NovelTEAS is BACK!

Novel Teas in Red Bank, NJ

 After a few months of wordless silence, wondering the plight of the only place to geta proper cuppa tea in this area of mine, I am overjoyed to announce the return of NovelTeas in Red Bank, NJ.

Not only are they back (under new management), but they have started back up again with the literary and musical events that made it such a popular place in the first place.  I wrote often about the events under the my NJ Tea Examiner column, and invited as many people as I could to every event - as each were infused with a creativity and uniqueness that is hard to find and that comes only from genuine sharing and passion.

In the past week they had local Rumson author, James Weil, sharing from his book Swiss Chocolate and Jamacian recording artist Malek Mia, performing from her debut album, I'm Here.The new management has also been able to do what the original owner was unable to make happen and that is serving a lite fare lunch throughout the week.  Finally, not only can I invite someone to tea, I can invite them to lunch at my favorite tea cafe!

While I didn't have lunch the other day, I was happy as anything to order a nice pot of Paris Tea (teas supplied by Harney & Sons). 

Quincy Mumford

Don't miss their next event this upcoming Wednesday

Quincy Mumford

singer-song writer with a laid-back twist

WHEN:  July 13th
TIME:    7 - 10pm
TIX:      FREE

For more info on Quincy, check out his website: here

 

Tea and Chocolate Event in NYC May 10th

Pairing in Your Pocket
A complimentary tea & chocolate tasting
with Vosges Haut-Chocolat & Sanctuary T

Tea and chocolate soothe and excite at the Vosges Chocolate Tasting hosted by Sanctuary T.  Join us as we lead you through ten different tea and chocolate pairings. Sanctuary T’s new line of easy-to-carry pouched teas, BYOT, encourage you to catch a moment of tranquility wherever you may find yourself.

When paired with a Vosges Haut-Chocolat candy bar, the experience is elevated to one of decadent equilibrium. Each guest will enjoy 10 tea and chocolate samplings as well as tasting notes and be lead in a sensory tasting experience.

This is a FREE event. Space is limited so an RSVP is required. 
Please RSVP to: RSVP@sanctuaryt.com

Tuesday, May 10, 6:00pm-7:00pm

Sanctuary T
337B West Broadway
New York, NY 10013
www.shopsanctuaryt.com
www.sanctuaryt.com

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Note from Madam Potts
This event is NOT to be missed.  My favorite NYC tea place, Sanctuary T is pairing up with the  hottest, trendiest and tastiest artisnal chocolate place, Vosges -- it is a match made in heaven.
That being said, as I will be on a plane to Florida I will be missing it...but really....I recommend this event highly!!!!

The History of Tea in America 1/27

On Thursday, January 27th, Elizabeth Knight, author of such books like Tea With Friends and Tea in the City: New York will be hosting a lecture about the history of tea in America at the Mount Vernon Museum & Gardens, located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Elizabeth Knight is the former tea sommelier for the historic St. Regis Hotel (also located in NYC). Widely recognized as one of the country's foremost authorities on tea and entertaining, she has appeared on national television and radio programs including WNBC's "Today in New York," WOR's "Food Talk," The Travel Channel, HSN and QVC.

According to Knight, tea is as individual as the culture from which it’s produced, and this presentation will explore that notion from an American perspective.  Tea will be served.

HISTORY OF TEA
Thursday, January 27th, at 6:30pm
Tickets are $20

Mount Vernon Hotel Museum
421 East 61st Street
New York, NY
212-838-6878



For tickets or additional information visit www.mvhm.org

Event found on the Newark Tea Examiner.

The Jersey Shore Tea Party Movement

Mom always told me you shouldn't share your politics in polite company....but you should share tea. And so tea lovers across NJ are doing just that - they are coming together in the spirit of community and harmony - to rally support for neighborhoods and supporting local businesses.

Atlantic Highlands Tea Party: Coming up next Thursday, come out and support Atlantic Artisans Custom Frame Shop & Design Studio.  On October 7th, from 11am-3pm, Madam Potts will be hosting a tea tasting - featuring a customized blend created for the store by Mad Pots of Tea!  This event is FREE and open to the public.  Atlantic Artisans will be having events all week in conjunction with American Craft Week. So what better than hand-crafted tea? Also on hand at the Studio is a gallery of twisted tea pots, the likes of which you've never seen, but can't help but want to own, by artist Bryan Quincannon.

So stop by Atlantic Artisans for an artfully-designed cuppa tea and take some home with you!
Thursday, Oct 7th, 11am-3pm @ Atlantic Artisans, 77 Center Avenue (behind Zoe's Kitchen!)

and for those who aren't followers of Madam Pott's Local Tea Column on Examiner probably missed this next event....


