Enjoy the Joy of Tea

04/08/21 • 51 min

Watch the leaves dance about in the water, allow the aroma to change and develop, maybe gently raise and dunk the infuser in your cup... and in a few minutes, take a sip of something rich and complex. It’s tea—delicious, flavorful joy in a cup. Red Stick Spice Co. is a spice shop, yes, but it’s also a purveyor of tea. Anne Milneck, host of Smidgen, is a tea sommelier and certified tea lover. All of the skills that make Anne passionate about blending spices translate to the world of tea (and what a world it is!) In this first of two tea episodes, Anne talks about tea from Camelia Sinesis—the tea plant that produces black, green, and white tea.

In this episode you’ll learn everything you want to know about the most common varieties of tea; equipment to brew a great cup; how to brew; how to appreciate the flavors evoked by tea (and how that differs from flavored tea—which are also delicious and wonderful.) Anne teaches a bit about caffeine and bitterness: two factors that are important to understand when considering tea (Anne even walks producer Catherine through a test to learn more about bitter receptors. You’ll want to try this yourself!)

To close, Anne offers a “sipping segment,” introducing listeners to The Big Fig—a great tea blend that combines fig, cinnamon, and green tea. Anne selected this tea as a fragrant and savory introduction for the person who wants the benefits of green tea, but might not yet be familiar with the concept of “pleasantly bitter.” (A phrase you will learn and love from this episode.)

Mentioned on the show:

Intrigued by some of the teas you heard about on the episode? Try The Big Fig or Razz-ma-tazz or even indulge in a dessert tea like Chocolate Covered Strawberry tea. Want more? We’ve got you covered.......

See all tea selections offered by Red Stick Spice Co. on the website. From single variety to blends to botanicals, we are sure to have a tea you will love.

Did Anne sell you on a tea infuser? What about a glass press for tea? Explore the teaware at Red Stick Spice Co. so you can pick just the right pot, infuser, or cup for you to enjoy your sipping.

Reminder: next Smidgen episode is about botanical and herbal teas.

Are you in the greater Baton Rouge area? Come visit our shop and look forward to the Barista-led tea bar that will open inside our store soon!

Did your ears perk up at the mention of a tea class, led by Anne? Red Stick Spice Co. offers a variety of classes—even some online classes (we’re talking to you, worldwide Smidgen listeners!) Check the calendar and find a Red Stick Spice Co. class for you.

We are so excited for our C’est Si Bon subscription boxes! Get the goodness of Red Stick Spice Co. each month with a C’est Si Bon subscription—each box contains a curated tea in addition to a full size spice and a local product. Makes an amazing gift. C’est Si Bon!

Listen to the episode for a Red Stick Spice Company discount code, special for you, our Smidgen listener.

We want to know if you tried the tonic test and what exactly you learned about tea in this episode Let us know! Hit us up on any of the Red Stick Spice Co socials, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,

Mentioned on the show:

See all tea selections offered by Red Stick Spice Co. on the website. From single variety to blends to botanicals, we are sure to have a tea you will love.

Did Anne sell you on a tea infuser? What about a glass press for tea? Explore the teaware at Red Stick Spice Co. so you can pick just the right pot, infuser, or cup for you to enjoy your sipping.

Reminder: next Smidgen episode is about botanical and herbal teas.

Are you in the greater Baton Rouge area? Come visit our shop and look forward to the Barista-led tea bar that will open inside our store soon!

Listen to the episode for a Red Stick Spice Company discount code, special for you, our Smidgen listener.

Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,

Previous Episode

Poultry Power from the Pantry

Here we are, back with our ol’ pal CHICKEN! This reliable protein finds the way onto many of our dinner tables (for lots and lots... and lots of meals.) With all this poultry, it could be easy for chicken to be boring or even a chore. Anne Milneck, chef and owner of Red Stick Spice Co. has some things stored in the pantry to let chicken be the star of dinner.

Long time listeners of Smidgen know that Anne might even joke about the most convenient forms of the bird (we’re looking at you, boneless skinless chicken breasts!) and there is a lot to learn about the various cuts of chicken, since each portion requires different things for cooking. Anne offers some teaching about what to expect and how to prepare whole chickens; thighs; breasts; and even (gasp!) chicken tenders. Listen to this episode to get a new perspective how to prepare chicken if that’s what is on the menu.

