TeaTime Fall 2005

Of all the seasons, I confess autumn is my favorite. Autumn is a sigh of relief after the hot, humid days of summer, a promise of cold, wintry days ahead. And what better way to celebrate the crisp air, the clear light that comes with October days than by packing a basket of favorite tea goodies and striking out for the lakeside? Years ago, on just such an autumn day, my husband and I set out to visit my dear friend from college days and her husband—also newlyweds. Nancy prepared and packed a delicious meal for the four of us, and then, in a daring move, packed her elegant new china, received as wedding gifts. Paper plates would have sufficed, but her plan was to create a charming setting for the…

Q Is milk poured in the cup before the tea is poured, or after? A Don’t put the milk in before the tea because then you cannot judge the strength of the tea by its color. You may have heard or read that milk precedes the tea into the cup, but please, please dear tea lovers, don’t be guilty of this faux pas (another reason for banishment to the Tea Drinker’s Hall of Shame). Also, you need not hear some snobbish, chilly remark such as, “Oh, she’s the milk-in-first type of person.” Q Where did this old milk-first tale come from? A Samuel Twining has theorized that milk first prevented early china from cracking in reaction to boiling water. That theory appears rather shaky today since boiling water is not poured directly into…

Mother Knows Best Most of us learned at our mother’s knee at least three important life lessons: wait your turn, mind your manners, and never put off writing thank-you notes. Easy for mother to say. In today’s fast-paced world, it is, admittedly, not always easy to find time for such niceties. The problem is … mother was right. What we perhaps forget is how little time it actually takes to write a proper thank-you note, and, most importantly, how much it means to have one’s kindness acknowledged. All you need is a suitable card or stationery, a pen (pencil-scripted thank-yous are forbidden), and an honest appreciation for the kind of courtesy and etiquette that fosters congeniality. Perhaps you might even send a thank-you note to mother—for instilling in you something so…

With autumn’s arrival comes crisp, cool air; the everpresent smoky smell of a roaring fire; and leaves of amber, scarlet, and gold. And nature, in her kindness, has provided the raw materials needed to create an indoor scene that mirrors the one outside. The tea table is the perfect place to start. A vibrant, hand-crafted centerpiece is perfect for creating a simple yet elegant statement for the table. A centerpiece with eye-catching color sets the tone for an event, serves as a conversation piece, and adds just a bit of pizzazz to the tablescape. The warm, soothing effect of tea paired with a cheerful, cozy floral arrangement featuring fall’s richest tones will leave your guests lingering long after the last drop of tea has been sipped. Step 1: Assemble materials: a…

Consider the coffeecake. At first glance, one might assume the pastry suffers from an identity crisis, stuck in limbo between bread and cake, snack and dessert. But don’t be fooled. The coffeecake not only knows its place in the world, but is willing to rise to any occasion, be it your morning mug of java or afternoon cup of tea. This blueberry coffeecake comes to us courtesy of Elaine Gemmell of Natchez, Mississippi. A hostess supreme, Elaine says she always keeps the ingredients on-hand in case visitors (expected or otherwise) should drop by. And though she prefers to bake it with the bountiful blueberries that grow practically in her backyard, she promises frozen will work just as well. ELAINE’S BLUEBERRY COFFEECAKE 4 tablespoons butter, softened ½ cup sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup flour 1…

Artful Presentation It’s been called the “Lamborghini of teabags,” but the elegant, pyramid-shaped silken infusers that are the hallmark of Tea Forte are no mere “bags.” These little darlings are submerged, never dunked, in the cup. And once steeped, the infusers’ companion ceramic trays not only catch drips but also add a touch of drama and whimsy to the presentation. To ensure freshness, Tea Forte’s silken infusers are filled and sealed onsite in Asian tea gardens. Keeping up With the Sconeses A scone hot and fresh from the oven, bathed in cream and baked to golden perfection, is as fine a thing as any imaginable. It takes quite a spread to measure up to such sublime satisfaction, but the seasonally inspired gourmet preserves of France-based Fauchon are more than up to the task,…