Little Woods Blog

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  • Tea Brewing Basics 7/23/25

    Tea Brewing Basics 7/23/25

    Discover the Art of Tea Brewing: Join Our Tea Basics Class!

    Are you ready to dive into the world of tea and elevate your brewing skills? Join us for our Tea Brewing Basics Class, where you’ll learn the essentials of brewing tea at home, how to make Yerba Maté traditionally, and enjoy a guided tasting of four delightful teas!

    Tea Brewing Basics with Beth Wilbur

    Join our Tea Bar Manager, Beth Wilbur, for a fun and flavorful introduction to the world of tea brewing. Here’s what to expect during this 30-minute class:

    1. Learn & Taste

    Explore fundamental methods of brewing tea—from traditional steeping to cozy homestyle techniques. You’ll discover approachable ways to make tea part of your daily rhythm. As you learn, you’ll also taste newest yerba maté blend.

    2. Yerba Maté Demo

    Curious about yerba maté? Enjoy a relaxed demo where Beth will walk you through its preparation and flavor when brewed traditionally vs western style.

    3. Details:

    • Date & Time: Wednesday, July 23 | 1:00pm – 1:30pm
    • Duration: 30 minutes
    • Cost: $10 per person
    • Spots Available: Only 8 spots, so be sure to reserve your spot soon!

    How to Sign Up:
    To secure your place in this intimate and informative class, sign up online to reserve your spot today!

    Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your tea brewing skills and enjoy a fun, interactive experience. We can’t wait to see you there!

    RSVP Today

  • Strawberry Matcha Latte

    Strawberry Matcha Latte

    Hey there, tea lovers! We have some exciting news to share. Our iced strawberry matcha latte, once a limited-time special, was such a hit that we’ve decided to give it a permanent spot on our blog. This vibrant drink combines the best of both worlds with its sweet, tangy strawberry flavor and smooth, earthy matcha finish. We’re so happy you loved it as much as we do, and now you can make it at home anytime you crave a delicious pick-me-up!

    Make the Strawberry Matcha Latte

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 t. – 1 t. (2-4g) Café Grade Matcha
    • 3 oz. (90g) Cool Water
    • 1 c. (110g) Milk of Choice
    • 1 1/2 oz. (48g) Strawberry purée (recipe below)
    • 1 c. Ice

    Directions

    1. Add the matcha to a bowl with the cold water and whisk.
    2. In a 16 oz glass, pour in 1 1/2 oz. (48g) Strawberry purée.
    3. Add Ice.
    4. Slowly pour in milk.
    5. layer the matcha by pouring slowly over the top.

    Make the Strawberry Purée

    • 1/3 Cup Sugar
    • 1/3 Cup Strawberries
    • 1/3 Cup Water

    Put in Blender and process until smooth.

    We hope you enjoy making and sipping on our iced strawberry matcha latte as much as we do. If you’re looking for more delicious and unique beverage recipes, be sure to explore our blog’s recipe category. From classic favorites to innovative new drinks, there’s something for everyone. Happy brewing!

  • Backyard Botanicals by Little Woods’ owner Kristin M Roach

    Backyard Botanicals by Little Woods’ owner Kristin M Roach

    Our physical store is more than a tea shop, it’s a place to explore, to inspire curiosity in plants (tea in particular), and a place of calm wonder. The art that has become part of this environment is inspired by my passion for ecology, healing, and a deep love of plants.

    Bloody Dock, Gouache, 2021

    The current series of works on display are painting meditations in the form of botanical illustration. Uncertainty, overwhelm, and grief found me in the beginning of 2021 (unfortunately common combination for many of us these last two years). And it was in my backyard, spending sunrises with my local plant allies that I found myself and healed my heart.

    Un-Ripe Tart Cherries, Gouache, 2021
    Painting with age 19 Molly the day before we had to put her down.

    As an herbalist, it’s easy to think in terms of plants’ chemical components and how we can use them to support our bodies. We can lose sight of the healing power they hold by their simple existence in our ecosystem, the place nature holds as a sanctuary. The Backyard Botanical series is the pure reconnection to that place of plant sanctuary in my own life.

    As part of the series, I identified and researched each plant. On my portfolio, for those plant nerds out there, I’ve shared what I learned. Explore each plant in the series to learn more about what you might find in your own backyard, see process images, and purchase a print or the original.

    Solomon’s Seal, Gouache, 2021

    And the series continues. As the days are finally warming up, I’m back in the backyard painting more works that will someday find their way into the Little Woods space. While I’m not facing the same challenges I did last year, I continue the practice of spending time with the plants to replenish and restore.

    Yarrow, Gouache, 2021

    You can come visit the shop next time you’re in town to see the works in person and select a fine art print to enjoy in your own space.

