Tea Stories
Tea Cosy September 30 2015
"Never trust a man who, when left alone with a tea cosy, doesn't try it on".
Billy Connolly
Why we call it Tea September 29 2015
Another story about the origin of the word "tea" follows. In China, tea is most commonly known as "cha." The reason we call it by another name is an interesting mix of history and geography.When tea first reached Europe in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, it came from the trading port of Amoy, which is now known as Xiamen in the Fujian Province of China. In the local Fukienese dialect, tea is called "tey" rather than the more common "cha." So in Western Europe, and later in America, the word "tea" stuck, while in other countries, such as India, Russia and Turkey, they were introduced to the brew as "cha" by traders who traveled overland along the Silk Road.
When I was growing up in England, we always called it a cup of cha. I guess this was because Liverpool was a sea port and the sailors from many lands would go ashore and to our pubs and cafes and ask for it under that name.
Tea cosies September 26 2015
I have just discovered a great website for knitting patterns, so I'm about to get cracking on knitting some tea cosies. Many of their patterns are free too, which is great. And then I wont feel guilty about watching a movie on TV in the evenings if I'm gainfully employed clacking away at my knitting needles. Wish me luck! Take a look at craftsy.com. They have lots of other lovely stuff also. Now the autumn nights are upon us, what better way to spend a while in the evening?
Tea Museums September 24 2015
If you are in London, or planning a visit, you might want to look for Tea Museums, a new trend, popping up all over. Trendy, expensive, exclusive, and gathering speed, I hear.From the great Noel Coward September 21 2015
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"Wouldn't it be terrible to live in a country where they didn't have tea?"
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Words of wisdom from Dodie Smith, Author September 20 2015
I shouldn't think even millionaires could enjoy anything nicer than new bread and butter and honey in their tea.
From: I Capture The Castle
Dodie was an English author who lived in Southern California during World War II.
A learned tea quote September 19 2015
"I say, let the world go to Hell, but I should always have my tea."
Fyodore Dostoyevsky. Notes from the underground.
Smugglers Tea September 18 2015
Ships from Holland and Scandinavia brought tea to the British coast, then stood offshore while smugglers met then and unloaded the precious cargo in small vessels. The smugglers, often local fishermen, snuck the tea inland through underground passages and hidden paths to special hiding places. One of the best hiding places was often the local parish church.
Even smuggled tea was expensive, however, and therefore extremely profitable, so many smugglers began to adulterate the tea with other substances, such as willow, licorice, and sloe leaves. Used tea leaves were often also re-dried and added to fresh leaves.
November Afternoon Teas in Arizona September 17 2015
http://www.azcentralfoodandwine.com/home
Read all about it. Come and see us and learn lots more about tea and its benefits.
Vegan Afternoon Tea September 15 2015
Some ideas for dainty sandwiches:
Cucumber sandwiches:
Slice cucumber as thinly as possible, leave to sit in a strainer with a pinch of salt for about 15 mins. and then arrange on kitchen paper to remove any excess water. Then spread some dairy-free butter on to two slices of thin white bread and arrange cucumber slices on one side. Grind a little white pepper on top, then sandwich the two slices together. Remove crusts and cut into finger size sandwiches.
Next, Sweet onions & hummus:
Fry a thinly sliced red onion with a little olive oil and 1 tbsp coconut or brown sugar until caramelised. Spread dairy-free butter onto one slice and a little hummus on to the other, and fill with caramelised onions. Use a butter knife to press the onions gently on to the hummus and arrange in a thin layer. Then sandwich the two slices together, remove the crusts, and cut into finger size sandwiches
Or, if you prefer, Roasted Pepper & Pesto:
Slice a red pepper into large chunks & roast with olive oil until soft. Let them cool. Spread dairy-free butter onto one slice of bread, and vegan pesto on to the other, sandwich together, as above, remove crusts, slice into 3, and voila! You have a nice selection of dainty finger sandwiches to grace your table.
The Russian Tea Rooms, New York September 14 2015
Vegetarians ahoy! Did you know that for a mere $50 to $75 you can now have a Vegetarian Afternoon Tea at The Russian Tea Rooms in New York?Agreeable Tea September 13 2015
There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.
