Gearing up for a trip to visit my friend and mentor, Tracy, of Essencha Fine Teas. I'll be gone for the entirety of the Labor Day weekend. Not only does she own this magnificent web site, but she has also opened a tea house in Cincinnati, Ohio. I've never been to Cincinnati....or to Ohio. Yes, I'm actually flying the distance for a cup of tea. If that isn't passion, I don't know what is!
Watch out for Flying Potts!
August 31, 2006
August 28, 2006
Good Morning Brew
I have finally created a morning brew that gives me the kick I need and the warm, toasty flavor I crave. Having shunned the legions of black tea since I was young, for reasons of bitterness and even more bitter childhood memories of Lipton, this tea is that much more satisfactory.
The tea is called GOOD FORTUNE. This unique blend features two types of black tea (Darjeeling and Ceylon), and some spices. One friend said it tasted like an almond cookie!
I look forward to experimenting with even more blending of tea types. So far I have not needed my cup of usual morning coffee (yes, Madam Potts is an equal opportunity sipper, so calm it down!). I hope to have found a pleasant alternative.
I've just finished lunch and am thinking another cup would be just the thing....
Excuse me, I have some steeping to attend to....
Happy Sipping!
The tea is called GOOD FORTUNE. This unique blend features two types of black tea (Darjeeling and Ceylon), and some spices. One friend said it tasted like an almond cookie!
I look forward to experimenting with even more blending of tea types. So far I have not needed my cup of usual morning coffee (yes, Madam Potts is an equal opportunity sipper, so calm it down!). I hope to have found a pleasant alternative.
I've just finished lunch and am thinking another cup would be just the thing....
Excuse me, I have some steeping to attend to....
Happy Sipping!
August 23, 2006
Mad Mug!
The opposite of gravity is levity -- one brings you down, the other brings you up!
And so it with that uplifting sense of levity that I travel this world. It is for that reason that my favorite mug is, well....my favorite!
After having tea at Alice's Tea Cup in Manhattan's Upper West Side (tea with a side of whimsy, for sure), I spied my treasure....a Cheshire Cat Mug! I used to have a similar mug years ago, and while the design is very different, the thrill of watching the cat disappear remains the same.
For those of you who have never seen this mug in action....I have taken photographic evidence of this disappearing act!
(Just Add Hot Water and Smile!)
BEFORE
And so it with that uplifting sense of levity that I travel this world. It is for that reason that my favorite mug is, well....my favorite!
After having tea at Alice's Tea Cup in Manhattan's Upper West Side (tea with a side of whimsy, for sure), I spied my treasure....a Cheshire Cat Mug! I used to have a similar mug years ago, and while the design is very different, the thrill of watching the cat disappear remains the same.
For those of you who have never seen this mug in action....I have taken photographic evidence of this disappearing act!
(Just Add Hot Water and Smile!)
BEFORE
AFTER
Without a doubt this is a mad crazy mug - which is perfect for a mad potter like myself. It makes me want to drink tea just thinking of it.
Keep a Smile on your Face and watch your Blues Disappear!
August 14, 2006
One more order!
I just received another order for a Customized Tea Blend. The customer has purchased this Customized Blend as a gift for a friend - surely a unique one of a kind idea -- and you know by ordering a custom blend that they won't already have this and that no one else will have gotten them the same thing.
The challenge lay ahead of me - to design a blend reflective of the person's tastes. This person prefers black tea that would transport her to an English Countryside Garden. I already have some ideas...As always, I'll post the results!
If you are interested in learning more about Custom Blends, email me!
Warmly,
Madam Potts
The challenge lay ahead of me - to design a blend reflective of the person's tastes. This person prefers black tea that would transport her to an English Countryside Garden. I already have some ideas...As always, I'll post the results!
If you are interested in learning more about Custom Blends, email me!
Warmly,
Madam Potts
August 09, 2006
More Tea Please
People often ask me why I spell Madam Potts with 2 T's, to which I say, "Well, who wouldn't want more Tea?" And it precisely that question which led me this entry today. What with the heatwave finally breaking, I immediately found myself in the kitchen making merry with the tea.
Having received some samples from the Metropolitan Tea Company, I was excited to finally taste what they had sent me. I brewed my water and did a sampling of 3 green teas. Sencha. Jasmine with flowers. and last but not least, Genmai. I liked each of the 3 (QUICK PLUG: Metro Teas - good stuff). Having noted the distinct and varied properties of the 3, I went back and brewed a second cup, and I must say that I like each of 3 even better the second cup.
