Mrs. Teabody Offers Her Up-to-the-Minute Tea List

My love for sharing the joys of tea was born in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England in 1989 when I first experienced the delight of a perfectly-brewed tea served in a bone china cup and shared with a friend in a cozy environment. In 2003 I started my first tea-based shop in a small building adjacent to our home in the Meadow Grounds. Over the next several years, I hosted tea parties, spoke at tea events and took classes to further my knowledge regarding tea. Simultaneously, I started visiting trade shows in New York and Atlanta to find exquisite and imaginative gifts. In 2011, I retired from my job as a high school English teacher and started my full-time occupation as proprietress of Tickle Your Fancy Gifts and Tea at 110 Lincoln Way West in the historic Albert Stoner building,  a beautifully preserved 1899 Italianate building owned and maintained by Glenn R. Cordell. I also began writing my blog, Mrs. Teabody Greets the Day in which Mrs. Teabody is my alter-ego. Having a business along McConnellsburg's main street has changed my life in many ways.

In 2013 on a late winter afternoon Dayton Tweedy and I started Friends of Meadow Grounds Lake, a grassroots movement to restore our local fishing lake. FOMGL has given me the opportunity to meet and spend time with folks who are genuinely motivated to do work that is beneficial to the county. Several FOMGL events emanated from Tickle Your Fancy and even today we sell ornaments and other mementos for our group. Preliminary work is ongoing and we shall have our lake restored in the next two years.

For the past two years I have hosted some of the county's best artists at yearly shows at Antietam Ironworks. This event has given me the chance to get to know some incredible people - - both artists and folks simply willing to support the arts in any way they can. Fulton County is a treasure trove of talent.

From 2011 until now I have continued to pursue tea knowledge and expertise through my association with the Mid Atlantic Tea Business Association whose members have given me the impetus to serve only the finest teas and to maintain the highest industry standards. Our quarterly meetings and frequent interactions are a time of lively self renewal. Invaluable friendships.

While my initial intent was to share Mrs. Teabody's latest tea list with you, I have found it helpful this evening to do a bit of reflecting. I want to give thanks to all of you who have supported my efforts from day one along with those of you who walked through the front door for the very first time today and  all of you in between. I am so very grateful for your patronage and even more grateful for your friendship and kindness. I love my little shop; I love sharing tea and stories, and you make it all possible. Following is Mrs. Teabody's Up-to-the-Minute Tea List. At least one of these blends is just right for you. Stop by TYF and let me help you find it. And, once again, Thank You!

Mrs. Teabody’s Loose Teas

LOOSE BLACK TEAS

Across the Universe: Black Ceylon tea infused with Chai spices including a magic soupcon of cinnamon to whisk you away on a magic carpet.

All American Cupcake: Black tea, chocolate bits, sprinkles and coconut come together to give you a delectable cupcake in your cuppa.

Almond Joy: Organic cocoa, almonds, coconut, safflower. Who doesn’t love a nice cuppa that gives the sweet taste of an Almond Joy?

Chocolate Chai: Black Assam tea with dark chocolate bits and chai spices come together to solve the afternoon’s thorniest problems.

Coconut Cream Egg: Decadent chocolate blended with creamy coconut delivers a favorite Easter basket memory.

Darjeeling Sungma: Classic Darjeeling First Flush. If what you expect is a fine, full-bodied Darjeeling, this will make you a happy little camper.

Durty Chai: Black Assam tea with Espresso chips and chai spices. For all you coffee club card carriers, this is the bridge to tea that you seek.

Earl Grey Lavender: Black tea, lavender flowers, orange peels, blue cornflowers, natural vanilla and bergamot. The lavender intensifies every other flavor in this fragrant cuppa.

Earl Grey Lei: Black Earl Grey tea, classic bergamot with coconut and pineapple. Who says you can’t hula all year ‘round? Not Mrs. T!

Earl Grey Moondance: Black Ceylon tea, orange peels, cornflower blossoms with just a note of something naughty? This is for you.

Earl Grey Pride and Joy: Black Ceylon tea amped on citrus for those of you with a rock and roll soul.

English Breakfast Superior: Black Ceylon tea, golden infusion. This is THE DEFINITIVE BRITISH CLASSIC cuppa that travelers to the UK adore. Greet your day properly.

Formosa Oolong: Classic Taiwan tea with deep raisiny and ripe fruit aroma (in teabags, too!).

Henry Farm: Half-fermented black tea, ginger pieces, lemon pieces, lemongrass. Good and good for you.

Housman, A.E.: Black tea with cherries and hibiscus because everyone needs to see the cherry edged with snow. DEEvine.

Ina Garten: Just like the gal who gives this tea its name, it had to be perfect. This is an earthy pu-erh loaded with lemons and vanilla. How wonderful is that?

Irish Whiskey Creme: Black tea with cacao bits, Bailey’s Irish Cream flavoring. It’s a party!

Jane Austen: Beautiful finish to a novel idea. Rich dark chocolate cherries fused with a fine black tea and it’s nothing but a page-turner.

