Tea Order Pick Up Reminder, National Iced Tea Month, & Shop Re-Opening Details!
Hello to you all and I hope that everything continues to be well!

There is a lot going on at the shop and I have been working on several exciting and important projects that will be unveiled over the next several months. There is a lot of info packed into this newsletter, but I would first like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for the support that has been shown for my business during the past three very challenging months that my shop has been closed. Being a small business owner here on LI is a daunting task and being a small business specialty shop is even more difficult. For the past 13 years, this has been a challenge that I have embraced each day because I love what I do. I am honored to be a source of quality tea and a resource for wellness and knowledge about how to incorporate teas and tisanes into a healthy lifestyle. Due to the support received by so many of you in spite of the closure, I was able to pay my rent, my utilities and some of the inventory that I needed to restock. I know the challenge is not over and the next year will be interesting to see how COVID-19 continues to unfold. As you know, my shop is tiny and social distancing is not really an option. As a result, I will not be able to resume operations as they were prior to the arrival of coronavirus any time in the near future. This thought saddens me as I have always looked forward to seeing you all, enjoying conversations, being a part of your relaxation and mental health regimen, sharing laughter and tears. The energy of everyone in the shop would invigorate me and I was proud to see a sense of community as you would meet up at my shop, introduce me to your friends and family, strike up a conversation at the bar with someone you didn't know, and make new friends. Moving forward, I will continue to stay abreast of all the latest COVID-19 details and will look to bring back the bar atmosphere as soon as is safely possible. I have always employed stringent cleaning and sanitary policies and protocols for myself and staff, as I have never wanted nor would want to be an agent of transmission of any pathogen. My top priority is always the health and wellness of all of my customers. It is now clear that the vast majority of us do not need to be concerned about the virus for ourselves, but I will always keep in mind as I implement policies and procedures those of you who I know are at risk of the virus and those of you who live with someone at great risk - even if this has a negative impact on my business. Until we can get back to "normal" operations, the new procedures outlined below for the re-opening will remain in effect. I appreciate your understanding and continued support.

Summer is just around the corner and June is, appropriately, National Iced Tea Month! As I move closer to re-opening the shop, I am also moving back to the monthly informational newsletter format. This is our annual iced tea edition and it is filled with techniques and tips for making your own fresh iced tea all summer. And, as a reminder, all of our summer teas are now available - scroll down for the complete list. The last order pick-up will be this Saturday 6/6 from noon to 4:00 and I have been getting the shop ready to re-open. I am pleased to announce the re-opening details below - please note that there will be some important changes to daily operations. The shop will be closed on Father's Day, Sunday 6/21 and Saturday 7/4.

Wishing you all much health and delicious tea!
-- Kristine
Pick-Up Reminder
Our next order pick-up is this Saturday 6/6 from noon to 4:00 and I'm looking forward to seeing you then! The shop will be open during this time, but it is not yet ready for full entry or browsing. Pre-orders will not be required, but they are encouraged in order to reduce the amount of time you will need to wait outside for your order to be prepared. Weather permitting, tables and chairs will again be set up outside on the sidewalk. If you will be adding a prepared (to drink) tea to your order, you may do so at the shop. I will again bake fresh scones for Saturday's pick-ups! Ask about available flavors on Saturday when you arrive.

If you would like to pre-order your teas or prepared (to drink) tea, you may do so. Please keep in mind that orders are filled in the order they are received. It is recommended to get them in as early as possible so allow enough time for preparation in time for your arrival. Orders may be placed:
  • Online at www.pleasuresoftea.com (please note that orders cannot be placed using an Apple device) or by emailing kristine@infuseteabarny.com. For best service, PLEASE do not send any orders by text or leave voicemail.
  • Prepared (to drink) orders may be placed 30 minutes before planned arrival by texting 631-278-5755.

