confusing cup

I absolutely love, love, love this tea cup that I found on fredflare.com (a favorite site for cool home accessories and knick knacks). There is something so special about this three tiered cup that just fits with my personality and lifestyle, as I usually am juggling many thoughts and tasks at once. I can imagine pouring myself a cup of tea on a busy morning, and switching between handles as I work through A.M. emails (what a way to wake up the fingers).

It might be fun to confuse some guests as I pour into the stacked cups, but it’s a joke that will only work once on friends not reading the blog (and if they’re not reading, then maybe they deserve a trick or two-just joking!).

I’m tempted to order a few strange teas and some stacked mugs and have a wild and wacky tea party!

did you celebrate tea?

According to several blogs and a facebook event, this past Saturday was declared as global tea party day. I took part in the global festivities, by sharing a large bottle of Ito En’s: Teas’ Tea Green Jasmine with a few friends while on the go (we didn’t take swigs, we used cups like ladies). I love Ito En’s Green Jasmine because it’s “infused with the natural scent of jasmine flowers by alternating several layers of the flower within the green tea leaves prior to the brewing process. Exuding a distinct refreshing taste, Jasmine tea has nerve-calming and relaxation effects and also helps promote fresh breath.”

I would have preferred to plan a large scale tea party, but weekend graduation parties, weddings and other events have taken over my Summer. So, to make up for this small, on-the-go celebration I am in the process of planning a large, outdoor tea party picnic in a Philadelphia park at the end of the Summer. My recent tea purchase, a Bodum Iced Tea Server from Mighty Leaf, should be arriving soon and be a perfect accessory for the tea picnic (it also comes with choice of loose Mighty Leaf tea-I chose Green Tea Tropical!) Anyway, I will blog more details in August.

Did you celebrate this year’s global tea party day by raising a hot cup or an icy glass? If so, I’d love to hear about it.

 

 

Quick side-note: I will be taking my tour de tea journey in the beginning of August. If any Philly tea lovers want to join, please comment and let me know. All delicious tea finds will be shared at the Philadelphia Tea Picnic!

Tea Party Decor…the perfect centerpiece

While visiting one of my favorite home decor blogs, Apartment Therapy, I came across a nice little piece about what to do when a flower breaks off the stem. In the past, I’ve worn it as hair accessory and placed in a tiny vase, but Apartment Therapy offers a better idea that’s more my style. AT suggests that you should cut the stem off the flower and place it in a tea cup, a fabulous idea. They even suggest making a centerpiece out of a few tea cups filled with flowers, what a lovely piece for a tea party, indoor or outdoor. I may purposely break off a few stems to make this decor dream a reality. 

I recommend that you visit this Apartment Therapy piece, so that you can see how beautiful the flowering cup is. 

This visual delight would really complement a nice floral tea and be a beautiful addition to a few pots of blooming tea. Celebrate nature’s beauty!

Happy Tea Party-ing!

real men drink green tea

According to Men’s Health, the bottled green tea with the highest level of powerful antioxidants (catechins) is Honest Tea’s-Honey Green Tea. I really enjoy the refreshing taste of Honest Tea. The blends with honey offer just enough sweetness to bring a sugary smile to my face, without rotting my teeth.

Ok so now to get to the details of this discovery: Well, the lovely individuals at Men’s Health had ChromaDex Laboratories scientifically review 14 different bottled green teas, seeking out the healthiest green on-the-go beverage. In addition to Honest Tea, Men’s Health chose to take a closer look at various blends from Harney and Sons,  Lipton Pureleaf, Tazo, Snapple, Ito En, Arizona and Republic of Tea. Did they miss your favorite green tea? One of my personal favorites in that list is Ito En. I strongly recommend that you give all of Ito En’s ready-to-go blends a try when you’re in the need for a green tea fix.

So, since we’re paying a little attention to the men out there with this blog post, I’m curious to know some other teas that men enjoy. I wonder if there are any major differences between male and female tea preferences? I strongly doubt that a major difference exists, but I’d  still love to hear what the men enjoy drinking. 

Brew 5 minutes…add Beer

Ok, put down your tea cup for a second and pick up a bottle of beer (yes it is a Monday, but it’s never too late to extend the weekend). Anyway, two of my friends created and host a fabulous weekly video podcast about beer, Two Guys on Beer. I really recommend that you check out an episode-or all ten-yeah, they’re that good. After watching several episodes, I’ve learned that there’s more to beer than frat parties and German festivals, and that this popular beverage is complex, delicious, and a true liquid craft.

