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PIQUE Tea Crystals - Tea without Toxic Tea Bags

  • NicoleDeRosa
  • 2 hours ago
  • 4 min read

Many tea bags are made with plastic-based materials that can release harmful microplastics + chemicals when steeped in hot water. *Research has shown that a single plastic tea bag can shed billions of microscopic plastic particles into a cup of tea, which may then be ingested. These plastics can carry toxic additives + act as vehicles for other pollutants, raising concerns about long-term health effects.


If you know me, you know I’m serious about my tea. Not just for the ritual, but for how it actually makes me feel. Focused, calm, energized + a little more put-together on busy days. That’s why I’m such a fan of Pique Tea Crystals.


Pique is a wellness-oriented tea + beverage brand known for its cold-extracted tea crystals designed to dissolve easily without steeping. What I love about them is that their products emphasize organic ingredients, purity testing (triple toxin screening) + convenience. Below, I’m sharing my favorite Pique products, the ones I reach for on repeat + exactly why each one has earned a permanent spot in my routine.


• VEGAN • ORGANIC • NON-GMO • GLUTEN FREE • SUGAR FREE •

Black, Green + Herbal Teas + Japanese crafted Matcha Tea with extra L-theanine + more.



BENEFITS MAY INCLUDE


• Better Sleep • Better Digestion • Better Skin • More Focus • Increased Cognitive Performance • Lower Cancer Risk • Weight Loss Support • Boosted Immunity • Less Stress



WHY PIQUE IS SUPERIOR


  • Antioxidants + health promoting compounds in their tea.

  • Sourced from the most biodiverse + ecological destinations around the world, from Japan, Italy + China.

  • Prizing quality + artisanship, Pique has deep relationships with multi-generational farmers, tea-masters, traditional medicine doctors + ingredient scientists.

  • Fans include: Dr. Mark Hyman + Dr. Will Cole.



Click HERE

To Shop PIQUE







Pique Tea Crystals’ B•T Fountain is a standout beauty electrolyte that genuinely delivers on hydration + glow. Designed to support skin elasticity + deep hydration, it’s packed with thoughtful, skin-loving ingredients like ceramides from non-GMO wheat extract, vegan hyaluronic acid optimized for absorption + a full spectrum of bioavailable electrolytes to help recharge your cells. The refreshing Yuzu Berry flavor makes it a joy to drink + I love that it contains no added sugar, preservatives, or artificial flavoring. It feels like a simple daily ritual that supports your body from the inside out, because when you care for your body, mind + soul, your most authentic beauty naturally shines.







Pique’s Daily Radiance is a beautiful reminder that skincare is more than what you put on your face, it’s about what you nourish your body with + how you feel day to day.


Supporting clear skin + healthy collagen production from the inside out, this formula features liposomal Vitamin C for enhanced absorption, paired with antioxidant-rich black European elderberries.


Together, they help support radiant skin, healthy aging + a strong immune system, especially important when skin is under stress. It feels like a daily glow ritual that works beneath the surface, because true radiance starts from within.


This is my favorite product to travel with because my immune system + skin take a hit every time I travel. This is prefect because it supports both.




(Longevity Coffee Alternative)




Nandaka - Adaptogenic Coffee Alternative is a high-end coffee alternative designed for people who want the ritual + energy boost of coffee without the typical jitters or crash. It blends ceremonial-grade Peruvian cacao with fermented Pu’er teas + a potent mix of functional mushrooms like reishi, lion’s mane, cordyceps + chaga, all aimed at supporting calm, sustained energy, mood, metabolism + immune health.


The formula is organic, vegan, non-GMO + free from added sugar + artificial ingredients.


The taste is rich, smooth + full-bodied with earthy cacao notes + hints of fruit + spice. It offers a gentle but steady lift without the caffeine spikes associated with coffee.


I notice an enhanced focus + better digestion. I will say that some note a mild “mushroomy” undertone that may need masking with creamer for some palates. It’s a pricier switch from traditional coffee, but for those seeking a functional, health-focused alternative with adaptogenic benefits + calm, balanced energy, Nandaka delivers.








Sun Goddess Matcha (Ceremonial-Grade Matcha) from Pique is a premium, ceremonial-grade matcha green tea sourced from Kagoshima, Japan, known for its rich matcha tradition. It’s USDA-certified organic + screened for pesticides + toxins, with a focus on maximizing phytonutrients like L-theanine + catechins that support calm energy, metabolism + antioxidant activity.


They come in individual packets, so they're perfect for stashing in your bag if you're traveling. I always have one in my purse. It saves me so much time (no standing on lines) + has saved me so much money.

Taste-wise, this matcha delivers a smooth umami profile with a fresh, creamy richness that’s milder + less bitter than many other matcha powders, making it enjoyable straight with hot or cold water or as a latte base. I love that it dissolves easily + how it offers a balanced, sustained lift thanks to the L-theanine enhanced caffeine, without the sharp crash typical of coffee. Sun Goddess Matcha is an accessible, high-quality matcha choice for both newcomers + regular drinkers alike.








Pique has several caffeine-free teas available. They are clean, refreshing + easy to drink both hot + cold. I love the mint + rooibos options because they have a pleasant flavor without bitterness. The hibiscus blend also receives high marks from me for its vibrant taste. One of the biggest selling points (again) is convenience: the tea crystals dissolve instantly with no steeping required, which appeals to people (like myself) on the go or those who want a hassle-free herbal tea. I enjoy these teas any time of day because they’re caffeine-free + light, so it helps me stay hydrated throughout the day.


