Tea Lovers Help Japan

REPOSTED MESSAGE FROM OBUBU TEA PLANTATIONS
As many of you already know, Kyoto Obubu Tea Plantations is collecting donations at www.obubutea.com/donate to create a fund for helping individual tea lovers and resellers recover and rebuild.

We have so far collected over $1115 through "purchases" of "sakura sencha of cheer" and "sakura sencha of hope", our virtual cups of tea for those who have been affected by the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake.  We hope our small effort will directly impact specific individuals and businesses as they repair and refurnish their, and in one case relocate their business.

Donation link: http://www.obubutea.com/donate

EXTEND YOUR SUPPORT:  Please consider placing a link to our donation site on your own website!


DIRECT RELIEF
Obubu itself has used company funds to donate 2000 sets of soup and noodles, ramen and tea candy to Ishimaki City in Miyagi Prefecture where some 2000 people were living at the Ishinomaki Kahoku Center and Sumiyoshi elementary school. Our contact there, Mr. Ito (and his dog Chibi), helped to coordinate. With help from Obubu in publicizing how to send food and clothing, the center was able to receive some 350 boxes of goods. (See photos of people holding up thank you messages on Sankei Shimbun Newspaper Online: http://photo.sankei.jp.msn.com/info/data/2011/Earthquake/hinanzyo/0321ishinomaki/ )


PHOTO & ART CONTEST: "LET HOPE BLOSSOM!"

What was originally intended to be a contest celebrating spring and the new spring flush of tea has been reappropriated for the effort to raise hope and cheer in Japan. Obubu is giving away weekly prizes of sakura tea and overall prizes of winners' choice of three tea bags. We also allow entrants to choose to make their photography and artwork available on http://www.operationsakura.org for use by others doing fundraising for Japan.

Photographs will be shown to Japan through our Japanese website www.obubu.com, and will also be featured on various tea blogs including www.travelandtea.com
(please contact us if you'd like to feature entries)

Thank you all for your support!

KEEP UP TO DATE ON RELIEF EFFORTS HERE

to Llama Land and back!

Fear not for I have not stopped writing...but at times I just need to step awaaaaaaay from the computer.  Heck, sometimes I need to step awaaaaay from it all and so I did exactly that.  I was fortunate enough skip off to Peru and spend just shy of 3 weeks down there in "Llama Land".

Peru was an amazing adventure.  For me, I found the people full of color and the mountains full of wisdom.  Scaling Machu Picchu was by far the highlight of this adventure.  Travel is and always will be a huge part of my life.  The experience of seeking out the far ends of this earth are what keep me going.

What does this have to do with tea?.......nothing. Yes I drank lots of tea while I was in Peru.  No matter where we went, whatever hotel or restaurant it was always McCollins tea bags. No frills tea stuff - though admittedly their standard black tea was fairly tasty and had a unique flavor.

And of course to deal with altitude sickness, I was drinking "coca tea", and also chewing the leaves for extra measure.  I thought the coca tea tasted like yerba mate, very earthy and leafy. I even took the coca tea bags and added them into my water bottle each day.  Here's a picture of me as a coca dealer.  Contrary to belief the coca leaves themselves have no psychoactive or alterative affect - but it does keep headaches at bay.  I don't think I saw loose tea anywhere....perhaps it's an untapped market. 

Slowly but surely my feet are returning to their daily path.
Slowly but surely, my fingers are recalling their dance steps across my keyboard.

I love travel.....but it's good to be home.

Spotlight: Libre Tea Travel Thermos

As many a tea drinker knows, steeping and enjoying a proper cup of tea on-the-go is often a challenge.  Keeping the tea hot, without burning your hands, allowing the tea leaves to properly unfurl for a proper steep and also keeping the tea leaves separate to avoid over-steeping and how to deal with the aftermath of wet leaves are among the most desirable aspects needed to make “mobile tea making” happen.

