This is a post to make you aware of some of the amazing tea events going on this weekend!

An Array Of Tea Offered By Tea Spot

Tomorrow, February 23rd, Tea Spot in Cranford, New Jersey will be hosting a French and English poetry read!   Go experience some amazing poetry while sipping equally amazing tea   The event starts at 7:00PM.   The store is an intimate setting, so make sure that you arrive early to get ample seating.   Clara Ngo, owner, creates a welcoming atmosphere, delivering any tea and tasty treats to you herself while you enjoy the company of your friends and the delightful entertainment.   (Personally, as a tea lover and a francophile, I hope this becomes a regular event!)

Then on Saturday, February 25th and Sunday, February 26th, New York will be hosting its 7th annual Coffee and Tea Festival!   Tea and coffee companies from around the world will be there.   Since this show is available for both the trade and the public, make sure you get your tickets!   Programming surrounding green teas, master classes teaching how to serve tea and tastings (or “cuppings”) will be held throughout both days.

You can find out more information and buy tickets at http://www.coffeeandteafestival.com/.

While sadly, I won’t be at either event, I do plan on going to the following French/English poetry night and I plan to attend the Coffee and Tea Festival in Atlantic City in November!   See you there!

Happy sipping!

My sister-in-law gave me this recipe during Superbowl Sunday and I thought I would share it

Veronica Silva published a snippet on how to make Bath Tea (I am still trying to find the source, in case anyone knows where this particular article came from!   Please feel free to leave the URL in the comment so that everyone can view and enjoy).

The recipe calls for:

- 1 1/2 cups of Epsom salt

- 1/2 cup sea salt

- 1 cup dried lavender blossoms

- 30 drops of lavender essential oil

- Small muslin bags

Mix all the ingredients together.   Spoon 1/4 cup into each bag.   When ready, toss one bag into a hot bath and enjoy a soak in some tea!

I would say happy sipping, but I am not sure if that is totally appropriate in this case!

Read on and enjoy!

***

I wrote this as a guest blogger on Tea Love‘s blog. I posted here for my own followers.

Most people receive periodic breaks during work hours to do what they wish: get up, walk around, men’s or ladies’ room breaks, and smoking are on the list. But, how many of those people take that brief reprieve to make themselves a warm cup of tea? Drinking tea has many effects on the drinker; both mentally and physically. Physically, some teas can have a positive and preventative effect on your immune systems and act as antiviral or antimicrobial substances. Other teas can have antiallergenic properties, as well as lowering blood pressure. Mentally, some teas can calm or soothe anxiety or confusion. Others are designed to ease headaches and relax the muscles to help sleep; and still others can aid in concentration and alertness. Some teas are made specifically to cure certain symptoms such as sore throats or upset stomachs. The herbs create a healing environment inside the body and promote bodily health, as herbs were used previously as healing medicines.

Too often, we take for granted those brief breaks we are given during the work day and we “abuse” them by using them for unproductive things. “While some stress is a normal part of the workplace, excessive stress can interfere with your productivity and reduce your physical and emotional health. (Helpguide.org)” Those short breaks are designed with your health in mind! Combine tea drinking and other effortless and calming stress-relief techniques and you could have a much more productive day on your hands. In order to effectively deal with stress you have to recognize it and deal with it. A great way to deal with it, both proactively and retroactively, is to take more time out of the day just for YOU. Having a nice warm cup of herbal tea on your 15 minute break (or even during the day while you are working) can be all you need sometimes to just relax and breathe for a few seconds. It gives you the necessary time to regroup, rethink, ask new questions, or just chill and prepare to take on another part of your work.

Some alarming and interesting statistics can be found at Stress.org explaining how many people feel stressed at work and how severe it is. Nearly everyone has work-related stress; most of them do not know how to effectively handle it. Having a cup of tea on hand all day long can be calming and reassuring, but your short breaks are a great time to take a few minutes to have a healthy snack or take a 15 minute brisk walk around the office or around the block. Drink a bottle of water and eat an apple or some celery sticks. These short tasks are entirely focused on you and can make all the difference in your day. Take the time for yourself and ignore work for just those few minutes. Warmth spreads from the inside out, so a cup of tea is calming from the inside and the warm is relaxing.

