The Tea House Times - Washington Lavender

Transcription

Celebrating a Passion for Tea, Victorian Treasures, and Friendship
The Tea House Times
A Bi-Monthly Publication
Connecting Businesses & Consumers Since 2003
™
January/February 2015
Inside This Issue:
Greetings p. 3
Recipes p. 4
Tea Party Planning p. 5
Victoriana p. 6
Etiquette p. 7
Craft/Activity/Pins p. 7
Tea Room Directory p. 8
Featured Tea Service p. 9
Red Hat Society Tea Time p. 10
Society Page p. 12
Friendship Poetry p. 13
Tea Connoisseur p. 14-15
Travel p. 16-17
Events p. 19-20
Advertising p. 2, 8, 18-20
Healthy
New Year!
New Year Recipes, p. 4
~
Harney SoHo Celebrates
Four Years, p. 9
~
Red Hat Society Shares
It’s Virtual Tea Time, p. 10
~
High SocieTea House
Celebrates Ten Years, p. 11
~
Meet Laura Childs, p. 12
~
Tea Connoisseur, p. 14-15
~
NEW Select Registry Inns, p. 17
™
The Tea House Times ™
www.TheTeaHouseTimes.com
[email protected]
ISSN 1547-4453
Copyright 2003-2015
The Tea House Times™
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is
prohibited in whole or part. The Tea House
Times is published bi-monthly.
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TheTeaHouseTimes.com | 2 | January/February 2015
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Greetings from The Tea House Times
©Gail Gastelu, Publisher/Editor in Chief
Have a Happy
New Year!
Dear Readers,
It is about that time again, to freshen things up for the new year. You will notice more pages in
this issue as we are growing beautifully inside these pages and at our website and through other
services we provide to everyone who enjoys tea for personal pleasure or for business.
Our readership continues to grow in very good and interesting ways as I have been busy
solidifying new partnerships for 2015 to further connect businesses and consumers to everything
tea. As you know, all Red Hat Society members are receiving The Tea House Times as part of
their paid membership. RHS was founded over tea! With more than 400,000 registered members,
globally, their group interest in tea runs deep. Consider becoming a member for this great perk.
To bring tea to even more businesses and consumers, I am in the middle of finalizing partnerships
with finer Inns and B&Bs that also serve afternoon tea. First up, I am excited to introduce Select
Registry. The Tea House Times will be read by Select Registry Inns and offered as an amenity to
guests. Find more about Select Registry and this issue’s featured inns on page 17.
Please plan to visit with me at upcoming events including Coffee Fest (Atlanta, GA) February 6-8,
2015 and Coffee and Tea Festival/NYC (Brooklyn, NY) March 21-22. The Tea House Times is a
proud media sponsor of each event and will be exhibiting at each as well.
My new Tea Course Fast Track™ half-day seminars officially launched
at Coffee and Tea Festival in November with great success. The next
opportunity to spend four hours with me to learn about tea, will be this
February at Coffee Fest. Registration is already open at coffeefest.com
Please find full details at http://www.TeaCourseFastTrack.com
As we enter the new year, I encourage you to take a little time for yourself
each day. It may be as simple as 15 minutes set aside to enjoy a lovely
cup of tea while reading a book or enjoying the company of a friend.
Best wishes for a Happy New Year full of joy and success in all that you do.
Enjoy all your “Tea House Times”
Gail Gastelu, Publisher/Editor -in-Chief
“Lady Gayle” to my Red Hat friends.
The Tea House Times
Seal of Approval
is awarded for Quality
Books and Products
and Exemplary Customer Service. See
theteahousetimes.com
Recipes for a Pleasant Afternoon Tea
Black-n-Blue Tea Tonic*
Celebration Bubbly*
Black-n-Blue Tea
Simple syrup (recipe below)
Fresh lime juice
Vodka (optional)
Tonic water
Fresh blueberries as garnish
4 ounces of cold brut champagne
2 -3 teaspoons of Celebration
Jasmine Simple Syrup (recipe follows)
Organic rose petals as garnish – optional
This light and delicate drink
is perfect for welcoming in the holidays.
Brew tea 50 percent stronger than usual
and chill.
In a cocktail shaker, pour in four ounces
of the chilled Black-n-Blue Tea. Add two
teaspoons of simple syrup and 1/4-1/2
teaspoon of fresh lime juice. Add a dash
of good vodka (optional). Stir.
Pour in a glass filled with ice and top with
2 ounces of tonic water. Garnish with fresh
blueberries and enjoy!!
