#rooibos tea online

[spicezen]

Discover the Rich Flavor of Authentic Rooibos Tea!

Naturally caffeine-free and packed with antioxidants, this vibrant herbal tea offers a unique, sweet flavor profile. Perfect for any time of day, rooibos tea promotes relaxation and wellness. Sip on a cup and enjoy its delicious health benefits today!

[solshop]

Unlocking the Magic of White Tea: 10 Health and Wellness Benefits

Unlocking the Magic of White Tea: 10 Health and Wellness Benefits

Here are 10 potential benefits of white tea:

High in Antioxidants: White tea is rich in antioxidants, which can help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.

2.Supports Skin Health: Antioxidants in white tea may help slow down the aging process, keeping your skin looking youthful.

3.Weight Management: Some studies suggest that white tea may help with weight management by increasing metabolism and reducing fat cell growth.

4.Heart Health: White tea may improve cardiovascular health by lowering the risk of heart disease, reducing high blood pressure, and improving cholesterol levels.

5.Cancer Prevention: The antioxidants in white tea may help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, although more research is needed.

6.Oral Health: White tea may help reduce the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth, potentially preventing dental issues.

7.Antimicrobial Properties: It has natural antimicrobial properties, which can help protect against infections.

8.Stress Reduction: Some compounds in white tea may have a calming effect and help reduce stress and anxiety.

9.Better Focus: The caffeine content in white tea can improve alertness and concentration without the jitters associated with other caffeinated beverages.

10.Improved Immune Function: The antioxidants in white tea may enhance your immune system's ability to fight off infections.

[askallianything]

[Funeral Event Opener]

Alli was in a cheery mood despite it being the date of her own funeral. But "funeral" was just the name she was using for it. It was more so.... a self indulgent party with coffins and flowers.

She sent invitations out to just about everyone but the boring general students. Alli wanted as many people as possible to come and celebrate her. And she wanted to make sure they had fun too. She skipped all her morning classes (which isn't anything new) just to decorate the dark Obscuary forest with lanterns and ribbons. When she was looking for the lost "leafy guy" weeks ago, she found a nice clearing in the woods adjacent to a river- the perfect place to hold her funeral.

After weeks of selling feet pictures online, she finally had enough to buy herself a pretty coffin and a pretty dress! Her coffin was black with delicately carved wood embroidery. Red velvet cushions lined the inside as silver accents accentuated the exterior. Her dress, like the coffin, and her hair, was mostly black with red as a secondary color. It was of the gothic lolita variety- having a pigeon-breasted top with lace embroideries and multiple ruffled layers. Her waist was sinched with a small corset, complimenting the puffy layers shaping her. The skirt of her dress was just a few inches above the knee. Which would usually feel too modest for Alli... but she remembers being told before that a modest dress code is a big part of funerals.

She didn't originally plan on it, but she decided to stock up on a few snacks. For the guests. She even brought non-toxic flowers for Towa and plain, boring, rooibos tea - just in case Jiro came. Alli didn't want anyone leaving early just because they were hungry! She did a gracious amount of accommodation for guests considering this party was supposed to be about her. Alli didn't even bring her snakes! Though, of course, she brought her beloved Kithy along. Every boy deserves to be invited to his mother's funeral.

Along with guest accommodations, Alli also worked relentlessly on the playlist for the occasion. She wanted the playlist to reflect her inside and out, for it to be so impactful that anytime someone hears "There’s a Good Reason These Tables Are Numbered Honey, You Just Haven’t Thought of It Yet" by Panic! At the Disco, they burst into tears from the overwhelming emotions attached to Alli's funeral.

After triple-checking that everything was in tip-top shape, she sent out a doodled map to all of her WickChat contacts. If no one showed up, she could just blame it on the map instead of spiraling into convincing herself that everyone hates her.

Everything was in order. Now all she has to do is wait for people to arrive!

[wheretheharekissesthefox]

The hand that feeds is the hand that's loved

Chapter 4: Curry not

Astarion's an aspiring lawyer, who's running from his past and suffers from a long list of food allergies. Gale's a former culinary prodigy, who's going through a nasty divorce and suffers from cooking fatigue. They meet in the snack aisle.

Trigger Waring (18+): Alternate Universe: Modern Setting, No Magic, No Vampire, No Wizard, Lawyer Astarion, Cook Gale, Astarion Has Food Allergies, Gale Is Depressed, Astarion Everything Is A Transaction Ancunin, Unnecessary Cooking And Food Details, This Is Basically A Culinary Show, Author Constantly Thinks About Food, Food As A Love Language, POV Astarion, Emotional Rollercoaster, Feelings, Overthinking, PTSD, Dissociation, Past Domestic Abuse, Past Non-Con/Rape, Unhealthy Coping Mechanism, Blow Job/Fellatio

Read on AO3

With a huff, Astarion banged open the door of his apartment, kicked off his shoes, and manoeuvred the shopping bags into the kitchen. He hated to go grocery shopping in the evenings. There were always too many people in the supermarket. Sighing deeply, Astarion sat everything down on the counter. It was time to meal prep.

Since he suffered from so many food allergies and food sensitivities, it was literally impossible to eat out or order in. He had to make every single meal he ate himself, or otherwise, he'd spent the next seventy-two hours in agony. Switching between curling up in bed in the foetus position, and hunching over the toilet, ejecting his entire stomach content one way or another. And all that while running a fever, breaking out in cold sweat, trembling like a leaf, and gripped by stomach cramps. Yeah, no thank you. He had had enough of that during his childhood and teen years. Never again.

Astarion took out his phone and logged into the GobblingGoblin online store to place his usual order of items he couldn't buy at GlutMart: dried wakame seaweed, toasted (with olive oil instead of sesame oil) nori seaweed snacks, vegan chocolate bars with cherries, dried porcini mushrooms, orange-flavoured rooibos iced tea sweetened with agave syrup, and gluten-free, vegan saltine crackers. He winced at the price, but nonetheless paid via PayMate. With that out of the way, Astarion started meal prepping. He washed, halfway peeled, and sliced the fresh cucumbers. He filled them into five glass containers with airtight lids, of which each one could fit exactly one sliced cucumber and a small jar of salad dressing. Astarion whipped up the latter in a bigger bowl, mixing together apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and black pepper, before dividing it into the five small jars. He sprinkled some frozen, pre-chopped chives and caraway seeds over the cucumber slices before adding the little sauce jars on top and snapping the lids shut. Astarion placed his weekly ration of salad in the fridge. He cooked a fresh batch of white rice to store for later use as well. Meanwhile, he prepared his dinner with the last bit of what was left over from the last portion. In a microwave-safe serving bowl, he created a soup base with vegetable bouillon powder, pepper, and some boiling water from the electric kettle. Then, he added some dried wakame seaweed and the leftover rice, mixing it all thoroughly before topping everything off with some more boiling water. Dinner was served. With a sigh, Astarion slumped onto a chair at the kitchen table and started eating. He didn't cook to woo and wow people with fancy creations. He cooked to survive, using his scarce ingredient options to make meals that were tasty enough to eat every day without triggering his gag reflex when smelling them. He and Gale were not the same. Unenthusiastically, Astarion supped the too-familiar soup and was grateful as it warmed his body from the inside out. When he'd finished it, he hunted down the second-to-last chocolate bar in his pantry and munched it while his mind drifted off, once again occupying itself with thoughts about Gale. Groaning, Astarion ran a hand down his face. He had kissed him in the park and agreed to a goddamn date! Falling for a client was an absolute no-go, especially when their case wasn't closed yet. Thankfully, he'd been professional on Monday during their meeting and had shook Gale's hand instead of kissed him again.

