As a native Californian, the Upstate New York winters often leave me beyond frozen once the first snow hits. Luckily for me (and anyone else who’s currently freezing) Saratoga Tea and Honey Company on Broadway has exactly what any Skiddie needs to weather the storm.

Located right on Broadway next to the Pink Paddock, Saratoga Tea and Honey Company is a new venture by the owners of Saratoga Olive Oil Company aiming to bring a variety of refreshing teas to warm citizens up during the cold winter, and they succeed. Walking in, there’s a big board listing the specials of the day and you can perch on a stool by the counter and snack on some pastries as you sip tea and read, or peruse the shelves for whatever blend may strike your fancy.

saratoga tea and honey

Photo by Quinn Hanschen

Saratoga Tea and Honey has a huge variety of blends (over 50) from fruity herbal mixtures to the classic green tea, chai, pur-eh, or oolong. Each bag comes with steeping instructions based on the type of tea you have and each bag lasts for 30 cups or more. I personally stocked up on my current favorite, Phoenix Bird Oolong.

saratoga tea and honey

Photo by Quinn Hanschen

As the name suggests, tea isn’t the only thing this store has to offer. A wide range of honeys are available in the back, along with tea sets and mugs  and if you clean out your jar and return it to the store they’ll refill it and give you a ten percent discount. Some of their selection includes wildflower, clover, chocolate, lavender, and my personal favorite, mango. They have tester strips available so you can taste all of them and figure out which one you like best, and they include suggested tea pairings with each type for the best combination.Why add honey to tea instead of sugar? Honey has numerous health benefits such as helping anemia, stimulating antibodies, and aiding sleep.

Overall, Saratoga Tea and Honey Company is a must-visit for tea afficionados stocking up on dorm room supplies to keep you warm and toasty throughout the cold winter months.