What’s In My Cup: Cinnamon Vanilla

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food, tea, tea addict, tea cups, tea lover, tea photography, tea review, tea time, vanilla

Yesterday, I was sitting by the worship leader waiting for the pre-service meeting to start, when she started apologizing to me for her “stinky” hand lotion.

To be honest, I hadn’t noticed. I was lost in my own thoughts; it had been a particular discouraging morning!

But sure enough, sweet vanilla whispered in my nose.

It reminded me that I had recently discovered one lonely Cinnamon Vanilla sachet in my tea drawer at home. So this morning, I rooted around like a pig in mud, until I found it.

This morning’s tea comes from Stash Tea, a company that was founded in 1972 in Oregon, and is a subsidiary of Yamamotoyama Tea Company.

This particular blend is made of up cinnamon, chamomile, rooibos, sarsaparilla, and vanilla extract. The colour was an inviting honey brown and the aroma, intoxicating. Even Youngest Son, with little sense of smell, was drawn to it! Vanilla was the predominant scent but there was also something floral that lingered.

I couldn’t wait to start sipping.

The best way to really describe the flavour is “warmth”. Bright vanilla washed over my tongue, followed by a hint of spicyness at the back of the tongue and in my nose. Finally, there was a faint grassy note from the chamomile and a slight numbness on my tongue, as if I had just eaten a piece of black licorice.

That isn’t so surprising. Sarsaparilla is an herb that tastes like a mixture of licorice, wintergreen and vanilla. It’s the same herb used to make root beer! Sarsparilla vines produce starchy, edible roots and small berries. In the 1800’s, Sarsparilla was also soda!

Vanilla is also an edible fruit, the only one in the orchid family, the largest family of flowering plants in the world. Every vanilla bean has a unique colour, flavour and aroma.

Cinnamon and vanilla fit together like warm socks on snowy days. At first glance, it’s not really a logical pairing but it does make sense to combine 2 great flavours. I’m glad the tea sommelier’s at Stash made this match. It’s also an herbal tea, so perfect for a evening cup.

Might as well go for a soda
Nobody hurts and nobody cries

Kim Mitchell

Happy Monday!

Heigh-Ho Silver!

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#whatsinmycup, cleaning, tea, tea addict, tea lover, tea party, tea photography, tea pots, tea time, what's in my cup

My house is slowly returning to its natural state after the Christmas holidays. The tree and most of the decorations are packed away, the surfaces are dusted, and most of the needles are swept up. There will always be a few that will make an unexpected appearance throughout the year.

I missed a “December job” in the hustle and bustle of preparing for the holidays and it’s always nice to start the New Year fresh. I polished my silver. My silver tea set was a wedding gift from my grandmother and I need to polish it about once a year.

Let’s say you’ve had a tea party…but the party is over! You need to clean the pot, creamer and sugar bowl.

First, remove your jewelry (i.e., rings, bracelets) so you don’t scratch any surfaces. You may want to trim your fingernails too. Most silverware isn’t pure silver and the other materials used can be soft and scratch easily.

Dishwashers are out. The high temperature and rough action of a machine can discolour or damage it. Hand wash it gently in soapy water with a soft cloth (preferably cotton). Abrasive cloths can cause damage but so can forceful rubbing. Don’t use a detergent that has citrus in it because it can cause spotting. Always wash silver by itself; other dishes an cause damage and other metallic pieces can cause discoloration.

Rinse it well with warm water and dry it well with a soft towel before putting it away. Some experts suggest wearing soft gloves whenever handling silver, except for pouring at your party. This reduces oils and other substances from smudging the shiny exterior and accelerating tarnishing.

Silver tarnishes or changes into copper or black, when it comes into contact with moisture, sulfur, and other components in the air. It will tarnish faster in places with higher humidity or higher levels of air pollution. Silver kept in a box will tarnish slower and it may be several years in between the hard work, but why store it when you can use?

Anyone who has ever seen a period piece, like Downton Abbey, has most likely witnessed the “staff” polishing the silver. While regular maintenance decreases the time-consuming task of cleaning a blackened item, who really has the time (or the staff) to polish silver?

Removing tarnish is pretty much the same process as washing: No jewelry, soft cloths, and warm water.