"Get your shit together, Ancunín," Astarion scolded himself. The last thing he needed was getting into trouble because his dick did the thinking instead of his head. As if to taunt him, his phone vibrated to notify him of a message from his favourite client.

Gale Dekarios: Good evening, Mister Ancunín, I'm sorry to bother you so late, but I have a couple of questions. Do you like chocolate? Can you eat freeze-dried cherries and berries? Do you also have a negative reaction to pickled onions? Can you eat garlic if it's cook for over an hour? I'm looking forward to hear from you :) Sincerely, Gale

For a moment, the lawyer stared at the message as if it could bite him. What the hell were these questions? He finally unfroze from his paralysis and typed out a reply.

Astarion Ancunín: Hello, Mister Dekarios. Yes, I like chocolate. I can eat freeze-dried cherries and berries. I don't know about the onion and garlic thing because I've never tried it before. Also, no one ever cooked garlic for so long, just the normal amount of time? I don't know how to answer that question. Why do you want to know anyway? Are you thinking about me while you're cooking? ;) Have a nice evening.

Stop flirting, you idiot! Astarion cringed inwardly about his own stupidity. Thankfully, his phone vibrated before he started spiralling.

Gale Dekarios: Okay, great! Thank you for answering so quickly. I'm doing some experimenting in the kitchen, so, yes, I'm thinking about you while I'm cooking. :)

Astarion Ancunín: Sounds fun, but please don't treat me like a lab rat, and don't serve me some fancy shit either. What about that Halruaan rice you promised me?

Gale Dekarios: Worry not! I always keep my promises. I just got inspired and started to think about tweaking certain recipes to fit your needs. For example, my mother's infamous chicken soup. I also got a few other ideas and theories. If you'd humour me, I'd be very curious how your body will react. Nothing dangerous, of course. I don't want you to get sick. Just rather harmless chemistry experiments.

Astarion Ancunín: Like what? Using laughing gas to force-feed me with your creations?

Gale Dekarios: Good heavens, no! D: I'd never do anything without your consent! Plus, I'll write down every single ingredient that I'll use to create our dinner. Nitrous oxide is commonly used in whipped cream canisters and cooking sprays though.

Astarion Ancunín: I was merely joking, darling, stop clutching your pearls. Also, I know about whippets. They're a rather popular party drug in the Lower City.

Gale Dekarios: God... The only thing I'm addicted to is my work.

Astarion Ancunín: I'd drink to that if I could. To us workaholics!

Gale Dekarios: Touché!

The house looked odd. Astarion double-checked the address, but he seemed to be at the right place. The grey stone building had a square, raised ground floor and first upper floor. The other three floor were a literal, round tower with a conical roof.

Since moving to Waterdeep three years ago, Astarion had never seen this building before – granted, he usually didn't hang around in the Dock Ward neighbourhood. The chilly wind tousled his silver curls, the smell of saltwater, fish, and algae were in the air. Seagulls screamed and fought over a few soggy French fries in a puddle. Astarion flinched when a cargo ship honked somewhere behind him, and he hurriedly rang the doorbell. When Gale opened the door and greeted him, Astarion couldn't help but ogle him. The cook was dressed in a dark purple polo shirt and dark blue jeans. He wore his brown hair in a half-updo and his beard neatly trimmed. As Gale showed Astarion around, the light caught a dangling, silver earring. A star with small amethyst gemstones. The man was stunning, and Astarion couldn't look away.

"So, how does one acquire a tower?" the latter wanted to know. "I didn't expect such an eccentric, humble home for a famed star chef like you."

"Oh, really? What did you expect?"

"Something sleek and modern. Boring and sterile, with loads of chrome. Like a restaurant kitchen."

Gale laughed amused and replied: "Not my style at all, but to be fair, it's exactly what my wife likes. You pretty much described the apartment I shared with her."

"Ugh, sounds dreadful," Astarion retorted. To his surprise, Gale agreed.

"It was. I never felt at home there – which might explains why I only went there to sleep and nothing else really. I poured myself into work instead. But enough of that."

He led Astarion towards the table in the living room and pulled the chair out for him. Astarion sat down and accepted the offered glass of water with a smile. He watched as Gale hurried to the kitchen to plate the first course of their dinner and served it, before sitting down. Astarion inspected the salad in front of him.

"A multiple-course meal? Oh, my! What did I do to deserve this?" he joked, and Gale smiled bashfully.

"I... I suppose I'm trying to impress you, Mister Ancunín. You're a rather fascinating specimen."

"Charmer," chuckled Astarion. "And let's drop the honorific form of address. This is a date, after all." Blushing a tad, Gale nodded. How adorable. "Tell me about your grandiose dinner plan, and how and what you came up with."

Unsurprisingly, the addressed's face lit up and he started rambling happily.

"Well, as you can tell, we start off with a beetroot salad. After cooking them, I diced and tossed them in a balsamic vinaigrette. The addition of caraway seeds gives it a distinctive flair that reminds me of the national dish of the North: borscht. For an extra kick of freshness, I added a few filleted orange slices as decoration. That pleases the eye, the tastebuds, and the health. Bon appétit!"

"Bon appétit," smirked Astarion and took the first bite. The earthy flavour of the beetroots harmonised well with the caraway seeds and the citrus flavour. "It's lovely."

"Yes, but nothing special, I'm afraid," Gale retorted, completely ignoring the praise. "Salads are one of the most versatile dishes, but if you can't use any raw vegetables, it's much more challenging to make it colourful and interesting."

"You could have gone for the safe option: cucumber salad. It's the only veggie I can eat raw without any issues," Astarion remarked "But you didn't. You wanted to surprise me with something different, and that's rather thoughtful."

"Yes. Well." Gale cleared his throat awkwardly. "I cannot resist a challenge when one arises. A constant folly of mine, I'm afraid."

"I don't mind. It's a charming folly."

