There’s little I love more than hearing stories of Australian women following their passions and creating beautiful new enterprises. Even better? Chatting with one such Goddess over a luxurious cup of 100% certified organic tea. Naturally, when I had the opportunity recently to interview Tessa Bontempo, founder of The Seventh Duchess Tea Co., I jumped at the chance.
Welcome, Tess!
When did your love of tea begin and how did it spark the desire to begin your own tea company?
I have loved the ritual, experience and rich history of tea drinking for many, many years now! I love tea! It’s good for the mind, good for the body, and connects the modern and old.
However, I come to realise there was something missing in the Australian market. I wanted to create a refined range of teas that lauded the history and tradition side of tea, but at home within a contemporary, modern life free from artificial colour and flavour. This inspired me to spend a year travelling the world learning about the art of tea, and the various tea rituals of different cultures.
I truly believe that we all deserve a little luxury in every day, because life should be all about the little pleasures!
Have you always had the entrepreneurial spirit of adventure or is it a more recent development?
Yeah, I really have! Entrepreneurship runs in the family! So, I never really thought anything different and I always wanted to achieve things for myself. In fact, I remember in year nine I told my economics teacher I was going to be an entrepreneur and he laughed at me!
What’s the best thing about rocking your own biz?
I love being able to control my own destiny, challenge myself and follow my passion!
Being a soulpreneur is damn hard work. How do you practice self-love and self-care to ensure your sparkle doesn’t fade?
I like to start my mornings with yoga, and tea (naturally). I also ensure I always spend a few moments for myself each day, for instance, I like to find a calm and relaxing space to take 10-20 minutes to myself. It helps me de-stress and breathe. If I’m having a particularly difficult day, I’ll make sure I drink our Peace Organic Relaxation tea. It really does wonders to the mind, body and soul!
Whatβs got your toes tingling with excitement right now?
We’re currently working on a new product which will be a summer inspired blend. Something you can drink warm when you’ve got the winter blues, taking you to a place where the sun shines on your face, or you can drink iced to refresh your body during the warmer months. It’s set to launch in September, and I cannot wait!
What’s your favourite iced tea recipe?
I absolutely love Hibiscus Coconut Iced Tea! It’s really good for your body, and tastes absolutely delicious (win win!).
Want to WIN your very own collection of tea from The Seventh Duchess?
To win a prize pack containing four varieties from the delicious new Apothecary range, simply comment below and tell us:
What’s your favourite tea ritual and why?
Entries close Midnight AWST Wednesday 30th July. The winner will be chosen at random and notified by email on Thursday 31st July.
The winner must be a current VeganSparkles.com subscriber. Click here to join us if you havenβt already (it’s free + you’ll score yourself a bonus Sparkle Experiment eBook gift!).
Bec
July 23, 2014 at 7:27 pm (10 years ago)Oh what a fantastic sounding tea company!! My favorite ritual is to get out the tea cup set one of my closest friends who lives in Melbourne gifted me for my kitchen tea. I brew my favorite tea and sit and imagine she is there with me having big laughs!! I miss her so much sometimes and this always makes me feel so much better!!
Veganopoulous
July 23, 2014 at 7:37 pm (10 years ago)Fab giveaway! I’m not sure I’d have a ritual apart from actually being able to *finish* a cup of tea– it’s a bit of a joke at home that Mummy never gets to finish her tea or in many cases, start it! So for now I just love being able to find quiet moments and use my nice teacups or my mug and coaster.
Emma
July 23, 2014 at 7:58 pm (10 years ago)I love the packaging, really lovely! I have a few different rituals but in the morning I love to sit outside and slowly drink a cup of tea while choosing an oracle card for the day. Great way to start my day!
Cate
July 23, 2014 at 8:30 pm (10 years ago)My tea ritual is to wait until the babies are in bed at night (so that I can have it while it is still warm π ) Then I take out my special delicate tea cup (hidden in the back of the cupboard away from the explorers), brew a lovely relaxing tea and enjoy every single sip π x
Lisa
July 23, 2014 at 9:26 pm (10 years ago)Seriously gorgeous teas! My favorite tea time is with my grandmother of course, listening to her tell stories about our family π
Danielle
July 23, 2014 at 9:40 pm (10 years ago)Thanks for the great giveaway! I don’t really have a ritual but just recently I’ve given up coffee and replaced it with tea. So, this is perfect timing for me because I’m enjoying trying all the flavors and varieties. Thanks!
Nikki Petrou
July 24, 2014 at 7:25 am (10 years ago)My goodness Hibiscus Coconut Iced Tea sounds divine! Although I drink a variety of teas throughout the day – mostly green, peppermint and ginger, my favourite way to unwind is with a chamomile-spearmint blend with incense burning before bed.
Lindsay
July 24, 2014 at 7:41 am (10 years ago)What a beautiful giveaway! I made the switch to loose leaf tea a year ago, but I’m even more determined since I recently found out most tea bags contain plastic – yuck! I love brewing a fresh pot of beautiful tea leaves… Taking time to prepare it makes it taste so much better : ) These flavours all sound amazing and I’d love to try them!
