teaspoons & petals

sip & style: green with envy

  
Spring seemed to sneak in this past week in Philadelphia just to whisper hello with a fleeting warm breeze. But now that I've been left in the cold again, I'm green with envy of those warming up to flowers and sunshine as I hide under my hat. So until spring finds its way back to my heart, I'll shut my blinds to the view of falling snow and take solace in the bits of green that I can find in this week's sip & style. 

The vibrant leaves of Rishi's Gyokuro Secret Garden Japanese Green Tea could brighten my mood and comfort my taste buds with its sweet and umami flavors. A precious tea, it's carefully cultivated by "by artisan farming techniques of shading the sun’s light and providing specific nutrition geared toward the tea bush variety and its stressed growing condition."

Also known as Jade Dew Drop, it only seems fitting to pair this precious sip with the style of this precious gemstone. Annette Ferdinandsen's 18k large emerald ring boldly captures the delicate beauty of spring's early signs. I took at peek at Annette's wondrous work at a recent event at Egan Day,  a charming jewelery boutique in Philadelphia that features "minimal, artistic, and nature-based pieces by a carefully selected group of designers."

So until we can bid adieu to winter, we might as well wear spring on our sleeve (or neck & finger) and sip a vibrant green steep.

from the shelf: my first treasure

As I embrace fresh perspectives of the new year, I can't help but notice my shelves bursting with tea cups and pots collected over the past few year. Each piece evokes many memories and inspired me to create this new reoccurring post series. from the shelf will take a closer look at the stories behind my collection of teaware.

Long before I fell in love with tea, dainty tea sets always caught my eye. I can still remember my grandmother's miniature tea cups that rested in her dining room corner curio. The delicate rose and hints of gold would always catch the sunlight. And then there are my mother's favorite mugs that she fills with english breakfast and milk every morning.

Although I've had a history with cups, it wasn't until a few years ago that I was inspired to create a collection of my own. While wandering through Anthropolgie in Philadelphia, I was struck by the simple beauty of this bright yellow cup dotted with bits of gold. It seemed ever so sunny. But I'll admit, it was the pair of birds that sent my heart swooning. It reminded me of morning. Bright sun and the sweet sound of chirping. I wondered what they might be singing to one another?

Within moments, I was watching the woman behind the counter wrap the plate and cup in tissue paper. I knew that this was the start of something special. As I took the first step towards a collection, I felt an even deeper connection to everything tea. Since that special day, this single sunny treasure has grown into a collection through gifts, vintage finds and family heirlooms. From a simple spot on the mantle to now an entire bookshelf, the collection and the stories behind each cup continue to blossom.

What's your most treasured piece of teaware?

teaspoons at the table: thai iced tea cocktail

For those of you with a passion for crafty cocktails and in need of delicious DIY fix, I recommend taking a peek at Drinks With Alie & Georgia on Food2. The lovely duo's creative concoctions and sarcastic snippets are sure to send a smile to your face. (p.s. I adore their outfits)

This week's episode had me skipping into saturday: Thai Iced Tea Cocktail

Ingredients & The Recipe

• thai iced tea
• simple syrup
• vodka
• evaporated milk

The traditional tea used in this recipe is usually a blend of an east asian black tea with star anise, cardamom, clove, etc. If you're not up to visiting a local spice shop and mixing your own blend, you can always steep the Cha Yen Thai Black Tea from Teavana.

Lots of tea-infused love to Alie & Georgia! Maybe they can make a cocktail with my earl grey tea soda recipe?

Cheers to the weekend!

 

teaspoons at the table: don't eat the paintings

In a recent article, Food Is the New Fashion, Martha Stewart noted that "What's in your pantry and on your plate have become a form of self-expression." I couldn't agree more, Martha. I've spent countless moments perusing the fruit and vegetable aisles and farmer's markets while admiring colors, shapes, and textures. The ingredients we choose and how we creatively craft a recipe is a true art form.

Needless to say, when I stumbled upon Haley Harmon's delicious illustrations on her website, don't eat the paintings, I found myself hungry for the recipe, yet satiated by the beauty. An artist and designer in Philadelphia, Haley notes that don't eat the paintings is her "outlet for my obsession with yummy food, and documentation of my food journey."

Instantly inspired by her edible expressions, I was thrilled to read that she was accepting recipe suggestions via email. I quickly submitted a recent teaspoons at the table creation, Poached Bosc Pears with Green Tea & Lemongrass/Ginger/Lavender Honey Simple Syrup, knowing that her inbox was most likely flooded with magnificent recipe requests.