Astarion watched amused as Gale turned the same colour as their salads, and quickly finished the first course. The brunet carried the plates back to the kitchen and returned with the promised Halruaan rice. The smell alone had Astarion salivating.

"Voilà, the famed Eastern dish, as promised!"

"Honestly, I've been waiting for this all week," admitted Astarion. "I even fantasised about the rice in my sleep."

"Well, then I'm glad I can satisfy this urge," Gale told him, before they dug in. The long grain rice was fluffy and firm to the bite. The mild yellow curry was elevated by sweet bits of raisins and dates. On the side, Gale had served a juicy chicken breast, marinated with the same yellow curry mixture and a drizzle of honey, and had garnished it with a fresh sprig of rosemary. Holy shit, it was delicious. Astarion couldn't help but moan at the taste, making Gale blush once more in the process.

"I apologise for ever doubting you. You really are a culinary wizard!"

Gale huffed a laugh, sounding relieved.

"I'm glad you like it, Astarion."

They lapsed into comfortable silence while they ate, until Gale spoke up again.

"I haven't actually answered your question from earlier. About the tower?" Astarion hummed encouragingly, shovelling another forkful of addictive rice into his mouth. "Originally, it served as a harbour tower since the middle ages, but has lost its importance one hundred and fifty years ago."

"And then it was just offered for sale?" Astarion asked in disbelief. "Not turned into a museum, or something? This city's so obsessed with its history otherwise."

"Ahem, well..." Gale grinned sheepishly. "Both sides of my family are deeply rooted in Waterdeep, and my maternal ancestors weren't cooks but fishers."

Astarion's eyes widened in realisation.

"No... Don't tell me that..."

"Guilty as charged, I'm afraid," giggled Gale. "This tower belongs to the Aumar family since the thirteenth century. My great-grandfather was the last harbour tower guard before the industrialisation, and since the tower lost its use and value, my family was able to keep it. My grandparents lived here, and after their death, the property went to Elminster." Gale had a fond look on his face as he smiled. He was beautiful, Astarion thought once more. "I've made a lot of good memories in here. After... after the scandal, Elminster encouraged me to move in long-term." He sighed as a shadow past his face. "You know, even before all of that, we had marital problems. Occasionally, Mystra got so mad at me that she changed the locks of the apartment and refused to let me in. During these times, Elminster allowed me to hunker down in here. The tower was empty anyway, so he told me to make myself comfortable and make it my own. I never had a say in the apartment’s furnishing and decor. Mystra hated how our tastes clash. Well..." Gale shrugged, smiling apologetically. "It's not my fault I like my home to be cosy."

He seemed so tired all of a sudden. So much older than thirty-five. Astarion suppressed the urge to stand up, walk over, and stroke the other man's hair. Instead, he remarked: "Well, darling, in my opinion, your home's nice and cosy, and I like it a lot. It feels warm and safe."

"Not cluttered?" Gale asked, the corners of his mouth ticking up.

"I think that's part of the charm, darling," teased the addressed, and they laughed about it.

After polishing off his plate, Astarion couldn't resist when Gale offered him seconds. When he was done with it, the cook prepared the dessert in the kitchen. It gave Astarion time to thoroughly look around and find out more about the other man. The plentiful, overflowing bookshelves gave away Gale's love for reading, the many pots everywhere proved his green thumb, and the old-fashioned furniture made of dark wood and velvet revealed Gale's taste. Astarion's head snapped back to attention when the brunet walked in, carrying a serving tray. Maybe he could continue his snooping later on.

"Ta-da! Tiramisu and a Myratma Fog!"

"Gale..."

"Listen, I know what you're thinking, and I'm aware it looks like the real deal, but it's not, I promise! I brew organic lavender from the Purple Hills region and steamed almond milk, which I've sweetened with vanilla sugar before. I gently stirred it all together, placed some almond milk macrofoam on top, and garnished it with a sprinkle of dried lavender flowers. It's safe for you to drink, I swear it on the lives of all my ancestors."

"What about the tiramisu?" Astarion asked quietly. "That's biscuits, coffee, mascarpone, and egg. I'm not an idiot, Gale."

"I know, yes, but I - I changed the recipe! I bought vegan mascarpone, and it consists of coconut cream, rape seed oil, and guar gum flour. I double-checked the ingredient list, I swear!" Gale was stumbling over his words in the haste to explain himself. "I used gluten-free, vegan ladyfingers and soaked them in Amaretto and chicory coffee substitute. I left out the eggs and simply fluffed up the vegan mascarpone with sugar, and orange and lemon zest. I topped it off with a light dusting of a cocoa and powdered sugar mixture."

Despite Gale's words, Astarion stared and poked at the dessert as if it could jump off the plate and bite him. Gale sat down with a heavy sigh.

"It's safe to eat, I promise. I'm not trying to hurt you and make you ill. Quite the contrary, actually." A faint blush spread across his cheeks as he nervously rubbed his nose. "I believe more chefs should cater to people with food allergies. It was rather challenging to hunt down all the ingredients I needed, and if food companies and cooks would focus more on that problem, new products would be invented, the variety would increase, and the prices would be less exorbitant."

"That's exactly why I try to stay away from products that are specifically labelled as allergen-free," Astarion ranted. "All those breads, cookies, and snacks are at least twice as expensive as the 'normal' products, and, as the cherry on top, usually, they taste like shit!"

Gale laughed, good-naturedly.

"I think you're onto something."

"Naturally," quipped Astarion, winking.

They lapsed into a pleasant silence. It was never fully quiet in Gale's tower though. The grandfather clock was ticking slowly, the fridge hummed in the background, the fireplace – which apparently was the building's heating system – crackled, and outside the windows screeched a colony of seagulls.

Finally, Astarion cut off a piece of the tiramisu with the spoon and, with a pounding heart, put it in his mouth. ... Fuck. He closed his eyes as long-forgotten but still familiar flavours exploded over his tongue, and his tastebuds sang their praise. Despite being a coffee substitute, the chicory offered the typical roasted flavour and harmonised perfectly with the nuttiness of the almond liqueur. The vegan mascarpone had a thicker, less fluffy texture than the real stuff, but still provided the required creaminess. The zests gave it a fresh kick, which would cut through the heaviness of the dairy, but in this case, they served to enhance the taste of the vegan mascarpone. The bittersweetness of the cocoa/sugar powder brought it all together. It obviously didn't taste like 'real' tiramisu, but it was easily the best dessert Astarion had ever had since he'd cut out all the allergens. Fuck. He swallowed another bite.

"Is it to your liking?" Gale wanted to know, sounding anxious for some damn reason. Was he actually nervous? He? The culinary prodigy, who could do magic in the kitchen? Astarion opened his eyes, horrified to feel the sting of tears in them.