Red Bank's Tea Party: There was a West Side Block Party in Red Bank, NJ, sponsored by NovelTeas and Glen Goldbaum 72 Salon, this weekend - and a good time was had by all. There were so many people mingling and mixing, I found it challenging (if not impossible) to flit between the 2 west side establishments. I saw people I hadn't seen in a long time, and I met new friends and acquaintances. There was wine and cheese and desserts and tea. There was laughter and frivolity, music and genuine smiles that made you feel like you were a part of something altogether larger. 

Read more about this Tea Party here.

Never miss an event @ NovelTeas.  Friend them on Facebook.  Know them. Go there.  nuff said.....

Take Back the Tea Party: Understanding History

Tea has certainly taken its lumps in American History. The iconic dumping of tea into the Boston Harbor as a symbolic action against the taxation of this quotidian delight resulted in punitive action against the colonies by the British Government. (not to mention the subsequent trend of increased popularity of coffee over tea, a trend that has not yet ended in this country)

Perhaps the American consumer learned its lesson in 1773, when as a result of the Boston Tea Party, the colonists got a beat-down in form of the Intolerable Acts. These acts were a punishment from King George III that led to a closed Harbor, more British troops, and the designation that any colonist who did not feed and house British soldier could be shot on sight, by order of the King.

Nowadays we are used to the idea that standard commodities, like oil, natural gas, fossil fuels, are sold and traded, or rather - manipulated - for the sole purpose of increased profits for the investors. And who pays for those profits but the consumers.

So first it was the good name and reputation of tea that was used as a political play piece in American History, and now it is the entire concept of having a tea party that is being bandied about. After having had taken a back seat to coffee, and keeping a low-profile for 200 years, it is quite frustrating that there is a political party called the Tea Party.

I don't care what side of aisle you align yourself with politically. Really -- I don't!  My concern here is the waning social support for the ritual and cultural significance of tea.  How much more political volley can tea take? The very fact that I must preface any tea party that I might throw with an anti-political statement has indeed dissuaded me throwing any tea parties.

And it is THIS notion -- that I have pulled back from hosting social gatherings (and I am not the only one to hesitate to throw social tea gatherings) that MUST be addressed - lest tea suffer a 2nd downward trend in its own popularity, as it did over 200 years ago.

So if you have found this story, if I have sent you this link, if you like tea, if you own a tea company or tea house, then I encourage you to THROW A TEA PARTY.

We can only take back the social name of tea parties by HAVING THEM!

So please join the Tea Party Challenge.

The Mad Pots of Tea! Traveling Tea Party Challenge:
 - Throw a Tea Party in the next 6 months.
 - Have fun with different themes, ideas and concepts
 - If you plan to throw a party: email me the invite/press release and I will post it.
 - If you threw a party recently: send me a link to the photos.
 - If I can be at your party I will....
And...
 - if you would like to join Madam Potts at an upcoming tea party, email me with the Subject Line: I want to Party!

Tea + Happiness = Good Health

Yup, that’s it.... I guess scientists and researchers have found out what many of you reading this have already found to be true.

The formula for good health boils down to tea. Well…tea and happiness – but seeing how tea makes people happy, it's an easy equation to master.

Whether sipped alone in private and perhaps sacred or reflective moments of quietude or shared socially with a friend or group of friends complete with lots of conversation - drinking tea tends to make people happier.

How could it not? While many people wait until they are sick before reaching for a trusty box of tea, drinking Tea makes you feel good all the time. I’ve often said that “tea is a massage for your insides”. It soothes your throat. It eases headaches. It soothes tired bodies and aching muscles. With its warmth, tea loosens up your joints and gets you going. Yet, at the same time, tea calms you down, settles your mind, and softens your nerves. It is in this capability that clarity, inner peace and the expansion of happiness infuses into the heart of the attentive sipper.

So there you have it – tea is liquid massage.

And who doesn’t feel better (and happier) after getting a massage?

Drink your way to a happier health!

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Bonus Madness: Tea=Happiness on Facebook

Madam Potts: In Person: Tues 10/14

As the cool weather approaches, hints of Autumn spices and warm flannel blankets abound. What a better time to talk about my favorite subject - Teas and Herbs.

So, if you live in the local area, you are invited to join me, Madam Potts, as I will be leading a class in Teas, Herbs and Circulation this Tuesday @ 7pm at Page Chiropractic and Wellness in Atlantic Highlands, NJ. Call to RSVP: 732-291-5575 (seating is limited!)

Come and join the lively discussion on how to
GET THAT BLOOD GOING!

and of course, the class includes tea tastings!