To my surprise, Haley chose to paint my tea-infused dish (see above) and then post it on her site.  She captured the essence of each ingredient, documenting the recipe with luscious colors and delicate brushstroke. It's truly incredible to see the adventure of my tea recipe brought to life via her creativity. Thanks, Haley.

And if you need a second helping of beauty, here is another tea-infused treat.

love at first sip: valentine's day tea

 

To me, a heartwarming moment is spent sharing tea with the ones you love. In honor of Saint Valentine, I'll be celebrating the beat, beat, beat of my tea-loving heart by sipping a few floral blends. One steep in particular that I believe captures the essence of Valentine's day is a white rose tea.

The subtle sweet notes of Bai Mu Dan Chinese White tea effortlessly and elegantly blend with the floral rose petals and chrysanthemum blossoms. As much as I love a gift of beautiful blooms from the garden, I prefer the a sweet teaspoon of floral tea. Each sip will last long after the vase of flowers has left the shelf. Although if pink petals don't excite your taste buds, there's always an orchid oolong, jasmine green and hibiscus lemonade.

And while you steep a sip for your loved ones, you might consider sharing these thoughtful words that made my heart sing when I first read them on PhillyTea Blog: "When we talk about the taste of tea, usually we’re talking about the literal flavor, but I think that any tea person would agree that the real taste of tea is in the heart, and not on the tongue."

What are you steeping for your dearest today?

 

p.s. this particular tea is from one of my clients, The Meaning of Tea. I've sipped several White Rose steeps, and let me just say that this particular one is at the top of my list because of its harmonious, balanced blend. p.p.s I have an unbiased palate and always speak honestly from my tea-loving heart. Although, you already know that :)

tea talk: ashley english is keeping bees

I adore honey. Maybe it’s the way it effortlessly slips into a cup of roasted Hojicha steeped with fresh slices of ginger, like it was meant to be there all along? Or how it brightens up a piece of toast with butter while sipping a rich cup of Golden Monkey black tea? Magical. My eyes have truly been opened to the wonderful world of handcrafted honey (I no longer submit to the smiling bear on the brightly lit grocery store shelf. He can save that smirk for Mrs. Butterworth).

As I make my way through urban bee keeping lectures, honey festivals and farmer’s markets, I still have a lot to learn about this sweet golden treat. But before I can even dream of being queen to my own hive, I’ve decided to hit the books and learn my lessons from, Keeping Bees with Ashley English: All You Need to Know to Tend Hives, Harvest Honey & More. This is the 4th addition to Ashley's series of books, “Homemade Living,” that explore “the ways people are reconnecting with their food and food communities and taking up sustainable food practices.”

While we anxiously await the book’s official launch date, March 1^st, Ashley kindly agreed to answer a few questions about her love of honey and bees. Many thanks to the lovely Ms. English! In our eyes, she’s the bee’s knees (p.s. you must take a peek at her fabulous blog, her weekly featured post on Design*Sponge, and this t&p interview about her love of jam).

Do you have a favorite hive memory or recall the first moment you decided to keep bees? AE: My favorite hive memory was watching my two new hives orient themselves to the sun. I'd bought established hives from a long-time beekeeper nearby. A friend helped me secure them in her truck and relocate them to my property overnight. The next morning, I removed the metal mesh covering their entrance. One by one, the bees came out and spiraled upwards, orienting themselves to their new surroundings by using the sun as their compass. That was a pretty magical moment.

We know you like honey with tea, but do you have a favorite pairing? AE: Oh, I add it to pretty much everything! I make my own homemade chai blend, which it always goes into. Also, on those mornings when I'm not drinking coffee (that gets one lump of sugar; I never put sugar in my tea), I'm putting honey in my tea, whatever tea that may be. Mostly it's either P.G.Tips, Earl Grey (I've found a great one with lavender), or fresh ginger/cayenne/garlic/lemon/honey tea for winter wellness. 