"Gale... this is the best thing I've eaten in fifteen years. Not just the tiramisu but the entire dinner. I... I don't know what to say." Astarion barked a laugh, furiously blinking away the unshed tears. "There are no words that could describe my gratitude, so, I'll make it simple. Thank you, Gale. This is a gift, you know, and I'll never forget it."

The addressed beamed at him, replying: "Anything for you, Astarion."

After finishing their dessert, Astarion followed Gale into the kitchen. He knew what naturally came next. They were on a date, after all. Usually, Astarion made sure to keep some room in his stomach, but he'd had no self-control tonight. Gale's cooking was too delicious to deny. So, there was no way he could be fucked without the risk of puking. A blowjob then. Yes, he could do that. Astarion observed Gale, who was yapping about the little experiments he wanted to involve the lawyer with. The latter hadn't really been listening, too distracted by the thoughts of repaying the cook for his generosity. When Gale was drying his hands on a kitchen towel, Astarion took it as his cue. He moved closer, trapping the other man against the kitchen counter.

"You know," he purred, "no one has ever cooked for me specifically before. What I like or what I can eat never mattered. I just had to make do with what was given to me. So... thank you, Gale. For everything."

He leaned in for a kiss, sighing when their lips met. Gale's were soft, plush, and warm, and the cook brought his hands up to cradle Astarion's face between them. The lawyer liked it. He gently sucked on Gale's lower lip, and when the brunet gasped, Astarion slipped his tongue into the other's mouth, making him moan. It felt so good. Kissing Gale was a revelation. Astarion liked everything about him: his personality, his looks, his scent, his taste. Gale was the first person in years, who didn't put Astarion off. With a happy, little sigh, the brunet drew back to gasp for breath.

"Astarion," he whispered, reverently. The addressed felt a pleasant shiver running up his spine. Kissing Gale felt great, but he knew that was not enough for payment, and he wasn't sure if he'd enjoy the next part of it.

"You took care of me, now, let me take care of you in return, darling," he purred and unzipped Gale's jeans. The latter's breath hitched, his eyes widened. Oh, he was totally into this. Of course he was. Astarion was beautiful, and they both knew it. The lawyer went down on his knees, pulling Gale's trousers and underwear down. The half-hard cock sprang free, uncut, and nestled in a neatly trimmed bush. At least, he wasn't gross. A small mercy. Astarion licked his lips. He could do this. He'd done it countless times before. This was Gale, not a random stranger, and he would be gentle. Wouldn't choke him on his dick until he gagged and threw up. This was Gale, with his soft eyes and warm hands. He wouldn't pull his hair and push him down. Wouldn't call him derogatory terms while fucking his throat raw. Astarion took a deep breath to calm himself and glanced up to see a look of awe and adoration on the other man's flushed face. Gale wouldn't hurt him. Determined, Astarion took him in his mouth, deliberately slowly, running his tongue along the underside of Gale's dick. It wasn't so girthy that it caused lock-jaw, and it smelled clean and faintly of lavender. Gale's dick was perfect – and so were the noises he made. Little hitches of breath and high-pitched whimpers. Delicious. His surprisingly dextrous fingers were in Astarion's curls, not griping or pushing, but lightly massaging his scalp, which was rather pleasant. Astarion focused on sucking the cock in his mouth, he was a professional after all. He drew back to lick the tip, tasting the pearly precum. It wasn't too bad. With closed eyes, he sunk down again, twirling his tongue, while his hand stroke the base. He had an intense fear of deepthroating ever since that one very specific incident when –

"Astarion... I'm close. Please..."

Ah, alright then. The addressed hummed in understanding and kept going. Gale's panting sounded loud and harsh in the otherwise quiet room.

"Astarion."

There was a sob and a hitched breath, and then, Gale was coming. Astarion swallowed it all down dutifully – too afraid of the punishment if he wouldn't – and was surprised that it didn't even taste too bad. Other than HIM, Gale didn't drink coffee nor alcohol, nor did he smoke, so, maybe, that explained the difference in taste. With a gasp, Astarion popped off the softening dick, slightly dazed. The gentle fingers in his hair wandered down to his cheek to tilt his head up.

"Sorry, I'm sorry, Astarion. I didn't mean to - to - But you didn't stop."

"What's the problem, darling? Didn't it feel good to come in my mouth? Isn't it what you wanted?"

The lawyer's voice was raspy and his speech slightly slurred as he peered up through his long, black lashes.

"W-well..." stammered Gale, turning crimson. "It – It felt good."

Astarion hummed in acknowledgement. Of course, it felt good. He'd been praised for his skills often enough. He knew he was a talented cocksucker.

"Was it... good for you too?"

Okay, that was new. Astarion blinked a couple of times, dumbstruck, and found his way back into his body.

"Of course, darling," he lied, coquettishly. – Was it a lie? Astarion suddenly wasn't sure anymore.

"Oh." Gale let go of the breath he'd been holding. "What a relief. I have no intention of making you uncomfortable, or getting you into a sticky situation."

"Sticky, eh?" Astarion smirked, his brain fully online again, as he stood up with feline grace. "It's fine, darling. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself so thoroughly."

To his utter surprise, Gale placed a gentle, chaste kiss on his lips despite the fact that he'd just sucked his dick and reeked of it.

"I'll gladly return the favour," the cook told him, still flushed. "I - I can do that for you, if you wish."

"That's not necessary," Astarion replied quickly. "The pleasure was all mine, and it's getting late."

"But..." Gale frowned. "It would be rather ungentlemanly of me not to –"

"You can be a gentleman next time," Astarion interrupted him smoothly. Gale kept frowning, but thankfully didn't object. Astarion was relieved when the brunet turned around and started stacking food containers with leftovers into a cooling bag, together with his experiments.

"Here you go," Gale smiled. "Again, you don't have to indulge my curiosity if you fear it'll be unsafe for you, but I'm curious about the results nonetheless."

"I'll see what I can do," replied Astarion smoothly.

"Spoken like a true lawyer," teased the cook.

"I am a true lawyer."

Laughing, they moved towards the front door, and Astarion took the cooling bag from Gale, before pecking him on the cheek and stepping outside.

"Thank you, Gale. I had a lovely time," smiled Astarion. He meant it. The addressed smiled back.

"Me too. Goodnight, Astarion. Be safe."

With a curt nod, the lawyer turned around.

As he walked along the wharf beneath the yellow light of the streetlamps and lulled by the sound of the gently swaying sea, he could still taste Gale on his tongue. For the first time in forever, the lingering cum didn't make him want to retch. How peculiar.

[anotherdayforchaosfay]

I miss having a tea subscription. Unfortunately, I can't afford the indulgence. Sipsby went out if business, and it was the only one I could afford.

