It’s time for a recap of my trip to Boulder, Colorado with Celestial Seasonings!
![Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Bear_thumb[8]](file:///C:/Users/Julie/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles127DD2B4/Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Bear[6].png "Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Bear_thumb[8]")
I’m excited to share all of the fun with you today! And, at the end of this post, you will find a pretty stellar giveaway packed with items I picked out just for you guys (including some of my favorite teas, a super cute Anthropologie-esque mug, a tumbler, tea kettle, adorable potholder and more). Let’s get to it!
Visiting Celestial Seasonings
Thursday of last week was jam-packed with all things tea! Our morning kicked off with breakfast at the hotel before our group of bloggers hopped in a car and headed to Celestial Seasonings’ headquarters, located on Sleepytime Drive. How appropriate, right!?
Those of us from out of town got a kick out of the adorable prairie dogs that greeted us from the fields as we drove onto the property, but even their cute little faces couldn’t top the welcome we received from the Celestial Seasonings team.
All of the employees greeted us on the front lawn with signs and smiles. It made us feel very welcome and we made sure to thank everyone for their enthusiastic greeting! (Just FYI, Celestial Seasonings offers a free factory tour in Boulder every day of the week!)
Of course we all were especially excited to meet the Sleepytime Bear!
![Celestial Seasonings Bear_thumb[2]](file:///C:/Users/Julie/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles127DD2B4/Celestial Seasonings Bear[4].jpg "Celestial Seasonings Bear_thumb[2]")
The famous Sleepytime Bear has a cat named Chamomile and I did my best to convince him to get a dog, too, even though I’m pretty sure Sadie wouldn’t touch that bear with a ten-foot pole. She’s not exactly the bravest little creature.
After our warm welcome, it was time to warm our bellies with all the tea we could drink. I’m pretty sure I went to the bathroom every 30 minutes when I was there because I did not stop drinking tea. I loved trying so many new-to-me flavors, including Sweet Harvest Pumpkin (sweetened with a little stevia – so good!) and Cinnamon Apple Spice.
![Celestial Seasonings Tea Tour_thumb[6]](file:///C:/Users/Julie/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles127DD2B4/Celestial Seasonings Tea Tour[6].jpg "Celestial Seasonings Tea Tour_thumb[6]")
During the tasting, I truly did not try one tea I didn’t like, but there were two big standouts that quickly claimed the top prize in my eyes.
First place went to Bengal Spice herbal tea.
This fragrant tea tasted like the holidays in a cup and was incredibly flavorful thanks to cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and cloves. I was shocked to hear it wasn’t sweetened since it definitely has a sweet flavor. I also think it would be fabulous with a splash of almond milk. I made sure to buy two packs of this tea before we left.
Second place went to the Caramel Apple Dream herbal tea that included quintessential autumn flavors such as apple, cinnamon and maple. (I picked up a box of this one, too!)
Following the tea tasting, we were ushered into the main tour room where we learned more about the company’s beginnings and the direction they hope to go in the future. Founded in 1969 by Mo Siegel, Celestial Seasonings came to be when Mo and his friends decided to bring the blended herbal teas they made in the Colorado mountains to health food stores. The company continues Mo’s passion for herbal tea and many of the ingredients used in their teas come from the same farmers Celestial Seasonings has used for upwards of 30 years.
After learning a bit about the company, we were off to the next activity, but not before I quickly snagged a bottle of Celestial Seasonings kombucha.
![Celestial Seasonings Kombucha_thumb[1]](file:///C:/Users/Julie/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles127DD2B4/Celestial Seasonings Kombucha[3].jpg "Celestial Seasonings Kombucha_thumb[1]")
I drank a bottle of the super green tropical blend and thought it was great. I am rather picky when it comes to kombucha since I’ve tried my fair share of kombucha I have not enjoyed, so I was happy to love this one!
And then it was off to do some more tea tasting, only this time we learned a bit about the brewing process. I clearly had a lot to learn because I always leave my tea bags in my mug when I make myself a cup of tea which is a big no-no.
Here are a few single-cup brewing tips for the most popular kinds of tea:
- Green Tea: To brew a great cup of green tea, place one tea bag in your cup. Pour very hot (just at the brink of boiling) water over the tea bag. Cover and steep 3 minutes. Remove tea bag and add lemon and/or sweetener if desired.
- Chai Tea: Place one tea bag in your favorite mug. Fill with 3/4 cup boiling water. Steep for 4 to 6 minutes. For authentic chai taste, remove tea bag and fill mug with 1/4 cup hot milk or dairy substitute. Sweeten to taste with sugar or honey.