I’ve tried out other travel tea mugs, which I am grateful for their efforts, but indeed there was lots of room for improvement.  Finally the challenges have been net!  The Libre Tea company is now featuring their Glass ‘n Poly Travel thermos line.  My favorite thing about it, besides the sleek design & stylish packaging, is the flexibility it offers its sippers!

The Libre Travel Tea line starts with a long cylindrical glass’n poly chamber.  The glass inside protects the taste of your tea (please don’t make me drink from plastic!), while the polycarbonate exterior allows for durability.  This design works advantageously to keep the tea hot without burning your hands. Also, I love that you can see your tea. I enjoy seeing the color of the liquor and also like knowing how much I have left!

The top divides into 2 separate sections.  The first section has a concave screen, which attaches to the cylinder and also to the outside covering (dig the cool hologram - nice touch guys!).  The outside covering acts as a cap for the device and/or as drip cup, depending on how you steep your tea.  The screw-top design offers spill-proof peace of mind.

Steep Method #1:  Place tea leaves in the bottom of the cylinder.  Add hot water. Screw on screen & top and go.  Enjoy the dance of the leaves which have lots of room to steep. Remove top cap to drink the tea.  The concavity of  the screen holds back the tea, while allowing you to sip comfortably from the mug. 
Downside:  Easy to overstep, seeing as the leaves are sitting in the water the whole time.
Upside: Fast, easy and great for herbal infusions which get stronger, but not bitter. 
Tea used: I tried this with my Jenn Grinels blend.  As she is a touring singer, who loves tea enough to have her own blend, I felt using her blend to test drive this mug was only appropriate.

Steep Method #2:  Place tea leaves in the concave nook of the screen and attach the top cap to it.  Fill the glass ‘n poly chamber with hot water and attach the top & screen combo to it.  Now turn the chamber upside down until tea is properly steeped.  To enjoy, remove the top & screen as one unit and drink directly from the glass ‘n poly (or if you can throw the tea leaves away, reattach the screen and sip comfortably as in Method #1).

Downside: Removing the top & screen can be difficult do to the vacuum that gets created.  In fact, overall the screw-cap feature which makes it possible was something I had to futz with every time.  Also, this method cramps doesn’t give as much room to unfurl for a quality steep, which also affected the usual steeping time.
Upside: No leaves in my tea and the top acts as a drip cup when it’s time to sip my tea.
Tea Used:  Thé de Impressionists from Mariage Freres– a green tea mild spices and purple flowers.

I have been using this travel tea mug everyday.   It easy to use and easy to clean too.  I am so glad that I have one of these and will certainly be gifting this item to some of my tea loving friends!  I'm now ready to take this tea party To Go!

Thank you Libre for setting me free!

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 Gift of Tea: DIY style

There is a never-ending supply of tea, tea wares and tea-related gifts for the tea lover that you can buy. Oh, there are teapots and fancy flowering tea sets, to special honeys and unique blends aplenty!  So when I was invited to the Steeped in Beauty: DIY Holiday Gift Workshop, which was held on December 4th in Philadelphia, I knew this would spark some thoughtful and fun ways to share my love of tea with others.

The event itself was lead by two Philadelphia residents passionate about tea and wellness: Jolene Hart, a certified Beauty & Health Coach, and Alexis Siemons, a tea writer & branding consultant, and the founder of teaspoons & petals blog and her delicately crafted line of haiku teaware.  Not enough amazing things can be said about her Haiku-wares.  I've said it before and will no doubt be featuring them again because they are so awesome they rock my inner tea pot.

The event started with Jolene Hart as she led us through some easy to make natural beauty and health products like a Peppermint Lip Balm, A Spicy Holiday Sugar Scrub, and a Natural Fragrance Oil Diffuser Set.  Not only how to make them, but how to personalize and create a lovely presentation in the packaging of them (Thank you Ikea for cheap goods!)

Then Alexis took the floor and shared how to make tea cards, tea soda, and even a matcha lemon poundcake.