Those of you who know me, know that I am a very stressed person by nature. But, for as hectic as my life gets sometimes, those few minutes just for me; without my family or friends, without my partner, without work or things to do, I can just relax and think about me. That time is mine and I do not allow anything to distract me. The best thing you can do for yourself to handle workplace stress is to develop positive habits and remove negative habits. Try not to do things which promote anxiety such as nail biting, smoking, or pacing. Some positive habits which might help you relax are to have a small, healthy snack, take a quick walk unrelated to work, write a thoughtful thank you note or brief letter to someone you care about and haven’t spoken to in a while. Some people use the time for meditations to help them relax.

In short, different herbal teas have many proactive health benefits and most have a healing element to them. Keeping a mug of warm tea at your desk is helpful to keep you on track, relaxed, and doing the best work that you can do. Utilize your brief breaks at work to take some time for yourself and de-stress. Use tea as a pick-me-up and to remind you there is goodness in the world! Happy drinking and Happy Holidays!

Bliss, Rosalie. (2011, March 1). Herbal Teas May Provide Health Benefits. Retrieved from: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110301122055.htm

Newcombe, Rachel. (n.d.). The Health Benefits of Herbal Teas. Retrieved from: http://health.learninginfo.org/herbal-teas.htm

Sowder, Jules. (n.d.). Herbal Tea Benefits. Retrieved from: http://www.learn-about-tea.com/herbal-tea-benefits.html

Segal, Jeanne, Smith, M., Robinson, L., & Segal, R. (2011, October). Stress At Work: Tips to Reduce and Manage Job and Workplace Stress. Retrieved from: http://helpguide.org/mental/work_stress_management.htm

Job Stress. The American Institute of Stress. Retrieved from: http://www.stress.org/job.htm

Heathfield, Susan. (n.d.). Understanding Stress and Workplace Stress. Retrieved from: http://humanresources.about.com/od/stressandtimemanagement/a/stress_time.htm

I wanted to do a quick post with an interesting article I just read to follow up with my blog regarding British tea ceremony.   Apparently, the British are moving away from the traditional teapot and moving more towards the tea mug, which is causing a bit of a disturbance.

What are your thoughts on the issue?   Is tea best served in a teapot, when the leaves can open and the tea made with a higher quality, or a tea mug, where a tea bag can be thrown in for efficiency and expediency?

http://www.scotsman.com/business/personal-finance/more-stories/tea_trend_makes_mug_of_tradition_1_2096837 

Source Credit:

Scotsman.com.   “Tea trend makes mug of tradition.”   Scotsman.com, 4 Feb 2012.   Web.   6 Feb 2012.

Tea and Chinese porcelain came as a set to Europe at the beginning of the seventeenth century when the Dutch East India Company brought them over.   At first, the drink was not even recognized.   Thomas Garraway, coffeehouse owner, had to actually explain what this exotic beverage even was through pamphlets and advertisements.   By 1659, tea was found on every street corner, gaining popularity quickly amongst the British populace.

Children Seem Enraptured By The Idea of Tea Parties

As seems to be the norm with tea history, it first began as an elite drink.   At one point, tea actually cost over $100 per pound due to travel and shipping costs.   However, cost soon went down in 1675 and started becoming available in food shops in Holland and France.   Demand immediately went up.   Between 1720 and 1750, The British East India Company’s tea import more than quadrupled.   Fleets dedicated to the delivery of tea developed.

The drink’s ability to warm the imbiber and even help cure the common cold was a huge draw.   On top of that, it was easy to make.   Drinkers would just put the tea leaves in hot water, allow it to steep and then enjoy.   The porcelain tea bowls would sometimes be shipped with the tea so the fashionable could sip in style.   This created a whole new market for tea, as Europe attempted to imitate the intricate porcelain Chinese ware.

When the railway expanded, the tea market surprisingly did not meet the demand.   This caused tea prices to go up.   As tea preparation faced new innovations, the price started going down again.   London was able to boast that they became the center of international tea trade during the first half of the 20^th century.  

Tea gardens flourished for a bit, where tea would be taken outside with guests.   They would be entertained by orchestras, food and, of course, the beverage of the hour.   Classes were allowed to mix at this time, rather than aristocrats keeping amongst themselves and the middle class in their own area.   However, they have since lost their popularity since World War II.  