Simple syrup: in a saucepan combine equal
parts of sugar and water. Heat until sugar
dissolves. Cool. Store in refrigerator for
up to one week.
Black-n-Blue is a tea blend created by
SerendipiTea and includes: Blackberry
Leaves, Blueberry, Blueberry Flavor
(Artificial), Blueberry Flavor (Natural),
Guatemalan Black Tea (Organic), Rose
Hips (Organic)
Pour four ounces of champagne in a coupe
style champagne glass. Add 2-3 teaspoons
of Celebration Jasmine simple syrup.
Garnish with organic rose petals.
Celebrate 2015
(over 21! :)
Celebration Jasmine Simple Syrup:
Put 4 ounces of water, 4 ounces of sugar,
and 3 teaspoons of Celebration Jasmine
Tea in a small saucepan. Turn the heat to
low and stir often until sugar dissolves and
jasmine pearls begin to unfold. Once the
sugar has dissolved, keep on a low flame
for 3 minutes stirring often. Turn the heat
off and let brew for 3 minutes. Strain. Cool.
Refrigerate in covered container up to 5
days.
Celebration Jasmine is a celebratory tea
of extraordinary quality and taste for all
occasions when only the best will do. A
tea blend created by The Tea House Times,
available from SerendipiTea. The blend
includes: Cornflower (Organic), Jasmine
Dragon Phoenix Pearls (Organic), Jasmine
Petals (Organic), Rose Petals (Organic)
Holiday Shortcut - Preparation Methods: Slice and Bake Scones**
Preparation methods for scones vary greatly. Traditional scones are cut with a biscut cutter or round cookie cutter once the dough
is rolled out. Some also flatten the dough into a round and pre-cut wedges and bake. Others prepare rectangular sheets and then
cut into wedges. Some also prepare scones in a drop method by simply scooping some dough onto a cookie sheet.
Why not try a little trick to make scones look authentic with ease? Borrow that little slice and bake trick from your favorite
cookie mix. Easy to do. Prepare any scone mix or scone recipe. Form the dough into a thick log and freeze long enough that it is
firm enough to cut into rounds. Cut into the number of scones expected according to your recipe and bake according to directions.
*An original recipe from Judith Krall Russo, TeaFoodHistory.com
WHERE TO BUY: Black-n-Blue and Celebration Jasmine are both available from SerendipiTea.com
**Shortcut hint provided by The Tea House Times
Tea Party Planning
It’s time to reflect and sip a cup of aromatic first
flush Darjeeling tea. As the leaves unfurl, use the
steeping time to remember all the small victories and blessings the past twelve months have
brought into your life. Share these memories and
another cup of tea with a friend or family member.
The table is set with a gold and crème table cloth.
Vintage silver and a teapot with gold and peacock
blue bring elegance and warmth to the cozy corner
set for two. A pair of French arm chairs are made
comfortable with peacock blue pillows with gold
beadwork. A soft luxurious blanket keeps you
warm while reminiscing over tea. Cheese,
crackers, fruit and honey are paired with the bright
notes of the Darjeeling tea.
A silver champagne bucket holds the midnight toast
to a bright new year!
Pillows, Blanket, small
silver bowl, wine glasses
Tablecloth, napkins,
Florentine honey spread,
Organic Afternoon Tea
Find tea and inspiration
at settoatea.com
Victoriana
Queen Victoria, an Example to Her People
Another of Her Majesty’s characteristics which influenced the national life of her own sex was her love of
fresh air and outdoor exercise. There is a connection between the venerated sovereign taking her breakfast
in a tent on the lawn and spending many hours of each day driving, whatever the weather might be, and the
fine, healthy, well-developed girl of the period swinging her tennis racket, playing hockey, and boating and
cycling. When the Queen was young such things were not, and the mommas of that time were probably
shocked when they first heard of Her Majesty going deer-stalking with her husband for nine hours at a stretch,
undertaking perilous mountain expeditions, and walking about in the wilds of Balmoral with a hood drawn
over her bonnet to protect her face from the rain.
She was fond, too, of taking an early walk before breakfast; and on one occasion, when paying a visit to Blair Athole, she set out alone early one morning before anyone was about, and wandered so far - - beguiled by the fresh
autumn air - - that she lost her way, and was obliged to appeal to some reapers whom she saw working in a field to show her the way back. She always
encouraged her daughters to take plenty of outdoor exercise, and they were
expert skaters at a time when the pastime was an uncommon one for ladies.
Princess Alice was a particularly graceful skater, and after marriage found
that she was nearly the only lady in Darmstadt who could skate.
