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What’s In My Cup: Red Dragon Chai

28 Monday Dec 2020

Posted by jennsmidlifecrisis in Food

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#whatsinmycup, Christmas, food, holiday, tea, what's in my cup


I think Christmas is a wonderful time to drink tea.
And also after Christmas and before Christmas, and all the other days.

~Unkown

With no travel this Christmas (for the first time in 47 years), I had ample time to sip tea from an assortment of cups and tea pots. Last week, my friend and I each bought a box of Stash tea, and we traded some sachets. Her pick was Holiday Chai. My pick was Red Dragon Chai!

Red Dragon is a red rooibos base and therefore has no caffeine. It also contains cinnamon, ginger root, and clove. I found it a warm, comforting and cozy addition to the holidays. In fact, that’s how I started my Christmas morning. The aroma reminds me of apple cinnamon, and the colour is a rosy hue. The spice was lighter and brighter than Holiday Chai, which tasted strongly of clove. Instead, Red Dragon had a pleasant and balanced blend of spices. In fact, I used the tea bag a second time in a pot of regular black tea, and it added a soothing hint of chai.

I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.

Charles Dickens

Happy Monday!

Tea Time

14 Monday Dec 2020

Posted by jennsmidlifecrisis in Food

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#whatsinmycup, food, food photography, tea, tea cups, tea quotes, tea time, teaaddict, what's in my cup


This morning, as I write, it is starting to snow lightly. I am writing this and sipping tea from a Royal Albert tea cup. Meanwhile, a chainsaw whines down the street. Life is like that. A mixture of tranquility and activity rolled up together, and it’s important that we find some balance between the two. Time with tea can help.

“Tea time” is a time meant to be savoured. It’s a time to slow down, gather your thoughts, regain your strength. Whether it’s a visit with a friend, an escape into a good book, or simply time to sit down and draw up your to-do list, we ought to leave it with a renewed sense of peace.

Our “tea time” may not always be formal. Let’s face it – long gone are the days when proper ladies deferred most of the household and childcare duties to their staff, and so engaged in more formal tea times. These days I’m swilling tea “on the go”, leaving a trail of tea rings and empty china mugs all around the house.

There are different types of “tea time”. Let’s begin with the 2 most familiar : High and Low Tea.

High Tea, or Meat Tea, is a meal served when the family is home from their daily activities. It is, in fact, more like a light supper and may include meat dishes and sweets, along with tea. Its name originated from the height of the table, that is to say it was served at a table. In the lower classes, high tea and the evening meal were essentially the same thing because the main meal would be eaten mid-day in order to sustain them during the long working hours.

High Tea and Low Tea are often confused. When we delight in finger sandwiches, dainty biscuits, and buttery scones, we are, in fact, partaking of Low Tea or Afternoon Tea. Yes, we are ordinarily seated at a table. Originally, low tea would be served on low tables beside comfortable arm chairs, and tea cups held in the hand. Again, the height of the table determines the name. Loose leaf tea and delicacies would be served from a cart or a tray, rather than on a table, and Tea would be taken in a reputable hotel, or in the garden or formal parlour of a lady.

Tea might also be determined by the terms “Light” and “Full”. Light tea is a lighter version of Low Tea served with only scones or a few sweets. Full Tea, however, includes a 4-course menu of finger sandwiches, scones, sweets, and a rich dessert. The finger sandwiches are really what separate these two.

Cream Teas are similar to Low Tea in the fare that is served, with the prominant addition of devonshire or clotted cream. Fresh cream, which is denser and creamier than whipped cream, is spread on scones, often accompanied by fresh berries or preserves. Clotted cream is non-pasteurized milk that is heated to form creamy clots on the top, which are spooned off once the cream cools.

Nursery Tea is pretty obvious! It’s a late afternoon meal for the children and caregivers that included bread or toast, honey and jam, and scones. Milk or apple cider may be served, rather than tea.

Ham Teas are small meals consisting of tea and hearty sandwiches. This would be my husband’s first choice, the sandwiches, not so much the tea! 🙂

Royal Tea is a full tea time that includes champagne or sherry at the end. (Sweets and champagne – yes please!)

