All in the Family...

Not too long ago, my sister stayed with me for a few weeks. As you cannot enter my kitchen without acknowledging the overt presence of tea, it didn't take long before curiosity took over.

She had decided she would try her hand at blending some herbs. I came home and she asked me to sample her new blend. I was delighted that she has taken a recent interest in my teas, as I do not come from a tea/herb drinking family. I never push what I do on my friends and family. So for her to decide to give it a whirl I couldn't have been happier. The blend she created, Slow Ride, was a relaxing blend with a hint of spice to it. Steep 4-5minutes.

I thought I would share this with my readers, as a reminder to never be afraid to try your hand at blending.

Slow Ride
White Tea
Sage
Ginger Root
Damiana

Travels from a Cup: South Carolina

This past weekend the Charleston Tea Plantation, which boasts itself as "America's Only Tea Garden", hosted the 3rd Annual First Flush Festival! So naturally, yours truly jumped in a car with her two partners in crime (if tea and knitting be crime-worthy) and headed 13 hours south to the "Holy City" of South Carolina.

We were not sure what to expect as there is little infomation or press about this Tea Festival, which surprised me seeing as the plantation is owned by the Bigelow Tea Company. And next year we shall be a touch more prepared for this rather non-pretentious, laid-back, iced-tea sippin' & music fest.

The coolest part was walking through the factory where the tea is processed and hearing about the withering, drying and roasting processes. That and the endless supply of complimentary iced tea, stationed in various parts of the plantation grounds. It was in the 80's, with no shade, so that iced tea, made from the tea grown right there, was much appreciated.

There were vendors selling food, vendors selling beautiful, artistic gifts, and a large area for the kids to bounce around. The majority of the crowd set up their chairs and coolers and took in the line up of musical acts, which was headlined by Shawn Mullins. The music was along the folksy-guitar, singer-songwriter genre - just perfect for a relaxing afternoon spent outdoors, sipping tea with friends....

I of course took this opportunity to romp madly through the tea (as only could be expected), figuring I wouldn't get the chance to do so unless I visited China or India. And so I respectfully frolicked in the fields...

New Blend: Vintage VarieTEA & Tea Party recap

I got the opportunity to design a blend of tea on a place of business, which I have always wanted to do. It is similar to designing a blend on a person (especially when the business in question has a lot of character) but it is more challenging and requires more intuition. The usual method of simply using the PersonaliTEA Form does not really apply.

However, my latest blend, Vintage VarieTEA was created for the host of the Mad, Mad Tea Party -- a unique shop called Vintage Variety. This artsy edgy vintage shop lended itself quite easily to a Mad Tea blend. And while it is easy to say that all I did was mix a little bit of everything, whether your mixing tea or paints or liquors - simply adding a little bit of everything is not a easy as it sounds.

Vintage VarieTEA is a mix of 2 types of tea (White and Black), plus Rooibos, 2 types of roots, 2 flowers petals and 3 dried fruits -- it is by far my most experimental blend ever.

Having had this blend samples by over 50 people in its short time of existence, I am more than pleased to say that the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The taste of the blend is fruity and sweet without being predominately so. The color brews up a beatiful reddish pink hue. And as one friend remarked of the aroma of the dry blend, that it"smells oddly enough just like a vintage store". While that comment could sound less than complimentary, it was indeed meant as a statement of excitement that the blend truly matched the inspiration in every way.

Vintage VarieTEA is available for purchase at Vintage Variety in Atlantic Highlands, NJ.

As for the party, I would like to thank all those who helped to make it happen, and all those who came to be a part of this CommuniTEA.

I sensed a real need for social outlet, a way for people to take little journey in their day to experience something different, to try something new, to meet fresh faces, to hear some live music..to do something fun and random....and the Mad, Mad Tea Party is certainly all those things.

I'd especially like to thank Mr. Ron Santee for lending his musical talents to the party, for setting a fun, relaxed atmosphere. I look forward to working with more musicians and varied styles of music for future parties. Music and Tea just kinda go together....

The Mad, Mad Tea Party has been asked to return to Vintage Variety next month!

::Happy Dance!::

So I will keep you all posted. Next month will feature the cool side of tea as we delve into the hot summery months on the shore and brew up some crazy-blended iced tea...

Pictures of the Mad, Mad Tea Party
can be found here: Mad, Mad Tea Pix!