Gloria, Audre, Toni & Zora's Black Tea Party

Gloria, Audre, Toni & Zora's Tea Party - A Literary Celebration

Celebrate the art of storytelling with Gloria, Audre, Toni & Zora's Tea Party, a premium Darjeeling loose-leaf tea blend inspired by four extraordinary women writers who shaped culture through truth and imagination. There are those who write, and those who transcend the page. This exquisite blend honors the latter—visionaries who gave voice to Black families, portraying them with dignity, depth, and humanity.

Each sip invites reflection, creativity, and connection—a tribute to literary brilliance and the power of words. Handcrafted from the finest Darjeeling leaves, this aromatic tea delivers a smooth, nuanced cup—perfect for quiet afternoons spent with Mama Day, Sister Outsider, The Song of Solomon, or Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Honoring Literary Icons

This tea is named for four towering figures in American literature:

Gloria Naylor (1950-2016): Author of Mama Day, The Women of Brewster Place, and other novels that explored Black women's lives with nuance, magic, and unflinching honesty.

Audre Lorde (1934-1992): Poet, essayist, and activist whose work in Sister Outsider and beyond challenged us to embrace our differences and speak our truths boldly.

Toni Morrison (1931-2019): Nobel Prize-winning author of The Song of Solomon, Beloved, and other masterworks that redefined American literature and centered Black experiences with lyrical power.

Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960): Anthropologist and author of Their Eyes Were Watching God, a groundbreaking novel that celebrated Black Southern culture and women's autonomy.

These women didn't just write stories—they created worlds, preserved voices, challenged narratives, and opened doors for generations of writers to come. This tea is our tribute to their legacy.

Darjeeling: The Champagne of Teas

The foundation of this blend is FTGFOP (Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe) designated black tea from Darjeeling, India—one of the highest quality grades of tea available. Darjeeling is often called the "Champagne of Teas" for its delicate, complex character and prestigious reputation.

Grown in the foothills of the Himalayas at elevations between 3,000 and 7,000 feet, Darjeeling tea benefits from cool temperatures, abundant rainfall, and dramatic elevation changes. The region's unique terroir—influenced by altitude, soil composition, and climate—produces teas with extraordinary complexity, floral aromatics, and a distinctive muscatel character.

Our FTGFOP grade indicates the presence of the finest, most tender leaves and golden tips (unopened buds), which contribute sweetness, complexity, and a smooth, refined character.

A Blend of Warmth & Spice

To the Darjeeling base, we've added a carefully curated selection of botanicals and spices that create a warm, aromatic, sophisticated blend:

Kip Dagga (Wild Dagga): A botanical traditionally used in African herbal medicine, adding subtle earthy notes and connecting the blend to African heritage.

Sugared Ginger Cubes: Dehydrated ginger infused with natural sugar adds warming spice and a touch of sweetness. Ginger brings energy, warmth, and a subtle kick.

Orange Bits: Dehydrated orange peel adds bright citrus notes and aromatic complexity, complementing the Darjeeling's natural fruitiness.

Cinnamon: Warm, sweet, and aromatic, cinnamon adds depth and a comforting spice character.

Natural Bourbon Vanilla & Ginger Flavorings: These natural flavorings enhance and harmonize the blend's warm, spiced character, adding richness and sophistication.

Tasting Notes: Warm, Spiced, Sophisticated

Appearance: Beautiful dark tea leaves mixed with golden tips, orange peel, crystallized ginger, and cinnamon pieces. The blend is visually striking and aromatic.

Dry Leaf Aroma: Warm spices dominate—ginger, cinnamon, and vanilla—with undertones of citrus and the distinctive muscatel character of Darjeeling.

Liquor Color: Rich amber-brown, clear and bright—the hallmark of quality black tea.

Aroma: The brewed tea releases an extraordinary bouquet of warm spices, vanilla, orange, and the floral, fruity notes of Darjeeling. The aroma is inviting, comforting, and complex.