So with beer on the brain, I decided to do a quick search to see if any wonderful brewer had made a fantastic decision to add tea to beer (however part of me wanted to find nothing-so I could make a deal with a brewery tomorrow). After a brief scroll through the Google selections, I came across Blucreek Brewing, Home of Unique All Natural Ales. Blucreek brews Zen (Green Tea) IPA, which they describe as an “India Pale Ale brewed with Natural Green Tea! An intense infusion of fresh Chinook, Cascade, and Centennial hops combined with natural green tea imparts this traditional English-style Pale Ale (English IPA) with something a little beyond the ordinary… A little extraordinary!” Zen IPA was commercially produced in 2006 (how have I not known about this?) and was the first beer to be brewed with natural green tea.

After a little more research, I noticed that Zen IPA had some pretty sour reviews, but I’m still excited to give it a try. According to the blucreek site, no stores in PA carry it, so I guess I’ll have to travel to Wisconsin or order it online, unless blucreek wants to send me a sample to review (cough, cough).

With the heatwave sizzling through the city, I look forward to relaxing at a BBQ and sipping on some Zen IPA (yes sipping, I’m still a tea drinker, so no chugging for this lady).

Talking Tea Contest

One of my favorite tea blenders, Summer Plum of Felicitea, is holding a very special contest for all the tea fanatics out there (raise your hand, OK raise both if you’re that excited). Introducing the Coffee to Tea Convert Contest. How would you like to win four 1oz tins of Felicitea’s hand-blended loose leaf tea, a special piece of personalized tea ware, and the respect of fellow tea enthusiasts everywhere? If those prizes make you jump for joy, than all you need to do is create a short video about why you think tea is better than coffee. Summer wants to know “what about tea makes you happy? Is it the health benefits or the taste?” If you switched from being a coffee lover to a tea addict, what made you stay on the good side? I encourage you all to enter soon, as the contest ends on the last day in June.

And of course this contest has a second round for our confused coffee drinking friends, who are all missing out on the delicious tea blends. The winner of the tea lover contest will have his or her video passed around to promote the coffee convert part of the contest. Coffee lovers and friends of coffee lovers (you know you want to help them) can enter this round of the contest and win a coffee to tea makeover. The chosen coffee convert will win a sampler set of Felicitea’s teas, a personalized piece of tea ware, and last but not least, his or her very own custom blended tea session (An amazing experience with Summer–She will work with you to find and blend your perfect and personalized tea).

For more details and a video explaining the contest, please visit Summer Plum’s blog. (note-the contest has been extended to the end June)

Please pass this along to all tea and coffee lovers!!

Let the caffeinated games begin!!

tea today: Remedy Tea Bar’s Melon Drop

This morning I enjoyed a black tea caffeine shot to my mind, which was exactly what I needed before a morning meeting. I imagine the black tea to be little early morning runners sprinting throughout my body and blowing trumpets to awake my muscles and mind (what can I say, I have an active imagination).

By now my mind is completely awake and vibrant, but I’m still craving tea. I ordered a cup of Remedy Tea Bar’s Melon Drop White Tea (honeydew melon/pure white tea), so not to send my body into a caffeinated shock. After steeping for two minutes, the tea paints the water a light golden shade. The incredibly fresh aroma sends my mind out of the humid city and into an open field. First sip, my taste buds are blanketed in melon as if I had just taken a juicy bite of the honeydew and let the sweet nectar drip from my chin. I added a dab of honey to intensify the natural sweetness, but am positive it would be just as perfect without it. The white tea is incredibly delicate and is a wonderful partner to the melon. 

I really enjoy all of the teas at Remedy Tea Bar,a fabulous tea spot in Philadelphia, but have to say I have a new favorite now.

What a wonderful introduction to warm summer weather! An iced version of Melon Drop would compliment any backyard barbecue meal. I would also love to freeze the the tea in popsicle molds and cool off, a melon drop pop!

What a refreshing summer treat, drink it up!

tea today: felicitea’s sloth tea

My luck seems to be lingering in the tea category, as I’ve been fortunate enough to win a few free samples of tea recently, one being Felicitea’s Sloth Tea.