I  especially like the personalized tea note cards - so easy to do and a great idea for any occasion - even if it's just to say "Hi!" to a friend across the miles...  In the photo, you'll see a tea pack of Orchid Oolong from Mighty Leaf Tea Company.  After teaching us how to make the card, she shared a special way of enjoying the Orchid Oolong in a cup of hot cocoa.  The essence of the tea with its rich and floral notes gave the cocoa an exotic feel.

We also learned how to make a tea soda.  a festive beverage with a million flavor possibilities!  Simply carmelize some sugar and tea together, into a syrup.  Bottle and enjoy.  To serve, pour a bit of the syrup into the glass and add club soda or seltzer.   Here I am holding my cup of fizzy tea soda.

Not only can you use any leftover tea to make the base for the soda, but when creating a card or gift tag to go with the present, steep the note card in tea for an vintage, antique look. 

I look forward to trying my hand at the gift ideas that Jolene and Alexis presented.  Also, when they have their next event, I will be eager to attend. The communiTEA spirit was certainly alive at this DIY Gift Workshop.  I have since been in contact with the lades who were present - and everyone who was there left steeped in excitement and in inspiration which is the most beautiful thing of all.

For more info & better pix of the things made: Visit Tea&PetalsBlog

Travels from a Tea Cup: Washington DC

One of the last times I got a chance to visit our nation's capital, I was sure to take in the sites, including a trip to the National Gallery museum and of course, a stop for a spotta tea.  In one trip I hit two places - from having lunch and tea with my best friend at Teaism at Dupont Circle, to enjoying a day alone to romp about DC and happening across Ching Ching Cha. That my best friend happens to live on the Maryland side of DC means that I happen upon DC fairly often.

So this last trip, the only thing I HAD to do was to go check out ZenTara Teas.  Since their opening (in the beginning of 2010), I have been excited about stopping in.  I think I found them on Twitter and started following them. Located in Bethesda, MD, just 2.5 blocks from the Red Line on the Metro.

Of course what I found was a perfectly inviting place.  Zen Tara Tea has over 100 teas to choose from, but a wall of tea wares, accessories and gifts - all of which would be a glad addition to my set (Holiday Hint!)  In the time that I sat there, I managed to go through 4 pots of tea.  And of course I bought my favorite: Earl Grey with Roses. They also had a light fare (a little East meets West) and some baked goods.

While they are still in their first year of business, it would look like the good people at Zen Tara Tea have ingratiated themselves into the neighborhood.  I saw friends catching up, young families coming in for a rest, people reading books, people writing and others working on their laptops.  This is the kind of place that you want to spend time!A little safe haven open from 8am - 8pm every day (except Mondays).

They also have a tasting room and a whole Calendar of Events. I wish I lived in the area so that I could attend some of the events which they host monthly.  These people know from good tea...

So during my time, I go the chance to speak with the gentleman who's running the show. And I lazily spent 2 hours, taking in the rush and buzz of people, writing in my journal and generally reflecting on my trip overall. And overall, I must say, that I can't wait to make it back to Zen Tara Teas!

Travels (to Italy) From a Tea Cup

When I was only 15 years old, it was my experience to travel to Italy.  My travels led me to Florence, Venice. and Milan as well as the picturesque Lake Como region.  This extraordinary adventure marked the first time I had ever been in a plane, the first time I had ever left the country, and was this magnificent opportunity which sparked my life-long love of travel.  

My readers know that I have always loved the unique way in which my experiences with tea have brought me in touch with people from different parts of the world and at times have allowed me to travel from a tea cup.

So it is with all the excitement and sparkle that my tea-sipping, travel-loving spirit can muster and shine that I share another chapter of Travels From A Tea Cup.  Recently I got the chance to design a blend for a tea lover (and fellow ATB member), who happens to live in the Tuscan region of Italy.

It is always with a heart of gratitude that I share any and all of the reviews that I have been fortunate to receive this past year.  And this time is no different.  I was taken by the care that she takes to explain the PersonaliTEA form and process, as well the artistic photographs taken of the tea leaves floating, and the words of inspiration by which this blend SereniTEA was created.

