shameless self promotion. So yell from the mountain top and tell everyone "Hey, I did a thing - go check it out."

#teapairing #tealove #teatasting #tearecommendation #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #playingwithtea #oolongtea

blue tea // our feeds are filled with cool blue ti

blue tea // our feeds are filled with cool blue tisanes and cocktails coming from the flowers of the Clitoria ternatea plant (and yes, the name was intentional) | these flowers infuse water with a remarkable hue which in turn changes colour when citric acid is added | go have some fun and play with colour

#playingwithtea #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #bluetea #butterflypeaflower #foodphotography #noticedesign #colourtherapy

photosynthesis // painting by @pheinixx | featurin

photosynthesis // painting by @pheinixx | featuring camellia sinesis

visit our art shop to purchase - link in bio | #playingwithtea #painting #gouache #gouachepaint #teaart #plants #plantart #camelliasinensis #tealove #teasommelier #13birdsstuff

Tea vs Tisane // Tea comes from the plant camellia

Tea vs Tisane // Tea comes from the plant camellia sinensis - whether black, oolong, green, white or puerh. Tea can be blended with other plants or flavoured. Herbal ‘teas’ are really not tea at all if they do not have any camellia sinensis in the mix - they are tisanes.

#playingwithtea #teanotes #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #tisane #herbaltea

cool raspberry mint :: tealee | green tea (blend

cool raspberry mint :: tealee | green tea (blend) // Waves of fruity aroma balance the taste of mint, mingling to create a pleasant and calm flavour (1min steep)/ A lovely refreshing blend that feels cool rather than bracing

#tuesdayteatime #tealove #teatasting #tearecommendation #teasommelier #13birdsstuff #greentea @tealee_ottawa

delicate stack quietly waiting // painting by @phe

delicate stack quietly waiting // painting by @pheinixx | referencing featuring vintage hand decorated shafford bone china, japan + "soft lilac duchess" chelsea garden bone china, england + vintage aynsley bone china, england

visit our art shop to purchase - link in bio | #playingwithtea #watercolour #painting #teaart #teacups #vintageteacup #teaware #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #shafford #shaffordchina #chelseagardenchina #aynsleychina

Empress Grey // This garden tea classic with an un

Empress Grey // This garden tea classic with an unique citrus twist by Marks & Spencer is hard to find on this side of the pond, but oh so light and refreshing - the perfect tea for...appreciating the last bloom of the summer flowers.

#teapairing #tealove #teatasting #tearecommendation #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #playingwithtea #blacktea #earlgrey #mymarksfave @marksandspencer

chai fruit chutney // chutney is a glorious spicy-

tea -like all magic- comes from science // collage

tea -like all magic- comes from science // collage by @pheinixx | featuring vintage hand decorated shafford bone china, japan

visit our art shop to purchase - link in bio / #playingwithtea #collageartwork #collageart #collage #teaart #teacups #vintageteacup #teaware #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #shafford #shaffordchina

Tea growers in Japan are throwing shade // Gyokuro

Tea growers in Japan are throwing shade // Gyokuro (often used to create Matcha) and Tamaryokucha tea are grown in full or partial shade. Due to a lack of sunlight, shade-grown tea is vividly green with increased umami notes and higher levels of caffeine.

#playingwithtea #teanotes #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #greentea #japanesetea

phoenix oolong :: davidstea // Toasted flavours mi

the kingdom is full // painted typography collage

the kingdom is full // painted typography collage by @pheinixx | featuring the camellia sinensis plant

visit our art shop to purchase - link in bio / visit 13-birds.com to discover more #playingwithtea #collageartwork #collageart #collage #teaart #gouache #gouachepaint #typography #plants #plantart #camelliasinensis #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff

Wild Tea // Sometime around 2737 BC Emperor Shen N

Wild Tea // Sometime around 2737 BC Emperor Shen Nong dealt with the accident of tea leaves falling into his outdoor boiling water by drinking the steeped liquid. Since then, foraged plants have been brewed into remarkable and interesting concoctions - the perfect tea for...discovering something new today. (please be smarter than this story of legend and know first what it is that you are ingesting)

#teapairing #tealove #teatasting #tearecommendation #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #playingwithtea

matcha preparation // The tea of ancient rituals c

matcha preparation // The tea of ancient rituals can provide you with a moment of calm and focus. Matcha has a distinct earthy, vegetal bitter taste. The process of making it is simple and satisfying; but it will take practice to perfect your technique and will require some specialty equipment.

step 1/ scoop 1-2tsp of matcha powder into a sieve and sift into a bowl

step 2/ pour .25C of 75-85°C heated water into the same bowl

step 3/ use your chasen (the bamboo whisk) in a zip-zag pattern - think of forming Ws or Ms with your whisk in the bowl. you want to whisk quickly and consistently until you have bright green foam, which will take approx. 20 seconds

step 4/ pour into your teacup and enjoy

visit the blog 13-birds.com to discover more #playingwithtea #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #steeped #greentea #matchatea

what you find in each direction depends on what yo

what you find in each direction depends on what you carry with you // collage by @pheinixx | featuring vintage "soft lilac duchess" chelsea garden bone china, england + vintage aynsley bone china, england + vintage paragon bone china, england

visit our art shop to purchase - link in bio / visit 13-birds.com to discover more #playingwithtea #collageartwork #collageart #collage #teaart #teacups #vintageteacup #teaware #plants #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff @aynsleychina #paragonchina

Flavour equals aroma and taste // What we perceive

Flavour equals aroma and taste // What we perceive as flavour is created through the combination of aroma and taste: roughly 80% aroma and 20% taste.