The Queen gave her countenance to ladies riding the tricycle at a very early stage of the introduction of that
machine. It was while taking her favorite drive along the Newport Road in the Isle of Wight that she for the
first time saw a lady riding a tricycle, and she was so much pleased that she ordered two machines to be sent
to Osborne for some of her ladies to learn to ride upon. When the more expeditious bicycle came into use,
Her Majesty looked askance for a time at ladies using it; but soon she took the greatest delight in watching the
merry cycling parties of princesses which started daily from Balmoral in the autumn, and she enjoyed many
of her hearty laughs at those who were in the learner’s stage, and had not mastered the mystery of maintaining
the balance.
The latest innovation in the way of vehicles - - the motorcar - - was regarded by the Queen with especial interest, for when she was a girl there was an effort made to introduce coaches run by steam on the roads, but the
public did not take to the idea of these horseless carriages, and so they dropped out of existence, and “Jarvey”
won the day.
From The Life of Queen Victoria, Memorial Edition, 1901.
Etiquette
Your Manners Matter® Minute with Cynthia Grosso
Afternoon Tea
January is National Hot Tea Month. Hot tea has been around for centuries.
Most tea connoisseurs know that the custom of afternoon tea is believed to have
started in England as a pick-me-up around four o’clock in the afternoon due to
the long span of time between lunch and dinner, but why has it lasted so long?
Let me suggest that it is not only the action of drinking tea, the process for
preparing tea, or the food served that has made it the beloved custom that it is.
Afternoon tea is so treasured because it is a civilized ceremony that is about
connecting and bonding with the people around you.
At a time around four o’clock people stop for a time to communicate with one
another. Face to face communication is a time when people feel like they have
been completely heard and understood.
Today, I feel it is even more precious, as it is a time when we put away our
electronic devices and connect with those around us in a casual, yet customary
face to face conversation over tea.
Invite someone to afternoon tea. . . .a very celebrated and civilized thing to do.
Cynthia Grosso is Founder of The Charleston School of Protocol
and Etiquette. She specializes in helping people handle life’s events
and changes with style, polish and confidence. Charleston School
of Protocol helps individuals and organizations realize their full
potential.
(843) 207-1025
charlestonschoolofprotocol.com
Craft /ActivityCorner
The following images are “Pins” we found for you ~ quick, easy projects or recipes. See our Pinterest account for direct
links to more information and tea related “Pins of Interest” Enjoy! Go to: http://www.pinterest.com/teahousetimes
Featured Tea Rooms & Consultants
Tea Rooms
Colorado
Regency Tea Room, 200 Perry Street,
Castle Rock, CO ~ 303-829-1090
www.regencytearoomcolorado.com
Georgia
Practice Hospitali-Tea, Manchester, GA
~706-846-2987 (by reservation only)
[email protected]
Hawaii
Tea at 1024, 1024 Nuuanu Ave, Honolulu, HI
~808-521-9596~www.teaat1024.net
Massachusetts
The Tea Gathering, 211 Merrimack St, Methuen, MA
~978-688-6602 ~ www.theteagathering.com
The Tea Leaf, 487 Moody St, Waltham, MA
~781-891-1900~www.thetealeaf.us
New Jersey
Bon Appetit Tea House, 180 Franklin Tpk, Mahwah, NJ
~201-529-1144 ~ www.bonappetitmahwah.com
High SocieTea House, 20 Old Newark Pompton Tpke
Wayne, NJ~973-696-8327~www.HighSocieTeaNJ.com
The Cosy Cupboard Tea Room, 4 Old Turnpike Rd,
Convent Station, NJ ~ 973-998-6676
~www.cosycupboardtearoom.com
The Picket Fence and Garden Tea Room (FOR SALE)
103 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, NJ
856-795-5357~www.picketfencegardentearoom.com
Washington
The Blend Cafe, 116 5th Ave SE, Olympia, WA
360-754-2184
Set to a Tea Consultants
Sue Erickson - CA - serickson.settoatea.com
[email protected], 209-817-6246
Barbara Hidlago-WA bhidalgo.settoatea.com
Sonya Pounders - AL - spounders.settoatea.com
Justine Rogers - NJ - jrogers.settoatea.com
Ersa Skjerli - WV - eskjerli.settoatea.com
Melissa Cigainero - NV - mcigainero.settoatea.com
Corporate: [email protected]
Ask any business on this page for a
FREE one-year digital subscription to
The Tea House Times when you visit.
