The Tea Spot is an innovator in steeping ware for tea, in addition to having some really fresh blends of loose-leaf tea.

One of my current must-have kitchen accessories is The Tea Spot Steepin’ Cup. It is a great little device that has an infuser for loose-leaf tea that you simply pour hot water into and then cover with the lid. A couple minutes later, you take the lid off, remove the infuser and place it on the lid.

Their tea blends are truly unique and a fresh take on tea. Pictured is Meditative Mind, a beautiful white tea with rosebuds and jasmine pearls. Currently in my Steepin’ Cup is Mango Tango, a fun blend of black tea leaves, mango, passionfruit and Calendula blossom.

If you can, stop by their tea boutique in Boulder, Colorado. You can also order online and check out the rest of their great products at http://www.the-teaspot.com/.

In the world of yellow, pink, blue, white and brown packets to add to your beverage of choice, it’s no wonder I say SHOW ME THE SUGAR. That’s right, sometimes I crave a little of the sweet stuff, although I do love the imitation (except to bake with - but thats another story).

Sugar in shapes and colors made by hand, these are must-have for the serious tea and coffee drinker. These sugars are great for entertaining and a lot of fun.

Sweeten whatever is in your cup and your day with Sugars by Sharon. Show above in “Lavender & Leaf“, “Superstar” and “Queen of Hearts” - these eye-candy meet sugar accessories are available only online at Hello DELICIOUS.

Coffee, tea and chai…in chocolate, oh my!

With the distinctive design and fabulous flavors, retro makes more than a come back in Coco-luxe’s distinctive Green Box, full of afternoon delights.

Enjoy Mocha (coffee infused cream wixed with dark and milk chocolate), Chai (dark chocolate ganache with spices) and Green Tea (honey and green tea infused white ganache) in the Green Box from Coco-luxe.

Not only are these chocolates great as a stand-alone or fabulous with whatever is in your cuppa, but they have a great mind behind their creation.

Coco-luxe owner and ganache genius, Stephanie, says that “I also just think it is fun (for me as the inventor but also for people as consumers) to play this game of ‘does this taste like the flavor it is called’ or what would it ‘taste like in the form of chocolate’ like green tea.”

Go ahead and taste tea and coffee creations in their next best form…chocolate.

Get it online!

“Black Gold” may be coming to PBS, but you can have it anytime with a great new product (getting lots of attention), Java Juice Extract.

Java Juice Extract is 100% organic, fair-trade, shade-grown, and kosher liquid coffee extract made from Arabica Coffee beans.

This stuff is great, you rip it, add water and then sip it.

For the true coffee junkie, you can also include it in great recipies, like Haute Coffee Chili!

Haute Coffee Chili (courtesy of JavaJuiceExtract.com)

Serves 4 to 6

• 1 cup dried red beans
• 1 packet Java Juice® liquid coffee extract
  added to
• 1 cup of purified water
• 2 tbsp good olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion, set half cup aside for garnish
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 lbs. top sirloin steak, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 1/2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp fresh oregano
• 1 tsp fresh thyme
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp freshly ground pepper
• 1 can (14 1/2 oz) tomato puree or crushed peeled tomatoes
• 1 cup kosher beef broth
• Salt to taste
• Cilantro sprigs for garnish

In a mixing bowl, cover the red beans with 3/4-cup Java Juice® coffee. Soak overnight.

In a deep casserole, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and sauté the onion and garlic over medium heat until soft, about 10 minutes. Set them to one side, add the remaining tablespoon of oil, and brown the steak cubes. Add the remaining 1/4-cup of coffee, spices and tomatoes to the casserole. Bring to a boil, stir well, and allow simmering for 10 minutes. Add the beef broth and the drained beans to the casserole and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour. Season with salt.

To serve, ladle the chili into individual bowls and top grated raw Bermuda onion sprigs of cilantro

If you’re like me and have a hard time with your dual devotion to both coffee and tea, you’ll be happy to hear about something that marries the two. PixieMaté Dark Roast Maté is the mysterious organic Yerba Maté in the form of a teabag with the aroma of French Roast. The people at Pixie Mate kindly explain that “maté’s energy is pleasant, controlled and non-addictive” unlike my daily/twice daily/three-times a day or more coffee habit. Maté has a great taste thanks to the great minds at PixieMaté. Maté Limon is my personal runner-up to the current favorite, Dark Roast Maté.

PixieMaté is pleasant for the palate, makes you perky and shakes things up in your cup.

Maté a latte. It will make your day!