The ‘Blend your own tea’ workshop with Brewed by Belinda has opened my eyes to the amazing flavours, colours and aromas of gourmet teas. In this 2-hour workshop, we tasted and learnt about all sorts of fancy brews, plus made our own blend to take home.

Belinda Hellyer is the creative driving force behind the business. Her teas are inspired by the arts with names such as Drama Queen, Standing Ovation and Stage Kiss. Belinda’s background is in the arts, as a performer, producer and manager.

‘However, my love of tea was calling me,’ she says.

So she started Brewed by Belinda ‘where tea and the arts – pash,’ she says. Her flair and creativity shine through all aspects of the business from the products to the presentation of the workshops.

In the session, we learnt about the history and varieties of this ancient beverage, while we sampled several of Belinda’s own blends. She encouraged us to take a big sniff, then sip. We found out that flavours can be as complex as wine with earthy, fruity, spicy and floral notes.

Her range consists of pure, organic ingredients without the chemicals and additives present in many popular brands. And her premium products are full of deliciousness.

During the sampling, I discovered my new favourite drink – Creativitea. It combines honeybush with a hint of citrus, and also includes Gotu Kola, a herb used by monks to still the mind. It’s absolutely yum and helps you find your inner peace. What more can you ask for in a drink? So I made sure to buy some to enjoy later.

Next, it was time to make our own blend. Belinda gave tips on the art of blending and we got to work creating our own special mix. Some people chose ingredients based on their health benefits, others combined the flavours they liked best. I did a bit of both, mixing the beautiful, honey taste of honeybush with the calming effects of chamomile, and a pinch of passionflower. Then I topped it off with rose petals because they smelled so good, and as Belinda says,

‘rose brings everything together and ties it in a bow.’

This was the ultimate tea experience and I loved it! Now that I’ve tasted real quality and flavour, I’m a total fan of this classy brand.

For more info: https://www.brewedbybelinda.com.au

By Carolyn J Wild

Read more of my articles here: https://carolynjwild.wixsite.com/writer/published-works