Cryptid Collection Gift Box
This gift box features five tins of teas inspired by my favorite local cryptids! Each tin contains six servings of tea based on the lore of West Virginian monsters!
Flatwoods Monster Blend: My hometown monster (or alien, rather) inspired an incredible peppermint and ginger rooibos blend. The colors of the were heavily influenced by the colors of the alien’s metal casing, a red spade-shaped head, green “dress,” and bright yellow eyes. Dandelion and goldenrod add just a touch of natural sweetness to mellow out the spice of the peppermint and ginger in the blend, creating refreshing and distinctive tea that has become one of my favorites! The ingredients in the Flatwoods Monster Blend create an effective remedy for nausea and can be helpful for managing stress. Did you know that the all of the eyewitnesses of the Flatwoods Monster reported nausea for months afterwards? Many people assume mild radiation sickness from the alien craft were to blame!
Vegetable Man Blend: This bizarre story of a one-hit-wonder cryptid inspired a very refreshing, grassy green tea with hints of raspberry. The recipe for this tea mostly based on the story of the Vegetable Man, with homegrown mugwort included to portray the dazed trance that the creature put their victim into, woodsy notes to match the setting, and finally red raspberry to depict the blood he drained from Mr. Jennings.
West Virginia Yahoo: Our very own fanged Bigfoot species inspired a smoked spruce and oolong blend. Formosa Oolong and Lapsang Souchong tea leaves, along with gingko leaf and ashwagandha root, create a tea with a strong and full-bodied flavor, with pleasant notes of pine and smoke to balance out the smooth flavors of the oolong and oatstraw. The Yahoo Blend is full of adaptogens to help your brain manage the anxiety of seeing a yowling, eight-foot-tall creature in the woods (or just your day-to-day).
White Things Blend: These little-known-but-frequently-seen creatures inspired a delicious turmeric and ginger tea. The chamomile base and gingko leaves in this recipe give it an irresistible earthy flavor that perfectly balances the spice of the turmeric and ginger, with a little zing of damiana to round out the cup. This tea is notably beneficial for nausea and other stomach issues, and is a great evening tea for those who suffer with inflammation, or just enjoy a spicier cup of herbal tea in lieu of a fruity or sweet chamomile. The West Virginia White Things are creatures sometimes found in southern Virginia and West Virginia. They are said to be absolutely massive, about the size of a grizzly bear, and look like a cross between a dog and a polar bear. Many consider Sheepsquatch to be a variation of White Thing.
Mothman Blend: The ever-present Mothman inspired one of the most popular teas in my shop: a chicory root and cacao blend with hints of cayenne and raspberry. This deep, kind of mocha-y tea is a really great substitute for coffee when you don’t want the caffeine, but you want the bold flavor and cozy feeling that accompany a warm cup of joe. This tea tastes fantastic when paired with brown sugar and cream. As Mothman’s popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, I wanted to bring him back home a little bit with chicory, a weed whose roots are roasted and steeped to create a coffee-like drink. People in this region drank chicory coffee for decades as a substitute when the real thing was too expensive.