Next Anne shares five items to stock up on (and understand!) if you want to keep chicken interesting. You’ll know how to create new and exciting recipes night after night with Anne’s five pantry staples. Finally, this episode features some of the staffers of Red Stick Spice! Right from the shop floor, you’ll get the skinny on what home cooks like you are looking for, and how the staff helps solve any chicken quandary that comes up.

Mentioned on the show:

This is a chicken recipe to get excited about! Cashew chicken coconut meatballs with curried tomato sauce. Oh yum! Get the recipe here on the Red Stick Spice Co. blog and be sure to catch Anne making this dish on Facebook Live.

Anne gives a shout-out to the Zuni Method Chicken. There is a whole post about Sunday Roast Chicken which features a detailed description and recipe.

Brine! We’ve got you covered with a dry brine or wet brine.

Did your ears perk up when you heard about a Kale Caesar Salad? Perfect with chicken, maybe this hearty salad will become a part of your weekly meals.

Spice is nice! Especially for chicken, here are some of the blends to try: bold Barbacoa is your new BBQ flavor with a twist. Mole blend delivers Latin flavors. You heard it more than once: it’s Nashville Hot Chicken! Ow!

Did you hear the staff mention Fixin' Chicken spice blend? They all seemed to love it-- we think you will, too.

Avocado oil is your poultry friend. Welcome back to Madras spice blend and Garam Masala.

We are so excited for our C’est Si Bon subscription boxes! Get the goodness of Red Stick Spice Co. each month with a C’est Si Bon subscription—it is so, so good. Makes an amazing gift. C’est Si Bon!

Listen to the episode for a Red Stick Spice Company discount code, special for you, our Smidgen listener.

What did you think of these pantry staples? Did this give you a new view of chicken? Let us know! Hit us up on any of the Red Stick Spice Co socials, including Facebook, Instag...

Next Episode

Refresh and Restore – Herbal Teas

When you walk into Red Stick Spice Co. looking for tea, the staff will ask you, “Caffeine or no caffeine?” Your answer will set a course for your sipping future. Last week on Smidgen was all about tea from Camelia Sinensis. This episode of Smidgen is the no caffeine side of things—herbals and botanicals.

Host Anne Milneck walks us through the leaves, flowers, bushes, roots, and other delights that make up herbal teas. The “rules” of herbal tea are different (in that there really aren’t any rules... for the most part.) You get lots of flavors with herbal tea, but one of the main reason folks opt for herbals is for wellness properties. Anne highlights two herbals in particular that are noted for their attributes—meet kudzu root (yes, the invasive plant which also happens to be the hero of Hangover tea) and learn more about anti-oxidant rich rooibos (and finally feel confident about how to pronounce the name of this rich, red tea.)

To close, Anne offers a “sipping segment” featuring Namaste tea—perfect for yogis after a deep yoga practice or anyone who wants a bit of restoration. Anne selected this tea to prepare since it has layers of aromas followed by flavors and colors, topped off by benefits for you to experience.

Mentioned on the show:

Wow—did you hear some of the teas Anne mentioned? Try Fais Do Do (made with chamomile and rooibos) or Biscotti tea (beautiful cornflower bring color and flavor.) Get some replenishment with Rooibos Renewal.

Wellness is a property, but it’s also a tea. Sip Wellness and enjoy! If you really need to unwind, give Chill tea a try.

See all tea selections offered by Red Stick Spice Co. on the website. From single variety to blends to botanicals, we are sure to have a tea you will love.

Anne mentioned that lots of customers like rooibos as an alternate to coffee. (Producer Catherine is now hooked on Vanilla Rooibos, a tea she tried after this episode.)

Did you miss it? Catch last week’s Camelia Sinensis episode to get your dose of black, white, and green tea.

This gorgeous tea is what Anne would serve at a luncheon. Get French Lemon Ginger tea and fall in love for yourself!

Listen to the episode for a Red Stick Spice Company discount code, special for you, our Smidgen listener.

Did this episode get you thinking about herbals? Ready to try a blend? Let us know! Hit us up on any of the Red Stick Spice Co socials, including Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Hear all Smidgen episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Pandora, or your browser, or your favorite podc...