There was a magical feel about this tea.  There seemed to be a measure of mystery and fantasy wrapped up in this blend, perhaps because she wanted her tea to transport her to a Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, through a forest and across a meadow.  SereniTEA is a pleasurably peaceful blend that is light and sweet and delicate. 

Read the Whole Review Here on SereniTEA.

Focus on Taiwan

Having had the honor of sitting down with Kirsten Kristensen, of TEa4U, 
I was excited to learn that she recently published a work entitled  The World of Tea - A Focus On Taiwan.

Having traveled to Taiwan last year to learn about the tea culture and processing, this special work is sure to excite and educate any tea enthusiast.

Learn more about the book here.

Sipping Tea @ the Cathedral

One of my last nights in Paris, my friend and I went out at night, hoping to catch a glimpse of the City of Lights all lit up - and preferably from the top of the Eiffel Tower.  There is a reason this structure is so iconic - the strength that it exudes with its iron beams of symmetry and form, matched with an elegance that comes from its ascending curvature.  Alas, we did not get to the top of the Tower that night, as they close access after a certain time, and going up only half way was not the experience we were looking for. 

So what are two girls carrying a large thermos of tea to do but hop the Metro and continue exploring this beautiful city.  We ended up in front of Notre Dame, which I'd only seen in all its glory during the day. The gargoyles look as menacing at night as they do during the day (although my camera had its limits in showing this).  We sneaked behind the gate to get a closer look at the stone-faced creatures, feeling like renegades for trespassing.  We'd already been kicked out of Maison de The earlier in the week (for taking photographs). You've got to watch those crazy mad tea sippers!

That thermos of tea served us well.  We brought it with us to the canal and had a little picnic, we brought it with us at night and drank tea on the train, and in the park.  I felt as if it was the never-ending thermos, a magic thermos that never ran out. It was tea that had brought us together and had made us friends from different sides of the ocean.  And it is this love, of tea, of travel, and of friendship that continues to infuse my thoughts, my dreams and my memories of a life well-lived.

Travels From a Tea Cup Goes Camping

Growing up as a kid, my favorite time of the year was always summertime. It wasn’t just the fact that school was out, although I’m sure that had something to do with it. However, summertime meant that the family got to go camping. As far back as I can remember, the whole family would pack up the tent and rough it in the woods. My dad would lead the charge, giving us all jobs to do – the five of us working like a well-oiled machine, so that in no time flat the campsite was set up and the fun could begin.

Now my favorite part about camping was, and still is, the campfire. Making the campfire, cooking over the campfire, singing songs and playing games around the campfire – it was a circle that brought us together as a family. I’ve started to suspect that our going camping was simply an excuse to sit around the fire. Even though I am older and out of the house, my Dad and I still manage to go camping once a year. Setting up the tent and building that campfire still gives me the same thrill as when I was a child....
Read More

Travels WITH her Tea Cup: The Prologue

I have often said it and it bears repeating, that I have met the most wonderful people simply because of tea.  I guess it’s why I keep following the signs that point down the rabbit hole, getting curiouser and curiouser – having no idea where it will lead me – in an ever-evolving journey without direction, full of whimsical surprises….

I never thought much about Paris.  Never had a burning desire to travel to France.  But then…I never expected to have a tea company either and we can see where that’s led!

It was only a year ago, that I started what I hoped would be a continuing series called, Travels From a Teacup – which was meant to detail some of the far off places and people that I have met based on a shared passion for tea!  I blogged about my tea-tastic friend in France – having no idea at the time I wrote it that I would indeed GO to France or that, beyond wishful thinking, that I would ever one day actually meet her.

I should have known better, especially having noticed a trend of actualization which seems to happen based on the things I write down. And as a blogger, I guess that leads me lots of places.  Writing has indeed created a wealth of opportunities.