Feature your tea room on this page
and at theteahousetimes.com
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Featured Tea Service or Event
Harney & Sons SoHo Celebrates Four Years
Harney & Sons Fine Teas, celebrating over 30 years and three generations of master tea
blending, debuted a new “Celebration” tea blend at their SoHo Flagship store’s fourth
anniversary event. Honoring the Harney & Sons tradition of blending fine tea while celebrating strong family ties, Emeric Harney presented the company’s newest tea, “Celebration,” at an in-store event on Monday, November 17.
Guests sampled the new blend while previewing the newest Harney & Sons holiday gift
collection. Tea-inspired food and drink was served.
Harney & Sons’ “Celebration” tea perfectly captures the magic of the holiday season.
Based on traditional English flavors, “Celebration” features a blend of black tea, fruit and
nut flavors, perfect for gatherings with family and friends.
Founded by Emeric Harney in 2010, the Harney & Sons flagship tea shop-café at 433
Broome Street (between Broadway and Crosby) has grown into a destination for tea
enthusiasts from around the world. In addition to featuring the company’s entire line of
over 275 teas, Harney & Sons SoHo offers a rotating schedule of tea flights and tastings.
The Shop also includes a café where patrons may enjoy their favorite blends along with
tea treats.
Emeric continues the family tradition of making great tea an everyday luxury for New
Yorkers and tourists alike. Emeric has a superior knowledge of the intricacies and characteristics of many varieties grown the world over. Emeric is also becoming increasingly
involved in blending, and has already created a number of well-received teas.
Harney & Sons Fine Teas is headquartered in Millerton, New York, fills 90,000 square
feet of warehouse space and employs over 160 people. The family company sources,
blends, and packages their own product from start to finish. Their goal is to bring the
exotic aromas and refined tastes from around the world to tea drinkers as an affordable
luxury. Website: www.harney.com
Michael and Emeric Harney
Red Hat Society Tea Time
It’s Virtual Tea Time!
Is there anything better than a tea date with your best girlfriends? We think not! (Fun Fact: The first Red Hat Society
Chapter gathering was held at a tea room in Fullerton, California.) With Chapters in more than 30 countries, Members of
the Red Hat Society are using message boards and social media in fun ways to connect with each other, including virtual
tea parties!
What’s a virtual tea party? It’s an online gathering for those who enjoy the
friendship that can be found with a cup of tea. Over the years, Red Hat Society Members have formed friendships with women near and far, and they
have maintained these relationships with the help of these virtual conversations and events. Some gatherings are housed on the Red Hat Society’s
Members-only communication forum, also known as the Queens and Members Board. This is where Hatters check-in daily to share what’s happening in
their world. Other tea parties are hosted on social media sites like Facebook,
and they tend to have more structure. Once a Member starts a page for the
event on Facebook, she has the freedom to choose who she would like to
invite to attend and who can see what is happening on the day of the event.
Although they could take the tea party literally and just share what tea they are drinking on the day of the event, many
Members choose to indulge in some imaginative play time. They find pictures of ornate tea sets and tasty treats to share.
They create a setting by sharing a song or playlist to listen to during the event. They post selfies with their tea cups, and
comment on each other’s photos. Before they know it, they’re on a fine tea adventure with Sisters across the globe.
In the Red Hat Society, we like to say that our brightly-colored regalia reminds us of the fun we had dressing up as
children. We loved it then, and we still love it today. And events like these virtual tea parties are reminiscent of the afternoons we spent with our best friends having tea in plastic tea sets while wearing our mother’s jewelry. It just fits!
When is the last time you let your imagination run wild? If you are ready to tap into the fun that can be had in the Red
Hat Society, visit www.RedHatSociety.com to join today!
2015 Speedway Sparkle International Convention
Join us for the “Ultimate Ladies Weekend!” The Red Hat Society’s annual international convention draws the largest
number of Members from around the world and unites them in the spirit of Fun and Friendship for one unforgettable
four-day event. We invite you to join us and experience the joy of meeting and playing with women who will treat you
as though you’ve been friends your whole lives. Red Hat Society Members know how to have fun and paint the town
red regardless of the convention location (which we’re happy to announce is Indianapolis, Indiana for 2015)! If you are
ready to immerse yourself in the wonderful world of Hatting, you will not want to miss the Speedway Sparkle International Convention! For more information, visit www.RedHatSociety.com
A New Year Celebration
High SocieTea House, Wayne, New Jersey, Celebrates Ten Years
High SocieTea House is a tea room located at 20 Old Newark Pompton Turnpike in the historic section of the Township
of Wayne in New Jersey. The house is listed with the Wayne Historical Society as the first official post office, which at
the time was the Ryerson – De Mott General Store, dating back to 1895.