    ArtWalk Studio Open House + Local Artist Carmen Cerra

    If you happen to be in town during the Annual Downtown Ames Art Walk (June 2nd 5 – 8pm this year), you can come chat with me in my studio above Little Woods or visit with local artist Carmen Cerra (he created our woodland animal tea party greeting cards) in the shop.

    If you’d learn more about what I’m up to in the studio on a regular basis, join my newsletter list to get a monthly-ish letter from me to you.

    Until next time…

    Kristin M Roach

  • Recipe: Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea)

    Recipe: Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea)

    Happy Cinco de Mayo! Food, festivals, and family fill this Mexican/ Mexican-American holiday! Bring a taste of this joyful celebration into your home this year with Spiced Hibiscus Iced Tea – a classic drink served in Mexican taquerias! It’s a great mocktail option to serve along side your favorite margarita!

    Here at Little Woods we mix up a special batch the week of Cinco de Mayo as our featured drink until it runs out — which is usually pretty quickly! First made based on a Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Iced Tea) recipe over at Simply Recipes, we’ve adapted it over the years for our own tastes and tea bar service. Below is our own variation:

    Little Woods’ Agua de Jamaica Adaptation

    4 cups water
    1 cup dried hibiscus flowers whole (cut would work also)
    3/4 cup sugar
    2 x 2.75in cinnamon sticks
    1t. dried ginger root c/s
    1t. whole allspice berries
    1/4t. whole cloves

    1. Add spices and sugar to water and bring to a boil. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
    2. Remove from heat and add hibiscus flowers. Let steep for 20 minutes.
    3. Strain into a pitcher.
    4. Top with 4 cups cold water. 

    For a sparkling twist, keep as a concentrate and add 1 part concentrate, 1 part carbonated water to a glass when serving.

    Want recipe ideas and shop updates delivered right to your inbox? Sign up for the Little Woods eNews and save 10% off your next order!

    Enjoy!

    – Little Woods –

  • Holiday Happenings at the Shop

    Holiday Happenings at the Shop

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    Every holiday season Little Woods gets into the spirit with a mix of live music, social fun, tea sampling, and -of course- sales! Here are all the fun things happening around our shop in Downtown Ames, Iowa. Any sale discounts will also be reflected online. Go to the bottom of the list for holiday special hours and closures too. Happy Holidays!

    Mingle on Main
    Thursday Evenings thru Christmas, 5 – 7pm
    Free brewed tea w/ Tea Tin Purchase

    Holiday Tunes & Tea
    Sat. Nov 24, Dec 8, Dec 15, 11am – 1pm
    Live piano with Elizabeth Zimmerman
    Add Holiday Tea & Tunes to your Facebook Event Calendar.

    Black Tea Friday Sale
    Friday, Nov. 23, 9am – 7pm
    All black tea 20% off

    Small Business Saturday Sale
    Saturday, Nov. 24, 9am – 7pm
    All Tea Blends 20% off
    Stocking Stuffer Sale: 2 for $6
    prepackaged tea blend samples.

    Holiday Open House
    Saturday, Dec. 1, 1 – 4pm
    Stocking Stuffer Sale
    Holiday Tea Debut
    Tea of the Month Release
    Meet the Little Woods Family
    10% off EVERYTHING
    Add Little Woods’s Open House to your Facebook Event Calendar.

    Christmas Eve Tea & Cookies
    Monday, Dec. 24, 10am – 2pm
    Stop by for Complimentary Tea and Cookies with the Little Woods Family

    Holiday Special Hours
    Thanksgiving Eve: 9am – 4pm
    Thanksgiving: Closed
    Christmas eve: 10am – 2pm
    Closed Dec. 25 & 26
    Closed Jan. 1, 2019

  • Experimenting with Coffee Cherry Tea

    Experimenting with Coffee Cherry Tea

    coffee_cherry_tea-icedtea06hi

    Since it arrived, everyone in the shop has been dreaming up new ways to use Coffee Cherry Tea. Of course all the usual tea steeping ways. Iced tea with an elder flower syrup is phenomenal and definitely a favorite.

    Coffee Cherry Iced Tea

    • 7g coffee cherry tea (heaping teaspoon)
    • 4oz just boiled water
    • Steep 5 minutes
    • Strain into mason jar filled with ice and shake
    • Pour over ice
    • shot of botanical syrup (optional)

    Then Jason went and made it into a syrup. Whole. New. World.

    coffee_cherry_tea-italian_soda02web

    At the shop we have an old timey spritzer bottle, so making Italian Sodas and Creamosas was an easy first step.

    coffee_cherry_italiansoda08web

    One of the fun things about Ames is the ISU Surplus Sale — where you can pick up all kinds of old lab equipment. We love using them to measure for our drinks and quantify our blends.

