Rasha Tayeh

Summer of Love

~ rashatayeh

I hope you had a wonderful New Year’s break!

I certainly did and I’m very happy to be back for an exciting new year filled with market stalls, exciting new events and workshops.

Here are some of Beit e’Shai‘s movements this month:

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Valentine’s Day Special Offer

Beit e’Shai is pleased to announce that we are offering 10% off all our products this Valentine’s Day.

Why not treat yourself or your lover to our delicious lover’s blend, our limited edition Habibi Tea?

Visit our Online Store between now and this Thursday 14th February and enter this promotional code: HABIBI

Offer expires at 11:59pm Thursday 14th February 2019.

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Gibran’s Garden

Tea lovers will be introduced to the Beit e’Shai experience on Saturday 23rd February at the Immigration Museum’s Summer of Love Gibran’s Garden Party.

Founder Rasha Tayeh, will be available at the Beit e’Shai Pop Up Teahouse offering you a complimentary cup of tea on arrival.  Her background as a nutritionist and herbalist provides a unique perspective on how drinking tea can be a form of self-care, a delicious ritual and for healing.  She will also present a Tea Workshop discussing various herbs, fruits and spices that can supportus during the warmer months and be enjoyed as both hot and ice teas.

Drop by the Pop Up Teahouse between 3pm-8pm
And join us at the FREE Tea Workshop from 3pm – 4pm.

 

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Friends & Stockists

We would like to welcome our new (and old) stockists to the Beit e’Shai family:

Aroma Paradise (Sydney)
Rhubarb Organics
Timber + Greens
The Humble Nook
Soul Aquarian Therapy
Immigration Museum Gift Shop (Melbourne)

For more information on how to become a Beit e’Shai stockist email Rasha on: rasha@beiteshai.com

Beit e’Shai 1st Birthday & Christmas Markets

~ rashatayeh

I’ve been busy gearing up for this year’s Christmas season of market stalls, and Im feeling proud that my tea business, Beit e’Shai is almost one!  I officially launched it on 16th December 2017.  It’s been a roller coaster of a year, and I am deeply grateful for the love and support I’ve received.  I couldn’t have done this without you.

And so, Beit e’Shai® (House of Tea in Arabic, pronounced bayt eh shy) has come to be an online apothecary and teahouse, as well as a pop up market stall and teahouse.  All teas and tisanes are handmade by yours truly using 100% natural blends from certifed organic ingredients.  Drawing on my knowledge and appreciation of traditional Arabic medicine and herbalism, I create aromatic teas and tisanes that focus on health, wellbeing and comfort.  Beit e’Shai offers beautiful blends that are made from high quality herbs and spices for you to enjoy with your family and friends.
I stock my teas in some beautiful places including, Rhubarb Organics at Preston Market, Timber+Green Cafe at Creative Cubes in Hawthorn and at the Immigration Museum Gift Shop, especially during the Khalil Gibran Exhibition (Dec 2018 – Feb 2019)… I have to say, Khalil Gibran is one of my favourite poets, if you get a chance, be sure to see that exhibition!
If you’d like to become a stockist, please get in touch via email.
Tea lovers are also introduced to the Beit e’Shai experience through events, markets and social media.  And I am available for in-store tastings, performance dinners, tea parties, tea ceremonies, demonstrations and workshops.
In the new year, if you would like me to host an event or facilitate a workshop, please contact me on this email.
Keep an eye on my social media too for the Beit e’Shai 1st Birthday special offer!  Be sure to follow @beiteshai on Instagram and Facebook to find out more about it in the coming week.
In the meantime, please visit me at one of the many markets this season!
I always have a pot of tea brewing for tastings and there’s always a great vibe at these local artisan markets with music, food and other fantastic local makers and traders.  Drop by for a cuppa and say hello.
Supporting local, small and ethical businesses keeps us thriving.  So on behalf of my friends and other small businesses, I want to say THANK YOU for your support and ethical shopping choices during this season.  Thank you for keeping us going and able to do what we love doing!
So much love and gratitude to you.
Here is where you can find me in person, otherwise, the Online Store is always open!
Hope you have a wonderful holiday season and fantastic new year.

 

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Beit e’Shai presents: Herbs for Gut Health

~ rashatayeh

As you probably know by now, I launched an online tea house and apothecary late last year, called Beit e’Shai (House of Tea in Arabic, pronounced bayt eh shy).  Since its launch, Beit e’Shai hosted different events, tea parties and workshops.

