In Greek culture, Philoxenia literally means “love of the stranger.” Rooted in ancient tradition, it reflects a deep value of hospitality: the belief that a guest should be welcomed with generosity, respect, and care.

In ancient Greece, hospitality was not simply etiquette, it was ethical. To offer food, shelter, and kindness to someone unknown was considered a moral responsibility. The stranger was not viewed with suspicion, but with openness - as someone deserving of dignity.

Beyond physical hospitality, Philoxenia speaks to a broader way of moving through the world. It invites curiosity over fear, connection over division. It asks: how might we meet the unfamiliar: a person, an idea, a culture...with warmth rather than resistance?

A quiet practice of openness in a guarded world.

Source: Ancient Greek cultural value of hospitality

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Sips of Wisdom
We created "Sips of Wisdom" to share meaningful ideas and reflections that we have found along the way. These aren’t lessons or answers - just reflections from different philosophies and traditions that give us a new perspective. A gentle space for curiosity and presence. ❤️

#Philoxenia #loveofthestranger #greek #ancientgreek #sipsofwisdom

This award-winning blend is created to ease the day into night. Sleepy is a calming evening infusion crafted for quiet transitions and restful moments. With its delicate warmth and soft, rounded body, it offers a steady sense of comfort as the pace begins to slow.

Chamomile and lavender form a gentle floral base, while spearmint brings a light, cooling calm. Rose petals and linden flower add softness, balanced by passionflower, hops, and hawthorn to support relaxation and stillness. Finished with a touch of lemongrass and cornflower, this blend invites the body to unwind and the mind to settle, one sip at a time.

Category: Unwind
Type: Botanical
Notes: Floral, Minty
Available in: Loose Leaf, Filter Bags

#sleepy #sleep #sleeptea #calmingtea #sleepblend #kintrablends #goldenleafaward

Harvested from the flowering tops of the "Lavandula" plant, lavender has been used for centuries across Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures. It was traditionally added to baths, oils, and herbal preparations, appreciated for its calming aroma and its role in supporting rest and emotional balance. Over time, lavender became closely associated with relaxation, often kept nearby in sachets or steeped into evening infusions.

Today, research points to lavender’s natural compounds, including linalool and linalyl acetate, which are linked to its calming effects on the nervous system. Studies have explored its potential role in supporting sleep quality, easing mild anxiety, and helping the body settle during times of stress. Its effects are generally described as gentle and gradual.

Kintra Blends with Lavender:
Morning Bloom
Calm
Sleepy
Glow

#lavender #calm #botanicals #ingredienthighlight

In Christian tradition, Easter marks the resurrection of Jesus, a moment that symbolises hope rising after suffering, light after darkness, and life emerging where it once seemed lost.

On Good Friday, the day remembered for the crucifixion of Jesus, many pause in reflection and quiet contemplation. It represents a moment of sorrow and sacrifice, a reminder of the weight of human struggle, and the depth of compassion and forgiveness.

At its heart, Easter speaks to renewal. It carries the idea of faith, forgiveness, and the possibility of beginning again, even after deep uncertainty.

Across cultures this time of year also reflects a turning point with the changing of the seasons. Whether held as faith, symbol, or seasonal reflection, Easter invites contemplation of resilience and the steady return of hope.

Alongside its spiritual meaning, Easter has also gathered seasonal symbols over time.

Eggs and rabbits have become familiar signs of the celebration. Long before they were festive traditions, both were ancient symbols of new life and renewal. The egg came to represent rebirth and possibility, while the rabbit ( through European folklore ) symbolised fertility and the returning season. Over time, these images intertwined with the Easter story, carrying the shared theme of life beginning again.

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Sips of Wisdom
We created "Sips of Wisdom" to share meaningful ideas and reflections that we have found along the way. These aren’t lessons or answers - just reflections from different philosophies and traditions that give us a new perspective. A gentle space for curiosity and presence. ❤️
#easter #faith #hope #sipsofwisdom

A blend created to warm and comfort. Vanilla Chai is a classic reimagined with a softer edge - bold black tea layered with traditional spices and finished with smooth, natural vanilla. Familiar yet refined, it brings steady warmth and quiet indulgence to everyday moments.

Black tea forms a strong, balanced base, while cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, star anise, and black pepper offer depth and gentle heat. Real vanilla rounds the cup with subtle sweetness, creating a smooth, aromatic finish. A comforting infusion crafted for slow mornings or cosy afternoons.

Category: Awake
Type: Black. Chai
Notes: Spicy, Sweet
Available in: Loose Leaf

#vanillachai #chai #tea #teablends #kintratea #kintrablends

Harvested from the cured pods of the Vanilla planifolia orchid, vanilla is one of the most labour-intensive botanicals in the world. In its native region of Mexico, the orchid is naturally pollinated by a specific bee (the Melipona bee). In most other places where vanilla is grown - such as Madagascar - this bee is not present, so each delicate flower must be pollinated by hand, a method still used for large-scale cultivation today.

first used by the Totonac and Aztec peoples, who valued it for both its aroma and restorative qualities. Over time, vanilla became known not only as a flavour, but as a plant associated with comfort and warmth.

Modern research highlights vanilla’s natural antioxidant compounds, particularly vanillin, which contributes to both its aroma and potential protective properties. Traditionally, vanilla has also been used to support relaxation and ease digestive discomfort, often appreciated for the calming effect of its scent alone.

In tea, vanilla brings a soft sweetness and gentle warmth that rounds out deeper spices, roots, and roasted ingredients. Its smooth, creamy character helps soften sharper flavours, adding balance and a comforting aromatic layer to herbal and tea blends.

#vanilla #tea #teablends #kintrablends

Friluftsliv is a Norwegian word that translates to “open-air living.” More than time outdoors, it reflects a cultural philosophy of stepping into nature as a way of restoring balance and clarity.

In Norway, this idea is woven into everyday life - slow walks through forests, time by the sea, moving with the seasons rather than against them. It’s about being outside simply to be outside.

Friluftsliv suggests that nature does not need to be conquered or curated. It can be entered quietly, allowing space for breath, perspective, and recalibration. The open air becomes less an escape and more a return.

Source: Norwegian cultural philosophy of Friluftsliv (open-air living).

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Sips of Wisdom
We created "Sips of Wisdom" to share meaningful ideas and reflections that we have found along the way. These aren’t lessons or answers - just reflections from different philosophies and traditions that give us a new perspective. A gentle space for curiosity and presence. ❤️

#Friluftsliv #nature #openairliving #sipsofwisdom