TeaTime November/December 2022

come for tea As the holiday season draws near, we revel in hosting tea parties to celebrate with family and friends. Whether you observe Hanukkah or Christmas, this issue has festive menus that are sure to suit the occasion. Recipes for tasty fare are accompanied by expert tea pairings to ensure your teatime is a true success, and our beautiful table settings will undoubtedly serve as inspiration for planning your gatherings. “Hanukkah Joy” begins on page 25, and “Christmas Birdsong” and “Yuletide Elegance” commence on pages 37 and 47, respectively. If you’re looking for gift ideas for tea lovers, don’t miss Necessary Things on page 13. Tea-themed children’s books also make great presents, and Sharon McDonnell’s article, which begins on page 76, covers several that are especially charming and relates how and…

Informative Issue “I was so excited to see the article on clotted cream in the July/August [2022] issue! As a former TWA International flight attendant and having served cream tea—round currant scones, clotted cream, and strawberry preserves—regularly on flight 753 from LHR to BOS, I found the clotted cream to be mysterious and curiously delectable but never knew the history. I have made my own version using cream cheese, heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla, but it tends to be sweeter. It is wonderful to have this information after all these years, and now I think I will tweak my recipe to be more in keeping with tradition! Thank you for such a sweet journey in time!” NANCY BRUSBY via email “The July/August [2022] British issue is a delight. Reading about Josiah Wedgwood, I…

November 5 Bridgerton Tea 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Teapots and Treasures Juno Beach, Florida Join fellow Bridgerton fans for a funfilled event that celebrates the beautiful world of the popular Netflix series. An elegant Regency-themed afternoon-tea luncheon will be served, featuring delicious tea sandwiches, a cup of seasonal soup, petite desserts, a pot of loose-leaf tea, and a glass of bubbly. To make a reservation for $50 per guest, visit teapotsandtreasurescafe.com or call 561-881-0447. 12 A Thankful Time and Tea 10:30 a.m. Anna Marie’s Teas Liberty, Missouri Invite friends and family to join you for a cozy teatime to express your gratitude for their friendship and meaning in your life. An intimate afternoon tea in a historic 1913 home is the perfect setting for enjoying autumnal fare over copious cups of tea. This gracious gathering will prepare hearts for the season…

Elegant Treasures Inspired by one of the most formal parlors in the White House, this Green Room Tea for One set will make every afternoon tea feel historic. ($195, shop.whitehousehistory.org or 800-555-2451) Seasonal Steeping Find a new favorite brew with the Tea Forté Warming Joy tea chest, including 20 delicious blends to sip during the holidays. ($70.00, teaforte.com or 800-721-1149) Pretty Platters Serve festive fare to your guests on this Spode Christmas Tartan platter, featuring their classic Christmas tree motif. ($49.99, spode.com or 888-778-1471) Yuletide Surprise Tea enthusiasts will love adding an element of surprise to their teatime with the Palais des Thés 2022 Tea Advent Calendar that provides a different blend for the 24 days leading up to Christmas. ($36, palaisdesthes.com) Darling Décor Adorn your tree with this whimsical, mouth-blown glass Holly Teapot ornament to incorporate your favorite…

Candy Cane Kisses THE BOULDER TEA COMPANY | boulderteaco.com TEACUP: Block Whimsy Christmas “Perfectly peppermint-filled and laced with decadent pieces of chocolate, these two signature holiday flavors coexist marvelously in this comforting brew.”—Katherine Ellis, associate editor German Gingerbread Tea THE TEA SHOPPE | theteashoppewv.com TEACUP: Noritake Home for Christmas “Flavored with spicy ginger notes and a sweet cinnamon finish, this well-rounded and robust black tea is ideal for a cold winter’s day.”—Janice Ritter, dealer program manager Maple Pecan Black Tea PLUM DELUXE | plumdeluxe.com TEACUP: Cuthbertson Christmas Tree Wide Green Band “Pecan pieces, cinnamon chips, and maple syrup extract give this smooth and nutty blend a strong maple fragrance and delicately sweet flavor.”—Shelby Duffy, editorial assistant Figgy Pudding SIMPSON & VAIL | svtea.com TEACUP: Johnson Brothers Victorian Christmas “The delightful aroma and creamy mouthfeel of this green tea blend is reminiscent of marshmallow or butterscotch,…

With tea consumption on the rise, more and more tea drinkers want to know about tea and caffeine. But unfortunately, much caffeine misinformation continues to circulate. Here are the top six caffeine myths I encounter from my customers. 1 Tea contains more caffeine than coffee. There is indeed more caffeine in a pound of dry tea leaves than in a pound of coffee beans; however, we don’t consume dry tea leaves. Therefore, after steeping, a cup of tea contains only one-third to one-half the amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee. 2 Caffeine in tea and coffee stimulates the body similarly. Caffeine is the same alkaloid no matter the source—coffee or tea. Yet, our bodies react to caffeine differently, depending on related compounds found in each beverage. The principal caffeine-modifying agent for tea drinkers…