Henry James
Victorian afternoon tea soirees September 11 2015
For the Victorians, the afternoon tea party was an absolutely crucial part of social life. Ladies called on their friends to attend small intimate gatherings in their drawing rooms, with four or five guests for intimate teas. They would catch up on the latest gossip, sip tea, maybe even be daring enough to take a nip of sherry, and nibble on dainty sandwiches of egg and cress, cucumber, with the crusts removed of course.
Or there were the grander versions held in the vast homes of the idle rich, with large groups of people, waited on by the servants with entertainment, sometimes a piano or violin recital, a poetry reading, a performance by an opera singer, or even card playing. (Think Downton Abbey).
Then it might develop into "dancing on the carpet" as it was deemed then, with the phonograph providing scratchy music for the folks to let off steam (and excess sherry).
British Tea Tradition September 11 2015
To this day, Tea is seen as a symbol of "Britishness" and to some, as a symbol of old British Colonialism.
The London 2012 section of the paralympic handover in Beijing included tea as part of the ceremony. A cup or mug of tea in Britain is usually made in a different way than is common on China or other Eastern countries. Over 90% of tea consumed is black tea, often, but not always, with a small amount of cold milk and/or sugar added, or in some cases, honey is preferred. The most popular form is in teabags. I hear that my fellow countrymen have become a little more adventurous since I left and are now more into flavoured and fruity teas.
Tea and sympathy in Scottsdale September 10 2015
We were delighted to read the coverage in yesterday's AZ Republic about our two day appearances at the Food & Wine event at The Fashion Show Mall on November 6th and 7th. We have lots of good friends in Arizona, and are looking forward to seeing them all again.
arizonarepublic.az.newsmemory.com/publink.php?shareid=17fa62289
Her Majesty enjoys a cup of tea September 09 2015
Our gracious Queen Elizabeth II enjoys a morning cup of darjeeling tea, brought to her room at 7:30 a.m. on a silver tray, laden with a silver teapot, a water jug, and cold milk, plus a plate of biscuits for her dogs. She has been known to store her oatmeal in Tupperware containers, and her favourite foods are said to include jam sandwiches, chocolate cake, a grilled fish, served plain without sauce. Her favourite tipple is a glass of gin and Dubonnet. On 9th September, 2015, she will become the longest reigning Monarch of all time, having surpassed Queen Victoria. God Save The Queen.
China Tea September 08 2015
I was interested to learn that Tea originated in China as a medicinal drink. It was first introduced to Portuguese priests and merchants in China during the 16th century. Drinking tea became popular in Britain during the 17th century. The British introduced it to India, in order to compete with the Chinese monopoly on the product.A Qatar Cuppa September 08 2015
In Qatar, they like to brew their tea with regular black tea leaves, infused in boiling water, of course, then add evaporated milk and sugar, and bring to the boil for a second time before drinking it scalding hot. It sounds a little too rich for my tastes, but it is hugely popular with the natives.Mauritanians' favourite tea September 08 2015
Mauritanians, I'm told, like to drink their popular North African Mint green tea in sets of three cups at a time. With each cup, they increase the sweetness, from just a little in the first one, then a wee bit more in the next, and a plentiful helping in the third. I must try this to see what effect it has, as I usually have about 3 cups to get my engine started in the mornings. I hope it doesn't rev me up too much. I suppose that you start out bitter and end up sweet. Not a bad idea.
Yerba mate September 07 2015
Yerba mate is a vitamin-packed green tea which is very popular throughout South America, as well as countries such as Portugal, Lebanon and Syria. It has a smoky taste to it, and can be served either hot or cold.How Egyptians like their tea September 06 2015
Egypt is a very big importer of tea, and one of their favourites is unsweetened black tea, which they drink all day long, and Hibiscus tea is often featured as a specialty at Egyptian weddings.Teas in foreign lands September 05 2015
I have come across several interesting little snippets about tea in various other parts of the world, and it's certainly a fascinating subject.
In Hong Kong, a famous iced tea is known as panty hose or silk stocking tea, because it's colour is similar to nude stockings. No kidding!
It is made by pouring condensed milk over chilled black tea, then add a dash of condensed milk on top.