- Black Tea: Place one tea bag in your cup and pour boiling water over it, cover and steep 3 to 5 minutes, depending on desired strength. Remove tea bag. We recommend adding honey to sweeten.
- Herbal Tea: Place one tea bag in your favorite cup. Add boiling water and let steep 4 to 6 minutes. Sweeten if you desire – we recommend honey!
Another quick tip: Squeeze the tea bag before removing it from your cup. Why? Tea leaves can absorb up to seven times their weight in water and compressing the bag enhances color and flavor.
Following our tea tasting, we sat down to a lunch that included fresh salads, salmon and sweet treats before it was time to slip into our marshmallow suits and head off on the factory tour.
![Celestial Seasonings Tour_thumb[10]](file:///C:/Users/Julie/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles127DD2B4/Celestial Seasonings Tour[10].jpg "Celestial Seasonings Tour_thumb[10]")
![Celestial Seasonings Factory Tour_thumb[2]](file:///C:/Users/Julie/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles127DD2B4/Celestial Seasonings Factory Tour[6].jpg "Celestial Seasonings Factory Tour_thumb[2]")
During the tour, I chatted with our guide about the holiday teas which are some of my all-time favorites. (I’m looking at you Candy Cane Lane!) He told me that the inspiration behind their Nutcracker Sweet tea came from an 11-year-old girl on one of their factory tours. She was a ballerina and said they should make a holiday tea and call it “Nutcracker Sweet.” This eventually led to more favorites like Sugar Plum Spice.
![Celestial Seasonings Holiday Teas_thumb[1]](file:///C:/Users/Julie/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles127DD2B4/Celestial Seasonings Holiday Teas[3].jpg "Celestial Seasonings Holiday Teas_thumb[1]")
No trip to the Celestial Seasonings factory is complete without a visit to the Mint Room, so we made sure to spend some time in the incredibly aromatic space where all of the mint is stored before we were done.
![Celestial Seasonings Mint Room_thumb[1]](file:///C:/Users/Julie/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles127DD2B4/Celestial Seasonings Mint Room[3].jpg "Celestial Seasonings Mint Room_thumb[1]")
Our day at Celestial Seasonings concluded with a happy hour that included tea-infused cocktails.
My favorite was the Until Next Time cocktail made with vodka, chamomile simple syrup, lemon juice, egg whites and strawberry puree. It was fantastic!
![strawberry tea infused cocktail_thumb[1]](file:///C:/Users/Julie/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles127DD2B4/strawberry tea infused cocktail[3].jpg "strawberry tea infused cocktail_thumb[1]")
And now it’s giveaway time!
Before we said goodbye to our friends at Celestial Seasonings, we were each given a gift card to use in the Tea Shop toward a giveaway for our readers. I obviously wanted to include some of my favorite teas, but I also added a few extra things that I hope you love!
![Celestial Seasonings Giveaway_thumb[1]](file:///C:/Users/Julie/AppData/Local/Temp/WindowsLiveWriter1286139640/supfiles127DD2B4/Celestial Seasonings Giveaway[3].jpg "Celestial Seasonings Giveaway_thumb[1]")
This giveaway includes:
- Celestial Seasonings Holiday Tea Sampler Pack (Candy Cane Lane, Gingerbread Spice, Sweet Harvest Pumpkin, Nutcracker Sweet)
- Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice Herbal Tea
- Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Extra Tea
- Alba Botannica Hawaiian Body Cream
- Alba Cherry Lip Balm
- WoodWick Candle in Bakery Cupcake (This smells amazing!)
- Festive Mug
![Aroma Gourmet Electric Kettle_thumb[1]](https://www.pbfingers.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/AromaGourmetElectricKettle_thumb11.jpg "Aroma Gourmet Electric Kettle_thumb[1]")
- Aroma Gourmet Electric Digital Kettle
- Celestial Seasonings Tumbler
- Celestial Seasonings Teas with Altitude t-shirt
- Cute Potholder with Embroidered Towel
To enter this giveaway, simply leave a comment below telling me about your favorite Celestial Seasonings tea or the kind of Celestial Seasonings tea you’d love to try!
I will randomly select a winner on Friday morning. Good luck!
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Bengal spice sounds amazing. My girls would be so excited if I won.
I love the apple cinnamon!!
I have been eying the pumpkin tea!! I usually drink their sleepy time tea before bed.
I love the sugar cookie sleigh ride!
I absolutely love Candy Cane Lane! My favorite by far. Iwould love to try the sleepytime extra wellness tea. Thanks for the opportunity to win such a great giveaway. 🙂
I’m a sucker for Sleepytime, especially as the cooler weather comes in. I tried the gingerbread spice last winter and really enjoyed it. Would love to try more of the holiday flavors!
