If you’re like me, you enjoy drinking a variety of different teas throughout the day, the week, the month, the year. So you’ve probably got a bunch of teas on hand to choose from – some purchased, others samples, and perhaps a few gifts – depending on what “tea mood” strikes you. Once you start …
Author: JanisB
From1997 to 2012 I edited and published TeaGuide Worldwide Tea Directory, the original directory for enjoying tea wherever you are in over fifty countries around the world. I had a lot of fun with it, met scads of interesting people, and learned a lot. After fifteen years, I retired the Directory to concentrate on writing about tea and tea-related topics. I hope you enjoy reading TeaGuide: Reviews and Ramblings as much as I enjoy creating it.
Cooking with Tea: Sangria
As I’ve mentioned from time to time, I don’t drink flavoured teas – that is, teas with added flavourings. With all the wonderful single-source teas and pure-tea blends available, I just can’t justify taking the time from my tea-drinking for a combination that works perfectly well as tea and accompaniment: While I enjoy a piece …
In My Cups: Kangaroo Mugs
While I firmly believe that the very best cup of tea can be made only with fresh loose leaves, I have to admit to using a teabag every now and then. Like when I’m rushed and just need a quick cuppa, or if someone offers me tea at their home. It doesn’t happen often, and …
Wow! More Tea Artists!
It never ceases to amaze me how creative people can be – especially with tea. Certainly it requires a good deal of artistry to process a top-quality oolong, for example, or to compose a blend of leaves that complement each other perfectly and transports you to tea nirvana as you sip. But right now I’m …
In My Cups: Indian Clay
I believe I’ve mentioned here once or twice that since 1998 I’ve been running an online chat group that over the years has attracted members from around the globe, from consumers to tea professionals. Some years ago the group was discussing disposable cups and the effects they have on the tea served in them. This …
A Valentine’s Day Tea Gift Basket
I want to make one thing very clear: my dear husband doesn’t need a special day to surprise me with flowers, candy, or other little gifts. But in case he should happen to want to get me a nice little something for this lovers’ holiday, I’m happy to help him out with a few suggestions …
Painting with Tea: Tea Dimensional Art
I love crafting with tea, and never tire of designing new ways to incorporate tea into my crafts. I’m also interested in others who use tea in their creative arts. So I was very excited when artist Mary Pagón connected with me about two years ago. I immediately fell in love with her strikingly colourful …
Cooking with Tea: Blancmange
As it did with so many young girls, the book Little Women made quite an impression on me. A lot of my friends identified with one or the other sister, but I didn’t. Not until I read this passage about Jo taking a special dish to an ailing Laurie: “Mother sent her love, and was …
Cooking with Tea: Good Gravy!
One of the best pieces of cooking advice anyone ever gave me was this: Never use water when you can use some other liquid. In other words, don’t just add liquid – add flavour, aroma, and character too. Although I cook (and bake) with various liquids – broth, wine, beer, juices of all kinds, milks …
In My Cups: Lacquerware
Ever since I was a kid I was intrigued by the beautiful, exotic arts of Japan. I used to go to the library to look through their enormous volume of Hokusai prints, and I never missed a museum exhibition of Japanese arts or crafts. I’ve learned and taught origami, dabbled in Japanese brush painting, and …
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