TeaTime January/February 2020

come for tea Some of my earliest memories of movies are of ones in which Julie Andrews starred. Songs like “Just a Spoonful of Sugar” from Mary Poppins and “Do-Re-Mi” and “Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music evoke for me feelings of joy and nostalgia. So when the opportunity presented itself for freelance contributor Roger Sands to chat with this icon of the screen and stage about her newest book, he also took the opportunity to inquire about her affinity for tea. You can read about their conversation beginning on page 47. Many of us probably were raised to believe that white is a color that should be reserved for summertime. When setting tables for wintertime afternoon teas, however, it really is hard to find a color more suitable for the…

An Issue to Celebrate “I felt compelled to reach out after reading your September/October issue. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2015. I was just 31. I discovered TeaTime magazine during this most difficult time in my life, and it was what I like to call a “positive distraction.” It brought me so much joy then and continues to do so every time I receive a new issue in the mail. Your “Think Pink Tea” has inspired me to put together a tea to celebrate myovercoming breast cancer. Today, I am happy and healthy and proudly call myself a survivor. Thank you so much for the endless inspiration! I can’t wait to celebrate with my daughter!”NANCY VALENTINOvia teatimemagazine.com “Congratulations again! TeaTime [September/October 2019] is a bullseye! … What absolute headaches…

JANUARY 14 Royal Gossip Tea 2:30 p.m. Lady Bedford’s Tea Parlour Pinehurst, North Carolina The English monarchy has been the target of rumors and gossip for centuries. Journey through British history with Elain Webb as she shares some stories that have swirled around the Royal family in years past. This informative and entertaining afternoon tea costs $30 per person, with reservations required. For more information or to reserve a spot, call 910-255-0100. For more information, visit ladybedfords.com. 18 Father-Daughter Candlelight Tea 4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m. Polly Claire’s Chattanooga, Tennessee Most girls dream of attending a fancy tea party. Make their dreams come true by sending them to a special candlelit tea event with their dad. With a menu carefully crafted for a man’s palette along with delicacies befitting a young lady, this event should present perfect pairings to please any father-daughter pair.…

Organic Flower Fountain Blooming MARK T. WENDELL TEA COMPANY marktwendell.com • 978-635-9200 TEACUP: Mikasa Palatial Platinum “White tea leaves tied around a globe amaranth provide a pretty display and an infusion that is expectedly floral and surprisingly peachy tasting.”—Janice Ritter, dealer program manager Citrus Blossom China Mudan White GRACE TEA COMPANY gracetea.com • 978-635-9500 TEACUP: Raynaud Marie Antoinette Platinum “One whiff of this freshly steeped white tea hints at the wonderful combination of citrus and flowery flavors that await the fortunate drinker.”—Leighann Bryant, art director Organic Flowery Silver Needle White MARK T. WENDELL TEA COMPANY marktwendell.com • 978-635-9200 TEACUP: Noritake Lillian “These needle-shaped leaf buds unfurl to release a milky sweet floral aroma to accompany an infusion that is equally light and refreshing.”—Katherine Cloninger, editorial assistant Colombian Special White Organic SIMPSON & VAIL svtea.com • 800-282-8372 TEACUP: Lenox Rosemont “Surprisingly flavorful for a white tea, this South American–grown offering…

The growth of tea festivals across America began 25 years ago when Harney & Sons Fine Teas hosted a two-day gathering of tea enthusiasts in Rye, New York. Nearly 200 tea lovers from across the country were in attendance. Jane Pettigrew, Norwood Pratt, and I were included in the list of guest speakers, mainly because we each had published a book on tea, which was a novelty at that early stage of today’s tea renaissance. Tearooms and tea shops began popping up across the country along with a newfound interest in tea rituals. By 2002, the first large tea festival was being considered in Las Vegas. As Take Me to Tea was in the planning stage, organizer Faith Ann Bailes asked me to meet her at the Las Vegas Hilton where…