Gingerbread tea and pie crust cookies

Ah, again, the tastiness that is Pie Crust Cookies! Today's pairing with Gingerbread tea (a seasonal tea from Adagio - big surprise, eh?) is MOST excellent. In spite of my laissez-faire approach to tea brewing, the gingerbread tea tastes like...well, like gingerbread. It makes me wish I had some gingerbread right now. In fact, that might be a tasty thing to bake up later this week....

But back to the topic at hand - the tea is a typical flavored black tea, providing a good balance between the bite of tea and the gingerbread mellowness. Not one of my favorites, but a nice tea anyway. Definitely would not want anything more substantial than the pie crust cookies with this one - it could get overpowered easily.

Friday! Chocolate MacNut Coffee and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

What a good day!
Zoe slept 10 hours straight last night, JJ woke up at 5 but didn't insist on bouncing out of bed until 7am - at which point he actually ate breakfast! - I worked out a little, got some work done, had a lovely lunch with my friend Joanna at a new place (The Holy Grail - the fried goat cheese with tomato jam was lick-your-plate AMAZING and the Red Dragon burger was scrumptious), and now, for my afternoon coffee, John sent me with Chocolate MacNut coffee and I snagged a couple of my fav cookies from Paradise bakery to go with.

Life is good. Really good.

Honestly, it just doesn't get better than this coffee. It is my favorite coffee of all time. And that's saying rather a lot. It has a velvety smoothness in your mouth that reminds you of that perfect taste you have in your mouth after you drink a cup of really high quality hot chocolate but before you've had anything else. And the cookies (already a fav) match perfectly.

I'm never going to lose weight at this rate, but right now I just don't care.

Here's to living the high life - yeah baby!

Strawberry tea and chocolate fudge

Ok, so it's been a rough day. The baby kept me up most of the night and I had an early morning meeting that I needed to be "on" for. I'm a little dizzy and a lot tired. SO, I was really looking forward to my tea today.

Unfortunately, the strawberry tea was disappointing. The first taste was quite nice but it quickly went bitter on the tongue. Like, I am inspired to shave my tongue bitter. No kidding. The fudge - one of our friend brought it to our Christmas in July party - was the saving grace for the afternoon. I only had a little bit, but it was heavenly and made up for the bitter bitter bitter tea. To be fair, I may have brewed it just a bit too long (like maybe a minute) - if so this is not a tea for the careless tea drinker (that would be me). I'm just not dedicated enough to time things that closely.

rooibos vanilla chai and sopapillas

OK - an odd comb I know. But I just *had* to have some sopapillas today (from Mi Chula's) and the rooibos vanilla chai was the only tea on my desk at the moment that didn't have the word "berry" in it. Surprisingly, they go great together. Actually, I guess it shouldn't be all that surprising since the sopapillas have a nice dusting of cinnamon on them. And they're sopapillas. I mean, really, what wouldn't go well with sopapillas?

The chai is a nice spicy sweet all on its own - definitely a sit up and grab you by the nose kinda tea. It give you that kind of sticky feeling at the back of your mouth that you get when you sip hot cider through a cinnamon stick. In a good way. I like this tea, but I think I will save the rest for a colder day. Since it's a rooibos tea, I could see myself having this before bed, maybe curled up on the sofa watching a rented CSI episode.

Tie Guan Yin and Big John's Cajun

After a delicious Pad Kee Mow for lunch, I was left wanting just a little something more. So I settled on some Big John's Cajun cheese and an apple as my "biscuit" today along with a pot of Tie Guan Yin. This oolong tea is light, floral, and less grass-like than most green teas. It actually holds it own against the spicy cheddar (which is to die for - get a sample and try it at your local Whole Foods), which is slightly surprising, but matches very well with the apple (a nicely crunchy Pink Lady that has been sitting on my desk all week waiting to be munched). I also have some cold yogurt pancakes for the baked item (I'm clean out of crackers at the moment) which also match well with this tea.

If you're a cheese fan, definitely get some of the Big John's if you can find it. So far, it seems to go well with just about everything - including hamburgers!

So, a veritable Friday feast today! TGIF y'all!

Blueberry tea and a chocolate chip cookie

Today's tea schedule was a bit off because I had a bunch of meetings in the afternoon, then I had to feed the baby, and then the my son said his head was grumpy....well, you get the picture. Chaos. Contained, but chaos nonetheless.