Conducting a British Tea Party:

The famous tea parties, which children seem to love to imitate with their high-end plastic-ware, are still popular to this day.   Typically, the British drink black teas served with milk and light snacks.   Stronger teas are served with lots of milk, sugar and served in a mug, a style called builder’s tea.   Some people drink six cups of tea a day or more and some employers even allow tea breaks.

There is a difference between afternoon tea and high tea!   First, we will focus on general tea protocol.

-          Tea is normally drunk from a mug.   However, if there is an event that is even slightly formal, porcelain cups and saucers are used.

-          The tea kettle is brought to a boil and the water is transferred into a tea pot.

-          Water is swirled in the tea pot to warm the pot, then thrown out.

-          Usually, black loose tea is used, though sometimes tea bags are substituted.

-          Water is added to the tea and a tea cosy is placed on top in order to keep the tea pot warm.

-          Milk can either be added to the tea cup before the tea is poured or after, depending on the preference of the guest and the host.   It is a matter of debate if this changes the taste or not.

-          A tea strainer is placed on top of the tea cup before the tea is poured in order to catch the tea leaves.

-          Lemon slices (not wedges) can be added to the tea if desired.   However, do not add a lemon to tea with milk already in it.   It will curdle the milk and result in sour-tasting tea.

-          When drinking the tea at a table, it is only proper to lift the tea cup, not the saucer.   The cup is placed back on the saucer between sips.

-          When drinking tea in a chair, hold the saucer in the non-dominate hand and the cup in the dominate hand.   The cup and saucer are held at waist-height or in the lap when not being enjoyed.

-          While holding the tea cup, the thumb should be at the six o’clock position and the index and middle finger at the twelve o’clock position.   The pinky is gently raised for balance.   Never loop your fingers around the handle, nor hold the cup in your hands.

-          When stirring the tea, do not swish the spoon around, nor leave the spoon in when finished.   Place it on the right hand of the saucer.

Afternoon tea is a tea served in lieu of dinner, taking place between 3:00PM and 5:00PM.   Because of social changes and busy work schedules, afternoon tea is more for special occasions rather than a regular event.

Of course, tea is still served during afternoon tea.   It tends to be the black, loose tea served in the tea kettle.   However, the snacks are presented on a three-tier stand.   The first stand holds the scones.   The second one, the savories and tea sandwiches.   Finally, the third stand holds the sweets.   The food is eaten in order of tier.

High tea, also known as “meat tea,” is a heartier meal served typically between 5:00PM and 7:00PM.   Rather than the snacks and finger foods, meat dishes are served.   The meal got its name since the meal was served at a high table.

Photo Credit:

Arlington Mama.   18 April 2011.   kids-tea-party.JPEG, 1 Feb 2012.   JPEG.

Source Credit:

Squidoo.   “The Ceremony of Tea: English Style.”   Squidoo.com, 2012.   1 Feb 2012.   Web.

Victorian Bazaar.   “The Tea Tradition: A History of Tea Time.”   Victorian Bazaar, 2000.   1 Feb 2012.   Web.

Wikipedia.   “British Tea Culture.”   Wikipedia, 30 Jan 2012.   1 Feb 2012.   Web.

Wissotzky Tea.   “Ceremonies and Culture.”   Wissotzky Tea, 2007.   1 Feb 2012.   Web.

Tea was introduced to Russia in the mid-1600s when the Chinese ambassador to Moscow of the time made a gift of tea to Tsar Aleksey Mikhaylovich.   Russia was trying to establish trade with China and tea soon became popular.   In 1558, Tsar Ivan IV provided the Stroganov merchant family possession of Siberia.   However, the only clause was that the family had to occupy a vast region.   The Cossacks, who acted as protection for the tsars, started establishing communities.   When Russian explorer Deshnev reached the Pacific coast in 1645, Russia and China had a boarder dispute.   Thus, the Treaty of Nerchinsk was drafted and signed in 1689, allowing a common boundary line between China and Russia and allowing trade caravans to pass peacefully.

The trade route was difficult, since the road was over mountainous terrain and the journey took over 16 months.   Thus, tea prices were very high and was a luxury only afforded to royalty and the very wealthy.   In the 1700s, tea prices went down a little, allowing laymen to start drinking the amazing beverage.   The trade caravans ceased to exist when the Trans-Siberian Railroad was completed in the 1900s.   Now, tea and vodka are the two primary beverages in Russia.