This Spring, on Sunday October 14th 2018, Beit e’Shai will be hosting a workshop exploring Herbs for Gut Health, at Attuned Music Therapy studio in Preston.  Spring is associated with rebirth & renewal, making it a good time to cleanse, in this workshop we will be looking at bitter herbs, wild herbs and herbs that improve our digestion and general gut health.  We will also discuss the benefits of fermented green tea along with a practical introduction to Komboocha making.

I will be setting up a table with Beit e’Shai products during this workshop for attendees to purchase from the full range of my handmade blends (at an extra cost to the workshop fee, cash and eftpos available).

To book your spot for this workshop visit this link.

Herbs for Gut Health Workshop details are:

When: 2-3:30pm Sunday 14th Oct 2018

Where: Attuned Music Therapy, 5/27 Enfield Ave Preston VIC 3072

Cost: $30 Standard, $25 Concession.

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Spring News & Spicy Dinner Parties

~ rashatayeh

Sooooo…. a lot has happened since my last post here and my artist residency at Brunswick Mechanics Institute.  Firstly, I gotta admit, Im just not all that great at keeping up with this blog and social media… so forgive me! But I love that most of what I do is away from screens.  I’ve spent most of my winter in my studio creating, mixing herbs in my apothecary or cooking in my kitchen… and since Spring is (finally) here, gardening duties are calling!  The sun is out and the plants are waking up after a long and cold winter.

Secondly, I was invited to present Spice Trails at Footscray Community Arts Centre!  And what pleasure it was to come back to the Gabriel Gallery at FCAC to host an intimate dinner party over two nights in late August.

Spice Trails performance dinners on 24th and 25th Aug were a huge success. Thanks to everyone who attended and participated in this ever evolving live art project inspired by the Silk Road. And thanks to Footscray Community Arts Centre for making it happen & the chefs at Happy River Cafe for the delicious feast, and the talented crew at Pomp & Splendour for the gorgeous flower arrangements.

The next seating on 26th Oct is now SOLD OUT. But there is a waiting list at this link if you’d like to register your interest should tickets (or new sessions) come available http://footscrayarts.com/event/spice-trails/

Below is a slide show of some images from August’s seatings, taken by Felis Sarcepuedes.

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What I love about this project is that it always looks and feels different, depending on who is in the room!  The dynamic nature of live art and participatory art make every seating beautifully unique.  Since last year, Spice Trails has evolved into an immersive live art series of performative dinners and installations, inviting guests to explore and experience the cultural, social and political dimensions of contemporary food culture while drawing on important histories inspired by the spice trade along Silk Road.

This journey explores the development and destruction of great civilisations that has shaped the way we eat today. The narrative unfolds through a 5-course vegan meal with matching wine available, inviting the audience to become performers, sharing stories of merchants in multiple languages.  The route this year followed five stops along the (massive) Silk Road, starting in China’s Sichuan Province, travelling through India, Palestine, Southern Spain and finally, stopping in France for dessert. Spices at each one of these places weaved everything from flavours, colours and stories.

This year, I was really curious about experimenting with natural dying, and different textures of silk.  There is something special about exploring materiality through all of our senses.  You would’ve noticed in some of the images above the various colours of silks presented with the spices they are dyed with.  My personal favourite is the bright yellow of raw silk soaked in turmeric.  And as one of the notes read:

“In every apple you are eating Jupiter; in every plum, Saturn”

And with Turmeric you eat the sun.

I’m looking forward to hosting another seating next month!  For now, back in the studio to get on with it.

Spice Trails is back

~ rashatayeh

It is a great honour to be an artist in residence at Brunswick Mechanics Institute next month to further develop my performative dinner and Live Art work Spice Trails & Trade Routes.

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An iteration of this work was presented in my studio last year, and Im excited to have the opportunity to develop it further in my residency, where I will further explore the cultural, social and political dimensions of contemporary food culture while still drawing on important histories inspired by spice trade along Silk Road.

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This immersive Live Art project is part installation & part performative dinner inviting the audience on a journey to listen, taste and smell their way through different countries, cultures and communities. This journey explores the development and destruction of great civilisations that has shaped the way we eat today.