Owner, Bernadette Solari, tells us she is amazed that after ten years they still have customers coming in for the first
time. “There is so much to be grateful for. And, I have so many more things I want to accomplish,” says Solari as she
contemplates a change to add hours and serve five days a week. “We will offer a signature tea blend to celebrate ten
years, we are putting together a cookbook to include some of our most requested recipes, we have already completed a
new and updated website where we may also collect subscribers for our new email list,” she continued. “When Barbara, Colleen and I opened High SocieTea House in January 2005, our goal was to create a place where our guests could
enter and go back in time to enjoy a truly unique experience. Over the years I believe that we have accomplished that.
We have had many wonderful customers come through our doors, and their words of support and encouragement have
helped us make the Tea House the success that it is today.” (Her partners, Barbara and Colleen, retired a couple of years
ago.)
After ten years, Ms. Solari still loves everything about the tea house, the staff, creating new recipes, and constantly celebrating milestones with customers.
The menu includes more than 40 different types of tea, signature caramel and assorted fruit scones, freshly made lemon
curd and clotted cream, seasonal homemade soups, assortment of salads with freshly made dressings, various quiches vegetable and meat filled, assorted finger sandwiches and miniature sweets, seasonal tea breads and muffins, and plated
desserts. Everything is prepared fresh in their kitchen. They use locally grown farm fresh produce and organic products
when available. With today’s new health concerns, they also offer a gluten free menu.
High SocieTea House is not just for tea or afternoon tea, they have a beautiful, very full gift shop, in which there is an
assortment of tea related items such as various tea accoutrements, tea pots, cup sets, mugs, personal items like their
signature shea butters and scrubs along with a collection of unusual gifts for the special people in your life.
They will be having new events and celebrations to say thank you to their many wonderful guests who have graced the
tea room for the past ten years. Some guests visit on a monthly basis and others annually to celebrate a special occasion.
High SocieTea House looks forward to all returning to celebrate in 2015. Check out their new website, new calendar of
events, and add your name to their email list at http://www.highsocieteanj.com Call 973-696-8327 for reservations.
Society Page
From High Tea to High Drama with Laura Childs
Laura Childs, author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, offers readers plenty of scones, bones, and murder.
Laura Childs wasn’t always an author. For twenty plus years she was a writer/producer and CEO
of her own advertising agency. Then, feeling she’d pretty much “done the ad thing,” she took the
plunge into mystery writing. Now, with 33 published books to her credit and 14 trips to the New
York Times bestseller list, she’s managed to weave tea drinking into three different series!
“My very first series was the Tea Shop Mysteries,” says Childs. “I’d traveled through China and
Japan with my professor husband, visited many tea shops, and took part in tea ceremonies. So it
seemed like a grand idea to create a tea mystery and set it in Charleston, SC, where the country’s major tea plantation exists. Plus, Charleston is one of those cities with eccentric characters, old money,
low-country swamps, and spooky folk tales.”
Childs created the fictional Indigo Tea Shop on Church Street and populated it with colorful characters led by protagonist Theodosia Browning, the shop’s owner. She also pulled tea drinking into
the titles of all her books with titles such as Death by Darjeeling, Gunpowder Green, Shades of Earl
Grey, Blood Orange Brewing, Oolong Dead, and The Teaberry Strangler. Her 16th book in this series, Ming Tea Murder, is due out in May.
“Then I created a second series with the Scrapbooking Mysteries,” says Childs. “And a third series
with The Cackleberry Club Mysteries. The scrapbook people are always ordering tea from the Indigo
Tea Shop, which is lots of fun. And in the Cackleberry Club Mysteries, which are centered in the
Cackleberry Club café, my three protagonists serve afternoon tea and hold special tea events.”
Ms. Childs’ books are of the “cozy” variety where the bad guy (or girl) is brought to justice in the
end. She firmly believes that most women are tired of thriller-killer-slasher type books, and that
they’re looking for a respite in stories where the female characters are smart, savvy, and caring.
“When I was in advertising,” Childs says, “I met dozens of women who longed to do exactly what
my main characters are doing. That is, run a small business such as a tea shop, book store, antique
shop, etc. These were smart women – ad directors and product managers – who wanted to escape the
corporate life and find something a little more sane.”
Laura Childs feels so strongly about this that she is currently writing a non-fiction book called Leading a Tea Shop Life: Drinking Tea, Finding Balance, and Reclaiming your Creative Spirit. This
book applies life lessons learned from tea shops and tea masters that help you de-stress, amp up your
creativity, tap into your inner entrepreneur, and develop your own personal “you” brand. It will also
include more than 100 recipes and teatime tips.