Lady Grantham: (a Downton Abbey-inspired tea) Coconut, almonds, orchid-vanilla. Perfect for the drawing room or the veranda!

Lady Grey: For some Grey lovers, this is the ultimate with its fusion of sublime black tea with orange peels, lavender, and cornflowers. Try it!

Lord Grantham: (a Downton Abbey-inspired tea) Earl Grey Crème is black tea with cornflowers and no edge at all. Stay Mellow, PaPa!

Maggie R: Taiwan oolong and pure vanilla, dreamy, juicy peaches, brown sugar notes, honey notes and warm cookie flavor blended into a cuppa to remember.

Meadow Grounds: Black tea sparkling with notes of fat black cherries, hibiscus, raisins, safflower and rose hips. Best cherry tea EVER!

Mokalbari: Classic Assam, mild and malty. No fuss, no bother--just a super-smooth, flavorful cuppa.

Midsummer Night’s Dream: Black/green blend, pineapple, papaya, sunflowers for a moonlit evening.

Ms. Darci: Mrs. Teabody’s niece loves a flavorful Chai Masala so we blended a black tea with rooibos, fenugreek seed, clove, allspice, anise seed, cocoa nibs, cardamom, roasted mate, coconut and this is what happens. Thank YOU, Ms. Darci!

Persian Spice Bazaar: Black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, rose petals, vanilla pieces, safflowers to close your eyes and armchair travel.

Pete and Irene: Dark, dark chocolate, insouciant cardamom, divine Ceylon. Stir. Sip. Sigh.

Pu-erh-poe: Rare, aged, fermented tea from Yunnan China which stands apart with its soft earthy flavor (in tea bags, too!).

Resist: It’s a bold black tea reeking of vanilla and chai spices and asking you to fight for your beliefs!

Scarborough Fair: black tea, lemon peel, cloves, dried thyme, pink peppercorns. Nothing typical about this unique tea.

Seraphina: Dark chocolate orange tea, with orange peels, cardamom pods pink peppercorns to make a cuppa reminiscent of the St. Martin bakery that inspired the name.

Serious Moonlight: This is a oolong goji berry peach with peaches, marigold petals, fig pieces and papaya. named for one of our favorite rocker’s favorite songs. Let’s Dance.

Snowflake: Black tea, coconut rasps, almonds all mixed up in snow globe beauty. Yum!

Will Shakes Pear: This is a black tea with blackberry leaves, lemon peel, cloves, calendula petals, cinnamon and pears. A nice homage to the Bard’s hidden genius.

Just passing through black teas Enjoy them while you can.

Black Tie Affair: Chocolate AND Vanilla? What a twist!

Physical Thera-PB: Unlock the mystery in a chocolate-peanut butter tea.

LOOSE FRUIT BLENDS/TISANES = No Caffeine at all

Anna: A (Downton Abbey-inspired) blend of Lavender flowers with tart lemons.

Berry Blues: Rose hips, hibiscus, apple pieces, blueberries make a very berry cuppa.

Bold Bates: A (Downton Abbey-inspired blend)  tart blend of cranberries, sugared hibiscus petals, apple bits.

Exotic Dream: Pineapple vanilla taste from hibiscus, apples, currants, rose hips, pineapple bits, papaya bits, cornflower blossoms. Take me away!

Georgia on My Mind: Hibiscus, apple pieces, black tea, green tea, orange peels, safflower blossoms, red currants, peach bits combine to place you right in your favorite chair on a shady porch in Savannah. Pass the pi’cher, Puhlese!

In a Pear Tree: Pears, apples, cinnamon, vanilla, sunflower petals combine to put you out on a limb sinking your teeth into juicy nearness.

Lady Mary: (A Downton Abbey-inspired tea) Brimming with luscious apricot and peach flavors. Say “ka-YUM-bo!”

Life’s a Peach: Fruit, Lavender, rose petals, marigold, apple, papaya, peach. Your peachy dream has landed.

Lin’s Secret: Apple pieces, blood orange, hibiscus blossoms, rose hips, orange peels, lemon peels, safflower blossoms. Now you know what’s in it, but how does she get it to taste that way? SHHHHHH, it’s a secret.

Mrs. Hughes: Pomegranates are as good for you as Mrs. Hughes was for Downton Abbey. Sip this tartly satisfying beautiful cuppa and dream of England.

Pumpkin Spice: Pumpkins, papaya, apples, sunflowers combine to fill all pumpkinheads with pleasure.

Raspberry Beret: Yogu with beetroot bits and raspberries, it’s enough to start a riot.

Strawberry Kiwi: Strawberries, kiwis, apple pieces, hibiscus, rose hips combine to give you a flavorful and refreshing summer tea worth coming in out of the fields for.

LOOSE ROOIBOS = Caffeine free

Bullet-Proof: Rooibos, apple, fenugreek, cardamom, lemon, black pepper, cinnamon, clove, ginger, turmeric. The doctor is in!

