Robin Paisley wanted to keep busy during COVID so she started the Crafted Tea Company.
By Kathryn Stocks
When her exciting job as a conference and event planner came to a grinding halt when Covid hit in 2020, Centennial resident Robin Paisley needed something to do. So, she started researching tea and blending it for herself, her friends and family. “Then this great little idea slowly grew into something,” she said, and that was how her Crafted Tea Company got started.
Robin had loved the excitement of her event planning career and since she functioned best when busy, the lockdown gave her a chance to chase this passion. Having grown up in a household that drank tea, she had always enjoyed buying different kinds of it from little shops when she was travelling. “I was a consumer of tea,” she said.
Robin started by ordering tea leaves, spices and flowers from Toronto-based importers and set up her tea company at home. She found that not all combinations work and she had to experiment to find the perfect balance. “Tea is part science and part creativity,” she said. “So it’s this beautiful balance between the two.”
“Consistency is key,” she said about the ingredients she purchases. “You have to choose your suppliers wisely because your products are only as good as the ingredients you receive.” It was important to her to work with Canadian suppliers, and her packaging is from a family-owned business here in Ontario. She designed her own packages and she has two sizes: the larger one is 35-50 grams, and the smaller size, which she sells at events, is 25 grams.
“Tea doesn’t have to be fancy,” Robin said, “but once you’re turned on to the world of tea, I don’t think you leave.” She started out with six blends and now has more than 20 varieties with names like Muskoka Morning, Peachy Keen, Cool Days Warm Nights, and Turning Pages – Book Lovers Blend. “Sometimes I go through a creative period where there might be a few. And sometimes it might be just one.” She said she never stops learning.
Robin enjoys selling her tea at local events and markets because that’s where she gets good ideas. People give her feedback on what they like and make suggestions for new products. “That’s how Copper Chai came about,” she said. Her Masala Chai has caffeine in it and a pregnant woman told her she couldn’t drink it, but she really missed it. “It just sent me down a road of research and exploring, and now it’s one of my bestsellers,” Robin said.
The packages she sells all have a steeping guide on the back and she advises that you’ll get the best flavour if you follow those directions. Tea should always be stored in a dark place in an airtight container. Her teas contain no artificial additives, sweeteners or preservatives and they’re made in small batches.
Crafted Tea Company products are sold online at craftedteacompany.ca or nearby at Cherry Bomb Mercantile on East Ave. If you’re not sure what to order, you can try one of Robin’s tea bundles that offer a variety of flavours. They make great Mother’s Day gifts for moms who enjoy this warm and comforting beverage.