The Tea Scoop

My Morning Mate from Teavana

Many moons ago, I was a Starbucks barista.  Yes, I admit it, I used to be a coffee drinker. My step-mom loved it, because when I came home, I smelled of espresso. She would hug me and take a big whiff. I felt quite used. But, I digress.  At Starbucks, I had great regular customers. It's very satisfying to see someone walk in the door and begin making their drink before they could even ask, and then see their smile when you hand them their finished drink.  There was a set of twins, men in their forties, who came in quite regularly.  They were very friendly, teasing without crossing the line, and always very polite.  I'm a big family person, so it was nice to see two brothers get together on such a regular basis.  Leaving my regulars was a sad part of leaving Starbucks.  But my heart/palate had already turned from coffee back to its first love, tea. 

Shortly thereafter, I started working at Teavana, where I learned a lot of good information as well as a bit of misinformation, but I liked being around a hundred kinds of tea all day. And one day, in walk the twins.  Now these gentlemen were dedicated coffee drinkers. But they walked out with a pound of Mate Vana, a roasted chocolate mate.  It was the tea we were told to recommend to coffee drinkers, and it must have worked.  Much later, I became a fan of Mate Vana too, and it's one of the few teas that keeps me going back to Teavana, because I haven't been able to find anything like it anywhere else.

Recently, they unveiled a bunch of new teas, including My Morning Mate. Quite similar to Mate Vana, it also is blended with rooibos and black tea, as well as pistachios.  When I first tasted it, I thought it might have chicory in it because it was quite reminiscent of coffee. I think Mate Vana might have to move over for the tea most preferred for coffee drinkers.  We bought the requisite two ounces, and we have been flying through it, largely due to Mr. Tea Scoop.  Our guests chose it last night, with seconds.  I'm telling you, this is a popular tea. It's not refined or elegant, but it's flavorful and rich.  It's full enough for that morning cuppa and of course, has an extra jolt of caffeine from the mate. I'm not a huge fan of green yerba mate, but roast it up with chocolate, and it's mmm mmm good.  Teavana has a winner with this one. 

Friday Night at the Movies: Merry Christmas

I hope everyone has a very happy Christmas, if you celebrate, and otherwise, that you enjoy the three day weekend.  This particular video is a very touching Christmas story. 

Tea and Cookies

"Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house

Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse."

Tonight is that magical night when Christmas lights twinkle and children eagerly check their stockings one last time before heading off to bed, trying to keep their eyes and ears open for the sound of sleigh bells and a merry ho-ho-ho.  A night when some clever children try to set up cameras or traps to catch a glimpse of that jolly old elf.  And a night for parents to stay up late, perhaps wrapping one final present or assembling the dollhouse or bicycle. For midnight mass or services for some, or perhaps a quiet night at home enjoying the beauty of colorful paper under the tree before it gets ripped to shreds in the morning.  Stockings get filled, perhaps with an orange in the toe. To me, it is a most magical night, with the anticipation of smiles, embraces, warm food, and laughter that will follow the next day.  

There are no children in our house, only a dog who isn't sure if she believes in Sandy Claws or not, but sure enjoys the pig ears.  So we don't leave out treats for Santa yet.  But when we have children, I'd like to give Santa a break from the milk and cookies, and maybe leave him a scone and a cuppa instead.  If I were Santa, I'd be getting tired of milk after all those stops. And who doesn't love a good scone?  The children could leave a pot on the warmer, or perhaps use a Santa-themed cozy, so he knows it's just for him.  Then, before bed, the children will check Santa's progress on Google Maps.  Ahh the modern era.  

However you spend this evening, I hope it's a lovely one. 

Posy Party from Compass Teas

Last year, our first Christmas as a married couple, Mr. Tea Scoop officially entered the adult world in the eyes of his Nana.  The grandchildren always get money or gift cards for Christmas, including Mr. Tea Scoop's two older brothers.  Her children, his aunts and uncles, always receive beautiful Christmas centerpieces.  Last year, we received a centerpiece.  It was a sign.  Mr. Tea Scoop was one of the marrieds. 

We're still waiting on our centerpiece this year, and I feel that my Christmas Cookie Exchange Tea was somewhat lacking. I'm not quite sure what this means! Perhaps it is simply delayed, or she has changed tradition. I haven't checked to see if anyone else's has come. So, to fill my home with the scent of invisible flowers, I made a cup of Posy Party from Compass Teas.  The cup smells delightfully like a bouquet of roses.  It is a very light brew after steeping for three minutes, which is rather nice.  It might be a rose congou, but the tea has been discontinued so I can't find any information on Compass Teas site, and this particular blend came to me in a tea swap box.  But it brews up a little lighter than most rose congous.  It is definitely a black tea, though, both in appearance and in character.  And though light, I wouldn't call it weak. On the other hand, if you prefer boldly rose scented teas, this might not be the tea for you, and it's definitely more for afternoon sipping than for a morning wake-up.  