Learn more about Laura Childs at http://www.laurachilds.com
Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Cackleberry Club
Mysteries, and Scrapbook Mysteries. In her previous life, she was CEO/Creative Director of her own
marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history,
enjoys travel, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.
Tea & Friendship Poetry
Victorian Poetry & Modern-Day With Earlene Grey
Friendship, 1910
We Will Never Be Without
By friendship I mean the greatest love
and the greatest usefulness, and the most
open communication, and the most noble
sufferings, and the most exemplary faithfulness, and the severest truth, and the
heartiest counsel, and the greatest union
of mind, of which brave men and women
are capable.
She brings me flowers,
This woman I hardly know.
It is because once, just once,
I was unprepared and did
Not have a fitting bouquet for the
Banquet table.
~Taylor~
~
The essence of friendship is entireness,
a total magnanimity and trust.
~
I am not of that feather to shake off
My friend when he must need me.
~Shakespeare~
Just once, I didn’t have everything
Under control. I was so hoping that
Someone would rescue me from
My shortfall.
Unaware, she did.
Answering the door,
I reached for the flowers even before
Before greeting my champion.
After that, I wondered if it
Would continue to be so.
But, now it must be understood,
Silently,
Because she always brings me flowers.
~Susan Patterson~
~aka Earlene Grey~
Earlene Grey is the
pen name for Susan
Patterson; author
of two volumes of
poetry, Musings With
a Cuppa-The Poetry of
Tea, Heart to HeartConsidered Sentiments
for Teatime and her
most recent work, Tom
and Irma-Chronicles
of the 1950s. For
more information and
samples of her work,
including listening to
her read, please go to
EarleneGrey.com
Tea Connoisseur
Classic Blends and Trade Name Teas, Part 1
English and Other Breakfasts - by James Norwood Pratt
English Breakfast tea, while falling under no clear and universal
definition, is generally blended to create a strong morning cup that
goes nicely with the addition of milk. Some allege that “traditional”
English Breakfast must contain Keemun, but there is little or no
evidence to substantiate this claim. The English were enjoying hearty
tea long before Keemun was introduced into the market.
James Norwood Pratt
is an author and
authority on tea.
Please visit
JamesNorwoodPratt.com
for Norwood’s schedule
of appearances and to
purchase his books.
As a name, English Breakfast is as meaningless as California Burgundy and a good deal
of nonsense goes into trying to make it otherwise. Historically, the name was first used
in Philadelphia in the early 1840’s. In actuality, the tea consists of whatever the blender
believes will make a good eye-opener and be hearty enough to accompany the world’s most
formidable morning meal with bangers, rashers, fried bread and who knows how much
cholesterol besides.
Some brands claim theirs is a “traditional” English Breakfast because it contains Keemun,
but then the English had drunk tea with their breakfasts for two hundred years before
Keemun was heard of. One British firm has for a century or more sold an Imperial Breakfast
Blend, presumably to the Englishman for whom it is not enough just to wake up each
morning a raving nationalist.
Tradition is on a firmer basis with blends sold in the US and UK as Irish Breakfast, which
always contains a high proportion of malty Assam, though nobody seems sure just when the
Irish acquired this preference. (In Ireland itself nowadays African, not Assam, goes into its
blends.)
Assam of darkest hue and strongest flavor is the basis likewise for what my late friend
Helen Gustafson of Chez Panisse once dubbed “German Breakfast.” This has turned out
to be quite a useful name for what otherwise we’d have to call Ostfriesen-style tea. East
Friesland, to give it its English spelling, is the tea-loving German province bordering
Holland on the coast of the North Sea which has tea traditions older than the English. Both
Irish and Ostfriesen blends are meant to be very hearty and go best with milk.
. . . Read more by James Norwood Pratt at http://www.TeaCourse.com
Tea Connoisseur
Guatemala Gold - by Linda Villano
Upon returning to the topic of unusual suspects, a recounting of a visit to Guatemala seems appropriate. The journey
was made earlier in 2014 for tea and spice (cardamom in particular).
When Central or South American tea is mentioned most think RTD (ready to drink), CTC for tea bags, or blending
material. So, it may be surprising to learn that specialty, single garden, orthodox tea is grown in Guatemala, a country
known world-wide for its coffee production. Curiously, it was German immigrants who had settled in the mountainous
Coban region in the late 19th century that noticed the climate and elevation there were remarkably similar to parts of
India where tea growth was robust. This unlikely group introduced tea plants and other “exotic” spices to the area, all
of which flourished.
Upon being approached by a garden representative a number of years ago, my interest in Guatemalan tea was piqued.