As always, please feel free to include any infusers, tea ware, macarons, povitica, Daifuku mochi, Effie's, Ines Rosales, Fruition chocolate bars, scone mixes, honey, etc. to your order.
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There are two spots remaining for the Gong Fu Tea Service this Sunday 6/7. The 50-minute session includes multiple infusions and a Gong Fu lesson and costs $25. Please email kristine@infuseteabarny.com as soon as possible if you are interested in booking a session! The schedule will be closed out Thursday morning (6/4).
Iced Tea
Iced tea is a uniquely American tradition that is credited with being "invented" just over one hundred years ago. This refreshing beverage is attributed to Richard Blechynden, a merchant who wanted to provide samples of his tea at the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis. It was very hot during the exhibition and the fair-goers were not interested in his hot tea, so he decided to pour the tea over ice....and it was a success! Even though Mr. Blechynden is credited for inventing this summertime favorite, there are several earlier references in recipe books and other sources. Today eighty percent of the tea consumed in the US is iced, the majority of which is not a healthy addition to your diet due to the amount of sugar. In reality, hot tea actually cools you down much more effectively, as it stimulates the cooling action of sweating. Iced tea, on the other hand, can cause a constricting action and may keep the heat in. Regardless, we know you love iced tea, so here are some tips for making your own flavorful, healthy and refreshing teas all summer long.
 
Making a pitcher of fresh iced tea using loose leaf tea is quick, easy, and healthy - and nothing tastes better because you control what's in it and what is not! There is a limitless selection of teas that can be used - black, green, wulong, white, scented, flavored, herbal and fruit tisanes. Iced tea can be prepared using several different methods:
  1. Hot-Brew - prepare the tea in the traditional manner with the proper temperature water and let it cool down slightly before chilling. This method is great for any tea or tisane.
  2. Flash-Chill - prepare the tea as usual, but use only about 1/3 the amount of hot water - in essence, you're making a concentrate. After it steeps, add 1/3 ice water and stir. Add 1/3 ice to top off. This is a great method for making an immediate cup of iced tea or tisane (it's the one we use in the shop to make it to order), but it requires a fair amount of ice.
  3. Cold-Brew - add cold water to tea leaves, cover, put in fridge and let steep overnight or at least 4 hours for green and white tea, 8-10 hours for wulong, black, and Pu-er/dark teas. Iced tea will be ready in the morning. This is a great way to make iced tea by the pitcher and is recommended only for the true teas made from Camellia sinensis leaves; it is not recommended for herbal or fruit tisanes - use the hybrid method instead.
  4. Hybrid - based on the type of tea or tisane, pour enough of the proper temperature of water over the leaves to just cover them. Let steep for 1 minute, fill with cold water, cover and put in fridge. Follow the rest of the cold-brew steps from here.
Whichever method you choose, it is important to be sure to use an adequate amount of tea leaf, especially if the tea will be poured over ice. To minimize the risk of ending up with a weak iced tea, you may want to make a concentrated tea that can be diluted to the proper strength once it is poured over ice or diluted with cold water. 
 
When your iced tea is ready, garnish it as desired. Slices of fruit and mint sprigs add flavor and color. Citrus slices not only taste good, but they also help your body absorb more of the healthy antioxidants! Use a simple syrup (plain or infused with herbs and/or fruit) or fruit juice to sweeten, if necessary. Add a splash of seltzer for some bubbly. For a boozy blend, add some rum, vodka or other favorite spirit for an iced tea cocktail.

Keep in mind that tea is full of healthy nutrients - polyphenols, amino acids, essential oils, and minerals. In addition to providing healthy benefits to our bodies, these nutrients may provide a food source for bacteria, if the infused tea is not consumed immediately or stored properly. The chance of getting sick is low, but to minimize any potential risk, be sure to cover and refrigerate left-over iced tea and consume it within two to three days.
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Lastly, here is our annual caution about sun tea, a tradition that captures the essence of summer, and one which most of us have prepared at least once. It is important, however, to be aware of the potential risks that may be associated with consuming this favorite summertime beverage. As the sun heats the water, it reaches a temperature that is ideal for any bacteria that may be present to multiply - it never gets hot enough to kill it off. To minimize any potential risks, it is important to follow these steps:
  • Use a very clean container. If the container has a spigot, be sure that the area around it is clean and sanitized - bacteria can thrive here and then become part of your tea. 
  • Use fresh cold water.
  • Steep the sun tea for no more than three to four hours.
  • Consume the same day. If any tea remains, refrigerate and consume it the next day. Discard any tea that remains after the second day.
  • This method is not recommended for tisanes or flavored teas that contain a lot of fruit pieces. The fruit pieces could provide a food source for any potential bacteria that may be present. In addition, herbs, particularly organic or fresh from your garden, may possibly harbor insect eggs, which would not be neutralized in the luke-warm water.
Whichever tips and techniques you test out this summer, be sure to unleash your creativity and feel free to share your concoctions or your own tips on our facebook page!
Shop Re-Opening Details
Effective Thursday, June 11th the shop will officially re-open! Normal hours and browsing (with a mask) will resume:

