TeaTime March/April 2020

come for tea Song lyrics sometimes come to mind as my staff and I plan and produce certain issues. Naturally, we think of Christmas carols while we work on our holiday projects, but occasionally, a tune and its words will come to mind at other times of the year. In finalizing this French-themed issue, the words to the refrain of the Cole Porter standard “I Love Paris” have been ever present: I love Paris in the springtime. I love Paris in the fall. I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles. I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles. As you flip these pages, you’ll see three distinctly different tea parties, yet all inspired by the china patterns, cuisine, regions, and traditions of France. Beautiful Bernardaud china graces two of the tables, while the…

Recipe Praise “I so enjoy all of my TeaTime magazines and use so many of their recipes for my luncheons.” KATHLEEN O’SHEAvia Facebook “I love the recipes in TeaTime magazine and have been trying many of them lately, including the Petite Vanilla Bean Wedding Cakes featured in the May/June 2019 issue.” MALINDA ESTELLE DUVALLvia Facebook Bridging Generations “I am a grandmother who loves all things tea and your magazine, so I sent a gift subscription to a friend for her to share with her granddaughter as well. Thank you, TeaTime, for providing such a lovely way to interact between friends and generations of family members.” DARALENE LUHRING FEEZORvia Facebook Tea Festival Fun “I had a wonderful time at the Chicago International Tea Festival. The highlight for me was meeting TeaTime magazine editor, Lorna Reeves. Her class, “15 Teas Every…

March 15 Irish Breakfast Tea 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Pinecone Cottage Tea House Downers Grove, Illinois Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a delightful afternoon-tea menu featuring traditional Irish flavors. Enjoy fare such as soda bread and scones, Dublin coddle, and rashers, along with your choice of loose-leaf tea for $29.50 per person. To reserve your table, call 630-963-9130. To learn more about this event, visit pineconecottageteahouse.com. 17 Irish Tea Service 2:00 p.m. Academy Art Museum Easton, Maryland Don your favorite green attire and partake in an Irish tea service as part of a day-long St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Explore the different art exhibits at the Academy Art Museum and enjoy some traditional hot tea and light bites before lining up to watch a festive parade featuring more than 40 floats, bands, and classic cars. For more information on this event, visit discovereaston.com. 21…

Genmaicha YAMAMOTOYAMA yamamotoyama.com • 909-594-7356 TEACUP: Haviland Delaware “This unique blend incorporates toasted rice with the green tea leaves. When brewed, the rice creates a bold, almost savory profile for this hearty cup of tea.” —Janice Ritter, dealer program manager Mango & Lychee AHMAD TEA ahmadteausa.com • 800-637-7704 TEACUP: Haviland Varenne “With fragrant floral notes and the sweet mango and lychee flavors, this fruity blend makes a refreshing cup of tea perfect for any spring day.” —Katherine Cloninger, editorial assistant Rainflower Green STASH TEA stashtea.com • 800-800-8327 TEACUP: Raynaud RYD17 “The flavor released from the twisted leaves of this tea features strong vegetal notes with a surprising and pleasant floral finish.” —Britt Stafford, associate editor Dragonwell Green GRACE TEA COMPANY gracetea.com • 978-635-9500 TEACUP: Bernardaud Lowestoft “Truly an iconic tea every tea lover should taste, this Dragonwell green tea makes for a marvelous cup with a sweet, vegetal finish.” —Lorna Reeves, editor Anji Baicha HARNEY…

It might be surprising to know that France’s on-again, off-again love affair with tea began well before the British tea phenomenon. In 1610, the Dutch East India Company not only brought the first tea to Europe but also the name by which it has always been known in France. In China’s Fujian Province, home to the gardens that produced the tea brought to Europe and America, the word for tea in the local dialect was pronounced “tay.” The French spelled it thé. Forty years later, just as tea was making its debut in Great Britain, tea had already become très chic at the Palace of Versailles. By 1665, Louis XIV had a thirst for tea after his doctors prescribed the beverage to counter the effects of the monarch’s frequent battles with…