Flavor: Sophisticated and layered. The Darjeeling provides a smooth, slightly astringent base with its characteristic muscatel (grape-like) notes and floral character. The ginger adds warming spice and a subtle kick. The cinnamon brings sweet warmth. The orange peel adds bright citrus notes. The vanilla rounds everything out with creamy richness. The overall effect is warm, spiced, and beautifully balanced—complex enough to be interesting, smooth enough to be comforting.

Finish: Long, warm, and slightly sweet with lingering spice and vanilla notes.

Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with a smooth, slightly astringent texture that cleanses the palate.

Brewing Guide: Preparing Your Literary Ritual

Water Quality: Use fresh, filtered water. Pure water allows the tea's complex flavors to shine.

Temperature: 200°F (93°C). Black tea can handle near-boiling water, which helps extract its full flavor potential.

Ratio: 3 grams (approximately 1.5 teaspoons) per 8 oz (240ml) of water.

Steeping Time: 4 minutes for the first infusion. Darjeeling is more delicate than other black teas, so avoid over-steeping.

Multiple Infusions: Good for 2-3 infusions. With each infusion, the flavor profile changes—you can experience secondary and tertiary notes as the leaves continue to open. Increase steeping time by 1 minute with each subsequent brew.

Serving: Enjoy plain to appreciate the blend's complexity, or add a small amount of honey or milk if desired. The spices make this tea particularly delicious with a splash of milk.

Perfect Pairings: Hearty & Flavorful

Continental Breakfast: Pastries, croissants, or toast with jam—this tea is robust enough to stand up to breakfast foods.

Spicy Lamb or Poultry: The tea's warm spices complement richly seasoned meats beautifully.

Sweet Fruits: Melons, stone fruits, or berries—the tea's fruity Darjeeling character creates harmonious pairings.

Rice Dishes: Biryani, pilaf, or rice bowls—the tea's complexity complements spiced rice dishes.

Pound Cake & Chocolate: Rich, buttery pound cake or quality chocolate (check out www.cocoaasante.com for artisan chocolate pairings).

Hard Cheeses: Aged cheddar, gouda, or parmesan (visit www.iftheseboardscouldtalk.com for charcuterie board inspiration).

Time of Day: Perfect for afternoon or evening. The high caffeine content (60-90mg per cup) provides sustained energy and focus—ideal for reading sessions.

Health & Wellness Benefits

Black Tea Antioxidants: Rich in theaflavins and thearubigins that support cardiovascular health and overall wellness.

Ginger Benefits: Supports digestion, circulation, and provides warming energy. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties.

Cinnamon: Traditionally used to support metabolic health and add warming, comforting character.

Orange Peel: Rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids.

Moderate-High Caffeine: Provides sustained energy and mental focus—perfect for reading and creative work.

A Reading Ritual

Make this tea part of your reading ritual:

1. Choose Your Book: Select a work by Gloria, Audre, Toni, or Zora—or any author whose words move you.

2. Brew Mindfully: As the tea steeps, reflect on the power of storytelling and the writers who've shaped your understanding of the world.

3. Sip & Read: Let the tea's warmth and complexity accompany your journey through the pages.

4. Reflect: Consider the voices that have been preserved, the stories that have been told, and the writers who made it possible.

Ethical Sourcing & Quality

At Symphony of Leaves Tea Co., we source our Darjeeling tea from trusted estates in India that practice sustainable agriculture and fair labor practices. The botanicals and spices are sourced from suppliers who share our commitment to quality and ethical production.

No chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides were used in the production of our teas.

A Tribute to Legacy

Gloria, Audre, Toni & Zora's Tea Party is more than a tea—it's a celebration of literary excellence, a tribute to voices that refused to be silenced, and a reminder of the power of words to change the world.

These four women wrote with courage, honesty, and artistry. They created characters who felt real, stories that felt true, and worlds that expanded our understanding of what literature could be. This tea honors their legacy and invites you to carry it forward.

Sip slowly. Honor the storytellers. Experience the beauty of Gloria, Audre, Toni & Zora's Tea Party—exclusively from Symphony of Leaves Tea Co.