What's a tea subscription? Basically, you get a subscription from a company, like Tea Runners (my sister keeps telling me I would love them), and receive four teas every month. Loose leaf comes with tea filters. Some companies will curate based on your preferences with a little questionnaire, like what you're allergic to, medical conditions, flavors you hate (I haaaaate chamomile and butterfly pea flower; both taste yucky). Others let yoy choose from what they have available. You get enough to make about 20-30 cups total. From that, you discover new tea brands and flavors. Some of my favorite teas were discovered using Sipsby.

Someday, I'll be able to afford this. Likely in 2026 because we're too poor for me to afford this, our regular bills, groceries, car care (fuel, repairs, oil changes, etc), and home maintenance.

If we're friends, feel free to gift me a subscription. 😉 I'm a tea lover, and these things give me an exciting treat to look forward to.

I just restocked my English Breakfast Tea (I can't tolerate coffee but tea is perfect) from my favorite brand, Harney & Sons. Someone here gifted me a sample box if their teas, and the Hot Cinnamon Spice is my favorite of that lot, so I ordered a tin of it. $11 for 60 cups? Yes, please. I ordered that as a treat for myself.

Listen, I'm an absolute whore for good tea. The novelty is just...so satisfying.

Flavors I hate: chamomile (tastes and smell like medicine; if you're allergic to ragweed, avoid chamomile), butterfly pea flower (disgusting), and rooibos (gives me diarrhea every time I drink it).

Irish breakfast tea is delicious, but the caffeine is WAY too high. English Breakfast Tea has about the same as a can of Pepsi (and I have only a single cup a day, and bout 10 minutes after i'm out of bed), where as Irish breakfast tea has twice that, easily. Big nope.

Anyway, rambling and whining. If you love tea and want to discover new teas, look up tea subscriptions.

[sufficientlylargen]

I was tagged by @athenasdragon

Favorite color: medium blue, probably? Though when I was a kid I told people it was orange, not because I loved orange more than other colors, but because my older brother's favorite color was orange and it annoyed him when I picked the same one. But e.g. most of my clothing is darkish blues or occasionally greens, so that seems to be what I gravitate towards most.

Last song: "Dare to be Stupid" by Weird Al Yankovic, because it was in a tumblr post that came up recently. I think the last song I heard before that post was "Lock Me Up" by the Chalkeaters.

Currently reading: *sigh* I haven't been finding time to read things lately. I am (roughly) keeping up with some online works, notably @derinthescarletpescatarian's Time To Orbit: Unknown (which I think is almost complete) and Charlie MacNamara, Space Pirate, as well as @elodieunderglass's His Delicious Materials, which is Dungeon Meshi if they all had His Dark Materials-style daemons. Also I picked up Travis Baldree's Legends & Lattes the last time I was in a physical bookstore, on @loryer496's recommendation, but I haven't started it yet. Also also I think I borrowed The Goblin Emperor from @platoapproved something like twelve years ago and then didn't have time to finish it and it's been sitting in my "to read" pile for like a decade.

Currently watching: Same problem as above, time and energy have reliably been either scarce or mismanaged so I mostly watch bits and pieces of whatever @bbcphile happens to be watching. If video games count I picked Hades back up again recently, but not Hades 2 because I don't have a platform it'll run on. Probably also going to pick up Ori and the Will of the Wisps sometime soon, because I loved the first one.

Currently craving: Sleep, or at least the feeling of having slept well. An incident with a medication and some bad doctor's advice left me unable to get much sleep for a while, and I'm still recovering from that.

Coffee or tea: I like coffee a lot, but only drink decaf because of a heart issue that *probably* wouldn't be exacerbated by drinking a bunch of caffeine but it doesn't seem worth the risk to try it. Much tea falls in a similar bucket, making it a really weird-tasting bucket of drink, but I do drink a lot of rooibos, which I consider a tea even though botanists and tea aficionados might disagree with me.

Tagging: @loryer496 @shacklesburst @regexkind @eikotheblue @maeamian @platoapproved @asmuchasidliketo but no pressure if you'd rather not.

[leebrontide]

Brain is being bleeguhg tonight so I couldn't do anything that needed it. So I redid the tea flavors based on my MCs from Secondhand Origin Stories, Doll's Eye View, and Names in Their Blood.

I'll add a Martin one when I can figure out what to put on the tin, since I have to upload art. Plus one other character you won't meet till Names in Their Blood comes out. Then I'll have all 6 needed for a fandom box set.

Jamie has bright and refreshing hibiscus and citrus notes in a Ceylon/rooibos tea blend, with a ginger kick

Opal has my best interpretation of a summery cottage garden with notes of rose, cream, raspberry, and cornflowers in a classic black tea mixed with a delicate peony tea.

Yael has a riot of juicy fruit flavors against a complex mix of black tea, green rooibos tea, and pu-erh, with rainbow sprinkles cause fuck it why not.

and Issac has a rich, deep-flavored blend of pu-erh, toasted mate, and black tea, flavored with dark chocolate, hazelnut and caramel, and just a little hint of raspberry leaves to round it out.

[thebeautycove]

CLIVE CHRISTIAN - L RED TEA VETIVER - Private Collection - Extrait de Parfum - Novità 2025 -

A scent. 160 ingredients to unveil a lively captivating aromatic excellence. A serotonin booster.

.

Eccellenza olfattiva in 160 ingredienti per l'ultima creazione CLIVE CHRISTIAN, L Red Tea Vetiver, parte dell'esclusiva Private Collection.

Come una pozione rigenerante da assaporare alle prime luci del mattino ma, sia chiaro, assolutamente perfetta per deliziare ogni momento della giornata.

Fragranza che prende vita dalla sottile armonizzazione di note aromatiche boisé, rivela nell'accordo centrale la presenza del pregiato red tea Rooibos (in realtà non propriamente un tè ma un infuso da pianta arbustiva originaria del Sud Africa, dal delicato sapore fruttato) che, in equilibrio con le note citrine di limone primofiore, l'accento dry erbaceo del vetiver ed il sofisticato sostegno di sandalo e muschi sa stabilire una profonda connessione sensoriale e ancorare la piacevolezza del momento.

Un Extrait de Parfum di estrema raffinatezza, potentemente distensivo e corroborante. Un booster di serotonina.

Eau de Parfum 50 ml. Online qui

©thebeautycove   @igbeautycove

[whattheabcxyz]

2025-03-06

Singapore

Seniors living in private properties to receive up to 75% subsidy to install elder-friendly fittings

Silver Housing Bonus (SHB) to be extended to include seniors who own a private property with AV not exceeding $31K

Man to face charges over illegally importing 154 replica guns without permit

Woman opened bank accounts that received millions in scam proceeds - what I'd like to know is how this obvious Myanmar national was given Singapore citizenship! 😠

Woman offers $2K bounty to find life partner - says a lot about her if she has to resort to doing this sort of thing just to find a mate

Plans for 8 more parks & another 13km of park connectors - & in the meantime the government will continue happily cutting down more natural forest here, to allow for more "development"

Regulations against online marketplace platforms & retailers selling non-compliant active mobility devices to be introduced - the more important thing is how they're going to be enforced!!! 😒

Ex-Kinderland preschool teacher admits ill-treating children & force-feeding them water - no prizes for guessing which country she's originally from!