While this is not a moment of Aha!, having brewed plenty of tea multiple times, but I did think about it in a new way today... as to WHY I usually enjoy the 2nd cup better. Like Prepping the Teapot or cups with hot water, making them ready to receive and hold the tea, so it is with one's own mouth and tongue. The first cup prepares you to enjoy the deeper, richer, fuller experience that I find is delivered with the second cup.
This is not to say that the first cup is without merit or should be promptly poured into the household plants - Not at all! Just that the second T is unique...
I feel like I have come full circle. I have understood myself through the tea and have understood the tea through myself. It's a very enlightened mement I'm experiencing as I write this....must have something to do with the copious cups of green tea.
Zenfully,
Madam Potts
Having received some samples from the Metropolitan Tea Company, I was excited to finally taste what they had sent me. I brewed my water and did a sampling of 3 green teas. Sencha. Jasmine with flowers. and last but not least, Genmai. I liked each of the 3 (QUICK PLUG: Metro Teas - good stuff). Having noted the distinct and varied properties of the 3, I went back and brewed a second cup, and I must say that I like each of 3 even better the second cup.
While this is not a moment of Aha!, having brewed plenty of tea multiple times, but I did think about it in a new way today... as to WHY I usually enjoy the 2nd cup better. Like Prepping the Teapot or cups with hot water, making them ready to receive and hold the tea, so it is with one's own mouth and tongue. The first cup prepares you to enjoy the deeper, richer, fuller experience that I find is delivered with the second cup.
This is not to say that the first cup is without merit or should be promptly poured into the household plants - Not at all! Just that the second T is unique...
I feel like I have come full circle. I have understood myself through the tea and have understood the tea through myself. It's a very enlightened mement I'm experiencing as I write this....must have something to do with the copious cups of green tea.
Zenfully,
Madam Potts
August 01, 2006
Casablanca Comes to NYC
It has been too darn hot - even for tea! I made a sizable amount of Rooibos Mango iced tea which I will drink for the rest of the week. What with temperatures reaching 100, I am not anywhere to be found in the kitchen unless I'm reaching into the freezer for more ice!
However my curiosiTEA never rests, and it's been awhile since I profiled a tea house, so today I wanted to tell you about the Casablanca Tea Room in New York City.
Casablanca Tea Room: tucked away amid the fashionable boutiques of SoHo, this trendy little spot is like no other I've ever visited. From the street, you ascend a small flight of stairs and once you step inside, it's as if the subway let you off in Moracco. From the stunning white drapes cascading from the ceiling, and white carved furniture and dim lighting to the smell of exotic insence in the air, this is no ordinary tea room. And while one could argue that it's more of a bar than a tea room, the availability of both makes is a perfect setting for any night out on the town. I shared a large pot of mint tea with my friend. And they brought out this magnificent silver teapot which was full of fresh mint leaves. We then asked for 2 glasses of ice and tried it iced as well...nothing beats the heat so much as fresh iced mint tea. Additionally, they offer a selection of blended teas and tisanes as well as food throughout the day.
Whether looking for an unusual escape or the setting for a fabulous date, be sure to check out this little gem!
However my curiosiTEA never rests, and it's been awhile since I profiled a tea house, so today I wanted to tell you about the Casablanca Tea Room in New York City.
Casablanca Tea Room: tucked away amid the fashionable boutiques of SoHo, this trendy little spot is like no other I've ever visited. From the street, you ascend a small flight of stairs and once you step inside, it's as if the subway let you off in Moracco. From the stunning white drapes cascading from the ceiling, and white carved furniture and dim lighting to the smell of exotic insence in the air, this is no ordinary tea room. And while one could argue that it's more of a bar than a tea room, the availability of both makes is a perfect setting for any night out on the town. I shared a large pot of mint tea with my friend. And they brought out this magnificent silver teapot which was full of fresh mint leaves. We then asked for 2 glasses of ice and tried it iced as well...nothing beats the heat so much as fresh iced mint tea. Additionally, they offer a selection of blended teas and tisanes as well as food throughout the day.
Whether looking for an unusual escape or the setting for a fabulous date, be sure to check out this little gem!
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