Have you decorated
your house with Christmas yet?
As you walk into this Seven Seas Tea concept store the aromas ignite your senses and take you on a journey around the world – India, Africa, The Orient and beyond.
Seven Seas Tea is located in the heart of the Margaret River Region and behind the counter is the gorgeous tea lover and founder Cathy Horan-Anderson.
After travelling the globe sourcing delectable loose-leaf teas, this passionate tea drinker (a rare gem in world of coffee-holics) now shares the wonderful experience of tea and spices through her eclectic store.
The store is an Aladdin's cave of teas, tisanes (fancy word for herbal tea) spices and everything imaginable that goes along with tea. There are handmade pots, collections of curiosities and old treasures from the sea. The Seven Seas Teas collection is extensive and whether it be black, green, oolong, white, chai, herbal or maybe even a latte blend, there's something for everyone.
Have you decorated
your house with Christmas yet?
Cathy, can you let us know a little about your tea journey?
I have always been a tea lover, even as a young girl. Some of my fondest memories have involved a cup of tea. It’s the togetherness of it, the ritual, a simple cup of tea enjoyed alone. It’s a meditation and often a life saver.
Rooibos obviously is very close to your heart, and you mention that your Out Of Africa Rooibos Chai is inspired by the aromatic spices in your mother’s kitchen and are the aromas of your childhood.
I really wanted to try and recreate the tastes, sights, and smells of Africa as I remember it. Sweet, earthy, and undeniably African. Rooibos is unique to Southern Africa and is much loved by most South Africans. There are, however, some who do not care for its sweet honey, earthy characters. Hard to believe I know!
One of the beauties of Rooibos (apart from being naturally caffeine-free and high in antioxidants) is that it holds milk like a traditional tea which makes it perfect for Chai. The secret to our Rooibos Chai blend is fresh ground spices including coriander seed and bay leaf. That’s what sets ours apart from others you may have tried.
I have always been a tea lover, even as a young girl. Some of my fondest memories have involved a cup of tea. It’s the togetherness of it, the ritual, a simple cup of tea enjoyed alone. It’s a meditation and often a life saver.
Rooibos obviously is very close to your heart, and you mention that your Out Of Africa Rooibos Chai is inspired by the aromatic spices in your mother’s kitchen and are the aromas of your childhood.
I really wanted to try and recreate the tastes, sights, and smells of Africa as I remember it. Sweet, earthy, and undeniably African. Rooibos is unique to Southern Africa and is much loved by most South Africans. There are, however, some who do not care for its sweet honey, earthy characters. Hard to believe I know!
One of the beauties of Rooibos (apart from being naturally caffeine-free and high in antioxidants) is that it holds milk like a traditional tea which makes it perfect for Chai. The secret to our Rooibos Chai blend is fresh ground spices including coriander seed and bay leaf. That’s what sets ours apart from others you may have tried.
Have you decorated
your house with Christmas yet?
At Humidity we love a cup of chai, and we can’t get enough of your Organic Masala Chai. Can you talk us through your unique range and what the steps are to make the perfect chai?
Chai is simply the Indian word for tea. We have come to know and love it as spiced tea, or masala chai. There are endless versions of chai, each unique in its spice composition but generally it is milky, sweet, black tea with spice. Out of this has grown a wide range of chai variations; Rooibos Chai (my personal fave), Dandelion Chai and Turmeric Chai. These are caffeine free alternatives but with a common spiced thread.
Getting back to a traditional Indian chai; black tea and spice brewed up with hot milk and a dash of honey is the best way to get those authentic Indian flavours. You can use the milk of your choice in a saucepan on the stove. I like to think of it as a nice slow brew to chase away those winter blues.
Chai is simply the Indian word for tea. We have come to know and love it as spiced tea, or masala chai. There are endless versions of chai, each unique in its spice composition but generally it is milky, sweet, black tea with spice. Out of this has grown a wide range of chai variations; Rooibos Chai (my personal fave), Dandelion Chai and Turmeric Chai. These are caffeine free alternatives but with a common spiced thread.
Getting back to a traditional Indian chai; black tea and spice brewed up with hot milk and a dash of honey is the best way to get those authentic Indian flavours. You can use the milk of your choice in a saucepan on the stove. I like to think of it as a nice slow brew to chase away those winter blues.
The story
Have you decorated
your house with Christmas yet?
What we love about your teas and tisanes is that they are blended by hand in small batches and offer optimal health benefits. In these times with the spicy flu, can you let us know which ones you would recommend to help boost our immunity?
Teas and herbals are the perfect way to boost and maintain your immune system. Delicious and easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Nature has provided a plethora of herbs to assist in health and wellness. Well known immunity boosters include turmeric, ginger, echinacea and lemon myrtle.
Have you decorated
your house with Christmas yet?
You mentioned that you had been searching for the perfect teacup, can you let us know what qualifies the perfect tea drinking vessel?
Oh, this is a very personal question! I am sure that every tea lover has their own list of what makes the perfect teacup. For me, each type of tea requires its own style of cup. Try and explain this to my husband who can never quite get the cup choice right. Poor guy! It depends on the mood? Time of day? Alone or with a friend? I could go on and on... Basically you need a whole cupboard of cups and mugs that you can call upon at whim. Preferably vintage bone china or handmade by a local artisan.
Have you decorated
your house with Christmas yet?
Not only do you have the most amazing selection of teas, but your spice blends are out of this world, Spanish BBQ blend, Tandoori Spice blend, Pickling Spice Blend, Middle Eastern Spice Blend, just to name a few. Can you please tell us more about your passion for spices, and silly question but do you have a favourite?
Tea and spice go hand in hand. Both were discovered by land and sea at great cost to civilisations throughout history. They have held more value than gold and seen the rise and fall of nations. Today we take spices for granted, because it's something you can readily buy from the supermarket. I don’t think we should forget how their discovery and trade have shaped our modern world and their value as medicine. Spices are magic! Please don’t make me choose a favourite, that would be like choosing a favourite child! The best advice I can give when purchasing spices is “buy small, buy often.” THROW OUT those spice jars that have been in the back of the cupboard for three years! You will be amazed at the difference in flavour that fresh spices bring to a dish.
We did notice one "very special" place serving your brews. When you think of the Ritz Carlton you think of sitting back and enjoying a beautiful hotel room accompanied by a delicious cup of tea. How did this come about, and do you plan on expanding your tea sales across Australia and beyond?
I had to pinch myself when I got the call from the Ritz. Who would have thought that a little down south tea company would make the cut with an international brand as well respected and emulated as the Ritz? We are very proud that we did something right to get noticed. As far as expansion goes, we will just have to wait and see what the universe has in store for us? If anything, the last couple of years has shown us, is that absolutely ANYTHING could happen!
Have you decorated
your house with Christmas yet?
Seven Seas Teas would like to extend a special little tea treat to all our Humidity Tea Lovers.
Use HUMIDITEA10 online or in-store for 10% off your entire purchase.
Also, keep an eye out on our Instagram for our amazing giveaway with Seven Seas Tea - you don't want to miss this one!
Use HUMIDITEA10 online or in-store for 10% off your entire purchase.
Also, keep an eye out on our Instagram for our amazing giveaway with Seven Seas Tea - you don't want to miss this one!