So, considering this recent trend of manifestation, I guess I shouldn’t be all that surprised that suddenly I was in Paris.  Because it did seem sudden.  I was supposed to be on my way to Hawaii....and I ended up in France.  Traveling in, from and with my teacup!  The spontaneity of it all has made it seem all much more dream-like.  Indeed, that Madam Potts went to Paris feels as surreal as it sounds and I am still in a ethereal state of surprise and awe that I was actually in France only a few weeks ago....  This waking dream-state, and feeling like I still have one foot in Paris, feels even more juxtaposed with the summer-season-disco beat revving up here on the Jersey Shore.

but I digress...

I had set out to write about my travels to France.  Instead, I have finally written out that expansive awe that has captivated my heart and soul since I boarded the plane….and in so doing, I support my opening sentence -- that you meet the most fascinating people (and open yourself up to some wildly transformative experiences) all because of a small, hot beverage.

So stay tuned as I, between other such news, reports and reviews, unravel the curiouser journey of Madam Potts in Paris....

Off to France

Oui! Oui! I'm off to Paris to visit my "Tea amie"

Sometimes trading tea leads to more than swapping leaves. It was my good fortune to become acquainted with my friend Mathyld over a year ago during a Tea Swap that I hosted on this blog.

Awhile ago, I had written about Traveling from My Teacup...at the time never thinking that because of my teacup I would end up actually visiting France. I am not sure if I will get all the way to Provence to visit Miss Maple's Tea Room. Hopefully I do get the chance to roll around a field of French Lavender!

So, dear readers, you may not hear much from me in the next 2 weeks...but when I do return, I will have some wonderful pictures, some fun stories and a treasure trove of incredible memories.

Perhaps I'll catch up on some reading, stroll the gardens at Versailles and take in some art!

I definitely plan to throw some tea parties while I am there. I have been having wild imaginings of hosting a Floating Tea Party -- a party that moves in different ways around the world, bringing people together and serving Mad Pots of Tea! (of course)

Madam Potts Serves Tea Around the World

....First stop: Paris, France

Au Revoir!

Have You Tried a Tea Pillow?

There is nothing more relaxing then a warm cup of tea....except for a tea pillow!

I recently received a tea pillow from TeaGW and it has made my daily commute a more relaxing experience. There are 3 different styles and 5 different teas to choose from. My Lavender-filled Travel Pillow offers maximum comfort and greatly improves my posture while driving. For someone like me who is on the on the road often - this product is a life saver (or at the very least, a back saver!)

Read more about my Experience with TeaGW Tea Pillows at my English Tea Channel here.

I Love Lavender!

It grew slowly.

My fascination....my preference...my love... of Lavender.

I cannot say with great authority who or what influenced or introduced me to the intoxicating floral scent, but indeed I have become quite find of its pleasant, clean aroma.

Be it powder, body wash, lotion, tea, satchets, incense or essential oil (in all its many applications), Madam Potts is simply Mad about Lavender!

So it only increased my heart's flutter to have received a lovely package from my "Tea Ami" from Paris, France...featuring none other than Lavender.

Was it the tea cup shaped, hand-sewed satchet, stuffed with Lavender as grown (as the note explained) from a garden in Provence.....or perhaps (what I detect as being:) the Earl Grey with Jasmine Flower & Lavender tea blend, "Espirit du Bouddha"...or the card depicting tea pouring in a lavender themed tea cup....

If I was not already planning to go to Hawaii in March, I would be headed to France. Delayed perhaps, but this trip will happen. And I shall frolic in the fields of French Lavender.

....merci pour l'inspiration!

Wanted Madly: Pourtensious Tea Lights

It was my very special honor to sit down recently with artist Eric Sternfels, of Pourtensious.com, at the Hill Tea Bar in Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill area. Eric's tea-themed lighting sculptures are truly unique: not only is every lamp or chandelier different by way of the variety of chosen tea wares, but every piece looks as if the tea is being being poured from a tea pot!

