I read the Tea Leaves, picked up my horoscope and I looked to the stars. It's time for Celestial Seasonings.

My Gran mostly sipped on watered down coffee. Always hot as the surface of the sun. But she did like a cup of tea from time to time. Her brand of choice was Celestial Seasonings. I'll admit, I often chose that brand when my choices were limited. What can I say, nostalgia often informed my spending. As soon as that tea touched my lips, the Lemon Zinger tea activated long forgotten memories. The Human brain is a magnificent thing. A memory in particular stands out.

I'll first remind you that I'm from the PNW. Rain really doesn't bother me all to much. I normally played outside the entire time I was at My Gran's in the country. But this day was a doozy. Rain coming down in sheets, the wind twisting and shattering tree tops. Gran's home shook and rattled as the pounding wind and rain battered the roof, doors and windows. Plants in her gardens were torn up by the root, crops destroyed by the storm. But she remained calm. She was so steady, so dignified and always proper to the nth degree.

With a smile on her face, I remember she asked, "would you like to play a guessing game. Let's get us a cup of tea first." She then grabbed my hand and we walked to the kitchen. Filling the kettle with the most pure and clean water I have ever tasted, she then eased it onto the stove-top with care. Reaching into a cabinet i was forbidden from opening, she grabbed two beautiful cups with matching saucers. White porcelain,  only adorned with an inlaid silver band. I'd later find out that very set came across the Oregon Trail with her great grandparents in the 1850's. As I think back, I feel so loved and honored to share that time with my Gran. Then as if timed by the Universe itself, just as soon as the kettle whistled. The power went out. Lighting an old lantern and a few candles as we sat on her sofa near the warm fire, sipping our fragrant tea.

The game was simple. She would draw a bird, plant or animal. I had to guess if it was real or not. She was an extraordinary artist. Specializing in medical drawings for universities and the like. The picture of a strange bird with one sagging sock, tennis shoes and dirty T-shirt stands out. She said it was called a Sordida Avis. Holding back her smile, she made a case for its existence. I was young but not buying it. We laughed and laughed as we took turns telling each other tales about this mythical bird. Forgetting all about the raging storm just beyond the walls.

What does tea have to do with anything, you may be asking. Everything! You see if it wasn't for the Lemon Zinger, my mind would have possibly lost that memory forever. Our brain connects smells with memories incredibly well. Thank goodness for Celestial Seasonings. I credit them with my ability to recollect that wonderful day, decades ago. But we must keep moving, Its history time.

Celestial Seasonings was founded in 1969 in Boulder, Colorado. With a rich history in the world of herbal teas. The company was established by Mo Siegel and others who shared a passion for herbs and their potential health benefits. In its early years, Celestial Seasonings gained popularity for its unique herbal tea blends, often using ingredients sourced from the Rocky Mountains.

One of their breakthroughs was the creation of the first herbal tea in a pillow-style tea bag. Over the decades, Celestial Seasonings has continued to innovate, introducing a variety of herbal, green, black and spiced teas. The brand is not only known for its tea offerings but also for its commitment to sustainability and responsible sourcing practices. At least that's the company line. I didn't have to dig very deep to find some things that completely changed my mind.

Unfortunately they've been on the receiving end of numerous complaints including pesticides being found in their teas, unsanitary working conditions and alleged oversights of the troubling kind. Celestial Seasonings remains beloved by many, celebrated for its "quality" and "natural" approach to tea blends. But I'm going by Highlander Rules. There can only be One. Tasting time.

I will taste some Lemon Zinger and Wild Berry Zinger. I'm committed, after all. Always brewed according to the instructions, per usual. At this point I had to set aside my nostalgia and be brutally honest. It tastes artificial. Whether or not it's "all natural", it surely tastes of chemistry. In my mind I hope to see a beautiful tea manufacturing site. Instead I see lab coats and vats of chemicals. I have a family, two small children. I can't, in good conscience, suggest Celestial Seasonings. I'm not what you could consider a "crunchy" type but I have standards I refuse to ignore. Even for nostalgia sake.

The Verdict Is Clear. Celestial Seasonings is Out. Though I'm grateful they're based in the US.

So on to the next. Traditional Medicinals. Full Disclosure. This brand is a constant in our home. I even use their Throat Coat Lozenges. In fact, you should try them! They are in credible. I promise to be fair, I judge with a great deal of conviction.

See You Soon;)