Putting the Tea in the Honey…
When the folks at Zen Bear Honey Tea craft their golden teas, they are guided by a mantra… Honey first. That’s right, when producing their gently infused teas they reverse the order of things by putting the tea in the honey. That process translates to their popular all-in one tea blends. Effortless to prepare, the only requirement is a cup of hot water!
In Oriental medicine, honey is hypotonic, meaning it draws out. It is this property of honey which makes it the perfect medium for drawing out the herbal essences and the energies of spices, and imbuing itself with their qualities.
Based in Bath, Maine, Zen Bear came into fruition as a result of years of study of the healing powers of herbs and honey by a certified Acupuncturist and Doctor of Oriental Medicine. His explorations of the qualities of herbs, and their effect on the body and mind led him to create a group of golden taste treats that bring delight as well as the benefits of honey and selected blends of herbs. Made with pure honey and herbs, Zen Bear Teas are the perfect quench for these muggy days of August here in the Boston area – particularly refreshing after a long run or as you roll up your mat at the finish of a hot yoga practice.
“We are often asked where we get our honey for our Zen Bear Honey Tea products… All of our honey comes from farms in the Aroostook Valley of northern Maine, nestled along the Canadian border of New Brunswick. Here’s how a typical day goes for us when we pick up our honey…
We leave our home on the mid-coast of Maine early in the morning. We head for the town of Houlton on the Canadian border, arriving around noon. From there, we continue north on Route 1 – yes, you can still go north from here! – for another hour to the Aroostook Valley. The signs tell us we’re in Amish country, something new for Maine. Once at the farm, we load our pickup truck to the max with around 1,500 pounds of honey and then head for home,” explain Frank and Lisa Ferrel, Zen Bear founders.
And, here’s how (simply) the product works… Pick you favorite blend from their six flavors, add a teaspoon of Zen Bear to hot water, give it a stir, ice it in a tall rocks glass and voila! No steeping, no adding sugar. The perfect balance of herbs and honey in a matter of moments. Top selling flavors this time of year are Enlighten-Mint, Qi Chai (pictured below) and Radiant Rose.
And, as the evenings begin to cool off, simply ditch the icing step and enjoy the beverage in your favorite mug. The perfect touch of warmth as you squeeze out the last drops of summer gathered around the fire pit come September! Zen Bear Honey Teas are available throughout assorted New England Farmer’s Markets, at specialty shops like City Feed and Supply in Jamaica Plain, or through their website. Keep current with Zen Bear on Facebook.
Author Susan Currie is an Associate Editor at LA YOGA magazine. Her words and images have been featured in the Boston Globe, Elephant Journal, Yogi Times, the Tishman Review, the Huffington Post, Spirit of St. Bart’s and on the cover of the book Moving into Meditation (Shambala) by Anne Cushman.
Susan is also the creator of the Daily Inhale and an RYT 200 registered yoga instructor. She unpacks her various professional experiences through the creative and yoga workshops she leads throughout the country. Her new book, GRACENOTES (Shanti Arts 2017), a blend of words and images, is now available in wide release.