By Michelle M. Sharp, Founder and Content Creator of Meet the Minnesota Makers
For many Somali communities, the day begins and ends around a cup of shaah, a spiced tea traditionally made at home.
Sharing a cup of tea is a fundamental act of hospitality, especially in a Somali home. When guests arrive or family members return home after a day at work and school, steaming cups of shaah are at the ready to be sweetened, dotted with milk, and savored as a catalyst for real time conversations that foster connection.
A FOUNDER’S FAMILY TRIBUTE
When Yubi Hassan moved to Minnesota from Somalia, he missed that daily ritual of the family gatherings at his grandmother’s home. Now a University of 
St Thomas graduate and an engaged member of the Naturally MN community, Yubi creates tea blends as the founder and CEO of his Hopkins small business Blue Horn Tea.
Blue Horn refers to the Somali coast, which has the longest coastline of any country in mainland Africa. The name also pays homage to the country’s blue flag and its frequent blue skies due to Somalia being a semi-arid country. That coastline proved to be essential to Somali’s food culture. Early Somali explorers traded with merchants in India, where they discovered the spices native to that continent, including those that create the spiced tea blends known as chai.
Back in Somalia, the spiced tea blend developed its own personality. Yubi laughs as he explains how every family defends their own recipe as the right way to prepare shaah. “The Blue Horn Tea recipe is a tribute to my grandmother,” shares Yubi. “I figured out when taste testing that I could never come up with a blend that seemed just right for everyone. In the end, I had to choose the recipe that I knew and savored throughout my youth.”
A SIGNATURE BLEND
Blue Horn’s signature blend is made with real whole spices. Black tea, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves harmonize in a tantalizing blend. The Blue Horn Shaah promises “a soothing, revitalizing experience” free of jitters and caffeine crashes.
The blends are free of added sugar and artificial flavoring as well. “We only use premium whole spices for our teas,” shares Yubi. “When you work with good ingredients, the flavors literally speak for themselves.” Shaah is typically served with milk and sweetened with sugar. Children often drink their tea with condensed milk.
A CULTURAL AMBASSADOR
Yubi created his Blue Horn Authentic Somali Tea Blend with two missions in mind. The first is to provide a service of convenience with premixed spices for those who already enjoy shaah. The second allows Yubi and his tea to serve as cultural ambassadors. “I wanted to share something positive about Somali culture through our tea,” explains Yubi. “Sharing tea is a gesture of hospitality that’s meant to foster meaningful conversation. I hope to share this tradition with everyone who enjoys a cup of our tea and offer a taste of Somali warmth and connection to your home.”
A shared cup of shaah is an opening for community building. Blue Horn frequently participates in community events and rallies, offering warm cups of tea 
as a point of comfort and connection. “We are proud to represent our culture in a positive light,” states Yubi. “Being present at community wellness events, pop ups, and rallies in Minneapolis gives us the opportunity to directly support the people and community we love.”
Being a part of the maker and founder community provides Yubi with a new source of community connection. “It’s deeply empowering to meet other people as passionate about food as I am,” reflects Yubi. “We understand the challenges each other faces for sourcing, packaging, and distribution. I may have started this business alone, but I have a network of founders and experts to rely on to help me problem solve and grow.”
TRY SOME TEA
In addition to the signature Shaah blend, Blue Horn offers a Ginger Turmeric detox herbal blend that’s packed with antioxidants, Somali tea liquid concentrates, and Somali tea brewing kits. A decaffeinated blend is in the works.
Purchase Blue Horn’s tea blends and brewing equipment through bhteas.com. Find them on the shelf at 70 grocery stores (and growing) throughout the US. Follow Blue Horn Tea on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Watch our “Shop Local; Stand Together” segment on KSTP’s Minnesota Live. Hear from Yubi about why creating his tea blends is his happy place that he’s deeply proud of in this founder story.
Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com or follow @meettheminnesotamakers on Facebook and Instagram to discover the small business owners leading Minnesota on a tasty sustainable path forward. Meet the Minnesota Makers is a news site that connects you to the local food, farms, artists and artisans that make Minnesota thrive.