Summer Plum, owner and tea blender of Felicitea, sent me the Sloth blend in a compact, reusable tin with just enough tea for a few lovely cups. Sloth Tea is a “gunpowder green tea with chamomile, catnip and peppermint” that is known for soothing stomach issues.

After steeping the tea for 5 minutes, I took a deep breath and inhaled the warm scent lingering at the edge of my cup. The aroma is fresh with just enough peppermint, as to not put my sense of smell into a minty shock

The first sip greets my tongue with a light dose of chamomile that’s punched up with a bit of peppermint. I really enjoy the mint/chamomile combination, as the soothing taste is balanced perfectly with a refreshing tongue tingle (no competing ingredients here). I’m picking up another taste that I can’t identify, but I assume it’s catnip, which Summer informed me actually relaxes humans (as opposed to creating kitty craziness).

The gunpowder green tea adds a beautiful dark golden color, along with a taste that does not overpower in the cup. The green tea is mellow and allows the other tastes to shine (which green teas don’t often do–always stealing the show).

My senses are cheering for Sloth Tea, a minty, mellow, smooth, smoky treat with a dash of sweetness. Overall, a beautifully blended tea with harmonious ingredients that soothe and excite the senses.

A few cups and longer steeps later, I can taste more of the green tea coupled with a stronger peppermint sensation, as the aroma and taste seem to hit the tongue with more of a punch. After each sip, the mint seems to slowly expand across my taste buds like a ripple in a lake. Along with the minty aroma, there is a stronger smell of sweetness. I absolutely love the tea chameleon process, as longer steeping transforms flavors and aromas, offering up a new appreciation for the many tastes of the ingredients.

Once again, a big thanks to Summer Plum of Felicitea for sharing this lovely tea with me. I highly recommend that you visit her site and take a peek at the other hand blended loose leaf teas that she has to offer.

To catch a video tasting/review of Sloth Tea, watch STeaP TV (the fabulous vodcast that “provides entertainment, education, and insightful content about all things tea”).

tea today: zhi tea’s wuyi oolong

Thanks to the generosity of Zhi Tea, I am enjoying a nice sample of Wuyi Oolong. According to Zhi, “This rare and unique oolong from the Wuyi Mountains in the Fuijan Province, China, consists of medium oxidized, unrolled amber brown leaf with greenish highlights. A sophisticated dark amber liquor reveals flavors of raisins and honeysuckle and a fantastic toasted almonds.”

During the 3 minute allotted brew time, I watched the beautiful unrolled tea leaves transform the water into that of a deep amber shade.

Upon first inhale, the warm, nutty aroma sends me into a memory of sitting by a fire, as it gently warms me.

The aroma truly matches the taste, as I experience the intended toasted almond and a hint of chestnut (possible smoked chestnut, from a cart in the city during the winter). What I enjoy most about this blend is the aftertaste: smooth, smokey, and a strong sense of nuttiness that lingers on your tongue and palate. Unfortunately, I am not picking up any of the honeysuckle that Zhi mentions in the description, which I was thoroughly looking forward to, as honeysuckle is a favorite of mine.

Overall, great cup of tea that can be steeped several times.

Added benefit: It’s known to help with weight loss, which is welcomed as the warmer/beach months approach quickly.

Thank you Zhi Tea

tour de tea philadelphia: map

During my exciting search for tea places to add to the tour de tea Philadelphia, I was overjoyed to stumble upon some spots I have yet to visit (insert image of ear to ear smile and rapid clap).

I am currently creating a map with Community Walk so that a proper path can be illustrated and used during the journey. The map is by no means complete (and a path has yet to be created), but I am posting it in hopes that others will point out tea spots that I am glaringly missing or that it inspires others to join me on my journey. My plan is visit each destination and enjoy a cup of the best tea. I am also considering ending the long quest for the perfect cup at The Expressive Hand, where we can paint our own tea cups to commemorate the day. 

I have yet to pick a day, but promise to post it in advance so that anyone who would like to join me can mark the date on the calendar. 

Possible tour de tea Philadelphia spots:

Bubble House

Premium Steap

Remedy Tea Bar

The House of Tea

The Mary Cassat Tea Room and Garden

Random Tea Room

Afternoon Tea in XIX

Tbar

Great Tea International

Four Seasons Hotel-Swann Lounge

tour de tea 2008 Philadelphia

I have completely immersed myself in all that is tea today: drinking it, reading about it, talking about it, blogging about it, eating it (green tea ice cream) and even wearing it (green tea moisturizer is a must). Thanks to this glorious tea filled day, I got to thinking that it would be wonderful to have a tour de tea, exploring tea shops, tea bakeries, etc that are located in Philadelphia in just one day! I am in the process of gathering names and locations of places to visit and will be posting the list along with a map to show my journey.

