The Tea Scoop

How Do You Like Your Cuppa?

This morning, while browsing the internet, I came across a delightful post of mug designs.  Given that my cabinet is overflowing with various mugs, I scarcely need another, but I enjoyed looking at these.  The above allows the tea drinker to add just the proper amount of milk for desired strength from "milky" to "builder's brew."

Below are a few of my favorites, but to see the whole post, click the link above. 

Images are links to the original websites where these mugs were found. 

  

Here, rotating rings allow you to customize the mug to your tastes, selecting your beverage, dairy, and sweetness preferences.  Perfect for Tea Rounds!

If you choose to make a bold political statement about global warming, this is the mug for you.  When hot liquid is added, the iceberg melts and the sea level rises. 

You know that old dilemma of what to do with your discarded tea bag? Tuck it away neatly under your teacup in the teabag coffin.  

Well folks, hope you enjoyed these fanciful mugs. I certainly did.  I encourage you to look at the original post for more entertainment!

Top Five Places to Buy Tea in Northern Virginia

1. Whole Foods Market at Fair Lakes This location of the popular natural grocery store has quite a selection of tea.  One entire side of an aisle is dedicated to boxes of tea of all types.  This is definitely the place to go for a box of organic, fair trade tea.  There are boxes of more traditional teabags, whole leaf tea bags, and loose leaf tea.  In addition, the Japanese food bar serves blooming teas.  If you prefer a more custom experience, there is a combined Allegra Coffee/Rishi Tea counter where you can order up just the right amount of a variety of Rishi teas.  If you're looking for bottled tea, Whole Foods has that too, with a large stock of Honest Tea and other acceptable bottled teas for quick iced tea fixes.
2. Teavana at Fair Lakes Mall and Tysons Corner Center If you have read my Teavana Shopping Guide  you know there is a bit of a buyer beware element of shopping at Teavana. However, it is one of the largest loose leaf tea sellers in the area.  It is the place to go for a wide selection when you don't want to order on-line.  It is a fantastic place for last minute tea gifts as well.  The prices are sometimes a little higher than on-line stores, but you save on shipping and get instant gratification.  They have samples of some their popular blends (usually over sweetened, so be warned) and except during the holiday season, you can order a cup of tea to go. 
3. Sweet Life Cafe, Fairfax If you want to support local businesses, this is the way to go.  Owned by a local family, they have a selection of Mighty Leaf teas to go, offer afternoon tea parties, and sell loose leaf teas from Tea for All Reasons, a locally based tea company.    
4. Teaism If you want to take a trek into the city, visit Teaism.  Make an event out of it and order food if you like. I recommend the jasmine creme brulee.  A restaurant and store, their retail offerings are very similar to Teavana's.    
5. Wegman's There are two locations locally, one in Fairfax and one in Sterling.  The Fairfax location has a wide selection of teas, very similar to the Fair Lakes Whole Foods as well as a lot of tea-related doo-dads. But the Sterling location is my favorite new discovery.  They have a "Tea Spot" where loose tea is self-serve like the bulk aisle.  Sniff away at large tins of tea without the pressure of a sales person waiting for your order.  Take as much time as you need, that scale isn't going anywhere. When you are ready, scoop into the waiting bags, weigh (tared automatically) and print out a label complete with price and brewing instructions.  The prices are extremely reasonable.  This might be my new favorite way to buy tea.   

"It Was the Best of Times, it Was the Worst of Times"

Charles Dickens certainly knew how to write.  And this famous introduction from A Tale of Two Cities could certainly apply to the tea world right now.  Tea has been rapidly gaining in popularity in the United States, but the economic downturn is hitting the tea industry hard.  

When you walk into the tea store or browse that online shop, you may hesitate before buying that nice first flush Darjeeling and turn instead to a less expensive blend.  And in dire straits, you may even turn to that awful little yellow box of Lipton.  I am here to tell you not to sacrifice your tastebuds.  There is a solution.  

First, a mini history lesson.  Back in the day, tea was incredibly expensive.  The lady of the house kept her tea locked in a caddy to which only she held the key, afraid that the servants would still the precious leaves.  Tea was a luxury, but everyone had to have to it.  So how did the simple folk get their fix of this upper-class beverage?  Well, after the well-to-do had enjoyed their afternoon tea, the servants would take the used leaves and reuse them to make their own tea.  Once finished, the servants would turn around and sell the twice-used leaves out the back door for pennies.  

Many may already know that you can reuse tea leaves.  Now is the time to start doing it.  Savor every drop you can get out of that Darjeeling.  This morning, I am on the third use of a ginger pu-erh, and it still tastes delicious.  You might be surprised, as many times the second steeping is more delicious than the first.