And finally, one of my favourites: Elevenses! I first heard the term when reading Lord of the Rings. Having just left the Shire, connected with Aragorn, and began a rather long journey into the wild, the Hobbit, Pippin first whines, then laments all the meals he’s going to miss. Including Second Breakfast or Elevenses, which is a late morning snack of tea and pastry, similar to a coffee break.

I think I enjoy elevenses at more than just 11:00 o’clock. I hear the kettle calling!
There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea. Henry James
Happy Monday!

What’s In My Cup: Lychee Pear Green

07 Monday Dec 2020

Posted by jennsmidlifecrisis in Food

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#whatsinmycup, food, food photography, green tea, photography, tea, teaaddict, what's in my cup


Up until 2 weeks ago, Lychee Pear Green Tea was at the top of my list. It’s still in the top 2!

This green tea is decaffeinated, which makes it a great late evening sip or a lazy Sunday afternoon delight. It contains decaffeinated green tea, maltodextrin, and concentrated lychee puree. Lychee fruit comes from a tropical tree in Asia. It contains several healthy minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Some say it tastes likes grapes with rosewater, while others describe it as pear or watermelon. Hmm… In this tea, I’d describe it as a bright, slightly sweet and slightly tart pear with a subtle grassy note. Now I’m not a fan of green tea, and I find a lot of green tea with flavour just clashes. It’s like the flavours are trying to overpower the green. But here, it’s a perfect pairing!

Drink your tea slowly and reverently,
As if it is the axis on which the whole earth revolves
Slowly, evenly without rushing toward the future.
Live the actual moment.

-Thich Nhat Hanh

Happy Monday!

What’s in My Cup: Chocolate Chai

30 Monday Nov 2020

Posted by jennsmidlifecrisis in Food, Foolishness

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#whatsinmycup, chocolate, food, food photography, food. chocolate, tea, what's in my cup


Dear Monday, I want to break up. It’s not you – it’s me. I ‘m seeing Tuesday and dreaming about Friday. xoxo

It’s been a day and it’s not over yet! I did something to my back last night, and while it’s better today, it’s not great! I had hoped to stay quiet but with impending bad weather, I decided to grit my teeth and make my weekly pilgrimage to the grocery store. I took my friend…which means a 1 hour job takes much…much longer. But I also appreciated the help.

I got home to find out my David’s Tea order is a mess, even after spending 40 minutes on hold on Saturday to fix said mess. Multiple emails say it wasn’t completed but my cart is empty. The wrong amount was still charged to my credit card, and after 3 hours of waiting online and on the phone, I’m losing hope it will be resolved!

Time to put the kettle on!

Not all good teas come from fancy stores. Admittedly, you get what you pay for and those fancy stores sell quality teas. But I raised to be a thrifty girl. Treats are treats because I don’t have them all the time! So I’m pleased with my President’s Choice Chocolatey Chai tea!

Chocolate Fixes everything…

This was an impulse buy on a drizzly day, just like today. Not only can I taste the chocolate, the undertone of spices enhance it. It contains roasted chicory root, carob pod, spices, cocoa shells, natural flavour, ginger root, licorice root, and cocoa. I find many of the chai blends have such a strong pepper taste, or such a potent ginger heat, that they are unpleasant (or I have to really be in the mood for pepper and heat). I’ve also found that many chocolate teas don’t taste like chocolate, or it’s so watered down, it’s limp! This was similar to S’more Chocolate Chai from David’s Tea, but this was creamier (and it doesn’t contain any cream). It’s also herbal, whereas David’s is definately caffeinated! Not bad for box of 20 satchets under $5.

Wanna know a secret! I’ve actually started opening a tea bag into a bowl, and I add a skimpy 1/4 tsp. to an infuser and drop it in my teapot in the mornings, with a regular black tea bag. The whole pot is infused with a note of chocolate and spice, and that, my friends, is balm for the soul.

Even on a crappy Monday! Cheers!

