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://i2.wp.com/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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I have always loved the Sleepytime Vanilla tea, because I have problems with insomnia. However the other day I found out that they had a kids version of the Sleepytime tea in grape can I say that I love being able to switch between the two stark contrasting flavors and still be able to sleep!
Candy Cane Lane is one of my favorite’s, but now I’m excited to try Bengal Spice.
My husband and I love sleepytime tea. also my mother in law and I love to have a cup or multiple 🙂 cups of tea around the fireplace when she comes to visit for the holidays so it would be nice to have some of the holiday teas on hand!
I’d love to try the Nutcracker Sweet.
Ohhh I would LOVE to try the holiday flavours ! I am a sucker for anything holiday themed… it puts me in such good spirits!
I would love to try the peach blossoms green tea!!
My favorite is definitely the Roobios Madagascar Vanilla!
I love the peppermint herbal tea! Last year I bought some and it came with a little tin, so I can always take some with me 🙂
My favorite is Sleepytime. In the 90s I toured Celestial Seasonings with my mom and children. It was so much fun – especially the room where the peppermint is stored. Even my young girls enjoyed the tour.
I want to try the Bengal Spice tea!
My favorite is the Country Peach!
The Bengal Spice flavor has me intrigued! Hoping I can find it locally in DC : )
I’m a big fan of Sleepytime Tea – it works like a charm!
My favorite tea is the Earl Grey with a touch of honey! I really want to try the Sleepytime teas! I’ve learned that sipping an herbal (caffeine free) tea close to bedtime really helps me unwind.
I would love to try the sleepytime extra tea! It sounds extremely relaxing, and as a senior in college…I could use some relaxing nights!
The gingerbread spice sounds delicious!!
I love love love the raspberry tea! It helps me curb my sweet tooth cravings in the afternoon.
Sleepytime Extra is my favorite!
I love the Sweet Harvest Pumpkin tea. I always look forward to fall when I can get my hands on some!!
Sleepytime Vanilla is the best. Especially when you’re sick!
mmmmm I love good teas. Straight green tea is my favorite, but that Bengal Spice looks pretty amazing too!
I would LOVE to try the Sweet Harvest Pumpkin and Candy Cane Lane tea’s!!
i would love to try the Sweet Harvest Pumpkin….that sounds so good this time of year.. my fav tea is the bengal spice., try it with a little almond milk and its kinda tastes like a chi latte.. hope i win! 🙂
I also LOVE the Bengal Spice. It’s such a warm and comforting taste. I’ve never seen Caramel Apple Dream, but it sounds divine! Now I have to go find it!
I love so many, but the candy cane lane – oh so perfect!
I would love to try the SleepyTime Extra!
I really like spicy teas like Chai, so that Gingerbread Spice sounds right up my alley.
Candy Cane Lane is my favorite, I stock up once it hits my stores shelves. I am going to look for Caramel Apple Dream, that sounds delightful.
Sweet Pumpkin Harvest!
I’d love to try Candy Cane Lane!!
The Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride is one of my favorites! I think it comes out closer to Christmas.. At least I’m hoping they still make it. I’d love to try the Bengal Spice too. It sounded delicious.
LOVE Celestial Seasonings tea! I just got the Country Peach Passion last week — delicious!
Sleepytime Vanilla is my favorite!
The Nutcracker Sweet and Candy Cane Lane sound delicious!
I love green tea so I’d definitely try that one!
I love the Candy Cane Lane!
My favorite teas of all time have to be chai or anything fall related (hello, pumkpin spice tea!). I am really interested in trying the other flavors you mentioned since they seem right up my alley… will definitely be on the lookout the next time I am grocery shopping! 🙂
I LOVE Celestial Seasonings tea, especially their Sleepy Time Herbal Tea, it’s my favorite!
I would LOVE to try the Candy Cane Lane tea! I love minty teas and would enjoy trying this flavor.
I would love to try any of them! I’m not much of a tea drinker but I can be 😀
Anything fall or holiday related sounds delicious but I would love to try the candy cane lane and the pumpkin spice one. Everything in the giveaway looks adorable!!! Great picks. Maybe someday I will be able to take a tour of the factory, it looks neat!!! 🙂
I love the sugar cookie tea and the Mandarin Orange spice! And how much fun was that factory?? I want to tour it myself.
I love Nutcracker Sweet! Makes me think of when I was younger — my mom would make it all the time around Christmas 🙂
I LOVE Their candy cane seasonal tea. They also used to have a Sugar Cookie that was divine! I’d love to try the bengal spice and their seasonal pumpkin flavor – can’t get enough pumpkin!
Hands down my fave is sleepy time! Although I use it more medicinally, and would love to try some seasonal variations!
Since I love all things holidays, naturally I’m obsessed with candy cane lane! I can only imagine how much fun that factory tour was! I think I could live in the Mint Room!
I visited celestial seasonings while living in CO one summer – the mint room is incredible! I’d love to try their Sleepy Time Tea — I’ve tried so many or theirs but never this signature kind.
I can’t pick a favorite- but Bengal’s Spice looks phenom!
Nutcracker Sweet is such a clever name and a tea I’d love to try
I would love to try the Bengal Spice herbal tea. Sounds delicious!