Below are most of Pique's Caffeine Free options:


Herbal Elixirs (14 packets/carton):


  • Hibiscus Beauty Elixir

  • Rooibos Vitality Elixir

  • Ginger Digestion Elixir

  • Mint Herbal Tea

  • Electric Turmeric


TCM Elixirs (28 packets/carton):


  • Reishi Calm Elixir

  • Chaga Energy Elixir​​


Fasting Teas (28 packets/carton):


  • Cinnamon Herbal Fasting




Click HERE 

To Shop PIQUE





*Research studies found here.


 
 
 

Working at Entertainment Weekly Magazine + Remembering My Mentor, Mary Dunn

  • NicoleDeRosa
  • Feb 2
  • 4 min read


My very first internship, my first real job was at Entertainment Weekly magazine, and it quietly changed the entire trajectory of my life.


I was still in college, commuting every day from New Jersey into New York City, clutching my Metro-North ticket like it was a golden pass. Each morning felt cinematic. I was young, ambitious, slightly terrified, and absolutely convinced I was living my own Devil Wears Prada origin story, long before I ever stepped foot into the fashion world.


At Entertainment Weekly, I started as a photo researcher, eventually growing into the role of photo editor. It was my introduction to the inner machinery of publishing: deadlines, egos, instincts, and the quiet power of choosing the right image to tell a story. I learned quickly that photographs weren’t just visuals, they were narrative, authority, mood, and memory.

One of the most surreal parts of that time was being surrounded, sometimes casually, by photographic legends. I became familiar with the work and presence of photographers like Mary Ellen Mark (of Saturday Night Live fam), Norman Jean Roy, and so many others whose images had already shaped pop culture long before I arrived.


One day, I was tasked with picking up photos from Norman Jean Roy after a shoot he had done with Gwyneth Paltrow for the magazine. I remember walking into his studio, heart racing, only to realize he was already mid-shoot with another actor. I tried to play it cool, but inside I was buzzing. I was there. In the room. Doing the thing.


Moments like that stacked up quickly, and with them came a growing sense of confidence. I felt chic. Cool. Sophisticated. I was commuting into Manhattan every day to work at Entertainment Weekly, a job that felt impossibly glamorous to my younger self and I knew, even then, that this was just the beginning.





At the center of this formative chapter was Mary Dunn, my boss, mentor, and the first person in publishing who truly saw me.


Mary was not just a photo director, she was a force. She had a rich, foundational history in the publishing world, long before Entertainment Weekly even existed. She was one of the founding staff members of PEOPLE magazine, arriving “before there was a PEOPLE,” and played a crucial role in shaping its visual identity.


Mary is perhaps best known as the creator of PEOPLE’s “Sexiest Man Alive.” Legend has it that in the early 1980s, while standing in the photo layout room, she proclaimed a then-rising actor, Mel Gibson, the sexiest man alive. That offhand declaration became a cultural institution, debuting officially in 1985 and evolving into one of PEOPLE’s most enduring franchises.


Her career began even earlier, as an ad trafficker at NBC, followed by a role as a picture researcher at TIME magazine, before she helped build PEOPLE into what it became. Her colleagues often said her role as photo editor was crucial to the magazine’s success, she had fresh ideas even after fourteen shoots with Farrah Fawcett, and the patience and authority to pull a great cover out of even the most difficult subjects.


In 1994, Mary left PEOPLE to become Director of Photography at Entertainment Weekly, bringing with her not only unparalleled experience, but taste, toughness, and an unmistakable voice. Upon her retirement, EW’s editorial director Jess Cagle described her perfectly: “an elegant, Southern spitfire who spoke her mind freely.”


To me, she was my first real boss and my first mentor.

What was supposed to be a short internship turned into an extended one because Mary chose to keep me. That decision mattered more than she probably ever knew. When the time came for me to study abroad in London, it felt like the perfect moment. Mary was retiring, departments were shifting, positions were being cut, and the industry already felt uncertain. She helped me navigate that transition with grace and honesty.


The publishing world then was cutthroat. I learned quickly how ideas could be stolen, how words you carefully chose could be repeated moments later by someone else and suddenly credited as their own. Mary taught me how to survive that world without losing my integrity.

I even cat-sat for her at her apartment, a small, intimate detail that somehow says everything about the trust she placed in me.


Mary continued to guide me long after my time at Entertainment Weekly ended. She referred me to Harper’s Bazaar, where I would go on to work as a photo editor and researcher, officially beginning the next chapter of my Devil Wears Prada journey.


Mary suffered a brain aneurysm in 1999 and spent the later years of her life traveling and enjoying a slower pace. She died on July 5, 2023. She is survived by her husband, daughter, and two sisters. Her obituary described her best:

“With her colleagues in the photo department, she attracted the world’s best photographers and practically invented a unique style of storytelling… She was smart, tough, funny, creative, a good negotiator, worthy of respect and trust, and serious when she had to be.”

That is exactly how I remember her.


When I look back on my time at Entertainment Weekly, what stays with me most isn’t just the celebrities or the photographers or the prestige, it’s the feeling of becoming who I was meant to be. Riding the train into New York. Walking into the office. Learning how images shape stories and how mentors shape lives.


That internship didn’t just give me experience. It gave me direction.






 
 
 
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