To look at one of these creations fills one with excitement and whimsy, the depth of which I have yet to meet. This is by far, and no doubt will continue to be, my most coveted "Wanted Madly" item. I want all of them. I want my own tea cafe so that I can fill my space with them. I want everyone I know and has a tea house to buy one of them....

I am madly, madly in love.

The origins of his tea-themed sculptures came from his Mom's wedding shower in the 1950's. Each of her girlfriends gave her a different English floral china cup and saucer. It was his childhood chore to dust these (along with other knick-knacks). After his parents passed away, he found it hard to dispose of the array of cups and saucers that he never remembers ever being used, mind you... Further inspired by a group of Philadelphia found-object sculptors, and needing to replace a bland dining room chandelier, Eric designed his first "pourtensious" fixture, incorporating some of those cups. The rest, as they say, is history.

Each lamp, be it table side or hanging starts with a pot from which it visually depicts tea (or coffee, as he has worked with both themes) being poured into a cup, sitting upon a table or books. He generally works with pre-50's wares, giving each piece an antique flair. My favorite is this piece with the tablecloth (made of copper or brass).

The Hill Tea Bar has about 5-6 of his pieces on loan, although I can't imagine them wanting to get rid of these charming creations. Talk about setting the right ambiance in a tea house!!! Eric also creates collage pictures and greeting cards, also available on his website.

He has a few of his pieces in a few tea shops across the country. He would love to design the lighting for entire cafe, restaurant or bed & breakfast.

And ideas keep pouring in. Next up for Eric is a lone of plant holders which ingeniously use the chain and crystals pouring out from a watering can....another "Wanted Madly" item.

I cannot say enough great tings, not only about the humility and gentility of the artist, but every time I see his work, my face lights up!

Take a Sip Around the World....

I just had the most delectably spontaneous conversation about tea this afternoon at the post office. The same English lady who sees me often come in with boxes and tape and custom forms, was there to receive the 2 packages I was mailing off today. (Sending English Autumn locally, and sending a sample of some to South America).

As I filled out the customs form, waiting in line was an older couple submitting their paperwork for a passport, and in the process of needing pictures taken. I overheard the man complaining how we've lost so many of our privileges and how the world was a different place since 8 years ago today....

As I come up to the counter to hand over my packages for weighing and postage, the man humourously asks me the usual questions that the Post Office Lady usually asks, about if the packages might possibly contain anything 'fragile, liquid, perishable, flammable or potentially hazardous'...

I simply state that I am trading tea with people around the world -- to which the 3 people, the elderly couple and the English post office lady, immediately perked up with great excitement, wondering how is it I get to do that & how ever did I orchestrate such a recurring occurrence - that I might have people around the world with whom to exchange tea.

"They Call me Madam Potts and make my own blends", say I....

Excitement continues, and questions flutter, as do the delicious squeals of 3 people delighting in the idea of sipping custom made teas (no doubt an even more attractive thing on a rainy day like today)...and how those teas get to travel around the world.

Making my exit, I could still hear the kerfuffle of enthusiastic energy that the conversation just stirred up. A conversation enjoyed by 4 random people (perhaps 5 if you count the man quietly listening in filling out forms of his own...).

I have done much travel from a teacup as of late.
From New Zealand to Uruguay, from France, England, Australia and the Philippines.

Orange & PassionFruit Tea from my Tea Friend in Uruguay

and now that I am back from my summer vacationing, I'm sure to brew some fun tales of tea and regale you with my experiences taking Sips Around the World....

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...

First Flush Festival: Take 3

It wasnt too long ago, I blogged about the only working tea plantation in the US. Yes, I was beaming with American pride to find that there is a spot of tea here in the States. and it while researching that entry that I found out about the First Flush Festival.

This year marks the 3rd First Flush Festival. While I couldn't find any information short of a small press release, nor did I find any reviews of the previous 2 Festivals, I made up my mind that this year I would grace the Festival with my presence.
I hope that my readership, if they have attended in the past might be able to fill me in. Or if you live in or around Wadmalaw Island, in South Carolina that you might consider attending the First Flush Festival.