I love tea because it makes me think of my grandmother and all of the wonderful memories drinking it together.
I would love to try the Candy Cane Lane tea because the name makes me think of Christmas in a cup!
I want to try the pumpkin harvest, it sounds great for the fall weather!
I am addicted to their Bengal Spice tea. I prepare mine like a chai latte.
I would LOVE to try the pumpkin tea. I can’t get enough pumpkin right now….’tis the season! 🙂
The Bengal Spice one sounds fantastic!
What an awesome recap! It looks like you had a ton of fun! By the want, LOVE that sweater you are wearing – so, so cute! Before I dive into how much I love tea (huge Teavana fan) – those honey sticks look so cool! And all of the flavors sound amazing, of course. I am very intrigued by tea infused cocktails – those definitely sound interesting.
I usually drink the Pomegranate Green tea because my mom always has that at her house. 🙂
Since I’m in a fall/holiday mood these are the ones I’d love to try: Gingerbread Spice, Nutcracker Sweet, Caramel Apple Dream…. yum!
Bengal spice is also my favorite! I drink the sleepytime too 🙂
I’ve recently fell in love with Vanilla Chai and Vanilla Caramel (and I don’t even like caramel) teas! I can’t wait to pick up some more and some new flavors.
The Sweet Harvest Pumpkin is my go-to during Fall.
Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride is the best!!! But now I really want to try the Bengal Spice.
ALL of the holiday ones sound amazing, but would love to try the Gingerbread Spice! LOVE things that taste and smell like Fall/Winter 🙂
This giveaway is amazing! Candy Cane all the way!
What a great giveaway! I would love to try the candy cane lane, especially for the holiday season!
I think I would like to try the Celestial Seasonings Black Tea – I love the black tea from Starbucks so it would be fun to try Black Tea from another company
I am a fan of the Sleepytime Tea and I am definitely going to try Bengal Spice. I love ginger!
I would like to try the Caramel Apple Dream herbal tea. It sounds like a great fall treat.
My favorite is the WildBerry Zinger…all their teas are just great!
I would love to try the Pumpkin Harvest! It sounds so yummy!
I have recently switched from coffee to tea and would love to try both the Pumpkin Harvest and the Gingerbread Spice.
I love the Sleepytime Herbal Tea, but I’d love to try the Sweet Harvest Pumpkin!
I am most excited for the gingerbread flavor. Just the thought of it gets me into the holiday spirit!
I love the sleepytime tea k-cups. It’s my go-to every evening from fall until spring!
Gingerbread Spice sounds AMAZING! Love your top, too.
I’d love to try the Cinnamon Apple Spice flavor.
I love the Bengal Spice. I come from Bengal area of India and have tasted many different kinds of “Bengal tea” and this one is one of the best spiced tea I have had.
I really want to try the pumpkin tea especially since it’s the pumpkin season!
Sleepy time tea for the win!
I would looooove to try the gingerbread spice flavor!!!!
My fave is sleepy time! Has been since I was a kid!
I love all things mint so I think I would love Candy Cane Lane! I would also like to try the Bengal Spice!
I would love to try any of the ones in the holiday series you wrote about! Where I live we never get all this selection in the grocery store, and now I’m dying to try those!
I would love to try the Bengal Spice or any of the Holiday Teas!
I have never had Celestial Seasonings tea, but I would love to try their Raspberry Gardens Green Tea. It sounds delicious!
I love celestial seasonings perfect iced tea! Haft black tea half lemonade. It is in fact perfect! I would love to try the candy cane lane and the nutcracker sweet. Both sound yummy!
I love sugar cookie sleigh ride!
I would love to try the Bengal Spice tea! Would be perfect for these cool fall nights 🙂
Candy Cane Lane! I love all things peppermint!
Chai! I would love to try the pumpkin flavor!
Bengal Spice sounds so yummy!
Sleepytime is my absolute favorite!
I always loved their lemon tea, but I’d like to get my hands on that Bengal Spice! Tea keeps hydration interesting during the long, boring work day.
I loooove Sleepy Time Tea! One of my favorite things about the fall is being able to get comfy on the couch with a cup of tea in hand. it’s too hot in the summer to drink hot tea at night!
I went to college in Boulder and love Celestial Seasonings! I drink Sleepytime tea almost every night as I love the flavor and it always relaxes me after a long day with two little girls and a dog! I cannot wait to try the pumpkin spice however as anything pumpkin is music to my soul!
I love the Sleepytime Vanilla! I’d also love to try the Bengal Spice, sounds delicious!