teaspoons & petals

tea today: felicitea ' s sloth tea

My luck seems to be lingering in the tea category, as I've been fortunate enough to win a few free samples of tea recently, one being Felicitea's Sloth Tea. Summer Plum, owner and tea blender of Felicitea, sent me the Sloth blend in a compact, reusable tin with just enough tea for a few lovely cups. Sloth Tea is a "gunpowder green tea with chamomile, catnip and peppermint" that is known for soothing stomach issues. After steeping the tea for 5 minutes, I took a deep breath and inhaled the warm scent lingering at the edge of my cup. The aroma is fresh with just enough peppermint, as to not put my sense of smell into a minty shock The first sip greets my tongue with a light dose of chamomile that's punched up with a bit of peppermint. I really enjoy the mint/chamomile combination, as the soothing taste is balanced perfectly with a refreshing tongue tingle (no competing ingredients here). I'm picking up another taste that I can't identify, but I assume it's catnip, which Summer informed me actually relaxes humans (as opposed to creating kitty craziness). The gunpowder green tea adds a beautiful dark golden color, along with a taste that does not overpower in the cup. The green tea is mellow and allows the other tastes to shine (which green teas don't often do--always stealing the show). My senses are cheering for Sloth Tea, a minty, mellow, smooth, smoky treat with a dash of sweetness. Overall, a beautifully blended tea with harmonious ingredients that soothe and excite the senses. A few cups and longer steeps later, I can taste more of the green tea coupled with a stronger peppermint sensation, as the aroma and taste seem to hit the tongue with more of a punch. After each sip, the mint seems to slowly expand across my taste buds like a ripple in a lake. Along with the minty aroma, there is a stronger smell of sweetness. I absolutely love the tea chameleon process, as longer steeping transforms flavors and aromas, offering up a new appreciation for the many tastes of the ingredients. Once again, a big thanks to Summer Plum of Felicitea for sharing this lovely tea with me. I highly recommend that you visit her site and take a peek at the other hand blended loose leaf teas that she has to offer. To catch a video tasting/review of Sloth Tea, watch STeaP TV (the fabulous vodcast that "provides entertainment, education, and insightful content about all things tea").

tea today: zhi tea ' s wuyi oolong

Thanks to the generosity of Zhi Tea, I am enjoying a nice sample of Wuyi Oolong. According to Zhi, "This rare and unique oolong from the Wuyi Mountains in the Fuijan Province, China, consists of medium oxidized, unrolled amber brown leaf with greenish highlights. A sophisticated dark amber liquor reveals flavors of raisins and honeysuckle and a fantastic toasted almonds." During the 3 minute allotted brew time, I watched the beautiful unrolled tea leaves transform the water into that of a deep amber shade. Upon first inhale, the warm, nutty aroma sends me into a memory of sitting by a fire, as it gently warms me. The aroma truly matches the taste, as I experience the intended toasted almond and a hint of chestnut (possible smoked chestnut, from a cart in the city during the winter). What I enjoy most about this blend is the aftertaste: smooth, smokey, and a strong sense of nuttiness that lingers on your tongue and palate. Unfortunately, I am not picking up any of the honeysuckle that Zhi mentions in the description, which I was thoroughly looking forward to, as honeysuckle is a favorite of mine. Overall, great cup of tea that can be steeped several times. Added benefit: It's known to help with weight loss, which is welcomed as the warmer/beach months approach quickly. Thank you Zhi Tea

tour de tea philadelphia: map

During my exciting search for tea places to add to the tour de tea Philadelphia, I was overjoyed to stumble upon some spots I have yet to visit (insert image of ear to ear smile and rapid clap). I am currently creating a map with Community Walk so that a proper path can be illustrated and used during the journey. The map is by no means complete (and a path has yet to be created), but I am posting it in hopes that others will point out tea spots that I am glaringly missing or that it inspires others to join me on my journey. My plan is visit each destination and enjoy a cup of the best tea. I am also considering ending the long quest for the perfect cup at The Expressive Hand, where we can paint our own tea cups to commemorate the day.  I have yet to pick a day, but promise to post it in advance so that anyone who would like to join me can mark the date on the calendar.  Possible tour de tea Philadelphia spots: Bubble House Premium Steap Remedy Tea Bar The House of Tea The Mary Cassat Tea Room and Garden Random Tea Room Afternoon Tea in XIX Tbar Great Tea International Four Seasons Hotel-Swann Lounge

tour de tea 2008 Philadelphia

I have completely immersed myself in all that is tea today: drinking it, reading about it, talking about it, blogging about it, eating it (green tea ice cream) and even wearing it (green tea moisturizer is a must). Thanks to this glorious tea filled day, I got to thinking that it would be wonderful to have a tour de tea, exploring tea shops, tea bakeries, etc that are located in Philadelphia in just one day! I am in the process of gathering names and locations of places to visit and will be posting the list along with a map to show my journey. Please help me make this whirlwind tour de tea an experience that is jam packed with Philly tea goodness, by suggesting your favorite tea related places. Thanks!! Now time to continue exercising my tea palette in preparation for the tour de tea!

talking tea

I have a special spot in my heart for tea and language. If I had a google alert that monitored how often I talk tea, then my inbox would be flooded with updates. And as a lover of words and their origins, I thought I would take a second to gather a few expressions that are tea related. After some thinking and searching, this is what I found: tea for two, two for tea a song in the musical No, No, Nannette in 1925   my cup of tea "This phrase, referring to anything suited to one’s taste, has only been traced back to 1932."   not my cup of tea Referring to something that one does not like. It was noted as a commonly used 19th century British phrase.   not for all the tea in china "Defined as “not at any price,” references to “all the tea in China” first appeared in Australian slang in the 1890s."   How often do you use these phrases? 

tea time makeover

If you read my blog often, then you'll notice that I've replaced the lovely, yellow tea cup header image with an even lovelier custom collage/drawing from Esther Coombs. I discovered her fabulous work after a friend forwarded me a link to her etsy shop website, and from that moment on I have wanted to purchase every item. Not only does Esther create beautiful drawings, but she also builds and beautifies gorgeous and unique cake stands, perfect for a super hip tea party. Her work is for the delicate, creative soul who has a wandering imagination. Her tea cups are adorned with intricate designs and illustrations of lace doilies, tea bags, etc. She takes a step outside of the conventional tea ware box and has landed on the cup, where she draws outside the lines, turning grandma's china into a modern work of art. So scoop up a few of her cups, cake stand, collages, drawings and the most outrageous tea and food combos and throw a fabulously modern tea party, I know I will. So I'd like to raise my tea cup to Esther today, for generously sending me these beautiful custom collages and for creating imaginative, beautiful, decorative pieces for the tea world. I look forward to the day that I've acquired enough of her pieces to throw an Esther Coombs tea party. I highly recommend that you browse her wares and then let me know what your favorite piece is.

Tea for two...or maybe thousands.

I recently came across Gary Andrews' blog post regarding a worldwide tea party at 4pm on June 28th, and I couldn't help but get extremely excited. What started out as a London wide event has possibly and hopefully turned into a global tea party. I think it's pretty wonderful that brewed leaves will be uniting so many individuals.   I may gather a few friends at a local tea spot or try to arrange a Philadelphia tea party in Rittenhouse square (I'm imagining blankets, scones, portable containers, cups, etc). I hope to encourage some local tea stores to join in and share their tea goodness on this special day. Who knows, maybe a global tea holiday is possible.  Are you going to participate in the global tea party? If so, where?