What’s in my Cup: Pomegranate Raspberry Green Tea

23 Monday Nov 2020

Posted by jennsmidlifecrisis in Food

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#whatsinmycup, food, food photography, tea, what's in my cup, winter


It may only November, but by yesterday afternoon, it was “beginning to look a lot like Christmas”. Bing Crosby was by no means the author or the first to record this song, but I always hear his voice crooning it this time of year.

I don’t know if it’s because of covid restrictions or the fact that I’m not as stressed as in years past (mostly because I’m not working and I don’t have little people at home) but, like so many others, I’m ready for twinkling lights and seasonal spices.

I don’t want to rush the season, though it does seem to get shorter every year. We usually celebrate Little Guy’s birthday before breaking out the decorations. Sipping something sweet with a rich, rosy colourm however, while snow fell silently (and kids and dogs delighted not so quietly), felt right.

Stash’s Pom-Rasp Green tea contains hibiscus, orange peel chamomile, pomegrantate and raspberry flavour, citric acid and matcha! The warm, rosy hue and delicately tart scent of berries was inviting. Unlike most green teas, this one was also a delight to the tastebuds. I have had other pomegranate teas, including green teas, but they lacked body and the green tea was easily distinguishable. Or in one case, it tasted more like hot fruit juice. Yuck! If Stash hadn’t identified “green tea” in the name, I wouldn’t have noticed. This was citrusy and bold; I really liked it.

It went really well with warm homemade muffins made with french vanilla yogurt and frozen cherries, raspberries, strawberries and pomegranate.

Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers.

Khalil Gibran

May your cup of tea overflow with peace, love, joy and awesomeness today!

What’s in my Cup: Blueberry Jam

16 Monday Nov 2020

Posted by jennsmidlifecrisis in Food

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#whatsinmycup, food, food photography, tea, what's in my cup


I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill.

Fats Domino

Dark, sweet, and plump, blueberries are a great way to start the day…and maybe end it too. They’re the most nutrient-rich berry, packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium, and plenty of healing properties.

When they’re added to jams or muffins, the calorie content increases. That’s not the blueberries fault! David’s Blueberry Jam tea lets you enjoy the juicy taste of blueberries without adding sugar. This tea from David’s is a blend of organic black tea, organic black currants, organic blueberries, organic elderberries, cornflower petals,and stevia. It’s also kosher and Fairtrade.

I made this tea the other evening and took it with me in the car. The whole car smelled deliciously fruity! More importantly, the flavour is a strong, natural blueberry note, while still retaining the robustness I want in a black tea. I often find flavoured black teas are weak, artificial or very grassy, but this is very satisfying, not cloying or tart. It’s now a “must-have” in my every day supply!

Advice from a Blueberry

* Be well-rounded * Soak up the sun

* Live a fruitful life * It’s ok to be a little blue

* Make sweet memories!

Happy Monday!

What’s In My Cup: Canadian Breakfast

09 Monday Nov 2020

Posted by jennsmidlifecrisis in Food

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#whatsinmycup, canadian, foodphotography, tea, teaaddict, teacup, what's in my cup, whatsinmycup


English, Irish, Scottish, or Canadian. Regardless of which country has it’s name in the title, “Breakfast teas” are a robust blend of tea with a higher caffeine level meant to help you kick-start your day. Breakfast teas are usually a blend made with Assam tea, which is from where the high caffeine content comes.

Canadian Breakfast tea is made by Nourish Tea Co., a company that believes in providing organic (as much as possible) and supports estates that are sustainable, ethical and abide by fair labour practices. In this case, it is an orange pekoe Canadian Breakfast tea is more like an orange pekoe tea but it’s Kosher, Organic, and Fair Trade Certified. The tea leaves come from a single estate in from Sri Lanka. I couldn’t find it on their website, oddly enough, but it is available on Well.ca.

It had the robustness expected of a “breakfast” tea, with it’s own unique warming, malty flavour. Plus the caffeine kick I need on a Monday morning.

Warning: Going to sleep on Sunday night will cause Monday morning. Please note that staying awake all night Sunday night does not prevent Monday. There is no cure!

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday!