I use a commercial silver polish. Mine is a cream, but they also come in liquid form. I moisten my cloth and rub it lightly on the silver. As the colour is transferred to the cloth, I switch sections on the cloth so that I’m not wiping “dirt” with “dirt”. I use warm water to rinse, and rinse it well. Sometimes, I have to repeat the whole rub and rinse process to ensure I get it all or so I can see where I missed! I dry the silver very with a soft cloth.

Some silver pros insist on back-and-forth motions, while others insisted in small circles. Do what works for you!

Alternatively, commercial grade “dips” are available but they use very strong chemicals and could damage the silver, so read the instructions carefully. They can often be used the same as polish if you want to reduce the risk.

I was given a homemade recipe for a “dip” process. I tried it once, but didn’t find it very effective. The first item was a silver bell and it was badly tarnished, so this recipe may not have been strong enough to tackle the years of neglect. I also found it less effective for larger items, like my tea pot, because I could only fit so much of the pot in at a time, and it had awkward angles. But here it is for the adventurous:

Cover the bottom of a glass or plastic pan with aluminum foil. Add 1 cup of boiling water, 2 tsp. baking soda and 1 tsp. salt to the pan. Drop the silver in the liquid, making sure each piece is touching. Rinse and buff dry. Repeat as necessary.

It can be labour intensive, but with proper care, your silver can always stay shiny for years to come. Don’t be afraid to use the good dishes!

Here, on this clean balcony, white and impersonal with centuries of sun, I think of half-past-four at Manderley, and the table drawn before the library fire. The door flung open, punctual to the minute, and the performance, never-varying, of the laying of the tea, the silver tray, the kettle, the snowy cloth.

Daphne Du Maurier

What’s in my Cup?

Tags

food, humour, New Year's, resolution, tea, tea addict, tea lover, tea photography, tea time

Well, here we are! The first Monday after the holiday break. That “new year” smell still in our nostrils, our toes itching to jump into new opportunities. It smells like “hope” and burns like toe fungus.

Who am I trying to kid?

The few pounds I lost before Christmas came back, with friends. If I’m lucky, I will be wearing jeans by Spring. Hello stretchy-pants! That will be about the time I finally eradicate the glitter and sequins from the dollar store sparkle tissue paper, in my house. I like sparkles, just not in my underwear. Of course there’s a story, but one of my resolutions is to be more lady-like. 😉

I’m not holding my breath!

So in an effort to stave off a Christmas hangover, I am settling in today to make plans.

I didn’t say what kind of plans!

I’m also eating the last stale doughnut and chugging black tea by the potful. Caffeine kicks in within an hour of consumption, creating an energetic and alert sensation. It also helps to hydrate…which leads to the need to tinkle. The only exercise I get can’t come from long walks to the fridge! Too much caffeine can have side effects too! Black teas have less caffeine than coffee but still pack a greater punch than green or white tea.

This girl needed a punch this morning. Getting out of bed for school and food shopping was really painful. I’d much rather roll out closer to noon and slowly melt into the day. A girl can dream.

Or plan…

I don’t like making plans because then the word “premeditated” gets thrown around the courtroom.

Unknown

What’s in My Cup: Buddha’s Blend

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#whatsinmycup, food, peace, tea, tea addict, tea lover, tea photography, tea time, teacup, what's in my cup

I’m a day late! That’s because life happened and plans changed, but it was all good.

Eldest Son texted in the early hours of my morning to see if it was OK for him to bring his girlfriend and crash for the night. They have a funeral today. I’ll take any chance to see my kid even if it means panic-cleaning my bedroom, bathroom and living room. I packed my bag and moved into the office before I dashed out the door for a highly anticipated meeting at a nearby Tim Hortons with a special person.

During Covid, we have both been extra careful. And as a caregiver she’s chosen to like a hermit. I was so excited to throw caution to the wind to meet in a less busy place. We sat by the fire in the corner, in comfy chairs, and chatted away a good portion of the afternoon.

By the time I got home, I didn’t feel like doing much. Including cooking dinner. I stretched leftovers and cooked sweet potatoes, and just so I couldn’t feel guilty, I made butterscotch peanut butter marshmallow squares. I have a baking wish list that would require me to bake something everyday between now and Christmas, and with a sewing order still to complete, my list may have to be edited. Hubby will also be off as of Friday, for the remainder of the month, and as much as I love him, I really like the peace and tranquility of being home alone when there’s lots to do.

