Cozy Comfort Tea

This tea blend has been difficult for all of us to name. The fact is, the flavor is called American Black Walnut. But that doesn't seem like the name of a tea that people might try. We sampled it in our store. Everyone who tried it instantly loved it and wanted to purchase it. When I told them it was Black Walnut they looked puzzled. So we asked people to name it and no one could accurately sum up the flavor profile. Until Pam tried it.

Pam works in the office & store here at Simpson & Vail. Perhaps you've spoken to her on the phone. She perfectly summed up the essence of this blend. "It is delicious! It's like a "throw-back" tea that brings up thoughts of snuggling in a cozy comforter by a fireplace, or being a little kid snuggled in a comforter sitting on your Grammie's lap, wrapped in the comforter and her hugs. It's like watching cookies bake in the oven and drifting off to peaceful places on the aroma wafting from the oven. I would call it "cozy comfort tea"? It brings you to that safe, childhood place where you think all is right with the world? I love this tea! Hope you all can find a name for it!"

We did Pam. We called it Cozy Comfort Tea because you're right; it's all those things you mentioned - and more!

Ingredients: Black teas, organic cinnamon, orange blossoms, and natural and artificial black walnut flavor.

This flavoring does not contain any allergens.

Brew tea at 212º - steep for 3 minutes.



Banana Nut Bread with Cozy Comfort Tea

A delicious tea bread made with tea! Nothing says cozy more than this tea and the aroma of baking sweet breads. This bread is lovely and even lovelier when enjoyed with a cup of Simpson & Vail's Cozy Comfort tea :)

1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup (4 oz) Cozy Comfort tea butter*
1/2 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
1/3 cup honey
1 1/4 cup mashed ripe bananas (3-4 medium)
1 cup walnuts, chopped

*Cozy Comfort Tea Butter
5 oz butter
2 tsp Cozy Comfort tea

Melt the butter in a saucepan on the stove over medium heat. Add the Cozy Comfort tea and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain out the tea and measure the tea butter to make sure there is 4oz. Chill until slightly solid.

Grease and flour a 9x5x3" loaf pan (I used small mini loaf pans). Preheat the oven to 350.

In a mixing bowl beat the butter and brown sugar until combined then add the eggs. When blended, add in the honey and mix.

In a separate bowl combine the flours, powder, soda and salt.

Alternate the mashed banana and flour mixture into the egg/sugar/butter mixture. Stir the walnuts in to the batter and pour into the prepared pan.

Bake for 45 minutes until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.



Cozy Comfort Cocktail

Cozy Comfort simple syrup:
½ cup water
1/3 cup sugar
2 tsp Cozy Comfort Tea

Heat in a small saucepan over low heat for 3 minutes, then strain out the tea.

Orange peel (1" piece)
¾ oz cozy comfort syrup
4 dashes bitters
2 oz whisky (I used Crown Royal)

Muddle together the orange peel, syrup and bitters in a cocktail shaker. Add whisky and ice and shake until chilled. Pour into a small glass that has a couple of ice cubes in it. Top with an orange twist.