Nothing makes a picnic more cozy than crunchy leaves, wool blankets, deliciously baked goods, and a specially blended gathering tea that matches the energetics of the season. Autumn is my favorite time to have picnics, and I think it’s because the atmosphere is just so crisp, so vibrant and so intimate. The outside environment sets the mood with little effort. When I pack a picnic, I often formulate a tea first, then set the menu afterwards to match the flavors, and of course – the weather. It’s just becoming crisp here in Virginia, the leaves are changing and the sunlight is shifting in the afternoon to create that whimsical and magical mood of autumn. It’s cozy afternoons like these that call for a hint of warmth and nourishment from our tea, while we indulge in savory sweetness from our foods. I can’t resits stopping by Sub Rosa Bakery in Church Hill to gather baked goodies for my ideal picnic, and Ellwood Thompsons Local Market for fresh, seasonal local greens.
My favorite go-to Autumn Picnic Gathering Tea consists of uplifting, joyful herbs that have a hint of warmth, spiciness and nutrient quality that’s easy to drink while being long lasting and grounding us into the space we’ve created. It’s the tea that keeps us there for hours – laughing and talking and playing while we refill our mugs again and again. The uplifting magic of holy basil, the nutrient quality of nettles, the delicateness of rose, the heart protecting affinity of hawthorn and the spiciness of damiana make this a truly unique autumn picnic tea that you can sip for hours. Throw these dried herbs together in a little jar and add hot water later, or prepare ahead of time, keep in a thermos and serve piping hot in your favorite mugs with your favorite people. Relish the bounty and briskness of autumn, and make sure not to rush…picnics should really linger a while.
*Note – if you don’t have access to these dried or fresh herbs, our Heart Rise Tea is a similar formula that’s equally as delicious, and perfect for an Autumn Picnic Gathering Tea.
Photography by Renee Byrd