Citrus Mate: Rooibos, yerba mate tea, orange peels, lemons, oranges, sunflower petals (contains caffeine)

Fireside Chat: Rooibos Lemon slices, cocoa, ginger, vanilla, cinnamon, orange peels, cardamom, pink pepper, cloves, rose petals combine to warm every bit of you that wants rid of the chill.

Gingersnap Cookie: Rooibos, pineapple, mango, papaya, roasted almonds, coconut rasps, walnut and hazelnut bits. One of our most decadent teas to warm an evening.

Girls Rule: Cinnamon, apples, rooibos, ginger, raspberry leaves, fennel, chamomile, cardamom, alchemilla, cloves, orange peels, St. John’s Wort, black pepper, juniper berries, goose grass. You know it! I Know it! Girls Rule!

Hakuna Matata: Herbal/Rooibos - Cinnamon, organic apple, organic rooibos, ginger, raspberry leaves, fennel seeds, chamomile, cardamom, clove, organic orange peel, black pepper, Juniper berries, Dandelion. Bring out your Lion King with this marvelous blend.

Jabberwocky: Rooibos flushed into flavorful goodness with pomegranates and vanilla with hints of cranberries and coconut.. It’s an easy Caribbean day.

Joe Smith: Organic Rooibos, apple bits, orange peels, ginger bits, cinnamon sticks, lemongrass, coconut rasps, pink peppercorn, cornflower blossom, red currants combine to give you one of our favorite iced teas named after one of our very favorite people. God Bless You, Joe! You will love this over ice.

Lemon Souffle: Rooibos, lemon bits with lemon cream. When you really, really want a piece of pie and your sensible side says N-O!

Little Jack Horner: Rooibos, hibiscus, apple, rose hips, raisins, plum bits cinnamon. You’d sit in the corner all day if you had this brilliant cuppa.

Mrs Patmore: Pumpkin honeybush chai, Masala chai spices in an herbal honeybush pumpkin base. Like a hug.

Really?: Green Honeybush peach/apricot blend with candied pineapple and papaya, orange peels, apricot and peach pieces and rose petals. Fruit bowl for sure.

Root Beer Float: Rooibos infused with root beer flavor and sprinkled with ice cream bits. Soda fountain ready!

Strange Fitz of Passion: Rooibos laced with dreamy strawberries and creamy fruit. Make the sun rise.

Sweet Passion: Rooibos Strawberry/Rhubarb Pie in a cuppa. Sublime!

VanNirvana: Organic Rooibos Vanilla is just as smooth as silk.

LOOSE GREEN TEAS

Amy & Co.: Green tea and blueberries in this sublime blend named for my Seattle-based pals.

Cheers: Green tea, China Sencha, ginseng root, this tea is as grassy as grassy can be. A favorite.

Cinnamon Apple: Organic green tea, apple bits, cinnamon. This is a subtly-surprising cinnamon apple tea that leaves you smiling.

Enchanted Berry: Organic green tea, raspberry bits, blueberry bits, botanicals. Another grassy green with lots of fruity notes.

Ground Hog Grog: Green tea, China Sencha, coconut, almonds. One of the most popular teas in the repertory. A winner every time.

Joy: Also known as Eternal Life green tea, white tea, gunpowder, jasmine blossoms, currants, ginseng, cornflower blossoms, apricot bits.

Marrakesh Mint: Green tea, China, gunpowder, peppermint leaves. This is the perfect green tea for peppermint lovers.

Moroccan Mint: Green tea, spearmint, rose petals. This is the perfect green tea for spearmint lovers.

Sleeping Dragon: Green gunpowder that tastes as soft as rain water.

LOOSE WHITE TEA

White Peach: White China tea, apricots, peach flavors, marigold flowers.

HERBALS

( Some are also listed with Rooibos but all have little or no caffeine.)

Come Sail Away: Ethereal spa blend to take the stress right out of you.

Dowager Countess: (Our final Downton Abbey-inspired tea) Nothing but Lavender Flowers in characteristic here-I-am-world fashion.

Girls Rule: Cinnamon, apples, rooibos, ginger, raspberry leaves, fennel, chamomile, cardamom, alchemilla, cloves, orange peels, St. John’s Wort, black pepper, juniper berries, goose grass. Rarely is such a good for you tea so unfailingly delicious.

Goodnight: Chamomile, rose-hips, valerian, peppermint leaves will soon send you away to Slumberville.

Hakuna Matata: Herbal/Rooibos - Cinnamon, organic apple, organic rooibos, ginger, raspberry leaves, fennel seeds, chamomile, cardamom, clove, organic orange peel, black pepper, Juniper berries, Dandelion. Feel good about healthy beverages.

NO Frogs: Bad throat? Ease the pain with gentle herbs including slippery elm.

Raspberry Mojito: Apple pieces, hibiscus blossoms, blackberry leaves, peppermint leaves, bean peels, chamomile blossoms, raspberry leaves, sunflower petals.

Spearmint: Spearmint leaves. Pure and simple.

Tum-tum: Lemon balm, yarrow, valerian, chamomile, marigold.

DECAFFEINATED

Assam and English Breakfast

We also carry a selection of  seasonal loose and bagged tea 

for your pleasure.