Thursdays through Saturdays 11:00-6:00
Sundays 11:00-4:00
*Please note that the shop will be closed on Father's Day Sunday 6/21 and Saturday 7/4.*

Pre-orders will no longer be required, but strongly encouraged with 24-hours notice so that we may have your order ready when you arrive. Please indicate the teas, quantity, and the anticipated day and time of pick-up. In order to abide by social distancing requirements, there will a limited number of patrons that will be permitted in our "closet" of a shop at a given time. It would be a good idea to pre-order the bulk of your order and then browse and add any additional items at the shop. This will speed up the processing of your order and reduce any potential of needing to wait outside if the shop is busy when you arrive. Waiting outside is not ideal...unless of course, it's a beautiful day...but I am trying to find the balance to still serve you in the most effective, efficient, and accurate manner possible.

Orders may continue to be placed in the online shop at www.pleasuresoftea.com or by emailing kristine@infuseteabarny.com . We have been making good progress on the building of the new website to house the online shop and it will provide a MUCH better online shopping experience. It will contain our entire tea, tisanes, and functional herbs offering and many of our popular tea ware and infuser products. Stay tuned for details!

Due to social distance requirements, adjustments to our tea service will need to be implemented. While our complete menu of prepared teas and small bites will be available, enjoying these at the bar will no longer be an option. These teas will need to be taken to go or enjoyed at the few tables and chairs that will be set up outside on the sidewalk, weather permitting.

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I am excited to announce that Gong Fu Tea Service enjoyed at the bar will now become a permanent service and will be available upon re-opening on Thursday, June 11th. This Chinese method of tea preparation requires time and focus and delivers a more aromatic and flavorful infusion than those prepared using the more familiar western method of tea preparation. I am happy to be able to finally incorporate this cultural aspect of tea into the shop and guide you further through your own tea journey.

This will be an appointment only service and, at the moment, will be limited to two appointments per time slot. More may attend if from the same household. Each session will last 50 minutes and costs $25 paid upon booking. It includes multiple infusions and a Gong Fu lesson, if you like, so that you may incorporate this method into your own tea ritual at home. A Gong Fu menu will be crafted and rotated seasonally that will be curated from the larger origin tea offering available in the shop.

The schedule for Gong Fu appointments will begin every hour on the hour as follows:
Thursdays & Fridays - noon through 4:00
Sundays - noon through 3:00

Please note that there will be no appointments on Saturdays at this time. Please email kristine@infuseteabarny.com or reply to this email to make an appointment.
Summer Teas are In!
The following popular blends from years past have returned: Cherry Pineapple Green Tea, Mango Plum Green Tea, Minted Coconut Lime Green Tea, Rooibos Guava Citrus Herbal Tisane, Cherry Pineapple Herbal Tisane, Coconut Fruit Punch Fruit Tisane, Kiwi Peach Fruit Tisane, Pomegranate Lime Fruit Tisane, Raspberry Blackberry Fruit TIsane, Watermelon Fruit Tisane .

New this year is Elderflower Strawberry Herbal Tisane and our house-blended Lemongrass Spearmint Organic Green Tea .

Other favorites for summer include Apricot Black Tea, Peach Black Tea, Peach Grapefruit Decaf Black Tea, Pineapple Lemon Decaf Black Tea, Raspberry Rose Petal Wulong Tea, Rhubarb Wulong Tea, Green Rooibos Chocolate Coconut Organic Herbal Tisane, Green Rooibos Peach Mango Herbal Tisane, Hibiscus Mint Herbal Tisane, Lemon Lime Herbal Tisane, Lemongrass Plum Herbal Tisane, Rhubarb Cooler Fruit Tisane.

Please note that the majority of the new summer teas and others listed above have not been added to our online shop at www.pleasuresoftea.com . If you place your order online and would like any of the above-mentioned teas added, please list the tea and quantity in the comment section at checkout. There are lots of tasty summer-like teas in the online shop, so feel free to browse and see what appeals to you :)
Infuse Tea Ba r & The Pleasures of Tea 
106 Main Street
West Sayville, NY 11796
www.infuseteabarny.com - shop
www.pleasuresoftea.com - online shop

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500+ Loose Leaf Teas & Herbal Tisanes
Certified - Tea Professional, Tea Sommelier & Tea Health Expert
Student of the Art & Science of Herbalism

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