Tea Reverie

09/07/2024

Taking a breath, the short version: I’m taking a break from trying to build/grow the tea business to focus on other very important things in my life.

Taking a breath, the long version:

I realized recently that I am constantly in a cycle of burnout, recovery, and guilt. I have SO many wonderful people and opportunities in my life… but it (finally) dawned on me that by trying to do everything and be everything, all I’m doing is failing at most things, including self love and self care. I feel like I have “no time” because my free time has been spent trying to recover from all the things I’ve been piling on my plate.

I had (and have!) big dreams to build this company, have a strong online presence, a monthly subscription service, even offer herbalism and tea making classes…but right now my dream is bigger than my mental battery and capacity.

There are friends and family that I don’t see nearly enough. Aspects of my job at Baig of Tricks that need improving. Hobbies that I miss. Herbalism courses I haven’t had time/energy to take. I recently went back to an old job that I absolutely adore and want to be there 100%, 100% of the time.

Most importantly, Ali and I have been going nonstop since our infertility/IVF/miscarriage experience, and I want to give my all to spending time together and healing in a healthy way, and finding our new happy.

I was born to live a hobbit lifestyle, not be a girl boss 😂 and that’s OKAY.

I will still be selling my teas (including Fall seasonal) at the Lemont Farmers Market every Tuesday until October 15th! After that, my tea blending will be at my own pace, when I am inspired and can do it for fun. I will post any releases that are for sale!

Burnout is REAL. I hope if anything, this long post inspires someone to take a little break themselves, if needed. You deserve it.

07/09/2024

06/25/2024

Absolutely making this stunning-gorgeous-dazzling Strawberry Chamomile cake from Must Love Herbs this Summer! 😍

I may have to craft a Strawberry Chamomile tea blend to enjoy with it... 😉

A delightfully decadent Strawberry Chamomile Cake! 🍓🌼 I say this a lot but this may possibly be my favorite cake recipe yet. The chamomile makes for a delicious cake that isn’t overly sweet. Paired with the rich buttercream spun with heavy cream and the zippy strawberry compote. It’s drool worth indeed. The cake is decorated with gorgeous little mushroom candle holders from . They’re such a cute way to dress up a cake! I made this for my grandmother’s 77th birthday! She has a cup of chamomile tea before bed every night! She says it makes her feel like a queen!! I hope this cake does the same for you all!!

Cake:
2 cups All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 cups Granulated Sugar
3 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 Cup Oil (your favorite)
3 Eggs (at room temp)
1 cup Milk (at room temp)
1/3 cup dried chamomile (ground into powder)

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease 4 6” cake pans and line with parchment paper. Set aside.
Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Sift to combine. Add the oil, eggs, milk and chamomile. Mix by hand or with an electric mixer until evenly combined and lump free. This should take 1-2 minutes.
Pour the batter into your pans Bake for 20-30 minutes - or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out cleanly.
Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 30 minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Once the cakes are cool you may begin working on the frosting.

Compote:
4 cups strawberries (diced)
1/2 cup sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
Place all ingredients in a sauce pan and cook on medium heat until strawberries soften and a thick sauce forms. This should take 30 minutes. Make sure to stir consistently to prevent scorching. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Frosting:
1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
5-6 cups powdered sugar - depending on desired consistency
1/4 cup heavy cream

Add the butter to the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Turn the mixer on low and add in the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time. Once you've added 2 cups a sugar add in a splash of cream. Continue adding sugar until desired consistency is achieved. If the frosting is too thick you can add more cream. Lay down your first cake round. Using a piping bad make a ring around the edges of the cake to form a boat. Add in a few spoonfuls of the strawberry compote spread it out evenly. Stack another round on top of the first layer and repeat the process two more times. Once you get to the top layer cover the whole cake in remaining frosting and decorate however you desire! Store in fridge until ready to serve.

06/20/2024

I whipped up a new herbal tea inspired by the Summer Solstice (Litha) today.

We like it so much, I may add it to the Summer lineup!

My brainchild here is a blend of Hibiscus, Chamomile, Dried Apple pieces, Rose Petals, Cinnamon and Lemon peel. Delicious over a big glass of ice!

Would you try this Litha tea?

06/17/2024

Treat yourself or someone you care about to some monthly magic…✨

Our monthly tea subscription, Steeped Splendors, is now available!

Every month, enjoy a brand new tea blend handcrafted specifically for Steeped Splendors members. Plus tea accessories, a sign up gift, special recipes, and more!

Visit the link below to sign up today!

https://forms.gle/SJ5WmmyR757aSMg38

*All subscriptions will ship the first week of every month. Subscription memberships purchased from now until July 1st will ship the first week of July. Moving forward, memberships purchased after the 15th of the month will begin the following month.*

06/07/2024

Calling all bookworms and coffee & tea lovers! ☕️ 📚

Summer is here, and it's the perfect time to curl up with a captivating read and a cup of your favorite coffee or tea.

Join our Summer Reading Bingo to have fun and read your way to our grand prize, a Downtime Coffee & Tea Reverie coffee and tea gift basket!

How it works:

-Grab a bingo card: fill out the Google form (https://forms.gle/XMm2QXZgFp7Sp8UE8) for your FREE bingo card. You’ll receive one raffle entry just for signing up!
-Read & sip: Complete the prompts on your bingo card- each spot marked earns another raffle entry. Enjoy a delicious Downtime Coffee drink while you're at it!
-The more you read, the more chances to win! Every marked bingo spot gets you an entry for our grand prize raffle.

How to earn more raffle entries:
-Post photos of your Summer reading adventures with the hashtag and tag Downtime Coffee & Tea Reverie...each post is another entry.
-Refer a friend! Each referral = one entry for you!

Want a 20% off coupon to Downtime Coffee? Mark five in a row on your bingo card and send us a photo!

Program closes August 31st. We will then raffle off the gift basket to one lucky winner!

Social Media/How to Reach Us:

Email: [email protected]

Downtime Coffee
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DowntimeCoffee
IG:

Tea Reverie:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559633374609
IG:

Happy sipping and happy reading!

05/24/2024

Come see us at the Lemont Farmer's Market this Summer for all your tea and Downtime Coffee needs!

We can't wait!

We have some exciting news for the Summer... ☀️

Starting June 11th, we will be selling our coffee and Tea Reverie tea at the Lemont Farmers Market! We are delighted to be a part of this, and will be there every Tuesday until October 15th! (weather permitting)

Stop by and see us this Summer!

05/20/2024

My full lineup of tea (including Summer seasonals) is now available for purchase online!

Visit www.downtimecoffee.com to order!

Not sure what to choose? DM me for a personal recommendation 😊

05/15/2024

EXCITING NEWS!

Starting this Friday, our friends at Critical Grind Board Game Cafe will be serving up our tea during their "Tea and Tea" event!

Bring your friends to spill some tea while sipping our creations!

Thank you Dana at Critical Grind for your support! 🩵

05/15/2024

Welcome to Tea Reverie-- an artisan, hand blended tea company located in Lockport, Illinois!

Tea Reverie is a division of Downtime Coffee. I've created this page in an effort to individualize my tea and not take attention away from Ali Baig's amazing coffee!

I mostly blend herbal, but also have some green and black tea as well.

Follow along to learn more about my flagship and seasonal offerings!

You can also follow along on Instagram at !

Always with love,

Gina Baig