Can you think back to a time when tea completely turned your life around? Tonia Jahshan built one of North America’s fastest growing companies thanks to a life changing tea moment. Steeped Tea is a direct sales tea business that brings people together through tea parties for product tastings and discussions. Before her success, Tonia was only a tea bag drinker, but now you’ll find her sipping cups of loose leaf tea and introducing others to better quality steeps. At the tea table Tonia shares the first tea that blew her away, must have Steeped Tea items, and advice for tea lovers looking to start a business.
The kettle is on and I can hear it about to sing. What tea are you going to steep for us today?
Earl Grey de la Crème is my go to tea in the morning, followed by matcha and then peppermint or Quest to Digest at night. Who are we kidding, I drink tea all day, whatever I can get my hands on!
That’s a good way to get through the day! Take us back to the exact moment a cup of tea changed your life. How was your relationship with tea before then?
It was 2006 at a quaint little Bed & Breakfast in Halifax when they served us the most delicious tea, Cream of Earl Grey, with our breakfast. That moment changed my life in an instant. Before this I was a tea bag drinker (which I now refer to as hot dog tea) and didn’t know any better. The taste difference is HUGE!
As the founder and president of one of the fastest growing companies in North America, define what tea means to you.
Tea means opportunity, wellness and mindfulness for the body and soul.
If you could only have one tea, tea ware and treat from the Steeped Tea catalog for the rest of your life, what would they be?
Earl Grey de la Crème with one of our classic mugs (Kind heart, Fierce mind) and a delicious scone, of course!
Definitely can’t forget about a scone (or two!). You’re about to sit down for a tea session. Describe how that would look for you.
The first thing I drink in the morning is matcha in my smoothie. My smoothies consist of ice, frozen berries, half of a banana, Greens plus, magnesium, Hemp protein, flavoured fish oil, water and Vanilla Matcha 😊
Speed Round:
Black, Green, Yellow, White, Oolong or Puerh?
Black
Hot, Iced or Cold?
Hot
Teapot, Infuser or Gaiwan?
Infuser
Straight, Sweetened or Latte?
Straight
Cheese or Chocolate pairing?
Chocolate
What piece of advice would you give to someone who wanted to start their own tea company?
Be passionate, trust your gut and believe in yourself.
Find Tonia Jahshan/Steeped Tea:
Website | Facebook | Tonia’s Facebook | Instagram
ABOUT THIS SERIES: Tea tells stories and when connected with humans, more are created. That’s where the idea for this blog series, At the Tea Table, originated. With this series, The Cup of Life asks tea lovers around the world to take us inside their tea lives to share their favourite steeps, spaces, routines and more. Meet some of your fellow tea drinkers here.