At that time I was not aware of nor had I tasted full leaf tea from Central America. Samples arrived and the appearance of the dry leaf was quite impressive ~ the long, gently twisted gleaming black leaves were not only beautiful but
aromatic. After the cupping I was sold and we’ve been importing this tea ever since.
The tea garden is named Té Chirrepec. It is located at an elevation of approximately
4,300 feet near sacred caves where Mayan rituals still take place. Production had
been spotty over time but about 40 years ago a co-operative of Mayan family farmers
working the vast garden was formed and has since grown impressively. Production
output is all black tea, mostly CTC for teabags and a newly added bottled iced tea
which is only available in Guatemala to date. The small amount of orthodox production however is excellent quality, distinctly its own flavor profile and delicious.
Many tea professionals work with a myriad of botanicals
in addition to Camellia sinensis. Spices rank high on the
list and we certainly can’t do without cardamom. Despite
the pod being indigenous to South Asia with India credited
in past years for the majority of growth and consumption,
Guatemala is presently the world’s leading producer and
exporter of cardamom. In fact, so much of the highest
quality Indian cardamom is sold to the Arab countries
(where there is the greatest global consumption of
cardamom) that India imports lower grades of cardamom
from Guatemala!
The same German immigrants that brought tea to the
country also introduced cardamom. Being that the spice
is not relevant to the Guatemalan cuisine or culture
almost 100% is exported making it a profitable crop
for farmers.
Read more by Linda Villano at http://www.TeaCourse.com where this topic is also
continued in greater detail.
Linda Villano is
Co-Founder/President of
SerendipiTea, a
NY-Based Importer/
Manufacturer est. in 1995,
specializing in Premium
Tea & Tisane and Small
Batch Blends.
SerendipiTea.com
Travel
Taking Tea Down Under in Sydney by Barbara Tuson
To celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary, my husband and I decided to take a 36 day transpacific cruise to Australia. We boarded
a cruise ship in Tampa and traveled thru the Panama Canal to Los Angeles where we spent the night docked right by the Queen
Mary. The next morning we began our journey stopping at Bora Bora, Tahiti, and Fiji. It was quite an experience crossing the International dateline going to bed on Sunday and waking up on Tuesday.
When we arrived in Sydney there was much fanfare as we sailed under the Harbor Bridge—the Australian girls’ choir was on board
singing Waltzing Matilda and the harbor tugs were shooting water as helicopters filmed our arrival overhead. We all had Australian
flags to wave.
Our hotel room had magnificent views of Sydney Harbor, the Opera House and The Harbor Bridge. After 36 days at sea we were
anxious to spend some time on land. We were ready to enjoy some unique tea experiences.
Our first tea venture was The Vaucluse House Tearoom. We were seated overlooking the peaceful gardens of the historic estate and
produce from the gardens was featured on the menu. We opted for the Colonial High Tea and enjoyed a glass of Australian Sparkling wine before we began. One outstanding savory was a cauliflower and truffle tart with samphire and parmesan crisp. I enjoyed
the chocolate and Earl Grey macaroons and Brioche doughnuts with lemon and lavender sugar.
That evening we headed to the Sydney Tower for dinner. We took the elevator to the top and were
seated by the window. We then experienced delightful dining as the restaurant revolved 360 degrees. The views were spectacular and the sunset was beautiful. Quite a treat!!
The next day we headed by ferry across the harbor to The Taronga Zoo. After heading up the
mountain on a cable car, we were greeted by our guide for our Behind the Scenes Experience. We
actually went into the kitchen and prepared food for the animals we interacted with. We did a close
encounter with the koalas and met and fed George the bilby who is named after Prince George who
visited with his parents William and Kate during an official visit. After our tour we had tea with the
zookeepers and thanked them for a delightful tour.
Barb Tuson is owner of Tea
Time Travels. Previous
owner of SBS Teas, after she
sold that business, she and
her husband decided it was
time to travel the world so
they became travel agents
and named their travel
agency Tea Time Travels
because they wanted to travel
and drink tea all around the
world. See TeaTimeTravels.
globaltravel.com if you need
help with your travels and
sampling tea all around the
world.
Then we went on to Tiffin Afternoon Tea at the Langham. Since 1865, afternoon tea has been part
of the Langham legacy. We decided to try the signature Langham blend tea with our food and we
opted for the Mystic Tiffin Afternoon Tea which added a special touch by having our tea leaves
read by one of their delightful tea readers.
