Tea Stories
Penny Lane Peppermint October 11 2015
This for me is the most delightful afternoon tea, to be served with shortbread biscuits (or cookies, as they are known in the United States). It's an unmistakable blend of mint with an earthy, irresistable aroma of chocolate. And remember, chocolate was originally drunk, not eaten, with origins being traced back to Maya and Aztec civilizations in Central America. Then in the 1600s and 1700s there was a huge import tax on chocolate in Europe, making it something that only the wealthy could enjoy. For me, it has the decadence of an after dinner thin mint. It is equally enjoyable drunk either hot or as iced tea.50 Shades of Earl Grey October 10 2015
Traditionally, Earl Grey tea was a blend of Chinese and Indian teas, scented with the oil from the citrus bergamot plant. The legends of its origins are numerous, but my favourite is the one that tells the story according to the Grey family They said the tea was specially blended by a Chinese mandarin for Lord Grey, to suit the water at Howick Hall, the family seat in Northumberland, using bergamot in particular to offset the preponderance of lime in the local water. Lady Grey used it to entertain in London as a political hostess. Earl Grey was three times Prime Minister of England in the 1800’s, and had a colourful personal history, especially with the ladies. That made me wonder if it carried on into 50 Shades ... Who knows. Just my fanciful mind.
Abbey Road Apple Tea October 09 2015
Although apples have a long history in the United States, cultivation of apples is thought to have originated in ancient Rome. The Romans brought the trees to England, and the British brought them to Massachusetts. The popularity of the apple grew across the United States, thanks to the hard work of John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed, who travelled the country planting apple seeds. We're glad he did. Their delightful flavoour in tea brings a refreshing quality.
Zen October 07 2015
"Who would then deny that when I am sipping tea in my tearoom I am swallowing the whole universe with it and that this very moment of my lifting the bowl to my lips is eternity itself transcending time and space?"
D.T. Suzuki, Zen and Japanese Culture
Another from Sir Sydney Smith October 07 2015
"A man who wishes to make his way in life could do no better than go through the world with a boiling tea-kettle in his hand."
The Reverend Sir Sydney Smith
From The Rev. Sydney Smith October 06 2015
"Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea! How did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea."
The Rev. Sydney Smith
Wise words from William Ewart Gladstone October 05 2015
"If you are cold, tea will warm you; if you are heated, it will cool you; if you are depressed, it will cheer you; if you are excited, it will calm you".
I guess if anyone would know, it would have been him. He was Prime Minister of England four times and no doubt drank a lot of tea.
Tea tattle October 04 2015
"As far as her mom was concerned, tea fixed everything. Have a cold? Have some tea. Broken bones?" There's a tea for that too. Somewhere in her mother's pantry, Laurel suspected, was a box of tea that said, "'in case of Armageddon, steep three to five minutes.'"
Aprilynne Pike, Illusions
More words of wisdom October 02 2015
“There are those who love to get dirty and fix things. They drink coffee at dawn, beer after work. And those who stay clean, just appreciate things. At breakfast they have milk and juice at night. There are those who do both, they drink tea.”
Gary Snyder
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).