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Largo Explorer: Caffeine Gourmet?s brew raises money to fight cancer

By LaRita Jacobs, Times Staff Writer
Published March 9, 2008

ADVERTISEMENT [LaRita Jacobs | Times] Stephanie Allen created Pink Ribbon Tea to raise money for breast cancer research. The nurse is co-owner of the Caffeine Gourmet in Largo.

I've gotten blisters on my hands, shivered in the rain and eaten cold pancakes in the name of charity, but I've never sipped pink tea. - I like my tea hot and black. No sissy tea for me, thank you. - Pink tea?

"Hibiscus flowers make it pink," said Stephanie Allen, "but they don't have much taste. You'll taste the peppermint, lemon and ginger."

Stephanie and Stewart Allen's Largo business, the Caffeine Gourmet, creates signature coffees and teas for spas, restaurants and coffee shops. Using her knowledge of teas, Allen created Pink Ribbon Tea to raise money for breast cancer research.

Her passion for the subject is obvious.

"Hopefully, one day I'll be on Oprah," Allen said. "She gets messages out and this is my cause."

Her special tea is sold at charity events and on her Web site. All profits go to the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.

"I worked with a tea blender for three months to make Pink Ribbon," said Allen. "I wanted it to be herbal because caffeine can cause fibrocystic breasts. I wanted it to be good hot or cold because we're in Florida. Of course, I wanted it to be pink."

But getting her blend the right hue was the tricky part. Although the New York-based tea blender and herbalist had been working her craft for 30 years, she had never made a pink tea. It took numerous tries to get it pink enough to suit Allen.

But the addition of the hibiscus flowers made the tea fuchsia. I'm still not sure I want to try it.

Allen also works as a nurse at Mease Countryside Hospital. It fuels her passion for more cancer research.

"Working as a critical care nurse, we see so much, taking care of women who weren't able to survive and asking 'why?' Why do some survive with one breast or none? Why are there so many treatments? Why is there only one treatment for prostate cancer?" she asked.

Allen paused.

"I've seen some horrible things."

Another pause.

"So many women."

Three of Allen's coworkers are breast cancer survivors and witnessed the creation of Pink Ribbon.

"I took each blend to work for opinions," Allen said. "When Pink Ribbon was ready, we got dolled up in hairnets and gloves and filled, heat-sealed and labeled 400 packages. It was a blast."

Allen's coworker and breast cancer survivor Martha Miller agrees.

"We had a really good time," Miller said. "That tea is gorgeous in a glass. It is quite beautiful."

Gorgeous tea for a worthwhile cause. I take a sip of tea that is cold and pink and I smile.

The Caffeine Gourmet

Although the Largo store is not open to the public, you can go to caffeinegourmet.com to do everything from placing orders for your business to joining a tea of the month club.

[Last modified March 8, 2008, 22:43:34]