The next day we headed to High Tea at the Westin Sydney. We opted to try the Mad Hatter High
Tea featuring whimsical fun-filled elements and characters from Alice in Wonderland. Twiddle
Dum and Twiddle Dee roast beef sandwiches were a great start. Macaroons were decorated as
White Rabbit’s fob watch.
Our last day in Sydney we made our way to The Palace Tea Room in Sydney’s historic Queen Victoria building. This tea room is built around the elegance and charm of Victorian tea drinking. We
chose to have champagne with our tea. There were 29 teas to choose from; we chose Paris Vanilla
and an indulgent Chocolate. The food was excellent and we truly enjoyed the atmosphere.
Sadly, our time in Sydney had ended. We thoroughly enjoyed all of our different tea adventures.
Then, on to the airport for our 19 hour flight back home. Our cat, Bitsy, was so glad to see us when
we walked through the door. We had been gone for 6 weeks!!
Select Registry Featured Inns
An Introduction to Select Registry
In a new partnership, Select Registry and its members will be featured in every issue of The Tea House Times. All
member properties will receive a digital subscription and may also offer it as an amenity to guests. Our mission is to help
readers find more places to travel to and enjoy tea time. Select Registry is a portfolio of more than 300 premier inns,
bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels throughout North America. Each property must pass an unannounced, rigorous,
200-point quality assurance inspection to earn and maintain its membership in Select Registry. No other organization
goes to such lengths to ensure that travelers receive exceptional service, unique and authentic lodging, and an unforgettable experience. We are pleased to introduce you to many wonderful inns that offer tea service in their own special way.
Learn more and visit all Select Registry properties at www.selectregistry.com.
George Washington Inn, Port Angeles, Washington
George Washington Inn located in Port Angeles, Washington, is an exterior reproduction
of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate in Virginia. The interior is a five-room
luxury bed and breakfast featuring king rooms, two-person spa tubs, all-season fireplace,
and other amenities “fit for a president.” Situated on a high bluff overlooking the Strait
of Juan de Fuca with a panoramic view of the San Juan Islands and the city of Victoria,
British Columbia, guests enjoy breakfast on the ocean-front piazza throughout the summer months. The lavender farm on the property offers a breathtaking view, and the majestic Olympic Mountains rise to the south of the Inn. In February, they celebrate George
Washington’s Birthday with afternoon tea and a local re-enactor. On Sequim Lavender
Weekend (July), they serve a lavender-themed afternoon tea. For more information,
please call or visit their website: 360-452-5207 ~ www.GeorgeWashingtonInn.com
Brook Farm Inn, Lenox, Massachusetts
There is poetry at the Brook Farm Inn in Lenox, Massachusetts. This Victorian
Berkshires treasure is nestled in a wooded glen, within a short walk to historic
Lenox Village. The main building has 12 guest rooms, and the carriage house
has additional, luxury accommodations. Nine of the 15 rooms have fireplaces
for cozy visits in winter, and in summer guests enjoy the lush garden with
heated outdoor pool. Full buffet breakfast is served daily and afternoon tea on
weekends is served by the fireplace in the library. It’s a gracious, high-ceilinged room, with comfortable sofa, chairs and window seat that beckon guests.
As visitors enjoy refreshments, they may browse the collection of poetry,
fiction, history and other books. Guests choose from antique cups and saucers. Outstanding scones with jam are homemade by the innkeeper. Tea time
is a lovely opportunity for guests to relax. Please call or visit their website for
more information: 800-285-7638 (POET) ~ www.brookfarm.com
Tea Cozies
Tea Wallets
Loose leaf tea travel kits
www.thistledowncozies.com
Elite education. A vast Expo floor.
It all makes for the
Ultimate tea experience.
may 6 – 8, 2015
Where the Business of Tea is Done
Long Beach, California
Long Beach Convention Center
World Tea Expo is the leading
tradeshow and conference
focused 100% on premium
teas and related products.
Experience everything tea!
RegistRation foR this event
opens afteR the new yeaR!
Learn more and grab your pass
before febRUaRy 12, 2015 to save!
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Coffee fest AtlAntA
February 6-8, 2015 • Cobb Galleria Centre
CF Atlanta is THE ONLY trade specific
Coffee EXPO in the Eastern US in 2015
Your Event. Your Future.
Building, refining & empowering
the coffee industry since 1992.
Register Today:
www.coffeefest.com
800-232-0083
Mark Your Calendars!
Coffee Fest Chicago: June 5-7, 2015 • Coffee Fest Portland: Oct. 23-25, 2015
SUBSCRIBE online at TheTeaHouseTimes.com | January/February 2015

The Tea House Times - Washington Lavender

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