So I decided to take some time to enjoy just that – peace and tranquility, with a hot cup of David’s Tea Buddha’s Blend…and some candles.

Buddha’s blend is a mixture of white tea, green tea, jasmine pearls, white hibiscus blossoms and artificial peach flavouring. This tea supports the Ethical Tea Partnership, which promotes safe and fair working conditions and sustainable resources.

White and green tea leaves share the same plant, but white tea is harvested before the buds are opened. They are usually plucked by hand because they require delicate handling. Both green and white tea leaves undergo little processing, but white leaves are not fermented, therefore retaining three times more beneficial antioxidant properties than green tea. Antioxidants help strengthen the immune system and with seasonal sniffles around the corner, we could all use a boost. One cup of white tea contains approximately 12 times as many antioxidants as fresh orange juice, and contains less caffeine than green tea.

I had this particular tea in a pre-fabricated tea bag made of a fine, silky mesh, rather than loose leaf. However, the bag is large enough to allow the water to permeate and move the tea leaves for better steeping. It was also fun to watch the leaves uncurl and expland.

The dry tea smelled deliciously fruity. It had both delicate floral and peach notes. I had trouble identifying the fruit until I read the ingredients on the website. The sachet just said artificial flavour. It also had that distinctive grassy note from the green tea, but when it was hot, it wasn’t overpowering.

As it cooled, however, the green tea became more pungent and bitter. Here’s why: I didn’t follow my own advice when it comes to steeping green or white tea. I heated the water to a whopping 212F and both green and white prefer less heat. The website recommended 175F. I also steeped for more than the recommended 1-2 minutes. Neither of these instructions were on the sachet.

Several reviewers commented on the timing. One commentator even posted: “…when brewed incorrectly, even by just a few degrees or extra seconds, the tea quickly becomes a bitter mess. The bitterness is so bad that I’ve had to dump out several cups”.

I may have done it wrong but it wasn’t that bad! On the plus side, both white and green tea can be steeped 2-3 more times, so I can try it again. With each steeping, the flavour decreases, but I don’t mind. I’ll just sit quietly for a minute or two, sipping slowly and watching the snow fall.

Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.

Desmond Tutu

What’s In My Cup: Blueberry Superfruit

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#whatsinmycup, food, tea, tea addict, tea lover, tea photography, tea quotes, tea review, tea time, what's in my cup

Fall has finally caught up with us. The landscape is a palette of browns and the sky a plethera of greys. Even the birds aren’t visiting the feeder. They’re probably still hunkered down under a blanket of down in their nests. It’s kind of a blue day, and a Monday too!

Blueberries to rescue!

Packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium, and plenty of healing properties, blueberries are the most nutrient-rich berry. That’s why they call them “Super fruit”!

Blueberry Superfruit by Stash is an herbal blend of hibiscus, lemongrass, orange peel, rose hips, chircory root, licorice root, natural blueberry flavour, blueberry powder, and acai berry. But while it is caffeine free, the blueberry powder does contain cane sugar. Both the aroma and flavour were inviting and it has a lovely rosy hue. It’s definitely blueberry with a sweet and spirted flavour. There is a bit of an aftertaste though and I suspect it comes from the artificial flavouring. I still like it, but if I had to choose a favourite blueberry tea, I would still choose David’s Blueberry Jam.

These sweet sachets were shared by Eldest Son’s girlfriend, who is sweet and spirited too.

When your day seems topsy-turvy and as stormy as can be
There’s nothings quite as tranquil as a nice hot cup of tea.

Unknown

Happy Monday!

Repurposed

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#whatsinmycup, food, hope, repurposed, tea, tea addict, tea cups, tea lover, tea photography, tea time

Creativity is making marvelous out of the discarded.

Unknown

I’ve spent the last 2 weeks working on some projects, always with tea close at hand. I turned Youngest Son’s “hole-y” jeans into a purse.

Slide the Arrows to see the front and back!!!

And like any good crafter, I see potential in everything. Especially if it’s free because, let’s face it, “retiring” so early means I don’t have an extensive budget. There’s also something magical about repurposing an item to create something new. I have a pair of perfectly good cable knit slipper socks (minus the heels) that are about to reborn as a pair of gnomes! I hope.

