Todd & Holland Tea Merchants

Farmer’s markets have opened and you can catch the scent of freshly picked strawberries. Our caffeine free Strawberry Fields tea offers that same fruity smell. It contains apple, kiwi and strawberry bits along with rosehip peels and hibiscus. It is perfect hot or cold. Add a piece of toast (sourdough from the farmers’ market perhaps) with our amazing Colorado Strawberry Jam for a perfect mid-morning treat. Check out the fresh fruit, produce and breads at the Oak Park’s Farmer’s Market, open Saturday 7 am to 1 pm at 460 Lake St.

Let’s bring back the 1840’s. Why? Because in or around 1840, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, Anna Maria Russell, created the practice of high tea. And it was not based on idle time; she was hungry! The Industrial Revolution had created jobs that lengthened the work day with dinner served later in the evening; this gap between meals caused her to have a ‘sinking feeling’ in late afternoon. And tea and sweets were an answer to her problem. Today, many of us could use the same break in our day. As summer approaches, a glass of iced tea and a shortbread cookie in the afternoon is a perfect pick-me-up and you can call it high tea.

Flowers are beginning to bloom and with flowers come pollinating insects including bees. Our favorite is the Honeybee (Apis mellifera). Honeybees are social creatures that can live up to 5 years. Worker bees collect pollen and nectar from flowers and produce honey while also playing a vital role in pollinating much of our fruit, vegetable and nut crops. The honey that bees produce can vary in flavor depending upon where they live and the nectar they gather. We offer 100% wildflower honey, and Orange Blossom honey from orange groves in Florida as well as our Sourwood Tree blossom honey from the Appalachian Mountains.

We are accepting pre-orders for first flush teas and several of these are estate teas. In addition to being the first leaves picked, estate teas are single sources and are not mixed with other leaves. Just like wine, the terroir (climate, soil and elevation) gives each tea a unique flavor profile. Our estate teas include Happy Valley Estate, established in 1854, and the second-oldest tea garden in Darjeeling, India. The bushes in the garden are between 80 and 150 years old. The Lingia Tea Estate, located just west of Darjeeling near the border with Nepal, are planted with a Black China variety of bushes that are genetically related to tea roses giving it a fruity floral note. The Seeyok Estate was planted in 1869 and transitioned to organic practices in 1994; it is also a Fairtrade tea.

Todd & Holland is proud to participate in the Donation Derby in support of The Links, Incorporated – South Suburban Chicago (IL) Chapter, a non-profit organization that for 50 years has been committed to uplifting the Chicagoland community through impactful programs and scholarships from education to health & wellness to food security and more. The run for the roses continues this weekend with the Preakness.

South Suburban Chicago Links South Suburban Chicago Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, LEGO Academy, 50th Years of Service in the Chicago South Suburban Community

Have you ever wondered what the Swiss Water Method for decaffeinating tea actually is? All tea (black, green and white) contains caffeine; it is part of the plants’ natural defense system. The Swiss Water Method, invented in the 1930’s, was first used with coffee beans. It is a chemical free process that removes the vast majority of caffeine from tea. Tea leaves are soaked in water to remove the caffeine, with the resulting liquid passing through a carbon filter that removes the caffeine but allows the flavor and oils to pass through. That liquid is poured back over the tea leaves to be reabsorbed and then they are dried. We have several flavors of decaf tea including our Original Spice Decaf and our Blueberry Mango Decaf.

Sunday Sketches by Sarah.........Wishing a peaceful, beautiful tea-riffic Mother's Day to all the amazing moms, stepmoms, nurturing caregivers, mentors and loving fur baby moms! May your day be as sweet and comforting as your favorite brew. We appreciate your boundless love every day. Cheers to you!

Mother's Day is almost here and this song says it all.

"…And try to find the peace within
Without stepping on one another
And do respect the women of the world
Just remember, we all had mothers."
Lee Dorsey (Lyrics)

Celebrate Mom with a cup of tea. Select Mom's favorite tea and pair with our tea infused chocolate created by Christina using Todd & Holland Tea.

Todd and Holland Tea Merchants is proud to be part of Explore Oak Park and Beyond—Chicago’s fun next‑door neighbors representing 20 near‑west communities.

Here in Forest Park, Todd and Holland is one of many local spots that make this region worth exploring. We carry about 250 different teas and tisanes. Follow to discover more local businesses, events, and things to do across all 20 communities west of Chicago.