Dyani
July 24, 2014 at 7:44 am (10 years ago)“I love being able to control my own destiny, challenge myself and follow my passion!”
Very inspiring, thanks ladies!
My favourite tea ritual is to get up before the rest of the house is awake on a Sunday morning, put on something comfy and curl up on the couch with a cuppa, a book and my cat π
Nicole
July 24, 2014 at 7:44 am (10 years ago)My ritual starts 3pm on the dot when I make a tea and give my dog her afternoon snack!
Amy
July 24, 2014 at 7:45 am (10 years ago)My favourite tea time is with my niece. We have a pretend tea party with her plush toys and i get to ask her about school and her friends. Its a perfect opportunity to spend some quality time and to also enjoy some delicious tea and sweets π
Ildi
July 24, 2014 at 7:57 am (10 years ago)What awesome blends, a very exciting range! Tea has helped me kick to the curb my sweet cravings! I was never a sweet tooth but ended up eating more sweet things than usual as my husband has a sweet tooth and it became habit, I can honestly say that I never got that mooshy yummy comforting feeling after eating sweet things, so I took charge and replaced sweets with herbal teas!
And what an amazing ritual it has become, I look forward to taking 10-20mins out of my day to sit in either the sun, under a tree or in my favourite nook at home, with one of my many special tea cups and saucers and full immerse myself in that moment of just me, my special place and my tea! My worries just melt away as I sip my tea and hug my cup between my hands, such an amazing feeling and SO much better than chocolate! Yes ladies you heard right! π
christina
July 24, 2014 at 8:04 am (10 years ago)I’m obsessed with tea!! I think its the one thing that gets me through the day!!
Julie Chavez
July 24, 2014 at 9:06 am (10 years ago)Same cup every time, the one my mom gave me when I went away to college. Comfy clothes, good book. π these teas look amazing!
Barbara
July 24, 2014 at 11:26 am (10 years ago)I like having a cup of tea every night after dinner, in my favourite mug. I like herbal teas at night, Rooibos, peppermint, jasmine etc.
I also enjoy tea during the day at work, to wake me up and get me through the day!
Thanks for the giveaway Vegan Sparkles π
gandrejic
July 24, 2014 at 1:05 pm (10 years ago)I’m a new convert to “having a cup of tea” and am most definitely hooked. Afternoon cup of tea to get through the afternoon at work is the best!
JulesGalloway
July 24, 2014 at 7:37 pm (10 years ago)My favourite tea ritual? High Tea! I love love love a vintage tea set and an occasion to wear a nice frock.
Caroline Hannessen
July 24, 2014 at 9:19 pm (10 years ago)These look amazing! My fave tea ritual is getting rugged up in my jammies and curling up on the couch with a blanket while my husband makes me tea! Best way to drink it ever!
Reggie
July 24, 2014 at 9:33 pm (10 years ago)I love tea! My fav ritual is to brew herbal or green tea and then let the cooled tea bags rest over my closed eye lids and breathe in the aroma.
Abby L
July 24, 2014 at 11:05 pm (10 years ago)Our tea ritual is a cuppa after all the kids are in bed, the perfect time to relax and chat about our day
Patricia
July 24, 2014 at 11:14 pm (10 years ago)I hope these teas make their way over to the U.S. I have at least 30 boxes (yes, you read that right) of tea in my kitchen and have at least three different types in my thermal mugs at all times. Good luck to everyone in Australia for this contest! Have a cup for me of the Detox tea when you win!
Falon Downing
July 25, 2014 at 7:40 am (10 years ago)My cup of tea just before bed, it’s so calming!
Glen
July 25, 2014 at 11:55 am (10 years ago)My fave ritual is to make a delicious pot of tea and share it with my lady in the morning. Great times! Even better on the weekend when there’s time for a second pot!
Alison Newman
July 25, 2014 at 12:04 pm (10 years ago)My ritual is a green tea, (in a thin mug which I find is lovlier to drink out of) half cup of boiled water and half filled with cold so I can drink it strait away, with the bag left in. Always at breakfast, but generally at any time of the day π
Nichole
July 25, 2014 at 8:41 pm (10 years ago)“I truly believe we all deserve a little luxury in the everyday, because life should be all about the little pleasures.”
What a great philosophy behind a tea maker!
My tea ritual includes zoning out from the world, to focus on the here and now. So I have an opportunity to rest, be present and enjoy the simple things in life.
Kelly M
July 26, 2014 at 10:18 am (10 years ago)My favourite tea ritual is to take my favourite mug (for this week) and sit outside on my patio to have a cup of tea. It just feels so civilized and relaxes me like nothing else can. Thanks for the great giveaway.
Lisa Maree Yelverton
July 26, 2014 at 2:52 pm (10 years ago)My Favourite tea Ritual is adding Raw Coconut Oil just a teaspoon per cup. I was able to ditch the morning coffee. I have four cups a day. My skin is beaming and lines are leaving. The hairdresser asked me where to buy coconut oil after my hair trim last week as she was impressed with my hair quality. So relaxing and hydrating.