#playingwithtea #teanotes #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff

earl grey cream :: pluck tea // Vanilla begins wit

earl grey cream :: pluck tea // Vanilla begins with a bold request for all of your attention, leading subtle citrus notes and big floral flavours that end with a lingering finish / Earl grey's distinctive and iconic flavour comes from Chinese black tea enrobed in bergamot oil, first given to Charles Grey, 2nd Earl of Grey in the 1830s; the stories of how and why it was created and gifted to the Earl are varied, but the Lady of Grey began serving it to their guests. The addition of (natural) vanilla to the Earl Grey's mixture awards the designation of 'cream'.

visit the blog 13-birds.com to explore more tea-related stuff and things #tuesdayteatime #tealove #teatasting #tearecommendation #teasommelier #tealeaves #foodphotography #13birdsstuff #teatype @pluckteas

when the fairytale daydream encroaches on reality

when the fairytale daydream encroaches on reality // collage by @pheinixx | featuring vintage "blossom time" royal albert bone china, england

visit 13-birds.com to discover more #playingwithtea #collageartwork #collageart #collage #teaart #teacups #vintageteacup #teaware #plants #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #MyRoyalAlbert @royalalbertengland

Kandy // the Kandy region in Sri Lanka produces br

Kandy // the Kandy region in Sri Lanka produces bright, full-bodied black teas which are the favourite go-to cup of my wonderful partner - the perfect tea for...celebrating the birthday of my best tea buddy, Robert.

#teapairing #tealove #teatasting #tearecommendation #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #playingwithtea #blacktea #kandytea

containing tea // Storing tea -whether yours is ba

containing tea // Storing tea -whether yours is bagged, loose, in pouches or balled- will spark your joy in a number of ways. Express your style and have fun with storing your tea - jars and tins are just the beginning. Fill pieces of art, antiques and boxes with your tea. Tea -like vampires- do not fair well in the sunlight and dry air so make choices that will protect your tea from these elements.

visit the blog 13-birds.com to discover more #playingwithtea #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff

medicae salubritatis // painted collage by @pheini

medicae salubritatis // painted collage by @pheinixx | featuring the camellia sinensis plant

visit our art shop to purchase - link in bio / visit 13-birds.com to discover more #playingwithtea #collageartwork #collageart #collage #teaart #watercolour #plants #plantart #camelliasinensis #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff

Thank Anna for afternoon tea // Duchess of Bedford

Thank Anna for afternoon tea // Duchess of Bedford Anna Russell started the practice of taking tea and snacks to ward off her “sinking feeling” mid-afternoon. This turned into a routine which evolved into the social experience we know as afternoon tea.

#playingwithtea #teanotes #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #afternoontea

jasmine golden dragon :: westholme tea company //

jasmine golden dragon :: westholme tea company // Sweet floral aroma invites you in and prepares your senses for a subtle and complex flavour journey centered around restrained jasmine notes with a slightly astringent finish to cleanse your palette / Jasmine tea is unique – the tea leaves are traditionally either layered or tossed with jasmine flower buds for several hours to scent the tea. The process can be repeated several times, resulting in tea which can be anywhere from delicately flavoured to overly perfumed. I am wary of all jasmine teas, but this sophisticated cup has no hint of perfume.

visit the blog 13-birds.com to explore more tea-related stuff and things #tuesdayteatime #tealove #teatasting #tearecommendation #teasommelier #tealeaves #foodphotography #13birdsstuff #jasminetea #greentea @westholme_tea

stories expand over time and change // collage by

stories expand over time and change // collage by @pheinixx | featuring vintage hand decorated shafford bone china, japan

visit our art shop to purchase - link in bio / visit 13-birds.com to discover more #playingwithtea #collageartwork #collageart #collage #teaart #teacups #vintageteacup #teaware #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #shafford #shaffordchina

Matcha // this green tea powder has the highest le

Matcha // this green tea powder has the highest level of caffeine primarily because you are consuming the entire leaf; and all of this energy comes without any distracting buzz - the perfect tea for...fueling up on the energy and focus needed for an intense sim race.

