Hot Tea Month

January is National Hot Tea Month, and I've been to two programs this month to celebrate that. Both were fun and informative, but different. On these cold evenings a hot cup of tea is soothing and relaxing. I'm enjoying hot tea even more thinking about what I've learned recently and the new teas I'm trying.

The first TeaTime was in honor of a new fabric line at the local fabric store, inspired by Downton Abby. I've recently gotten hooked on the show and spend the fall catching up on the first 3 seasons with DVDs; besides the fabrics are beautiful. The shop owner had prepared a traditional English tea for us, serving scones with Devonshire cream, tea sandwiches, macaroons and 3 kinds of tea. She explained that 'low tea' or afternoon tea was actually the tea that the well-to-do folks had as they visited in their formal parlors. It was served in low tables, thus the name low tea. High tea was a more substantial meal served to workers at dining tables with high back chairs. Both were to fill the long gap between lunch and dinner as dinner was served around 8:00 p.m.

There are several recipes for a 'mock' Devonshire cream on the web which use cream cheese, powdered sugar and heavy cream. Another resource for Downton Abby inspired food is the Jan.5 post by King Arthur Flour, a good discussion and recipe for English Muffins there.  http://www.kingarthurflour.com/blog/2014/01/05/dining-with-the-dowager/

The next Tea Time in our community was by the City Library. In celebration of the Library's 100th year, several activities are planned each month this year. For a January program, the shop-keeper from a tea shop in Wichita came to speak. She brought several types of loose tea and explained a bit of the history and lore of tea. She also discussed health benefits of tea (natural antioxidants). She explained that cold water should be brought to a boil and poured over loose tea leaves (1 teaspoon per 6 oz of water). Cover and let steep for 3 to 5 minutes. For green or white teas, the water should be heated to just under boiling so the tea leaves won't scorch. She recommended loose tea for the most flavor, telling us that the tea bags we find so convenient are actually filled with 'tea dust' left from processing. She used a French press pitcher that you might use for coffee to steep and strain the tea. When I got home I found that my milk frother (glass beaker with a plunger sort of lid) worked great for steeping my tea.

teas to sample from Chelmsford Tea Shop