As I look out my window, all I can see is a massive flurry of snow flakes swirling in the cold February air. As for many people, the expected plans for the day have come to a crippling halt. Much to the chagrin of my neighbors, snow seems to simply be one more thing about …
Month: February 2010
Save Your Friends from Bad Tea with a Tea Gift
Sharing a tea moment with a friend can be one of life’s pleasures. Tea is a very special beverage and a perfect way to say, “I enjoy your company.” But what if your friend thinks that a bunch of tea leaf dust swept up from the tea processing trays/floor/whatever and stuffed into a bag made …
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Tea and Gluten-Free Muffins
I decided mid-morning to give lessons in enjoying teatime to my three-year-old grandson. I had found no advice to aid me in this endeavor—I did actually look around on the web. But all of the tea blogs I read spoke of the glories of adults sharing tea, or the quiet contemplative moments over tea, or …
Tea and Illness
So the past few days have had me feeling under the weather, and I’m still not out of the woods yet. But one thing I discovered is that hovering my face over a hot cuppa tea is almost as healing as consuming a bowl of chicken soup. Being the ever-curious woman I am, I found …
Healing Teas
Disclaimer: This is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your physician for your particular needs. You hear a lot about all of the health benefits of tea these days. Everyone is claiming that oolong can make you lose weight, green tea will prevent cancer, and black tea will save you from the perils of …
The Great Bag Debate
My grandfather came to the US via port-of-call in Boston. He left Birmingham as a young man and sailed to America to find a better life. When he came to the US, the tea he knew was loose, despite the fact that teabags were invented in 1907. Teabags were initially made from Chinese silk and …
Book Review — “The Tea Rose” by Jennifer Donnelly
Jennifer Donnelly's novel The Tea Rose features the spirited Irish lass Fiona Finnegan. Employed by a tea factory and saving to start her own tea shop, Fiona's dreams of a happily ever after with Joe Bristow seem assured. Then tragedy strikes, costing Fiona both her father and her future with Joe. Over many years, Fiona …
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Going Out For Tea
Tea is hot – if you’ll pardon the expression – and it seems a pretty good bet that it’s going to get even hotter in upcoming years. As interest in tea has surged in recent years there has been a corresponding increase in the number of tearooms and teahouses where we can go to enjoy …
Review — Scottish Breakfast Tea
The Subject: Scottish Breakfast Tea from The English Tea Store. Water temperature: 212° F Steeping time: 5 minutes Tea type: Black blend Scents, flavorings, etc.: Nothing added Aroma, dry: Earthy, planty, good basic black tea smell Aroma in the cup, plain: Full-bodied, expected yet distinct from other Breakfast Blends Taste, plain: Full-bodied, flavorful, slightly bitter, …
Tea Book Review — “The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea”
One of the most respected tea companies around is Harney & Sons. Their teas are known for having a fine and consistent quality. A good bit of news is that Michael Harney, one of the owners, has written an authoritative guide to teas, appropriately titled The Harney & Sons Guide to Tea. The book is …
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