02 Monday Nov 2020

Posted by jennsmidlifecrisis in Food, Foolishness

≈ 4 Comments

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#whatsinmycup, halloween, tea, what's in my cup


It was snowing when I went to bed last night, and a frosty wind is blowing over the snow-covered ground this morning. Only two days ago, we were peeling off our sweaters and rolling in the leaves.

What a way to start a Monday…Yuck!

Yesterday, as I drove to the pharmacy, I couldn’t help but notice the contrast of Halloween decorations and Christmas decorations littering people’s front yards. I wonder if people’s minds are also in the midst of making the shift from pumpkin-spiced whatevers to peppermint whatevers.

Not this old girl… Why rush into Christmas? Why not savour the shift in the seasons? My friend and I, we will be hanging on to our pumpkin-spiced chai and munching on mini chocolate bars…for a few more weeks…even if we have to dig out our winter woolies!

Happy Monday everyone! Go put on your kettle, and may your tea be stronger than whatever Mondays throws at you!

What’s in My Cup: Monster Mash

26 Monday Oct 2020

Posted by jennsmidlifecrisis in Uncategorized

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#whatsinmycup, halloween, tea, what's in my cup, whatsinmycup


Thanks to Covid-19, we won’t have any little ghosts or ghouls (or when I was a kid, fairy princess ballerinas)! But that doesn’t mean we can’t still have a party – a tea party. Well…for one!

Monster Mash, from David’s tea is a spook-tacular. This caffeine-free rooibos tea contains pumpkin, cinnamon, apple, sugar, carrots, ginger, cardamom, clove buds, and nutmeg. Purple moon and pink witch hat sugar sprinkles (pumpkin pie & butter flavour) make it delightfully “festive”!

This tea has received mixed reviews. Some found it too sweet, and it appears sugar and sprinkles were not originally in the blend. Reviewers comments also included phrases like “fresh & fruity”, “Chai & Spicy” or “Herbal & Arromatic”. I didn’t know what to expect!

After steeping for 4-5 minutes, I was ready to sip this burnt orange cuppa. The aroma reminded me more of an apple dessert than pumpkin. Still…yum! This tisane really delivered a warming apple cider flavour with a touch of heat from the ginger. I could also taste carrot, but pumpkin, not so much. It was on the sweeter side, but sometimes I crave something a little sweet, especially after dinner. It’s a great way to avoid a sugary dessert. Overall, I was very happy. But if I had to choose a “pumpkin-y” tea, I would choose Pumpkin Chai over this!

Now everything’s cool, Drac’s a part of the band
And my Monster Mash is the hit of the land
For you, the living this mash was meant too
When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you

Leonard Capizzi / Bob Pickett, The Monster Mash

Let’s party!

What’s In My Cup: Blueberry Green Tea

21 Monday Sep 2020

Posted by jennsmidlifecrisis in Food

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#whatsinmycup, food, food photography, tea, what's in my cup


I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill. – Fats Domino

Green tea is one of the most popular types of tea consumed in North America. It’s packed full of health benefits. And to reap those health benefts, 3-5 cups of tea are recommended per day. Green tea does contain caffeine, with approximately 33 mg per cup; black tea is approximately 50 mg. Green tea is also approximately 99% water, so it’s a great way to rehydrate.

But…when drinking flavoured green teas, one needs to watch out for added sugar. That’s one of the reasons I like Tetley green teas – they don’t use any sweeteners.  

I’m not a big of green tea, but I find some flavours with a green tea really help to tone down the grassy or bitter flavour I associate with it. Tetley’s Blueberry Green tea was delicate and sweet, and very aromatic! In a blind taste test, I’m not sure I would guess blueberry, but definately I would guess berries.

It’s best enjoyed hot. I find, as with many teas and not just green tea, that it becomes more bitter as it cools. Pay attention to your steeping time. Green tea that is steeped too long, regardless of brand or flavour, will go bitter, and there’s no way to fix it!

This was perfect for a Sunday afternoon with a good book and a healthy treat…except maybe for the few berries I sugared! lol

Blueberry Green

Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea! How did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea. – Rev. Sydney Smith

Happy Monday!

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