Care to share your favorite honey infused recipe? AE: I love to infuse rosemary in honey. I equally love infusing lavender. It's a serious toss up. Both are exquisitely delicious! 

a sweet sip: guest blog post for ali shapiro

 

I am truly fortunate to have such wonderfully talented friends who always inspire me with their incredible success and passion. One of those lovely ladies is Ali Shapiro, a fabulous coach, Board-certified holistic health counselor and regular health contributor to the NBC 10! Show. When Ali asked me to write a guest blog post with a few tea tips to help curb sweet cravings and cure the winter blues, I was thrilled. Take a peek at and let me know what you think.

tea today: chinese new year & chrysanthemum pu-erh

 

This past weekend I celebrated the Chinese New Year over dim sum with foodspotting friends in the Chinatown section of Philadelphia. As the carts buzzed by our table with tiny tins and plates of traditional treats, I anxiously anticipated the flavors and tastes that would be set in front of us.

While the Coconut Jelly dessert and Shrimp Shumai plate brought me to a happy place, the true champion of the meal was without question the Chrysanthemum Puerh tea. As soon as the pot hit the table, I was quick to discover what mysterious tea was steaming inside. Thankfully a new friend spoke Chinese and didn't leave me guessing too long. Within seconds of hearing the words, Chrysanthemum Puerh, the deep red tea found its way into small white cup . The rich, earthy puerh balanced the sweet, buttery notes of the Chrysanthemum flowers.

With its deep amber liquor and golden Chrysanthemum buds, it was the perfect Chinese New Year tea since the color red and golden dishes (spring rolls, etc) are prized as symbols of luck. And considering that Puerh is known as a digestive tea, I can see why it was served with the never-ending dim sum meal. It was the perfect first and final sip to a festive, edible celebration. 

What tea did you sip to welcome the New Year of the rabbit?

from alice & the ladies of jazz, with love

When it comes to matters of the heart, I'll be the first to admit that tea is a great love that's shared my many. And if your sweetheart is also fond of alice...in wonderland or the dear lady songbirds of jazz and blues, then I want to introduce you to a few tokens of affection from the teaspoons & petals haiku teacup collection just in time for the holiday of the heart.

 

Tea for two, a sweet sip and a few thoughtful words. I'm sure Saint Valentine would approve.

p.s. mention the phrase "be mine" in your etsy order message, and I'll slip in a free sample of tea for you to steep and sip on the eve of the 14th. all you'll need is the bow.

photos taken by the lovely Courtney Apple

teaspoons at the table: chai ice cream at harney soho

Even on the coldest of days I crave ice cream. Maybe it's the tufts of white snow that have me dreaming of a chilled sweet treat, but I am never one to need the steamy sun for a scoop.

During a recent trip to NYC for a client's documentary film screening at Harney SoHo, I savored a few quiet moments in their Tea Lounge with SoCo Creamery's chai tea ice cream made with Harney's Chai tea. Each fragrant spoonful was rich with exotic spices that sent my senses on an edible excursion.

Whatever you do, don't let the winter weather warnings keep you from Harney's cozy tea lounge tucked in the back of their beautiful shop. The menu is worth a few steps in city slush. But if you prefer to watch the flakes fall from your window, keep your cravings inside the kitchen with Sanura's recipe for Vanilla Chai Ice Cream found on her tasty blog, My Life Runs on Food.

The often warming spices of chai tea masterfully find their way into this chilly treat, but that doesn't mean you can't steep a cup of steamy Masala Chai to warm up after the fragrant freeze has left the bowl.

sip & style: longing for spring

Chilly winds are sending me closer to the kettle warming on the stove. While I wait for the water to dance and steam,  I find myself daydreaming of warm breezes and showers of pink petals from cherry blossom trees.

So in honor of this spring state of mind, this week's {sip & style} is bursting with blooms. The sweet Vintage Style Rose Pattern Glass is calling for an icy sip of white tea blended with roses. Fill your favorite glass teapot with warm water and carefully place a flowering tea, like the Starlight Rose, inside. Watch the fine white tea leaves (that are hand tied with cotton thread around a delicate rosebud) blossom before your eyes.

Add a few icy cubes to the vintage glass and pour the delicately scented white tea from the flowering tea pot. Slowly sip in spring as you peek at the tea bouquet behind the glass. (Tea Party Tip: Flowering teas served in glass tea pots can double as the centerpiece at your next iced tea gathering).

Pair the rose garden glass with a Beautiful Blue Wild Rose flower pin from EmersonMade. Instantly add spring style to your wardrobe with this delicate linen blossom. Attach it to your shirt, dress sash or bag with its brooch back pin. I adore it as an add-on to your top, since I like to keep spring blossoms close to my heart. A perfect accessory for a flowering tea party. 

So until spring slips in and everything's coming up roses, cure your winter blues with this blooming pair.

What's your favorite floral tea?