Fall is here, followed soon, by the gray days of winter. One fabulous way to dispatch the seasonal gloom (and the associated sniffles and blues) is by snuggling down with a cozy blanket, a good book, and a quality cup of tea (or red wine).

While it isn’t always practical (or acceptable) to take a blanket, book, or glass of vino to work or out and about on errands, tea is, inarguably, one of the most portable and accessible creature comforts available anywhere.

In days past, the freshest, small batch teas – like those still found along the ancient trade routes called the Silk Road - were a precious commodity only available in specialty tea shops or to the most affluent connoisseur. Indeed, even today, most teas found on grocery store shelves are mass produced and often a year or more old.

However, one doesn’t have to travel to China or Japan or even head to a large multicultural metropolis (like San Francisco or Vancouver BC) to procure superior leaves. One of the preeminent lines of rare and artisan teas, Silk Road Teas, is available at bayleaf on Whidbey Island – the first location outside Canada to carry the award-winning blends .

Silk Road Teas found their start in 1992 in Vancouver’s historic China Town and our ever-searching staff found these select brews and brought them home to you. All varieties are made with premium quality, organic ingredients and contain no artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners…and are always fresh.

(The fresher the tea, the more natural flavor nuances and beneficial antioxidants.)

Come in to bayleaf for all of your snuggle supplies like red wine, (cook)books, and now, superlative teas - perhaps paired with our decedent jams, cookies, or honeys!

~ Susan Wenzel