#teapairing #tealove #teatasting #tearecommendation #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #playingwithtea #matchatea #simracing

iced tea limoncello spritz // Lemony sparkly ice

iced tea limoncello spritz // Lemony sparkly iced tea goodness - take my advice and make a bottle at a time. 16oz cold black tea + 6oz limoncello + splash fresh lemon juice + soda water. Steep your tea according to it's directions. I used a Nilgiri black tea from India - which I choose because it is very aromatic, with a fruit-forward smooth medium-body. Chill your tea and mix with the limoncello. You are looking for a strong punchy flavour here so add a splash of fresh lemon juice if you like bold lemon. Finish with soda water and enjoy.

visit the blog 13-birds.com to discover more #playingwithtea #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #blacktea #steeped @icedtea #limoncello #mixeddrinks

two leaves one bud // painted collage by @pheinixx

two leaves one bud // painted collage by @pheinixx | featuring the camellia sinensis plant

visit our art shop to purchase - link in bio / visit 13-birds.com to discover more #playingwithtea #collageartwork #collageart #collage #teaart #gouache #gouachepaint #typography #plants #plantart #camelliasinensis #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff

Warm your pot // Warming the teapot, cup or mug wi

Warm your pot // Warming the teapot, cup or mug with a swirl of the hot water from your kettle will open up the vessel and result in a more flavourful steep.

#playingwithtea #teanotes #steeped #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff

lapsang souchong :: tsaa tea shop // Grounded with

lapsang souchong :: tsaa tea shop // Grounded with a meaty earthiness and smooth mouthfeel, the spicy smoky flavours envelope rather than overpower / Lapsang souchong is distinctive due to the added process of smoking the tea with pine wood - which adds it's characteristic smoky flavour

visit the blog 13-birds.com to explore more tea-related stuff and things #tuesdayteatime #tealove #teatasting #tearecommendation #teasommelier #tealeaves #foodphotography #13birdsstuff #blacktea #lapsangsouchong #smoketea

so many valuable things are never used // collage

so many valuable things are never used // collage by @pheinixx | featuring silver-plated tea strainer

visit our art shop to purchase - link in bio / visit 13-birds.com to discover more #playingwithtea #collageartwork #collageart #collage #teaart #silvertea #silverteaservice #silverteastraine #teasommelier #13birdsstuff

Aged Oolong // re-roasting tea every few years whi

Aged Oolong // re-roasting tea every few years while aging is a delicate and rare process that results in sweet and smoky complexity - the perfect tea for...appreciating the everlasting beauty of reclaimed wood.
#teapairing #tealove #teatasting #tearecommendation #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #playingwithtea #oolongtea #agedoolong #reclaimedwood #reclaimedwoodfurniture

succulents in tea tins // Is there anything better

succulents in tea tins // Is there anything better than adding tea, graphics and plants to a space? No, I didn't think so either. First, thoroughly wash and dry the tins. Punch small drainage holes in the bottom (I used a hammer and philips-head screwdriver - and here is a lesson I learned, punch the holes in towards the tin so there are no sharp edges along the bottom outside). Fill the tins with proper, well-draining soil meant for cactus/succulents and add your plants. // visit the blog 13-birds.com to discover more #playingwithtea #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #succulents #succulentplanter #houseplants #houseplantsofinstagram

my grandmother's teapot unlocked stories // painte

my grandmother's teapot unlocked stories // painted collage art by @pheinixx | featuring classic porcelain, england // visit the blog 13-birds.com to discover more #collageartwork #collageart #collage #teaart #teaware #teaset #teapot #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff

Do not drink around the tea bag // Steep the tea.

Do not drink around the tea bag // Steep the tea. Remove the tea. Enjoy.
#playingwithtea #teanotes #steeped #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff

vanilla chai :: diversitea // Sweet vanilla soften

time spend in solitary pursuits do not have to be

time spend in solitary pursuits do not have to be understood by anyone else // collage by @pheinixx | featuring porcelain giawan
#teaset #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #collageartwork #collageart #collage #teaart #gongfutea #gongfuteaware #gaiwan

Tea Blends // any tea type can be blended with you

Tea Blends // any tea type can be blended with your favourite flavours and aromas in order to create something new - the perfect tea for...donning our jenny bird hoops, ready for adventure.
#teapairing #tealove #teatasting #tearecommendation #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #playingwithtea #teablend #whitetea #greentea #blacktea #oolongtea #purehtea @_jennybird

bath tea bag soak // 1C epsom salts + .25C jasmi

bath tea bag soak // 1C epsom salts + .25C jasmine tea + .25C dried lavender + 10 drops lavender essential oil - Mix ingredients together, and fill open-weave drawstring pouches (natural muslin) half-way. Tie drawstring tightly to close opening and then tie the loose string again at the end, to provide a large loop. To use - hang the bath tea bag over the faucet, allowing the water to run through the pouch as the bath fills. Leave the tea bag in the bath throughout your soak, to continue infusing the water. // visit the blog 13-birds.com to discover more #playingwithtea #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #greentea #jasminetea #lavender #bathsoak

learning to create brings joy, regardless of skill

learning to create brings joy, regardless of skill // painted collage art by @pheinixx | featuring 'botanic blue' collection portmeirion, usa
#teaware #teacups #teaset #tealove #teasommelier #13BirdsStuff #collageartwork #collageart #collage #teaart @portmeirionus