Cold toes, warm tea

Kelly's cold toes

The weather changed abruptly in the Roaring Fork Valley recently, making it too cold outside for flip-flops, a shoe staple around these parts. Our newest team member, Kelly Hayes, wore flip-flops today and says yeah, her feet are cold. I feel her pain — I walked around in sandals with frigid feet yesterday, and decided today that fall calls for boots, not open-toed shoes.

Count on Richard to buck the trend — he owns socks he can wear with flip-flops, so we took a picture to prove it:

Richard's special flip-flop socks

They’re Tabis, he says — Japanese socks with a special spot for your big toe. With a little Googling I found them, and learned they’ve apparently been popular in Japan since the 16th century, and are worn by everyone from martial arts masters to Taiko drummers.

So once we’re talking about socks (and yes, I realize you’re wondering when we get any work done around here) Richard mentions a friend of his who skis in socks with individual toes (toe socks, they’re called) and claims they’re the warmest option for your feet in the winter. No way, I argue. There’s strength in numbers — therefore by grouping your digits together they keep each other warm. It’s why ski mittens are warmer than ski gloves. It’s why sheep huddle together on the windy, snowy plains! Together we stand, divided we fall (or get frostbitten). Right?!

Just as I’m getting carried away by the sock debate, we’ll veer back in the direction of tea by saying no matter what your choice of footwear, the right warm drink can help your chilly digits. So here’s what we’re drinking today: Jasmine Petal tea for me, Kelly has a sample of Tie Guan Yin, and Richard, cozy toes and all, is drinking our newest harvest of Organic Orange Sencha.

So tell us, what’s your favorite tea for the newly crisp weather of fall? Or, where do you land on the socks with toes debate?