October La-Tea Magic: Pumpkin Shadows & Fireside Sips
- montourfallsteaco
- Oct 1
- 3 min read
By Sarah Moore, Montour Falls Tea Company
October sweeps into Montour Falls like an old storybook. The leaves crackle underfoot, fog rolls across the valley, and SheQuaga Falls shimmers beneath a canopy of red and gold. The scent of woodsmoke lingers in the air, mingling with the sweet perfume of spiced pastries, fresh apples, and quiet mystery.
At Montour Falls Tea Company, October is the season of soul-warming sips. Our La-Tea blends take on an autumnal glow—featuring spiced pumpkin, smoky sweetness, and tart cranberries foraged in thought and flavor.
Montour Falls Harvest Festival October 4, 12-7:30pm W main St. Montour Falls, NY
Featured October La-Tea Menu
Pumpkin Chai
Bold black tea with pumpkin, creamy vanilla, cinnamon, and clove. This blend is the essence of autumn—smooth, spicy, and as comforting as your favorite sweater.
Mocktail: Sleepy Hollow Chai Latte
1 cup brewed Pumpkin Chai tea (hot)
½ cup oat milk (steamed or frothed)
1 teaspoon maple syrup
Dash of nutmeg or cinnamon
Sip fireside, or under the stars with a good ghost story.
S’mores
Toasty, chocolatey, and topped with notes of marshmallow and rooibos. This blend is a nostalgic nod to childhood campfires and fall adventures.
Mocktail: Campfire Cocoa Cooler
1 cup brewed S’mores tea (chilled)
¼ cup chocolate oat milk
Mini marshmallows (to garnish)
Optional: crushed graham cracker rim
Sweet, rich, and slightly smoky—this is dessert in a glass.
Cranberry Apple
A tart and warming blend of cranberry, apple, hibiscus, and a hint of cinnamon. Naturally caffeine-free and perfect for crisp autumn afternoons.
Mocktail: Orchard Moon Fizz
1 cup brewed Cranberry Apple tea (chilled)
½ cup cranberry juice
Sparkling water to top
Apple slices and sugared cranberries
A refreshing cooler that pairs beautifully with sweaters, cider donuts, and bonfire nights.
Maple Dream
Smooth black tea infused with rich, golden maple syrup flavor. It tastes like a walk through a sugarbush—earthy, warming, and delightfully sweet.
Mocktail: Golden Grove Steamer
1 cup brewed Maple tea (hot)
½ teaspoon maple syrup
Steamed oat milk
Pinch of cinnamon or cardamom
Simple, satisfying, and steeped in the richness of autumn’s heart.
Tea Traditions: The Warming Ritual
In many tea cultures, autumn marks a return to warming blends. In India, masala chai becomes a household staple during the cooler months. In Japan, hojicha (roasted green tea) is favored for its toasty notes. We carry on that spirit with our October La-Teas—spiced, toasty, and made to warm the body and spirit.
Finger Lakes Folklore: Mist & Myths
The valleys of the Finger Lakes are no stranger to ghost stories and whispers from the past. Indigenous legends speak of spirits among the waterfalls, and colonial tales linger in the fog that rolls down the hills. In Montour Falls, history and mystery pour down with every drop from Shequaga Falls.
Our Sleepy Hollow Chai is named for that balance—between the cozy and the uncanny, the warm and the wild.
Autumn in Montour Falls
The village transforms in October. Cornstalks wrap lampposts. Pumpkins perch on windowsills. The farmers market brims with squash, cider, and baked goods. And Shequaga Falls—framed by falling leaves—is as breathtaking as any painting.
October is when Montour Falls feels most like a living postcard, and our tea blends become your pocket-sized version of the season.
Visit and Steep
Come by the shop for a fall flight, a pumpkin tea latte, or to grab this month’s subscription box filled with autumn treasures. We’re always happy to talk tea, share stories, and guide you to your perfect brew.
Next month, we enter the cozy calm of November, with rose chai, cinnamon rhythm, and the warmth of mulled tea.
Until then, walk slow, sip deep, and let the fall leaves lead you home.
**Happy Days of Incandescence!
Make sure to stop in downtown Corning, NY to check out all the festivities!
Learn more on Explore Steuben’s page and their website
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