Newsletter: Fresh From The Tea Gardens

From Tea Gardens To Your Cup: New Discoveries

If you've visited one of our shops or followed us on social media lately, you probably noticed that I spent much of June in Asia. I'm delighted to share that my mother's surgery went very well and she is recovering smoothly—thank you to everyone who reached out and kept her in your thoughts.

While in Asia, I also traveled with my husband, David, to tea gardens and matcha factories throughout Japan. We averaged nearly 10-14 miles of walking each day, meeting tea growers, touring production facilities, tasting countless teas, and learning everything we could. Every trip reminds me that the best teas come with stories, traditions, and generations of craftsmanship—and I can't wait to bring those experiences back to our Churchill's community.

One of the greatest rewards of the journey was personally selecting remarkable 2026 First Flush black teas and oolong teas that is arriving at Churchill's. These teas represent the very first harvest of the season and are among the freshest and most sought-after teas of the year.

The trip also inspired something else I'm excited to share. I discovered new brewing techniques in Japan, unknown to most Japanese people still, that unlock even more sweetness, depth, and umami from Japanese green teas. If Gyokuro, Sencha Samurai, or matcha are among your favorites, I hope you'll join me for one of our future Japanese tea tastings or matcha workshops. I'm looking forward to sharing these techniques so you can experience these extraordinary teas in a whole new way.

Closer to home, we're thrilled to introduce The Heritage Collection: Cincinnati Legacy, our newest gift collection celebrating the people, places, landmarks, and traditions that have shaped the Queen City. Each handcrafted blend tells a piece of Cincinnati's story, inviting you to discover—or rediscover—our city's remarkable heritage, one cup at a time.

If you missed the June newsletter, I would like to mention again the launch of two exciting additions to Churchill's. The ROYALtea Ritual is our new personalized tea subscription, thoughtfully designed to help you build a meaningful tea ritual around the teas you love most. We also introduced our Premium Gallon Iced Tea Collection, making it easier than ever to brew exceptional iced tea for summer gatherings, family celebrations, or simply enjoying a refreshing glass at home.

Looking ahead, our beloved Advent Calendar Tea Kit returns for pre-sale on September 1 in response to the many requests we've already received. The 2026 Edition introduces a new story-driven experience, with each of the 25 teas accompanied by its history, origin, and stories. As we developed this year's concept, we realized the experience was best brought to life through a curated collection of traditional teas and herbal teas from around the world. For that reason, we've made the difficult decision to offer the Variety Edition only this year. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported our caffeine-free Advent Calendar over the years, and we hope you'll enjoy discovering this special edition with us. Also, registration is now open for our August through December classes and events at our Madisonville location. We'll conclude the year with one of our favorite traditions—our festive Tea & Chocolate Pairing in December—and we'd love to celebrate the season with you.

As always, thank you for supporting our independent small business and for allowing us to be part of your tea journey.

Fueling inspiration, one steep at a time,

Angela

2026 First Flush Black and Oolong Tea 

Spring has arrived from the misty peaks of Taiwan's famed Alishan mountains! We're excited to introduce four exceptional First Flush teas, each hand-picked during the season's earliest harvest when the leaves are at their most vibrant, aromatic, and complex.

Available in very limited quantities, these teas showcase the craftsmanship that has made Alishan one of the world's most celebrated tea-growing regions.

First Flush Alishan Honey Black Tea - Artisan Rolled – A rare rolled high-mountain black tea with honeyed peach, ripe stone fruit, and a beautifully silky finish.

First Flush Honey Black Tea - Young Tips– An exceptionally aromatic twisted-leaf black tea with notes of magnolia blossoms, wildflower honey, lychee, and delicate white florals.

First Flush Alishan Jin Xuan Oolong – Naturally creamy and silky with delicate orchid blossoms, buttery sweetness, and a smooth, lingering finish.

First Flush Alishan Chin Shin Oolong – Lightly roasted with fragrant orchid notes, fresh pear, and spring florals for an exceptionally elegant cup.

These remarkable teas are available only while this year's harvest lasts—once they're gone, they'll return with next year's first flush. We invite you to experience the beauty of Taiwan's finest spring teas while this limited harvest is available.

Cincinnati Legacy Tea Collection

Our new Heritage Collection: Cincinnati Legacy is a curated tasting experience celebrating the Queen City's rich history, iconic landmarks, beloved traditions, and hometown favorites. Featuring seven premium loose-leaf teas and an exclusive historical tasting guide, this collection invites you to explore Cincinnati through flavor, storytelling, and local pride.

Inside the Collection:

Harriet's Bouquet Black Tea – An elegant floral black tea created in collaboration with the Harriet Beecher Stowe House, crafted locally by our team.

Gunpowder Green Tea – A classic Chinese green tea honoring Fort Washington and Cincinnati's frontier beginnings.

Taft Museum of Art Black Tea – A rich black tea with notes of oak, wine, and dark chocolate inspired by one of the city's historic treasures, crafted locally by our team

Roasted Spiced Chai Yerba Mate – A bold roasted yerba mate with warming spices celebrating Cincinnati's iconic culinary tradition of Skyline Chili.

Runner's Blend Decaffeinated Green Tea – A refreshing decaffeinated green tea crafted to relax and recharge after the Flying Pig Marathon, crafted locally by our team.

Apple Strudel Herbal Tea – A cozy herbal blend of baked apple and warming spices inspired by America's largest Oktoberfest celebration.

Red Rooibos – Naturally sweet rooibos honoring America's oldest professional baseball team.

Whether you're a lifelong Cincinnatian, welcoming someone new to the city, or searching for a meaningful local gift, The Heritage Collection: Cincinnati Legacy offers a memorable way to experience the people, places, and traditions that make the Queen City so special—one cup at a time.

Tea Classes and Events for Fall 2026

Our fall class lineup is filled with immersive tea experiences that explore the history, traditions, and cultures behind some of the world's most fascinating teas.

Tea Classes:

• 8/23/26 Yerba Mate Ritual: South America's Most Shared Tea Tradition (August 23, 2026)
• 9/12/26 Tea Dynasty Voyage: Chinese Pu-Erh & Oolong Traditions (Moon Festival Edition) 
• 10/17/26 Shadows & Steepings: Britain's Hidden History Through Tea
• 11/8/26 From Empire to Everyday: How Tea Became India's Chai 

Tea & Tale Social:

• 12/6/26 Tea & Chocolate Pairing Experience – Holiday Edition

Churchill's Speaker Series: (only $1 to RSVP as our way to give back to the community):

• 11/15/26 Harriet Beecher Stowe's Legacy & Tea

Whether you're interested in history, culture, or simply discovering exceptional teas, there's a journey waiting in every cup.

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