Please help me make this whirlwind tour de tea an experience that is jam packed with Philly tea goodness, by suggesting your favorite tea related places. Thanks!!

Now time to continue exercising my tea palette in preparation for the tour de tea!

talking tea

I have a special spot in my heart for tea and language. If I had a google alert that monitored how often I talk tea, then my inbox would be flooded with updates. And as a lover of words and their origins, I thought I would take a second to gather a few expressions that are tea related. After some thinking and searching, this is what I found:

tea for two, two for tea

a song in the musical No, No, Nannette in 1925

 

my cup of tea

“This phrase, referring to anything suited to one’s taste, has only been traced back to 1932.”

 

not my cup of tea

Referring to something that one does not like. It was noted as a commonly used 19th century British phrase.

 

not for all the tea in china

“Defined as “not at any price,” references to “all the tea in China” first appeared in Australian slang in the 1890s.”

 

How often do you use these phrases? 

tea time makeover

If you read my blog often, then you’ll notice that I’ve replaced the lovely, yellow tea cup header image with an even lovelier custom collage/drawing from Esther Coombs. I discovered her fabulous work after a friend forwarded me a link to her etsy shop website, and from that moment on I have wanted to purchase every item.

Not only does Esther create beautiful drawings, but she also builds and beautifies gorgeous and unique cake stands, perfect for a super hip tea party. Her work is for the delicate, creative soul who has a wandering imagination. Her tea cups are adorned with intricate designs and illustrations of lace doilies, tea bags, etc. She takes a step outside of the conventional tea ware box and has landed on the cup, where she draws outside the lines, turning grandma’s china into a modern work of art. So scoop up a few of her cups, cake stand, collages, drawings and the most outrageous tea and food combos and throw a fabulously modern tea party, I know I will.

So I’d like to raise my tea cup to Esther today, for generously sending me these beautiful custom collages and for creating imaginative, beautiful, decorative pieces for the tea world. I look forward to the day that I’ve acquired enough of her pieces to throw an Esther Coombs tea party.

I highly recommend that you browse her wares and then let me know what your favorite piece is.

Tea for two…or maybe thousands.

I recently came across Gary Andrews’ blog post regarding a worldwide tea party at 4pm on June 28th, and I couldn’t help but get extremely excited. What started out as a London wide event has possibly and hopefully turned into a global tea party. I think it’s pretty wonderful that brewed leaves will be uniting so many individuals.  

I may gather a few friends at a local tea spot or try to arrange a Philadelphia tea party in Rittenhouse square (I’m imagining blankets, scones, portable containers, cups, etc). I hope to encourage some local tea stores to join in and share their tea goodness on this special day. Who knows, maybe a global tea holiday is possible. 

Are you going to participate in the global tea party? If so, where?

 

happiness in a (cute) can

I’m sipping on ito en’s Dr. Andrew Weil for Tea Jasmine White from its compact little can. My tongue is currently in a flower coma after a powerful punch of jasmine white tea straight to my taste buds.

Nose to the can: The white tea lends a delicate aroma and the jasmine sends a hint of spring (like walking by a flowering tree with early buds).

Reaction after first sip: You experience a hint of sweetness of the white tea blending beautifully with the jasmine flowers, followed by the earthiness of the bouquet (as if you have crunched into every bud).

I strongly recommend giving this tea a try. I will be ordering a few cases and welcoming a new addiction to my tea list. As if you needed another reason to try it, this tea offers up a healthy dose of Vitamin C.

On a side note-I picked up this beautiful tea at The Tea festival-thanks to the fabulous men at the ito en booth. I am in the process of digesting the festival and creating thoughtful posts, instead of gushing like a teenage girl after a boyband concert in a lengthy love-filled diary entry. Yes, I’m a tea nerd and I’m proud of it. So check back for more posts related to the tea festival.

tea with my great-grandmother

I’m sure that you’ve been asked the hypothetical question, “If you had the chance to meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?” Now I think that it is a fabulous and revealing question, but for the sake of this blog I would like to modify it to, “If you had a chance to have tea with anyone, who would it be and what would you drink?”