As a result, my tea ended up steeping a bit longer than I intended. Like, 30 minutes longer. But fortunately, that was ok. My Adagio Blueberry tea was still pretty darn tasty. I really like the flavored black teas from this company - they have a nice balance of tea-ness to whatever flavor they are using. In this case, the blueberry flavor was pleasantly understated, even with the serious tannin bite you get when you let tea sit too long (you know that fuzzy feeling that makes you want to scrape your tongue across the roof of your mouth?) Brewed properly, this is a very good tea. And it matches REALLY well with chocolate chip cookies. I had one leftover from my Paradise Bakery run (they give you a FREE chocolate chip cookie when you buy lunch) and it went perfectly with the tea. A lesser cookie would've been overpowered, but this one stood up to the challenge. Try it!

Tea Review: Gemini Adagio Blend and White Chocolate Mac Nut Cookie

Ah, Paradise Bakery, how I love your cookies. I was going to have an apple and cheese as my snack today, but as fate would have it, I found myself at Paradise Bakery for lunch (their Fire Tomato soup and Ham and Brie panini are a killer combo) and I CANNOT go there without getting their white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. I'm pretty sure they're illegal in some states - they are that good. Really.

My tea selection for this afternoon is the Gemini blend from Adagio teas. A gift from an online friend, I was pretty excited to try it. It smells lovely - the peach really comes out in the scent. Nice for a summer afternoon. And not at all acidic. Lovely. I wish I had my pie crust cookies today and my white chocolate macnut cookie yesterday! The cookie definitely overpowers the tea, but would go great with coffee . Fortunately, I'll get a chance to try that later this week as I thought ahead and got extras (cookies that is). Unfortunately it is taking superhuman will power not to just eat all the extras right now (did I mention I love these cookies?).

The Gemini tea is definitely a keeper for when you want something light and unobtrusive with a little fruit in the nose. I would order it again when I run out.

First Review: Koa Kona Estate Coffee and Pie Crust Cookies

Ok, so I got to thinking about this tea review thing and thought - why just do tea? So, I am adding coffee and cookies (or biscuits when it is tea) to the reviews. Because afternoon tea doesn't have to be tea - it's more about a short break with a light snack, a moment to reflect on the day and gather your resources for the next few hours so you can finish on a high note.

SO, with that in mind, today's "tea" is Koa Kona Estate Coffee (with heavy cream, no sugar) and Pie Crust Cookies.

The coffee has the characteristics I have come to appreciate in Kona coffees - smooth, full bodied, and very satisfying. This is a coffee drinker's coffee - no pretense of being anything but the classic idea of what coffee is. You know how when you smell coffee brewing it always has a certain smell, no matter what the variety of coffee is? Well, this is that coffee smell, in a cup. Perfect as an afternoon treat, a breakfast pick me up, or a counterpoint to a sweet dessert. Speaking of desserts, the pie crust cookies I chose for my accompaniment today do NOT do the coffee justice. They're good - plain, tasty, just a hint of salt - and would do well with a lighter, sweeter coffee or with some tea. But for this coffee they are just too blase. Something sweet - perhaps a truffle or a thin slice of Italian cream cake - would match much better with this coffee. I'll remember that next time I have some :)

For those interested in the "how to" on pie crust cookies: Make a pie crust using your favorite recipe (I like Crisco's basic recipe). Roll it out and cut shapes out of it like you would sugar cookies (I am fond of the old fashioned tin bridge cookie cutters), slap them on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes (depending on how thick/thin you rolled 'em). I like mine THICK. My toddler loves these things and they are stupid simple to make. If you like yours sweet, sprinkle sugar on top before you bake them.

A Cuppa Day - coming soon

Well, I'm ready to revive my interest in tea. Between my dissertation and having a baby, I've drifted away from this particular love for too long. Unfortunately, news of my temporary tea-less state, never reached my friends and relatives, and as gift giving opportunities arose, the tea samples started to accumulate. I have tea tins stuffed in bags and baskets, on display in the kitchen, falling off of shelves, propping up spices and a random bag of granola, and generally cluttering up the kitchen. My husband actually threatened to give some of it away (ACK!) because "you aren't drinking it." Well, pooh on that. I will drink it. At least, I'll taste it. And, to keep me honest, I'll review it too. At least once a week, and hopefully (as my life gets back under control), once a day.