Simone
July 28, 2014 at 3:49 am (10 years ago)I am very new to the idea of tea. I am just carving out and creating my tea experience, I am looking for: clarity, peace, inspiration and renewal.
spog777
July 29, 2014 at 10:11 am (10 years ago)I have 2 rituals. Every morning I sit back and enjoy the aroma of my tea brewing and watching the colour of it in the cup as it strengthens and the enjoyment of my chamomile cuppa before bed with its amazing aroma and delicate taste
Laura Scriven
July 29, 2014 at 3:13 pm (10 years ago)Tea as soon as I wake,
Not boosting my metabolism is a mistake.
No sluggishness for me,
So my body starts happy.
Kati
July 29, 2014 at 5:31 pm (10 years ago)Not a ritual person, I like it spontaneous. It all depends on the day, place, company, mood or weatherβ¦but if I have to think of a commonality that would be rinse the cup, mug, teapot with boiling water no matter what! Would love to try these, they look beautiful!!
Clinton M
July 29, 2014 at 6:11 pm (10 years ago)My ritual is to wash both the infuser and teapot both before and after sipping down a beautiful concoction. Wait, hear me out, hear me out! Some would scream, “Umm… OCD!” I suppose I am but only OCD about making sure I get the most pure taste out of those chosen leaves, and they haven’t been influenced by any past brewings π
karina l
July 29, 2014 at 8:56 pm (10 years ago)I love a steaming hot cup of green tea every morning and every 3pm!
Jennifer B.
July 29, 2014 at 9:45 pm (10 years ago)When everything here needs doing in a trice: tea ALONE, with the paper, no interruptions is so nice!
Danielle
July 30, 2014 at 11:27 am (10 years ago)I hadn’t heard of Seventh Duchess Tea before but now I’m very interested in trying some! Those tins are adorable and the flavour combinations sound fantastic!
I don’t have a specific tea ritual but I love drinking different teas throughout the day, selecting each one depending on the mood I’m in. I generally start the day off with a strong pot of Earl Grey which helps chase away the early morning chill! With lunch I like to enjoy a mug of fresh ginger tea and I combat the afternoon slump with a cinnamon tea (and few pieces of dark chocolate). I usually finish off the day with a relaxing tea such as lavender or chamomile.
Now I’d better go and put the kettle on!
Alicia L
July 30, 2014 at 12:13 pm (10 years ago)It has become a ritual to add new ingredients to my beloved herbal teas to create snazzy new home creations! Also love combining 2 flavoured teas together too! Who knows what I will create and love next!!
Ali
July 30, 2014 at 12:59 pm (10 years ago)I love tea, all sorts of varieties too….depending how I’m feeling and where I want my ‘tea’ time to take me! I love sharing a pot of tea with my beautiful friends and chat about life. Having a cuppa on my own, reading a book or watching a movie, having some space and time alone to gather my thoughts and re-energise. My favourite ritual of late is to have a soy matcha latte as a mid arvo snack, this has become quite a daily ritual lately for me as it’s so calming, warming and energising all in one! I also love to head to TLC for the BEST chai latte, either with friends or on my own to study!! OMG I LOVE TEA and this has made me need to make a cuppa now (: xx
Skye Dyma
July 30, 2014 at 1:27 pm (10 years ago)My favorite tea ritual is definitely my morning cup. Just a bag in my take away mug and hot water and away I go π
Saraskye
July 30, 2014 at 2:43 pm (10 years ago)My favourite ritual occurs at 4:30pm everyday when I have a cuppa with my gran. My fave recent ritual was having tea with my gran AND her mother who turned 100years old in June!
Teniel @ Addicted To Raw
July 30, 2014 at 3:22 pm (10 years ago)Ive been seeing this tea on your instagram feed and was intrigued by the beautiful packaging. I love hearing stories from the people behind the company.
Ive recently in the last year found a love for tea and the whole ritual side of it. Im slowly starting to get a bit of a collection of tea pots and nothing nicer than drinking out of beautiful china.
Thanks for sharing this gorgeous tea company with us.
Wendy D
July 30, 2014 at 7:04 pm (10 years ago)My ritual is to HEAT my cup
Let my herbal tea bag SIT
Let it do its magic
Then a few JIGGLES
PERFECT!!!!
Donna
July 31, 2014 at 7:13 am (10 years ago)I love to have my favourite morning tea brewing while I eat brekky, then head outside for a welcoming dose of vitamin D , sip and contemplate the day.
Vegan Sparkles
July 31, 2014 at 7:35 am (10 years ago)Thank you so much, everyone! What beautiful tea rituals you all have! Entries for the give-away have now closed – but feel free to continue sharing. We love reading your tea stories. π xx
* UPDATE * – A very huge and sparkly Congratulations! to our winner: Teniel from Addicted to Raw. Check your inbox for all the details, Teniel, and a big thank you to everyone who entered. xx