Russians took to tea because it was warm and hearty, preferring stronger, darker brews that are sweetened with sugar, jam or honey.

A samovar and podstakanniki were both beautiful and functional.

Intricate samovars, an adaptation of the Tibetan hot pot, was both a heater and a source to boil water.   Tea is sipped from podstakanniki (under the glass): silver holders which hold the hot tea glass.

Conducting a Russian Tea Ceremony:

Russian tea is typically comprised of two or three types and flavors, brewed dark and in separate pots.   When mixed in the cup, additional water is added to dilute the stronger brew.

The teapots are designed to sit onto of one another with the bottom pot holding the hot water.   The next pit will be for very dark tea.   Finally, the highest pot holds herbal or mint-flavored tea.   This saves space and allows the tea to stay hot longer.

The samovar has become a focal point in the Russian household, acting as both a functional item and a beautiful centerpiece for social gatherings.   It would be used as a sort of bragging right, allowing guests to admire the ornate one.

Women serve the tea to family and guests.   It is served at all meals and pretty much and time of the day.   Sometimes, you can find street vendors with samovars marketing cups of hot tea to tourists.

Photo Credit:

Kilu.de.   2011.   samovar_P1070701_big.JPEG, 26 Jan 2012.   JPEG.

Source Credit:

DeLaine, Linda.   “Tea Time in Russia.”   Russian Life, 2012.   26 Jan 2012.   Web.

In the meantime, there is a world tea expo being held over in Las Vegas. So tempting!

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/24/4211496/world-tea-expo-june-1-3-celebrates.html

Tibetan tea was helped along by the English colonists of India.   Despite the high temperatures and less-than-par living conditions, colonists refused to give up their tea time.   Drinkers can still notice the large divide in class when it comes to drinking tea.   At trains and stations, the drink is served in clay cups that are shattered after they are used to ensure than no one of a lower caste has drunk from the same cup.

Tibetan tea is not the typical tea that Americans are used to.   Rather than imbibe with with sugar, cream and a bit a lemon, shepherds tend to drink their salted tea with a bit of yak’s butter.   The tea is served with a flat cake of ground parched barley or corn, mixed with buckwheat that is then kneaded into balls.

Yak Butter Is Used in Tibetan Tea

The tea, rather than a tea leaf or a tea bag like we are used to, are found in bricks.   This is due to the altitude of the mountains and the difficulty of regular tea delivery. The tea is simply broken off and allowed to brew for a few hours.

According to Father E. R Huc, author of Souvenirs d’un voyage dans la Tartarie, le Tibet et la Chine, there are two types of tea ceremonies found in Tibet.   One is more for a small group of lamas distributed by a kind pilgrim.   The other is the general tea, which can be offered to more than four thousand people gathering for major celebrations.   Needless to say, this is highly costly.

Tea is considered a sacred offering, the only place in the world to consider it so.   However, it is also a part of general hospitality and should not be readily refused if one wishes to remain polite.

Conducting a Tibetan Tea Ceremony:

The Tibetan tea ceremony, also known as Po-cha, is not as spiritual as the Japanese or Chinese tea ceremonies discussed thus far.   Instead, they were more used as a way to keep warm during the harsh winters in the mountains.   It is believed that the butter keeps one warm and the hot drink only enhances this property.

Guests are required to drink at least three cups of this tea in order to not be rude.   A pot is kept on all day, making it easy to get a hold of this beverage quickly.   To avoid any bad luck, bowls that the tea is sipped from must be filled to the brim.

Photo Credit:

True Wild Life: All About Wild Life.   8 April 2011.   yak.JPEG, 19 Jan 2012.   JPEG.

Source Credit:

Brochard, Gilles, Anthony Burgess, Alain Stella, and Catherine Donzel.   The Book of Tea.   Trans. Deke Dusinberre.   Paris: Flammarion, 2005.   Print.

Hasu Tea.   “Tibetan Tea Ceremony of Po-Cha.”   Hasu Tea, 2006.   19 Jan 2012.   Web.

It’s been one of those very hectic days, so I am going to post a blog tomorrow.   So sorry for the delay!

In the meantime, keep sipping!