I however will be making the sojourn with 2 extremely fun loving, tea-sipping friends of mine - making quite the pilgrimage from the Northern Jersey Shore Coastline for a whirlwind weekend to celebrate the first harvest of the ever-sacred Camillia Sinensis plant.

Is it crazy to road-trip 13 hours for a one-day Festival in honor of a small warm beverage?

perhaps....

But I AM mad.

Madam Potts is indeeeeeed MAD.

and I hope those of you who can will join me.

For those interested in the Festival or about the Road-Trip, please contact me: TEA CRAZY

*Photo courtesy of Cairns Unlimited

Travels From a Cup: France

Being one who likes to travel, it makes me very excited to have the chance to travel from my tea cup -- that is to exchange, in notes and in tea, with people in other countries. The CommuniTEA, which I talk about often, is a global set -- and it will be my true honor should I ever meet them face to face....as tea has a way of getting people to meet, to sit and to talk, even if only ever for one momentous afternoon.

If you ever get the opportunity to go to France, I will go and visit Miss Maple's Tea Room. I get the feeling that the whimsical, modern edge falls in line with my own tea style. They offer 70 teas, so there is bound to be something that I like...

Indeed, I got to sample their "Montagne Verte" blend, which in my basic French 101 means Green Mountain. This was as captivating a tea as ever was. The aroma, the taste....of green tea and strawberries! I can't tell you what all was in it (as it was not on the label), but I loved their tea!

I am not sure how to get more of their tea, as there is only the myspace link that I have, but no website for Miss Maples Tea Room that I can find so as to buy more...I have told my friend heading back to France to stop by and visit the tea room...here's hoping she does (and brings me back a fabulous blend of tea!)

TEA? What a Capital Idea...

Having gotten a chance to skip on down to our nation's capital to visit a good friend of mine, I was sure to take in the sites, lots of art and of course a few spots of tea.

SPOTLIGHT: Washington D.C.

The first of two places that I visited was Teaism - an urban Asian tea house/restaurant.

The contemporary decor, eclectic menu from Japan, India and Thailand, and large assortment of teas (50+ types) means you could come in and have a new taste experience each time. You walk up to the counter to order and bring your order to your seat, which makes this a very accessible, non-pretentious place to bring anyone whether or not they were into tea and/or just liked Asian food.

I had the Tie Guanyin - robust, woodsy flavor -- it was so good that I walked next door to their Tea Shop, replete with teas, tea pots, and all things tea - and purchased some to take home as a little reminder of my trip to DC. I had ordered soup and a bento box. The food is good, as is the tea. And with 3 locations around DC, easy, accessible and convenient are the big words here.

INSIDERS TIP:
Check the mural in the loo!

If you happen to be in Washington DC, you'll need a bite to eat and a cuppa while checking out the many and historic sights of our capital. After our Teaism excursion, we went on to conquer the National Gallery.

************************************

Then on the same trip to DC, I had a day by myself, without the company of my hosts. I headed to Georgetown to saunter in and out of the shops, I took in a movie. I headed to the waterfront, which will be splendid in the warmer months, though desolate in January - thoroughly enjoying my walk-about. As I wended my way through the streets, lo and behold I found a tea house. I was not looking for one, but sure enough my feet led me straight to Ching Ching Cha on Wisconsin Avenue.

This is no ordinary tea house. Ching Ching Cha is an experience. Heavy Wooden tables, mother-of-pearl insets, Chinese music lull you into an almost reverent state. I sit down and the lady brings me a large iron pot of water on an ornate stand, and a cloth-covered menu of teas. I selected a 10 year old Pu-erh, which was a musky, woody tea of beautiful amber liqueur, which they serve in traditional Gong Fu style. I ordered a tasty snack of curry beef roll. I read my book, and relaxed for over an hour.

By far the biggest treat of the trip was going to Ching Ching Cha.