There are a lot cool ideas for teaware as well, and I thought I’d share 3 garden ideas today. It’s never too early to start planning for Spring!

My creative |Auntie M used an old, unremarkable tea cup to create birdfeeder for my garden.

With a little heavy-duty glue, old mugs and spoons can also be repurposed to feed our feathered friends.

And finally, old teapots and metal kettles can become vessels for herbs or flowers. These succulents will share my office desk until Spring, when they can once again grace my front porch!

I love older things that people have used and charished. They have personality, character, and soul.

Anne Hillegasse

What’s In My Cup: Maple Rooibos

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#whatsinmycup, food, tea, tea addict, tea cups, tea lover, tea photography, tea review, tea time, what's in my cup

As the days turn colder (though we’ve really enjoyed an extended warm spell), I find my tea tastes change from the bright, fruity flavours of summer to something richer and spicier. This tea is a wonderful transition between the two.

Rooibos or Red Bush is a shrub from the legume family that grows in the mountainous regions of South Africa. Guess what colour it is? 🙂 Though prepared in the same way as black tea, it also has a sweet and earthy flavour. On its own or paired with other flavours, like vanilla or maple, it’s almost as satisfying as a cup of black tea, which is essential for a die-hard tea granny! There is no caffeine and the fresh leaves are high in Vitamin C. Not all red teas are Rooibos teas, so remember to check the label.

I wasn’t sure about this Maple Rooibos when I first opened the satchet. The aroma was very strong and sickly sweet. It reminded me of burnt sugar. Once steeped, the aroma was much lighter, but still had that sweet, burnt quality. The flavour, however, was well-balanced. Yes, sweet, but with an earthy, roasty undertone from cocoa shells and licorice root. It had the warmth and depth, and velvetiness I was anticipating. The colour was more of a golden red, rather than a deep red, but in the end, it’s all about flavour!

This President’s Choice tea also didn’t cost me my firstborn. I’ve said this before…just because a box of tea has a high price tag does not necessarily mean that it’s high quality. And just because something isn’t “the best of the best” doesn’t mean it’s not good.

It’s also calorie-free. I think Maple Rooibos will be perfect on rainy autumn afternoons, chilly winter nights, or anytime I’m craving something sweet! (Even now, I hear cookies calling my name…)

Today we will live in the moment…unless it’s unplesant, in which case we will eat a cookie.

Cookie Monster

Welcome October

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autumn, Fall, food, nature, tea, tea addict, tea cups, tea lover, tea photography, tea quotes, tea time, teacup

Pale amber sunlight falls across
The reddening October trees,
That hardly sway before a breeze
As soft as summer: summer’s loss
Seems little, dear! on days like these.

Autumnal by Ernest Dowson

Cheers

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monarchy, photography, tea, tea addict, tea cups, tea lover, tea photography, tea time

Cheers to a great Lady on her final journey, Queen Elizabeth II.

Coronation Tea Cup

God save the King!

Fairy Tea

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#whatsinmycup, food, garden, nature, photography, poetry, tea, tea addict, tea lover, tea party, tea photography, tea quotes

‘T was very, very long ago, in days no longer snug
When giant stood about so high and pixies all were young
The Queen of Fairies said one day, ‘I’m tired of honey-dew,
So hasten now, and mix for me a cup of something new’.

‘It must lift the drooping spirit, it must heal the wounded heart;
It must bring the smile of happiness, and bid the tear depart;
It must make the young grow younger, and the old no longer old;
It must make the poor contented, and the rich forget their gold’.
…

…
When it boiled, they cooled and poured it, so the ancient story goes;
And to the Queen they brought it in the chalice of a rose.
She sipped, delighted; then she cried: ‘I issue this decree;
The cup you have so deftly brewed, I christen “Fairy Tea”!’.

So when you see the fairy folk “at home” in Dingle Dell,
All sipping something dainty from their cups of heather-bell,
You will notice they are happy, as good as fairies ought to be,
And that’s because they always use their famous Fairy Tea.

Fairy Tea by D.K.S., Old Wives Tales, St. Nicholas: an illustrated Magazine for Young Folks, Volume 40, 1914

Happy Labour Day!