Tea Review: Tricked, not Treated

As leaves fall and trees begin to die, the air grows crisp and cold.

And any way you dress it up, a mug of tea is the way to go. Talking of cosutmes...I would have loved to dress up as a tea pot (short and stout), but alas, I found no Mad Tea Pot costume at my local Halloween store.

I did however, brew a mug of Pumpkin Spice Tea.

Trick or Treat Factor:
TRICK : Not "hauntingly" good (didn't this say spiced?)

TREAT: It has a lovely pumpkin orange color

Where's the Fun Size candy?

Tea and Pizza

There's been a lot of talk about food pairing. 'Food Pairing' is among the many popular new phrases talked about so often, it feels like we've always used it. From wine to desserts, the idea of 'food pairing' has gotten the attention of magazines, cooking shows, gourmet chefs and foodies everywhere.

This is also true with tea.

What food is complimented by a cup of darjeeling? or maybe sencha green tea? a palate cleansing herbal? and such suggestions are given freely like so. and so.

An so, the dilemma was my own to solve as I stood in my kitchen wondering what type of tea would best be paired with pizza. Stop smirking. As a New Yorker living in the outer boroughs, delivered pizza happens. Proudly not often, but when it does, my inner tea wench still hopes to deliver the best beverage possible.

So it happens that I opened a tin of Song Yang White tea. And I must say, that it makes delivery much nicer.

And for all of those who want their tea right ON the pizza, click here.

Herbal Spotlight: Calendula

Having read plenty about Calendula flower (for all its herbal health and cosmetic properties), I was eager to finally buy some myself. Most people have heard of it by its common name marigold - and is seen in many gardens across the US, known for its vibrant yellow petals.

From Greek mythology, it is said that these flowers were once love-struck wood nymphs, turned into flowers by Apollo's sister, Artemis because of their constant arguing for Apollo's attention. In the Roman times it was a sign of luxury and was traded in the Far East for black tea.

Marigold is said to ease digestive distress, soothing the stomach and bowels; relieving lymphatic systems; improves liver functions. As a first aid ingredient, it can be used as a remedy for any skin eruptions, cuts or sores. It makes a beneficial face wash and skin toner too! (you know Ill be experimenting with that!)

So last week, I was finally able to buy some from my favorite herb shoppe: Flower Power
I could spend countless hours studying, inhaling and playing with the wall of herbals in their store. In fact, I hope to work there in the near future. And while they have no openings at present, I'm keeping my petals crossed....

I found the mild taste to be a wonderfully synergetic in a tea blend and am looking forward to playing with this flower in more blends....in the meantime...Enjoy this tasty digestive blend :

Feeling Mari-Golden
2 parts Plantain
2 parts Calendula
1 part Anise

When it's Not Raining

All of last week it rained. I hate the rain. I'm like a cat in that way and I'll huddle under a car before I walk out freely in the rain. However, as I must make my way to work each morning, there was nothing I could do about -- except of course, to make mad pots of tea. I was drinking tea like...like..like a tea-drinking camel last week. And I re-discovered a tea on my shelf that I haven't given much cred to in the past.

I have found that sipping oolong in the rain (with diced ginger for warmth) made a pleasant combination. I have had the oolong on my tea shelf for awhile. I liked the roasted taste of the tea, but never found myself thinking "It's Oolong time!" until last week. But it must have had something to do with the rain, as I made it this morning (a clear, though slightly windy morning) but the oolong just didn't seem to have the magical lifting properties as when my feet and clothes were dampened.

I guess I now have a Rain Tea.

Cool.

TASTING: GenMaiCha

When I first heard about GenMaiCha, a type of Japanese green tea with rosted rice, I thought:

Now THIS is truly a MAD POT of tea!

This tea is known for its soft, toasted flavor. I love the way in which the tea gives me a warm and cozy feeling....even the aroma conjures up being wrapped up in a flannel blanket on a cold Autumn evening.

I first had this blend at T-Salon in NYC and again at a local tea house in Astoria, Himalaya Teahouse (a new place which has happily changed my view of my neighborhood!). I also saw at my deli, that Ito En has taken on the GenMaiCha in their iced tea blend!!

But the most unique blend award goes to Adagio Tea for their special blend of GenMaiCha which includes popped rice and popcorn! I have yet to try it (as this is a new blend discovery for me) but I will have to get my hands on their Snap, Crackle, Sip!

So if you've never tried GenMaiCha.....

What are you waiting for?
Go grab a cup!

Herbal Spotlight: Rosemary

I've been doing a little research (ie: web surfing and flipping through my kitchen witch-ery books on herbs and teas), which I do from time to time.... And I am finding the most interesting things on Rosemary.

A popular scent in many a cosmetic formula, recently touted for anti-bacterial properties (anti-viral too, making it a great steam inhalation in the cold/flu season!). Rosemary has been used by herbalists to support the circulatory and nervous systtem, relieve muscle pain and spasm, stimulate hair growth, enhance concentration and improve memory.

It was the "improving memory and enhancing concentration" bit that caught my eye....

Then I read that combing 1-2 drops of Rosemary eseential oil in your hair every day would also be a boost for the ol' memory. I started doing that. Gives the hair a great sheen! Even the very smell of rosemary can awaken the senses instantly
(I love the smell of rosemary in the morning!)

So, naturally I thought, I should make a tea!

I then created a special "Brain Food" blend, that featured Rosemary as the prime ingredient, among a few other herbs that shared the same memory-enhancing properties. To be effective, one should drink 2-3 cups a day... every day.

When asked if I had any marked improvement, I had to admit:
No....because....I keep forgetting to drink it every day.

Irony rears its comic head.