Outgoing DBS chief Piyush Gupta’s 2024 pay rose to $17.6m after bank’s record earnings - you'd think they'd spend at least some of that on improving their level of service, but no

SCDF & NEA probing if Kranji facility that caught fire stored unlicenced toxic waste &/or flouted safety regulations

Food

Brewing tea removes heavy metals from water - a study found that black, green & white teas reduced the concentration of lead ions in the water to a greater degree than chamomile, rooibos & oolong teas

Nature

Why Greenland sharks can live cancer-free for 400 years - they have unique DNA repair mechanisms & immune system genes that help them avoid tumours

Singapore: Tiny species of lace bug rediscovered at Botanic Gardens after last being seen in 1917

Education

Singapore: Students applying to junior college from 2028 to use L1R4 instead of L1R5 score - it means students don't have to take as many subjects as before

Science

^ Company seeking to resurrect the extinct woolly mammoth creates a "woolly mouse" instead - it was much easier I guess!

Ancient ancestor of the plague discovered in Bronze Age sheep - this could be evidence that the disease could have spread between humans & their own livestock well before the pathogen evolved to jump from rodents to people via fleas

Intuitive Machines’ Athena lander reaches the moon lopsided, just like its predecessor

Gossip

Glenda Chong gives birth to 1st child at 51

Travel

Discounts at 23 Singapore attractions as part of SG60 celebrations

[many-to-mention10001]

What types of tea does Harney & Sons offer?

What types of tea does Harney & Sons offer? Harney & Sons offers a wide range of teas, including black, green, white, oolong, herbal, and specialty blends like flavored teas and wellness teas.

Where is Harney & Sons tea sourced from? The company sources its teas from reputable tea-growing regions around the world, including China, India, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Africa.

Are Harney & Sons teas organic? Many Harney & Sons teas are organic, and they offer a selection of certified organic blends. Look for the organic label on specific products.

Is Harney & Sons tea gluten-free? Most Harney & Sons teas are naturally gluten-free. However, some blends with added flavorings or ingredients may contain traces, so it’s best to check product labels.

Do Harney & Sons teas contain caffeine? Caffeine content varies by tea type. Black and green teas typically have caffeine, while herbal and rooibos blends are caffeine-free.

How should Harney & Sons tea be stored? Store the tea in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and strong odors, ideally in its original tin or an airtight container.

Does Harney & Sons offer loose-leaf tea and tea bags? Yes, they provide both loose-leaf teas and tea sachets (pyramid-shaped tea bags) for convenience.

Can I buy Harney & Sons tea in bulk? Yes, Harney & Sons offers bulk options for some teas, ideal for frequent drinkers or businesses like cafes.

Are there any seasonal or limited-edition teas? Harney & Sons frequently releases seasonal blends and limited-edition teas, especially during holidays and special occasions.

Where can I buy Harney & Sons tea? Their teas are available on the Harney & Sons website, in their retail stores, and through various online and physical retailers worldwide.

[tealovers]

Explore Tea Lovers' Exceptional Range of Gourmet Tea and Premium Tea Wares

Tea Lovers is home to Australia's largest selection of gourmet tea, Japanese tea wares, tea gifts, and other specialty tea accessories. With over 200 types of gourmet tea, sourced from the finest tea farms and manufacturers worldwide, Tea Lovers has earned a reputation for offering exceptional quality. Their collection primarily focuses on loose leaf gourmet tea, but they also provide a range of silk pyramid teabags for added convenience.

Known as Australia's largest online retail store for gourmet tea and tea wares, Tea Lovers offers a vast array of loose leaf teas. From single-origin black and green teas to flavoured tea varieties, herbal infusions, wellness teas, rooibos tea, and fruit infusions, their selection caters to every tea enthusiast. Whether you are searching for a classic or something unique, tea enthusiasts will find their perfect brew here.

Tea Lovers 'flavoured tea' varieties are among its most popular offerings. Flavoured teas are available in black teas, green teas, rooibos herbal teas, and fruit infusions. Their flavoured black teas include irresistible options like Turkish Delight, Dark Chocolate Ginger, After Dinner Mint, Stockholm Blend, Strawberry Cream, Pistachio Truffle, and French Vanilla. Their flavoured green tea selections are equally enticing, with options like Lychee Magic, Sakura Cherry, Lime & Coconut, Moroccan Mint, and Banana Berry Bliss.

For those seeking caffeine-free choices, the herbal and fruit tea range includes favourites such as Blueberry Cheesecake Rooibos, Chocolate Truffle Rooibos, Pina Colada Fruit Tea, and Raspberry Lemonade Fruit Infusion. You can explore their full range of gourmet tea varieties at www.tealovers.com.au.

Tea Lovers is also known for its high-quality Japanese ceramic tea wares. With over 20 years of partnership with traditional Japanese ceramic manufacturers, they offer a beautiful selection of earthenware mugs, teapots, and cups in classic blue and white patterns, along with other designs. These tea wares make for excellent gifts or personal purchases, adding a touch of Japanese tradition to your tea-drinking experience.

Gourmet tea is gaining popularity in Australia as consumers increasingly choose quality loose leaf tea over traditional grocery store teabags, driven by growing awareness of tea quality, environmental and health consciousness, and a desire for a more refined tea experience. Similar to fine wine, gourmet tea offers a diverse range of flavours, particularly in single-origin teas that reflect their geographic origins. For flavoured tea lovers, gourmet teas provide dessert-like flavours without added sugars or calories. The rise of bubble tea and concerns over microplastics in teabags have further fuelled interest in loose leaf tea products, as more health-conscious consumers seek purer, higher quality loose leaf tea products and caffeine-reducing options.

Tea Lovers offers Australia's largest range of gourmet tea, specialising in over 200 varieties of loose leaf and flavoured teas, as well as quality tea wares. As gourmet tea grows in popularity, Tea Lovers continues to meet the demand with premium products and a focus on tea-drinking experiences.

[basketleaftea]

How to Research Your Target Market for a Tea Business – Basketleaf

Launching a successful tea business starts with thoroughly understanding your target market. Researching your audience allows you to shape your offerings, create effective marketing strategies, and ultimately ensure that your business appeals to the right customers. For entrepreneurs aiming to start one of the best businesses under ₹1 lakh, understanding your target market is essential to make smart, budget-friendly decisions that will maximize growth potential.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to researching your target market for a tea business.

