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Tag Archives: #whatsinmycup

The “Mikado” Tea Cup

11 Monday Jan 2021

Posted by jennsmidlifecrisis in Food

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#whatsinmycup, food, tea, tea cups, tea time, whatsinmycup


The Derby Crown Porcelain Company was established in 1876, and was granted permission to use the title ‘Royal’ and the Royal Arms by Queen Victoria in 1890.

The Mikado pattern was inspired by rice paper drawings. It was designed in 1894 by Thomas Amos Reid, the art director at the Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company. Each piece in the set depicts different chapters of the famous Mikado Opera, which opened at the London Savoy Theatre on March 14, 1885. Gilbert & Sullivan ‘s satirical musical ran 672 times at the Savoy. By the end of 1885, an esitmated 150 European and American theatre companies were performing the opera.

This cup is a cobalt blue pattern on white fine bone china; the edges are scalloped and edged in 24kt gold trim. While this pattern was crafted in various colours, the cobalt blue was particularly popular in North America. It’s vintage falls between 1921 and 1940.

The theatre is not the place for the musician. When the curtain is up the music interrupts the actor, and when it is down the music interrupts the audience.

Arthur Sullivan

Happy Monday!

2020’s What’s In My Cup Review

04 Monday Jan 2021

Posted by jennsmidlifecrisis in Food, Foolishness

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#whatsinmycup, food, New Year's, tea


Happy New Year!

They say it’s good to look at where you’ve been to help you plan where you are going. I don’t know who “they” are, but “they” obviously didn’t just live through the past year.

Have you started making resolutions or plans, and if so, how many have you broken already? 😉

Each new day is an opportunity to start afresh, to see each new day as an opportunity to embrace life’s events not fear what lies ahead. 

Byron Pulsifer

So without fear, let’s pour of cup of tea and review 2020’s What’s In My Cup posts. (I promise, it’ll be short!)

In 2020, I posted 25 tea reviews and researched 9 tea cups and 1 tea pot. If I had to pick my favourite flavour for the year, I would have to say Pomegranate Raspberry Green Tea. Just Peachy as an iced tea was a close second.

I explored 2 tea time additions, honey and lemon, experimented with hot brew vs. cold brew, and researched skinny tea, to dunk or not to dunk, the types of “tea times“, and Irish hospitality. I tried a recipe for tea-stained chicken and shared a cookie recipe. And I sampled my first Irish coffee. Sláinte!

It takes strength to step enthusiastically into each day of our lives. This strength comes more readily on some days than on others, but every day makes demands on us.

Karen Casey, The Promise of a New Day

Planning for the new year includes all my posts here on jennsmidlifecrisis, and as always, I’m open to ideas. Have a tea cup you want to learn more about? Share a pic and I’ll see what I can do. Have a question? Pass it on. Is there something you like? I could always use some encouragement. Is there something you’ve always wanted to try but didn’t have the nerve, maybe I’ll test the waters for you? Unless it involves sky-diving…I’m not skydiving, no matter how much you encourage me!

In our current global situation, where opportunities are limited and interaction is discouraged, dreaming is not. I encourage you to step enthusiastically into each day, as well as take time with your cup of tea, and let your imagination go…

Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you, Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be, dream a little dream of me

Ella Fitzgerald

Happy Monday!

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!

What’s in my Cup: Holiday Tea

21 Monday Dec 2020

Posted by jennsmidlifecrisis in Food

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Tags

#whatsinmycup, Christmas, holiday, tea, tea addict, whatsinmycup


Good friends don’t let you do stupid things…alone.

Last week, my friend and I each purchased a box of Stash tea, and then we traded, half and half. It’s a great way to try two new flavours without the expense!

One of those teas was Holiday Chai. It’s is an aromatic blend of assam and darjeeling tea, with cinnamon, all-spice, clove, ginger root, natural gingerbread and run flavours, and nutmeg oil. It’s a spicy chai with a bit of heat. I found the clove was the strongest flavour and tended to overpowered the other spices. The nutmeg oil also leaves a strange film on the surface. It has a warm rosy colour and a strong spice bouquet conducive to dreaming of sugarplums.

It’s lovely with homemade orange-cranberry scones too!

Until one feels the spirit of Christmas, there is no Christmas. All else is outward display–so much tinsel and decorations. For it isn’t the holly, it isn’t the snow. It isn’t the tree not the firelight’s glow. It’s the warmth that comes to the hearts of men when the Christmas spirit returns again.

Author Unknown

Merry Christmas!

Tea Time

14 Monday Dec 2020

Posted by jennsmidlifecrisis in Food

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

#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

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

#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!

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