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Images from this post are from last year’s performative dinner, taken by my talented friend, Phoebe Powell.

I will be writing more updates during my residency about my research and development.  And stay tuned for more information about the presentation of this year’s performative dinner!

 

 

Happy Winter Solstice

~ rashatayeh

I am celebrating Winter Solstice by offering 40% OFF my online apothecary & teahouse, Beit e’Shai.

Visit my online store and enter this promotional code at checkout: SOLSTICE
Offer ends 11:59pm this SUNDAY 24th June.

There’s no better way to celebrate this time of year than with a hot cuppa tea.

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I’ll also be trading at the Solstice Festival at Section 8 with this huge sale tomorrow, Saturday 23rd June, where my friends MzRizk and BE. are hosting a design market & block party.

Im so proud that my business is part of this amazing line up of local artists & artisans showcasing their local and ethical products and designs.

You can read more about this weekend’s Solstice Festival on i-D, Acclaim and Broadsheet.

Happy Winter Solstice!

Beit e’Shai Online Store is here!

~ rashatayeh

I am thrilled to announce that my new Beit e’Shai® products are now available online! Why not treat yourself to a delicious organic herbal tea?

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Beit e’Shai® (House of Tea in Arabic, pronounced bayt eh shy) is a Melbourne based online apothecary and teahouse. All teas and tisanes are handmade by yours truly, using 100% natural blends from certified organic ingredients.

Drawing on my knowledge and appreciation of traditional Arabic medicine and herbalism, I create aromatic teas and tisanes that focus on health, wellbeing and comfort.

Inspired by traditional Middle Eastern teahouses and apothecaries, my range at Beit e’Shai® offers beautiful blends that are made from high quality herbs and spices for you to enjoy with your family and friends.

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Trading at Markets: Warrandyte Riverside Market

I will be trading tomorrow, Saturday April 7th, from 8am – 1pm at Warrandyte Riverside Market.  Drop by for a cuppa tea and enjoy a beautiful morning by the river.  Also, be sure to follow  Beit e’Shai® on Instagram and Facebook for updates on my regular market stalls and pop-up shops around Melbourne.

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Tea of the Month: Immunity

With Autumn upon us and the cooler weather approaching, you may experience some cold and flu symptoms.  My Immunity Organic Herbal Tea is a warming, spicy blend designed to strengthen the immune system and promote wellness during this shifting season.  Immunity Organic Herbal Tea contains: Peppermint, Lemon Verbena, Thyme, and Ginger & Turmeric (all ingredients are certified organic).
For more information, or to place an order visit Beit e’Shai® website.

I love Autumn, and although it makes me feel nostalgic, its a beautiful reminder to let go of the things that don’t serve us anymore.  Try this meditation every day this season: observe the trees around you while their leaves turn from green to orange and yellow, and as they fall to the ground.  This is mother nature’s gentle reminder to let be, and let go.

I hope to see you tomorrow in Warrandyte for a cuppa tea, as we honour this time of year by the river and trees.

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Other news: Workshops in 2018

I haven’t had a chance to host many workshops this summer as I’ve been very busy with market stalls & setting up my online store. However, expect a new Winter Wellness Series where I will be discussing how we can use the magic of herbs and wholefoods to take care of our minds, bodies and spirits during Melbourne’s colder months. Stay tuned!

*Shout out to my very talented friend Phoebe Powell for the gorgeous Beit e’Shai® images in this post.  Thanks Phoebs, I love your work! 

Beit e’Shai now open!

~ rashatayeh

I haven’t posted on here for a while, apologies for the radio silence! I’ve been busy working on my new organic tea brand & mixing herbs for my apothecary. And Im super excited to announce the soft launch this week in Melbourne.

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Beit e’Shai, Arabic for House of Tea, is an apothecary & gallery for organic teas, tisanes & teawares.  All blends are carefully handmade by myself with an aim to support health & wellbeing.  Ingredients are sourced from as close as Maldon & Castlemaine in Central Victoria and as far as Palestine & Egypt. All ingredients are Certified Organic by Australian standards.

An online store will be launched early 2018 at www.beiteshai.com and I’ll also be trading from various artisan & farmers markets around Melbourne & regional Victoria.  Well, until a more permanent tea house is born.