1. Define Your Target Customer Profile

Identifying your target customer is the first step. Look at characteristics such as age, lifestyle, purchasing preferences, and health awareness to build a detailed customer profile.

Key Demographic Points to Consider

Age Range: Who would buy your tea? Millennials and Gen Z customers often look for unique and health-conscious options, while older generations might prefer classic flavors.

Income Level: Higher-income customers may be more interested in premium, organic, or artisanal teas, while budget-conscious buyers may prioritize affordability.

Lifestyle and Interests: Health-focused consumers might prefer herbal or Ayurvedic teas, while tea enthusiasts might look for specialty blends and unique flavors.

Budget-Friendly Tactic

Conduct informal surveys through social media or leverage free survey tools like Google Forms to gather insights into customer preferences.

2. Conduct Competitor Analysis

Look at what other tea businesses in your area or online are offering. This will help you identify market gaps, learn about successful strategies, and understand consumer expectations.

What to Look For in Competitors

Product Range: Which tea varieties are popular? Are there any unique flavors or blends that competitors are known for?

Pricing Strategy: Note the price range of products, discount offers, and bulk pricing. This can give you an idea of the expected price point in your target market.

Customer Engagement: Observe how your competitors engage with customers through social media, email marketing, and content to see which strategies resonate with their audience.

Budget-Friendly Tactic

Use free tools like Ubersuggest and SEMrush’s free version to analyze competitors' keywords and online performance. Follow competitors on social media to see their marketing strategies in action.

3. Explore Industry Trends and Consumer Preferences

Stay informed about the latest trends in the tea industry, as they can reveal what appeals to modern tea drinkers. Trends such as organic teas, sustainability, and unique flavors are all important considerations.

Popular Trends in the Tea Industry

Health-Boosting Ingredients: Teas with ingredients like turmeric, ginger, and matcha are increasingly popular due to their health benefits.

Eco-Friendly Packaging: Sustainable packaging is a priority for many consumers, especially environmentally conscious younger customers.

Unique Flavors and Blends: Beyond traditional chai, tea drinkers are exploring exotic flavors like hibiscus, lavender, and rooibos.

Budget-Friendly Tactic

Subscribe to free industry newsletters and reports or follow tea industry websites to get regular updates on trends. Platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram can also reveal trends through influencer posts and consumer conversations.

4. Use Online Market Research Tools

There are several free or affordable tools that provide insights into consumer behavior, search trends, and market demand. These tools can reveal what your target market is searching for, which keywords they use, and what they’re interested in.

Recommended Market Research Tools

Google Trends: Explore popular tea-related search terms and discover seasonal patterns in tea purchases.

Keyword Planner (Google Ads): Learn which keywords related to tea are most searched, such as “organic tea” or “green tea for health.”

Social Listening Tools: Free tools like Hootsuite (with limited features) allow you to track conversations about tea on social media to learn what customers care about.

Budget-Friendly Tactic

Use Google Trends and Keyword Planner to understand high-demand tea categories without any cost. Social media can also be a goldmine of market insights for free if you follow popular hashtags in the tea industry.

5. Identify Customer Pain Points and Preferences

Knowing what your potential customers value and what challenges they face when buying tea can help you design a more appealing product. Common pain points may include limited availability of certain flavors, high prices, or lack of eco-friendly packaging.

How to Identify Pain Points

Customer Reviews: Read online reviews of similar tea businesses to learn about common complaints or issues customers encounter.

Social Media Feedback: Engage with tea-related groups and forums to understand consumer feedback and complaints.

Surveys and Questionnaires: Conduct small surveys, asking what customers value most in a tea brand (e.g., flavor, health benefits, packaging, affordability).

Budget-Friendly Tactic

Use free online platforms like Reddit and Facebook groups where tea lovers share opinions, ask questions, and provide reviews. Reading through these posts can offer invaluable insights.

6. Conduct a SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)

A SWOT analysis can help you assess your own business potential within the target market. By understanding what strengths to capitalize on and what weaknesses to address, you’ll be better prepared to succeed.

Basic Steps in SWOT for Your Tea Business

Strengths: Identify what makes your business stand out. For instance, if you have a unique blend of herbal teas, that’s a strength.

Weaknesses: Acknowledge areas that may require improvement, such as limited funding for marketing.

Opportunities: Recognize market gaps, like the demand for organic teas or locally sourced ingredients.

Threats: Identify potential challenges, like high competition or fluctuating ingredient prices.

Budget-Friendly Tactic

Use SWOT templates available online to quickly conduct this analysis without needing any paid tools. Reviewing competitor SWOT analyses online can also offer additional context.

7. Run Test Marketing Campaigns

Before launching your tea business full-scale, test your concept on a small scale to gauge interest. A test marketing campaign allows you to validate your assumptions, understand customer reactions, and refine your offerings before investing fully.

Ways to Test Your Tea Business Concept

Pre-Order Sales: Launch a pre-order campaign for select tea blends to gauge interest.

Pop-Up Stores or Farmers Markets: Consider testing your products locally to get real-time feedback from potential customers.

Social Media Polls and Ads: Run ads or polls on platforms like Instagram to see which products or concepts resonate most with your audience.

Budget-Friendly Tactic

Utilize social media platforms to test your concept with minimal investment, and attend local markets where you can pay a low vendor fee to showcase your products directly to customers.

8. Refine Your Customer Profile and Strategy Based on Insights

Once you’ve gathered data from various sources, refine your customer profile and marketing strategy based on the insights you’ve collected. Keep refining as you learn more about your audience, and use these insights to adjust your offerings.

Key Points to Consider

Product Development: Customize your tea blends based on identified customer preferences, such as wellness teas or fruity flavors.

Pricing Strategy: Adjust your pricing to align with customer expectations and competitor pricing.

Marketing Channels: Focus on the channels where your target audience is most active, whether that’s Instagram, YouTube, or local markets.

Budget-Friendly Tactic: Track analytics from Google and social media insights to monitor what works best, then adjust your strategy based on actual data rather than assumptions.

FAQ

Q1: Why is target market research important for a tea business?Market research helps you understand what your potential customers want, how to price your products competitively, and how to market effectively. Knowing your audience ensures you meet their expectations and stand out in a competitive market.

Q2: Can I conduct market research on a limited budget?Absolutely. There are many free or low-cost tools available for competitor analysis, keyword research, and social listening. Focus on high-impact, budget-friendly strategies like social media polls and free tools.

Q3: How do I validate demand for my tea products?Testing your products through pre-orders, pop-up shops, or small-scale digital campaigns can help you validate demand. Gathering real-time feedback is invaluable for fine-tuning your offerings.