    Coffee Cherry Tea Italian Soda (Creamosa)

    coffee_cherry_tea-steamer02web

    Making the coffee cherry tea into a syrup also lead to a most delicious steamer — milk and syrup steamed together.

    Coffee Cherry Tea Steamer

    1. 1oz shot of coffee cherry tea simple syrup
    2. 8oz milk
    3. Put together in pitcher, steam, dash of cardamon powder

    coffee_cherry_tea-espresso01web

    And then someone was like – let’s pull shots!

    Coffee Cherry Tea Espresso Shot

    • 10g coffee cherry tea, tea cut
    • Red Espresso restricted flow porta filter
    • 30 sec pre-infusion

    So now, the entirety of our TeaEspresso menu that we developed with RedEspresso and yerba mate can be used with Coffee Cherry Tea. I over packed the porta filter, but still had good results. It’s more flexible than white espresso or rooibos. It bulks A LOT. One of the things that’s easy to forget about Coffee Cherry Tea is how fibrous it is.

    coffee_cherry_tea-latte03web

    Coffee Cherry Tea Latte

    • 2oz shot coffee cherry teaspresso
    • 6oz whole milk, steamed
    • shot simple syrup (cardamom is pretty delish)
    • dash apple pie spice on top

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5Tg8ew0eB0]

    At Little Woods we do a lot of careful development of our menu… but sometimes inspiration strikes I drop something on the menu and get super lucky and it works out great… Thus the Tea Spritzer. I had fresh lemon balm from the garden. A new ol’ timey Water Seltzer bottle and we were debuting our new Tea Espresso menu. I wanted to put them all together. Thus the Tea Spritzer is born.

    Coffee Cherry Tea Spritzer

    1. A shot of Elder Flower Syrup.
    2. A Double Shot of Rooibos or coffee cherry tea.
    3. Shaken with ice.
    4. Seltzer water.
    5. Sprig of fresh aromatics like lemon balm or chocolate mint…. holy basil is also great.

    Coffee Cherry Tea (tea cut) we use in our espresso machine 

    Rooibos we use in our espresso machine

    Elder flowers we made our simple syrup with

    Last week Andrea was a guest teacher at Cook’s Emporium and co-taught a class on simple syrups. During the prep for the class we took a ton of photos of how we make our simple syrup for Little Woods, so we’ll be sharing the recipe for that here on the blog soon.

    Up next, our blends! Andrea knocked it out of the park with Oasis, debuting in our brick and mortar this afternoon.

    Until Next Time.

  • Brewing: Coffee Cherry Tea (aka Cascara)

    Brewing: Coffee Cherry Tea (aka Cascara)

    IMG_1976

    This is some exciting news. We’ve partnered with Coffee Flour™ to bring their new Coffee Cherry Tea to the US online retail market place. In addition to selling Coffee Cherry Tea online, we are developing a new line of herbal tea blends featuring this unique ingredient. Our first two are debuting this Friday.

    We’ve decided to show you everything we’ve learned about Coffee Cherry Tea this week. How to brew it, what it is, why it’s awesome. And of course, have a sale. Coffee Cherry Tea is 20% off now through the weekend.

    coffee_cherry_tea-low

    So first things first. What is it?

    Coffee Cherry Tea is tea cut cascara, the fruit and skin of the coffee cherry, but no bean. Unlike all the other cascara we’ve sampled (thanks to our neighbor Morning Bell Coffee Roaster), Coffee Cherry Tea is handled with care during the entire process. No funk. No mold. No, ummm, floor sweepings. Completely food safe. It’s bright and tart. Notes of cherry. A touch of coffee on the finish. It’s flavor straddles coffee and a rooibos with a touch of hibiscus. There’s a little caffeine, less than roasted coffee by the brewed cup.

    Brewing Coffee Cherry Tea

    Immediately we started experimenting with it. We found it does better brewed like tea than coffee. Thursday we’ll be showing you all our experiments – like pulling shots, pour over, aeropress brewing, and making it into simple syrups.

    We wanted to figure out the best steeping ratio, tea:water:heat:time. We sampled it around to a few regulars and our staff. It was a fun impromptu tasting and we captured the final round for the timing.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghjINbqLK4k?rel=0]

    For at home, we found the french press is best… but we always say that. It’s our favorite type of brewing vessel! Completely bias.

    In a french press: 8-9g for a 12oz french press = 1 heaping Tablespoon

    In a tea ball: 5-6g (1 heaping teaspoon) for a 8-10oz mug

    In a tea pot: 1 heaping teaspoon per person and 1 for the pot

    Steep Time: 4-6 minutes

    Water Temperature: 205 – 212F

    IMG_1911

    It holds up to cream well and is divine with a little honey.

    Up next, why we love it — other than just it’s flavor — a sneak peek into the ethics behind this new brew!

    Until Next Time