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But for now, I have teamed up with two amazing friends to set up a PopUp Shop & Gallery in Brunswick this week before Christmas.  The three of us will have some lovely treats for your last minute Christmas shopping, so be sure to drop in for a cuppa & a look at some of the amazing art. All works are for sale, check out these links for the works by two very talented women; Chi&Ko Design and Vanessa Aloia.

I will sit the gallery/shop on these trading days, starting tomorrow.  Come in & say hi.

And I’d like to also take this opportunity to thank you for all your support in 2017 and wish you a wonderful & peaceful 2018.

Love, Rasha x

 

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Winter Apothecary & Open Studio

~ rashatayeh ~ 1 Comment

Winter is time to reflect, conserve energy and go deeply inwards.
I will be using this time to catch up on research, writing and medicine making.

Before I take a break from hosting workshops during the colder months, I would like to invite you to a Winter Apothecary workshop of medicine making at my studio.

During the workshop we will make an ointment, syrup and herbal infusion – using simple & safe homemade recipes that help support us during winter, strengthen our immunity & protect us from general ailments.

You will also have an opportunity at the end of the workshop to view/experience selected works from my previous art exhibitions, including audio portraits from “On Food & Memory” and short film screening “Growing Food Project” – with an opportunity to ask questions about my creative practice & the research behind “Spice Trails & Trade Routes”.

Cost: $35 per person
When: 2:30pm – 4:30pm, Saturday 13th May 2017
Where: MESMA Studio, Level 1, 6 Nicholson St Coburg

For bookings visit: https://www.trybooking.com/PNGK
Spaces limited to 20 guests

Since its Mother’s Day the following day, if you book 2 tickets & bring your mama along, you can purchase 2 tickets for $60.

For your Mother’s day discount, enter this promotional discount code: mama-love
(this only applies when purchasing two tickets).

If you have any allergies please be sure to let me know via email, when you book. The ingredients used may contain honey, beeswax, nut & seed based oils.

If you have any questions, please contact me on rasha.tayeh@gmail.com

Spice Trails & Trade Routes

~ rashatayeh ~ 2 Comments

You are invited to this special event that is part dinner, part performance & part installation.

Hosted by artist & nutritionist Rasha Tayeh, in collaboration with creative chef Shu Liu.

Imagine an ancient map as your dinner table, tracing Silk Road and other important trade routes. Explore through taste and smell a journey that shaped the development and destruction of great civilisations and in turn, the way we eat today.

Each stop along the road will deliver a special course featuring a particular herb or spice. As you take this culinary journey across the dinner table, you will be invited to tell stories of spice merchants and traders. Stories will unfold at each stop and with each course.

This intimate dinner party is at 7pm Friday 28th April 2017 at MESMA Studio (limited to 20 guests only).

$120 per person includes 5-course dinner, or $150 per person for dinner including wine.

To book your ticket please visit this link.

The participatory story telling during this curated dinner may be in various languages, with interpretations in Arabic, English & Auslan (Australian Sign Language).

Please note, the menu is vegetarian/vegan, but if you are strictly vegan or have any allergies, get in touch when you book your ticket to ensure you are catered for accordingly.

For more information contact: rasha.tayeh@gmail.com

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Rasha Tayeh is a Palestinian artist based in Melbourne; her work crosses a range of photography, film, sound and installation practices. She is also a nutritionist and researcher interested in food history, food anthropology, and the space where art and health intersect. Rasha’s work draws on themes around phenomenology, identity, feminist issues, spirituality and humans’ place in society and their natural environment. Her work has been exhibited at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (Melbourne), National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne), International Arts & Health Conference at the National Gallery of Australia (Canberra), Alderman Gallery (Melbourne), Sustainable Living Festival (Melbourne), Transitions Film Festival (Melbourne & Adelaide), Environmental Film Festival (Melbourne), Sguardi Altrove Film Festival (Milan), Hidden Features Cinema (Edinburgh), Life Sciences Film Festival (Prague), Palestine Museum of Natural History (Bethlehem), Little Woods Gallery (Melbourne) and Footscray Community Arts Centre (Melbourne).

Shu Liu is a self-taught creative chef and owner of Shu Restaurant in Collingwood.  He’s passionate about experimenting with flavours and textures from his hometown cuisine in Sichuan.  Shu’s recipes and menu design reflect seasonal and local produce, with a focus on fusion cooking.