Q4: How often should I revisit my target market research?Customer preferences can change over time, so it’s wise to revisit your research annually or whenever you plan significant product updates or marketing campaigns.Starting a tea business is one of the best businesses under ₹1 lakh when approached with a clear understanding of your target market. With focused research and a strategic approach, you’ll be able to connect with your ideal customers, offering products that truly resonate and establishing a strong brand presence.

[robbno]

Trapped by culture

Some stores just ain't introvert friendly. I'm not talking like these people are mean or anything. Quite the opposite in this case. Just too much "Hello there!"

We have this spa store in town that sells scented oils, candles, soaps and perfumes. The idea is relaxing aromatherapy and feel good skincare. As one would guess.

I like their products, but can't afford it that often. Shouldn't stop me from staying updated, though.

Since it's impossible to smell their stuff online, one needs to go to the store itself to make a "when possible, I'll buy this" list.

There it was. The gate to the store in front of me. I can do this.

My feet was touching the doorway...

Okay. Just in, smell the samples, read the names, say thank you and leave. The products I'm curious about are right by the door. I still have to be seen though. I don't want them to mistake me for a thief. I just need to be quicker than their services.

I stepped inside and got a cup of tea out if nowhere and a long friendly presentation about the series I just wanted to study a bit quickly.

I swear. The only thing missing was a couch and some relaxing music. I've been eaten alive by this store's heavy service. Again!

I tried the tactical comments "just browsing" and "I don't have much to spend" so they'll know I won't be buying today. Probably leave me to it.

Nothing could stop them. I was stuck until there was nothing else to be said about the product.

I awkwardly just stood there alone in front of them for a minute after everything, sipping the tea I never asked for. It was a nice... Rooibos with cinnamon, I think.

"Okay. Thanks. Bye." And I left.

I feel so darn guilty everytime. Just let a socially terrefied bloke browse! Please!

My hand smells like I just kicked down the doors to heaven to slam dunk it in a fountain filled with the nectar of mindful peace and ran off the way I came arms out, like a runaway toddler who doesn't want to nap.

I was afraid angels would possess my hand and attack me.

I will buy that scented oil when the one I have now runs out. I need the peace it gives after shopping at a place like that.

[threespoonsie]

Rooibos Tea Bush | Threespoons.ie

Threespoons.ie is the leading online tea store that sells a wide range of delicious rooibos tea bush products. We are dedicated to offering the finest quality teas for people worldwide. Shop now!

rooibos tea bush

[nmsc-market-pulse]

𝘼 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚 𝙂𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 “𝙏𝙚𝙖”: 𝙋𝙤𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝘾𝙝𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙𝙬𝙞𝙙𝙚!

𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀 𝙎𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚: https://www.nextmsc.com/tea-market/request-sample

The 𝙏𝙚𝙖 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙩 is experiencing a renaissance, blending tradition with innovation. Here’s a closer look:

𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔: With growing awareness of the health benefits, tea consumption is on the rise. Herbal teas, green tea, and specialty blends are gaining popularity for their wellness properties.

𝑮𝒍𝒐𝒃𝒂𝒍 𝑭𝒍𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒔: The market is embracing a diverse range of flavors from around the world, offering everything from classic black teas to exotic blends like matcha and rooibos.

𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕 𝑮𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒕𝒉: The tea market is expanding rapidly, driven by increasing consumer demand, innovative product offerings, and the rise of premium and organic teas.

𝑰𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑷𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈: Brands are adopting eco-friendly and aesthetically pleasing packaging to attract environmentally conscious consumers.

𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙁𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩: https://www.nextmsc.com/report/tea-market

𝙏𝙚𝙖 𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚:

Tea houses, specialty cafes, and online tea communities are flourishing, creating spaces for enthusiasts to explore and appreciate tea culture.

𝙆𝙚𝙮 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧𝙨:

·       Unilever

·       Tata Global Beverages GB Ltd

·       Barry's Tea

·       Associated British Foods plc

·       Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate

·       Nestlé

Stay tuned for more updates and insights on the vibrant and evolving tea market!

[scribblestatic]

Hey, anon-who-has-a-lot-of-questions is online again! To begin with, I am absolutely happy that, despite the fact that it was bad for them, the mentality of the Lamb is kept at an acceptable level!

Your description of the roses reminded me of the High Magic tea roses, they are exactly yellow-orange with a red border (they are simply incredible, they look like someone spilled sunset on the petals!)

Secondly, YES, BINGO, I KNEW IT WAS ONE OF THEM TWO! Truuuuuuue, now I’m thinking about Hypnos from Hades 2 (I don’t know if you played the first part and whether you saw the official art of the characters in the second part, but it’s like the lamb’s brother - white-haired, curly, with dark gray skin, pretty, in red-white and, if you look at it this way, with gold and dark (but peaceful) accents in the image!) (and in the second part his sprite changed to “sleeping among flowers" (though poppies, not roses)) And, if you liked the paintings of Francisco Goya, then perhaps the works of Hieronymus Bosch will also be quite inspiring, for example, “The Adoration of the Magi”, “The Turtle and a Winged Demon” and the famous “Garden of Earthly Delights”

And now some questions! Is the Lamb a deity who managed to ascend without a Crown, or a selfless mortal who, not entirely willingly, replaced the eloped god of death? Or demigod? Does Nari feel weak because he is not fulfilling his divine duties and is weakened because of it, because the power is divided between him and the surviving Lamb, because the mortal world influences him, or is it just his personal feelings after being imprisoned in world that belongs to him? (or is this too much of a spoiler and Narinder doesn't want to talk about it? *winks*) Did the innocent Lamb grow the fangs of a predator or was he a poor lovestruck thing until the very end (cough, beginning, cough)? Was Maon sincere during his betrayal and later regretted it, or did he simply set an example for the rest of his flock to spare their lives in memory of his merciful spouse? Is the Darkwood a dead place or is the power of He Who Weeps simply spreading through it from those to whom they grant peace?

Does Clauneck like tea? Do you like tea?

Ooooh I didn't know about the tea roses, they're lovely! It's likely I'd seen them then forgot the context but retained the memory.

Yah, I'm a fan of the Hades game, and I'm looking forward to Hades 2! The art looks even better than before, which is quite the surprise considering how lovely it looked already. Hypnos' glow-up is fantastic hehehe. He was sleepy before, but he's even sleepier now!

I'll check out those paintings, thank you for the suggestion uwu

As for the questions this time, I'm hesitant to answer lest there be no point in me writing it out lol

Still, I'm glad that you're thinking of them and that they're quite integral to the story at hand. It makes me feel like I'm writing this in the right direction :3

I can answer the last one though. Yeah, I like to think Clauneck likes tea. I like herbal tea myself. Rooibos Chai is one of my favorites.

Thanks for asking!