And now I will sit and enjoy the centerpiece of the house: our Christmas tree.  And before you ask, of course there is a teapot ornament on the tree. 

Ribena and Tea

Ten years ago (how time flies), I was lucky enough to travel with my high school to Edinburgh, Scotland, for the American High School Theatre Festival, which is part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It was one of the best times of my life, despite the high school drama that inevitably is part of the baggage on that kind of trip.  I was with some of my best friends, in a beautiful country that I had only dreamed of visiting. I only wish I had been more of a tea drinker then, because I would have been sure to use some of my free time to go to tea.  One of the great things about traveling is the food. Not even necessarily that it's so much better, or even good, but it's fascinating how different it can be. On that trip, I developed a deep love of British Smarties, which have no resemblance to American Smarties. They are more like M&Ms, except that the candy shell is flavored. The orange ones are of course the best. 

And then there are the beverages. Tea aside, there are some pretty funky drinks abroad.  IRN-Bru, for example. An orange concoction flavored like...well nothing I've ever had. It's not fruity, it's not super-sweet. It's just, interesting. And we were obsessed with it, not with drinking it, but with the name and the ad that was on the side of the double-decker bus: "Give me your IRN-Bru or I'll snog you."  The picture was a wrinkly old man, lips puckered for what we figured out was called a snog.  We learned lots of slang in our two weeks. And there was Lucozade, which I never tried, but looked rather similar. 

Then there was Ribena. I had seen ads for Ribena, a purple-suited man with brilliantly white teeth dancing around like a crazy person.  It's sweetened black currant juice. In any case, my dining room currently smells like Ribena, but I haven't been buying ridiculously overpriced imported bottles. It's my cup of tea.  I mean literally, my cup of tea smells like Ribena. I suppose that's to be expected because it's black currant tea from Twinings.  It's not the American Black Currant Breeze, although I suppose it could be. After all, a rose by any other name...but I'm rambling. This particular teabag came in a tea swap from Australia, and it is just called Blackcurrant.  It's really rather tasty, and even without sugar, it makes me think of mixing Ribena with tea...I think it would be really great iced, although I drank hot since we have over a foot of snow on the ground right now.  

I like it. It's simple and straightforward. It's black currant tea, and black currants are what you taste. The end. The tea itself is mild, not too astringent, but not watery. It's well balanced, and well, it reminds me of drinking Ribena at a carnival in Edinburgh. 

Let It Snow!

A note: I wrote this last night, as the snow just started. Now the snow is up to my knees.

The snow is whispering softly as it blankets houses and tree. At this moment, there is no hint of the potential of this storm. In fact, I would hardly call this moment a storm at all, but simply one of winter's soft caresses.  Yet the forecast is calling for 10-20 inches over the next 36 hours, and here in Northern Virginia where the winters are generally mild, people have ransacked grocery stores and barricaded themselves in their warm houses, while children pray that the snow will not be cleared in time for school on Monday.  
While the snow resulted in the cancellation of our Christmas party, I am content. I am well stocked with tea, and I have a recipe for vanilla snow ice cream that I rarely get to use in our warm winter weather.  I'm thinking that I will subsist on said ice cream while I warm myself from the inside out with a cup of chai. After all, there is nothing cozier than curling up in a blanket with a hot cuppa, watching the snow create a winter wonderland outside. Maybe the snow will even result in a review or two.

The original recipe for vanilla snow ice cream comes from Peppercorn Press

Ingredients

1 12 ounce can evaporated milk, ice cold
 1 cup of granulated sugar
 1 large egg, very well beaten
 1 teaspoon vanilla
  Dash of salt
 One large Dutch oven of fresh fluffy snow

Preparation

In a large chilled mixing bowl, whisk the evaporated milk, sugar, egg, vanilla, and salt, until well mixed and frothy.  

Scoop up a lot of fresh dry snow, clean and free of debris.  Since you know, you are going to eat it. Freshly fallen snow is best. 

Using a large mixing spoon, spoon the snow into the milk mixture a couple of spoonfuls at a time and press with the spoon instead of stirring, until it is incorporated. Repeat until it begins to become solid and very firm.  You will know you have added enough snow when it starts to become difficult for new snow to absorb milk. 

Serve immediately in chilled bowls.  It can't be frozen.  Serves 4-6 people. (Or two very very hungry people with big sweet teeth). 

The Holidays on Etsy

Looking for last minute gifts? Consider something handmade, and the home for handmade on the web is definitely Etsy.  Here are a few highlights for the tea lovers on your list. 

