From High Desert to Your Cup: The Inspiration Behind the Tea
We interviewed the owner of Desert Mountain Tea Co. to explore the inspiration behind their unique tea blends, their deep connection to the Santa Fe landscape, and the experience they aim to deliver with every cup.
The Indian Pueblo Store proudly carries these special blends, both in-store and online. We recognize the artistry and community effort required to capture the flavors of the 19 Pueblos' homelands, which Desert Mountain Tea Co. achieves beautifully. We invite you to experience the flavors of the high desert in a warm cup of tea.
Interview with Trevor Logan of Desert Mountain Tea Co.
Interviewed by Vanessa Bowen
Q: What inspires you to make your tea?
When I moved back to Santa Fe a few years ago, I was immediately inspired by the high desert herbs grown locally here. I had already been making tea at my last residence, using ingredients like functional mushrooms and seaweed. But when I arrived in the high desert, I couldn't resist. I had to start playing with different local herbs and creating new blends. One thing led to another, and here we are.
Q: Comparing the herbs you used before, what struck you the most about the high desert herbs?
What I really love are the distinct herbs that grow in the mountains—specifically juniper and piñon. These plants uniquely thrive between 5,000 and 7,000 feet. Up in the Santa Fe area, within the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Santa Fe National Forest, we have a lot of piñon. Like many people who move to this area, I became obsessed with piñon, and it all grew from there.These herbs also have such rich traditional medicinal uses that have been passed down for generations by Indigenous peoples. I began to learn about all the different attributes and healing qualities the local herbs offer, and that discovery added a whole new dimension to my work.
Q: For those who purchase your tea, what are your hopes, or what would you want them to get out of the tea as they enjoy it?
That’s a great question, and one I've thought a lot about because I like to be very intentional. I was thinking about the Japanese art of forest bathing, which is about taking a moment, taking a nature walk, and truly immersing yourself in the forest, the trees, and nature. I like to think of this tea in a similar way. I call the blends "wildly earthy, bright, and balanced" all at the same time. I hope the aroma itself evokes the high desert. My ultimate hope is that when you have a cup of this tea, it becomes a moment to de-stress. It’s meant to do the same thing that a nature walk would do in that brief moment. That cup of tea should take you to the mountains, to the river, to the desert, and ultimately, take you back to yourself. All of that can actually occur within a few minutes, simply by having a nice, warm cup of tea.
