FlagLIVE! April 16, 2026
Written by Gail G. Collins
Adversity changes us, hopefully, for the better. It can refine and focus us. Priorities become clear, and motivation is strong. We gain control and find a way forward.
Dana Huffmon, three-time cancer survivor, is an example of such intentional living and an entrepreneur. She embraced wellness through nourishing, natural living and founded Old Barrel Tea Company to reflect her ideals. Many of the company’s signature products, including teas blended onsite, were created by Dana and a supported by an inner circle obsessed with flavor and living well.
The initial business involved daughter Bailey Huffmon, and opened in Ruidoso, New Mexico in 2015 with a dozen teas and few cases of honey. Since then, the matriarch expanded to ten locations—the latest in Roswell, New Mexico—growing a family team that includes daughters-in-law Nenada and Paola. Shops carry 50+ loose leaf teas, powdered matchas and cacao with more choice blends and bundles online. Of course, tea equipment is available, alongside local honeys, gourmet spices, vanilla bean products, wellness elixirs, essential oils and accessories.
Nenada Huffmon, owner and director of operations, explained, “We believe in the wellness of tea. Our mission is wellness, community and joy. Quality is the pillar of our business, and Paola, our herbalist, works directly with farmers. We are thoughtful about whole ingredients and produce blends that recreate a moment. Our teas come from experiences.”
Madeleine Nauman manages the Flagstaff shop. The cozy, compact space radiates fragrance and friendly advice. Most of us have tossed a teabag in a cup of hot water to steep, so why choose loose leaf tea?
Read more: Steeped in resilience: A tea company rooted in healing and purpose“One of the biggest differences in bagged tea is that you’re getting the leftovers from loose leaf tea production,” said Nauman. “Loose leaf tea offers more flavor with proven higher antioxidant capacity. It’s a different processing—highly intentional—often, cared for by hand.”
She explained that leaves are hand selected in their optimal state at each point in loose leaf production.
With such gorgeous, enormous choice, Old Barrel Tea Company steeps a daily range of teas to pour and explore. “We offer samples to immerse yourself in—to try things,” suggested Nauman. “You can even take a cup to go.”
On an early spring day, one pitcher held the popular Island Grove with red and green rooibos, mango pieces, schisandra berry, blue cornflower and lemon myrtle for a tropical profile with a hint of citrus. Pecan pie and horchata—decadent and inviting—is nutty with a cinnamon kick plus vanilla.
If you are new to tea, Old Barrel Tea Company provides sniff jars to acquaint clients with complimentary flavors and consider their timing for tea—morning boost, afternoon cuppa’ or nighttime wind down. The shops carry white, green, black and oolong teas.
Nauman directs customers. “I ask about preferences—caffeine, flavor profile, benefits—show them the tea shelf and offer recommendations.” Teas are sold in tins and jars for better value.
To steep tea, one needs a tool to suspend the leaves in hot water. This can be a cup with an integrated diffuser, cheesecloth, French press or tea ball. There are reusable and disposable options. Steep times vary by leaf type. White, green and black are sensitive, needing shorter steeps of three to five minutes while herbal and darker teas need longer. Warning: Any tea can become bitter by oversteeping. “To doctor it up, add honey, a splash of milk or pour over ice,” Nauman advised.
The ritual of tea is a welcome respite in a harried day. Preparing loose leaf tea forces us to yield to ceremony with patience, creating purposeful moments. Nauman urged indulging in tea.
Join the Seasonal Tea Club for quarterly variety—$48 buys six custom choice tea blends, a punch card for five free cups of tea and 20% off purchases in store or online.
The Flagstaff shop also hosts local vendors, such as Sweet Sting Honey, Chocolita and Little Cabin Soaps while outlets, like Drinking Horn Meadery, Awa Kava & Coffee and Mayan Winds offer the Old Barrel brand via sachets.
According to Nauman, “Old Barrel Tea Company advocates wellness as a pleasure, whether it is drinking tea or creating a lovely aroma in a room.”
She senses a deep familial and communal ethos at the company, where talents and personalities shine through in growth-oriented and organic ways. Nenada shared, “We are family- and female-owned and grateful for every person, who supports us. We stay true to our roots, involved in day-to-day matters at all locations.”
Nauman is enthusiastic. “I’ve never worked at a place where I was so excited to show up. The space is a sanctuary. It’s a joy to bring holistic products to our community from a company, who is good to its core.” FLGLive!