Stocking Stuffers

 

This ring is $8.50, although shipping might be expensive since it's from Japan. But it's just so adorable for an afternoon tea party.  

Chai lip balm for $2.50 and Earl Grey lip balm for $3.50.

To go with the lip balm, there is chai soap for $4.00.

For the Teapot Collector

 

This teapot is adorable for $35.00.  It is usable, although very gentle hand-washing is recommended.  The phrase "cute as a button" comes to mind.

This Kyusu teapot, a traditional Japanese style, is selling for $65.00.  It seems to have a mood of total serenity to it.  

From Santa

This felt tea set pattern would be great to make an unbreakable tea set for the little one in your family. Or the pattern itself would be a good gift from a crafty parent or grandparent.  

If you're not feeling particularly crafty, this tea bag and sugar cookie set is adorable, for only $8.50.  

If all this handmade stuff is getting your crafty juices flowing, consider this pattern for $3.50.  

Accessorize

This sweet necklace is perfect for an afternoon tea party, for $17.00 

 

This necklace, made from old vinyl records will help someone rock on at the next party. Handmade and reusing. I love it.  $22.00.

I could go on browsing for hours, but hey, I have to let you do some of the work!  Happy shopping.

 

 

Holiday Blend from Mighty Leaf

I love Bigelow's Constant Comment, and I'm always looking for something similar.  It used to be Teavana's Holiday Blend, which they rudely discontinued despite my enjoyment. But I have found that holiday blends in general have some resemblance.  And just drinking something called Holiday Blend at this year makes me feel all festive (as do my red pajamas with dogs wearing reindeer antlers).  I'm all kinds of full of holiday spirit today, as I am almost completely done with Christmas shopping and am about to start the present wrapping extravaganza.  And I have the warm feeling of having picked thoughtful gifts on top. 

So to celebrate, I'm enjoying my sample of Holiday Blend from Mighty Leaf, which I was saving for just such a mood.  It's not quite the same, since it has a tartness from apples and goji berries.  The latter often finds its name linked with unsupported health claims, but go for goji for taste, not health. There's not a lot of evidence on that front yet.  In any case, the berries and apples do lend a nice tartness to an otherwise fairly traditional spiced tea.  It's spiced with ginger, clove, cinnamon, and star anise.  Cloves and cinnamon follow behind the tartness, but I can't taste much of the spiciness of ginger or the unique tingle of star anise.  While the cup is pleasurable, this might be a case of two many flavors vying for attention in a sort of potpourri of flavors, however tasty. 

Happy sipping!

English Tea Blog Catchup

In case you missed the latest on the English Tea Blog from your favorite author, here are the latest, from most recent.

My slightly-clever rewrite of "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

A guide to gifts over at the English Tea Store

A review of a tea from Mauritius grown with vanilla vines

DIY projects for tea fans

English Chocolate

Enjoy!

Lipton's Spiced Chai

Before I go any further, I need to apologize for my neglect over the past week. I'm afraid I let holiday preparations and finals frenzies get in the way. But here I am, contrite and with a review.  

If you know me, or have read this blog for awhile, you know I am not a fan of Lipton.  I can't stand the taste, and I don't like that they add dyes to it to make the brew darker.  On the other hand, it makes really great iced tea, so I haven't completely sworn off it.  Then, the owner of Old Town Coffee, Tea and Spice told me that Lipton is really working on improving. Not their basic bag, that's still the same old swill.  But they are branching out.  And this has been popping up in my tea swaps. They have single origin teas and pyramid tea bags now.  So, I've decided to give them not one more chance, but one more chance for each different tea bag that I received. 

I'm starting simple.  Lipton's Spiced Chai.  I was pleased to note on the website that this tea is certified by the Rainforest Alliance, meaning that it was farmed sustainably and without child labor.  On the taste side of things, the ingredients list includes Assam tea as well as a range of actual spices, although it's rounded out with "natural flavors" made of soy lecithin. Frankly, that was more than I expected to see on the label of a Lipton tea.  

Sitting here sniffing away, it smells spicy, and slightly sweet, almost like gingersnap cookies hot out of the oven. It's definitely a tempting aroma.  I know what you really want to know about is the taste.  It is actually quite nice.  Not amazing, not out of this world. But rather nice.  The Assam gives it some real body, unlike whatever usual tasteless mixture of fannings goes into their normal teabag.  It's not overly spicy or sweet, and the cloves and cardamom have center stage in this production.  Black pepper plays a supporting role, while ginger and cinnamon are in the chorus.  I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually like it.  It has a slightly different flavor profile from many spiced chais, which is nice.  Lipton did something original.  And having overcome this hurdle, I'm feeling a lot less apprehensive about trying the fancier teas that arrived in the last tea swap.  

So look forward to some single estate Kenyan from Lipton in the near future.