Of course I would have difficulty answering my own question, but a recent birthday present has helped me. Last week my aunts gave me one of my great-grandmother’s tea cups (shown above). I would have to say this is by far one of my favorite and most meaningful birthday presents ever, especially considering my love of antiques and family. The cup is oh so delicate and refined, with its elegant roses and dainty handle.

So to answer the questions, I would have tea with my great-grandmother and would choose to drink Pomegranate Rose Decaf Green (Zhena’s Gypsy Tea). The rosebuds in the tea would flow nicely with the floral cup decor, and decaf would be necessary since my excitement would make me quite jittery (without the caffeine burst).

So, who would you have tea with? And what would you sip on?

tea and cookies

I love multi-functional products, especially those that allow me to carry less, as I am usually trying to accomplish another million things with the other hand. So when I came across this absolutely wonderful dunk mug that has a built in cookie compartment, I was pretty excited. There are so many reasons why this dunk mug is so perfect, so I thought I would list a few:

• It is a great piece for a modern tea party. Although I love the over the top frills, delicate patterns and multiple plates of a traditional tea party, I would also love to put together an ultra modern styled tea party that is simple yet beautiful. I could imagine placing a few of these mugs around the table with some exotic cookies peaking out over the gorgeous table cloth, with just a few small vases with flowers.
• It forces me to only enjoy a few cookies with tea, rather than an entire plate (or lets be honest, the box). Here’s to moderation!
• It help cut down on dishes (if you’re using a plate for the cookies and not eating from the box).
• It’s a great addition to any tea cup collection!

So my question is: What kind of cookies do you enjoy with tea?

I plan on posting a few recipes for tea cookies and would love some suggestions.

tea today: organic peppermint

I needed a little sensory pick-me-up without the caffeine and went with the Harney and Sons-Organic Peppermint Tea. The tingly, minty aroma is enough to wake up your mind, and the first sip is sweet, delicate, yet instantly refreshing. The peppermint lingers on your tongue, and would nicely follow a garlicky or over spiced meal.

In addition to the delicious sensory experience, peppermint tea soothes an upset stomach (got to love those herbal benefits). This tea is perfect for someone who needs to brighten a dull afternoon and it can quiet a sweet urge with a drop of honey mixed in.

tea today: orchid oolong

Currently I’m enjoying an entire pot of loose leaf Orchid Oolong at the Tbar, one of my favorite tea stops in the city. This golden tea (which I seem to be gravitating to lately) has a nutty aroma, light flavor and a floral aftertaste. The earthy bouquet lingers on my tongue, which compliments the spring weather and blossoming trees that are stealing the visual show in the city at the moment.

But just to backpedal for a second, Oolong tea is “a semi-oxidized tea, primarily from China or Taiwan. Oolong tea has a more powerful flavor and aroma than green tea, but a more delicate flavor and aroma than black tea” (educational bit thanks to Tbar’s website). Orchid Oolong is one of my favorite teas-so I’m glad that a purchase of a pot includes two free refills, especially since this particular blend does well after multiple steeps.

Time to sip some more Orchid and welcome spring and the month of april.

vote for tea

Local tea stores are my home away from home and I’m always looking for ways to support them. Normally I try my best to buy several cups of tea from any new place that pops up near me, but today I was given the opportunity to help a cafe, the gramstand, get closer to reaching their goal of winning $10,000 with just a click of my mouse. Located in NYC, the “gramstand is a tea café and store, providing East Villagers with a modern-day retreat that invites conversation, relaxation, and an opportunity to experience the healthy lifestyle associated with tea.”

Now you may be thinking, how do you get $10,000 with just a click of a mouse? No, not gambling or bank transfers, but rather with a website, ideablob, that has created a space “where entrepreneurs and small business owners can share and grow their business ideas – and have a chance to win $10,000 towards fulfilling them.” I am thrilled to support a tea store and a site that encourages expression and success of creative ideas.

If they win the $10,000 Gramstand will using these funds to, “increase our menu options, renovate the store for more community gatherings, and enhance our website. Most notably for our customers, we plan on installing bifold front windows and new air conditioning for the summer. As well, we’d like to fix up the basement seating space a bit more.”

Today is the last day to vote, so hurry up and support a great place.

The next time I’m in NYC I will definitely be making my way over to gramstand and sipping on the gramstandard brew (sri lankian black with a hint of mango and magnolia).