Meanwhile, perhaps I should look into creating a modern tea ritual to get more out of it than just the tasty goodness...

The Perfect Cup

Many a treatise has been written on the perfect cup of tea, expounding on everything from the temperature of the water to whether the tea should be poured into the cup before or after the milk. George Orwell provides us with no less than 11 points necessary to ensure the perfect cup of tea! But what about the humble and oft overlooked vessel without which tea would simply be another hot drink – the tea cup.
Tea cups come in a bewildering array of colors, shapes, and sizes – from the daintiest bone china with a delicate pattern of forget-me-nots around the rim to boldly colored oversized French cups, large enough to bathe a small dog comfortably. Originally developed in China, teacups gained the addition of a handle when introduced in Europe to keep the drinker from burning the fingers.
But what makes the perfect cup? Volume? A cover (gaiwan)? Thinness (to help cool your drink) or thickness to keep it hot? Height? Designs in tea cups range from the basic to the visionary, much like the tea itself. But without a background in fluid dynamics (and, surprisingly, no physicists seem to have taken up this challenge), it seems we may never know which is best.
Fortunately, designers have known for a long time that it is not simply the function of the object that matters, but how it figures in the experience of using the object. That is, a tea cup is not simply a way to get tea from the pot to our lips, but part of the experience that is drinking tea. As a result the texture, shape, and beauty of a tea cup is just as important as its ability to keep your tea contained. For example, Bethan Laura Wood makes teacups that are treated to be stained in predetermined patterns – the more you use the cup, the more of the pattern is revealed – underlining that the tea cup in inextricable from the act of drinking tea.
But as I sit sipping a cup of earl grey, contemplating what makes the perfect teacup, I remember one important consideration that no one ever seems to mention. A saucer large enough for your biscuit.

Baby and Me Makes Two for Tea

“…and you’ll have to give up tea…” continued a well-meaning friend of mine who was delivering a litany of all the things I could no longer do now that I was pregnant. I was horrified – give up tea? Sure, I could forego the wine and give up my sushi, but tea? That was going too far! Fortunately, a bit of research into the subject soon showed that I would not have to give up my favorite cuppa. The main concerns over tea and pregnancy are caffeine and herbs
Higher caffeine consumption (specifically more than 300 mg daily) has been linked in some studies to miscarriages and low birth rates. Low caffiene consumption - less than 150 mgs a day – has been shown in studies to have no affect on developing infants. Amounts in the middle (150-300 mg) are still in debate, with studies coming in on both sides. Since a typical cup of brewed black tea contains about 48 mgs of caffeine, you can sip up to 3 cups a day without real concern (and of course, you can always get decaf).
Herbal teas are trickier – some herbs can cause serious issues, especially in early pregnancy. Yellow dock and alfalfa are both considered unsafe during pregnancy while ginger and peppermint are thought to be fine. Fortunately, food-based teas (like my favorite Blood Orange) get the thumbs up across the board.
On a side note, there has been some recent controversy over green tea consumption during pregnancy. Due to the way the elements of green tea bond with certain chemical within the body, it has been suggested that drinking green tea may have an adverse affect on the body’s ability to process folate (important in reducing neural tube defects).
So, as with most things, the key is moderation. I ordered a few tins of my favorite black teas in decaf form, stocked up on my fruit teas, and made a date with my girlfriends to head out to our favorite tea room. Who knows? Maybe I can start growing a new tea lover early.

Seasonal: Dallas Arboretum: Chocolate Tea

Celebrating the process of making chocolate, the Dallas Arboretum hosted a special "chocolate tea."
A formal, afternoon 3 course tea, the service and dinnerware was elegant and understated. The relaxing atmosphere provided by the arboretum ensured an enjoyable afternoon of quiet conversation with table companions. The food, while good, was overshadowed by the teas, which were unimpressive and at times down right nasty, having been allowed to steep way too long .

For Becky's review, see http://www.beckymadison.com/cgi-bin/blog?smonth=10/2007

Tea Event: Breast Cancer Awareness Tea

Tea is always an excellent way to take time to visit with friends and a tea with a mission is doubly sweet. August found Becky and I at the ninth annual Breast Cancer Awareness Tea in Fort Worth.
The website had specified “Sunday best” but we were little prepared for the glamor of our fellow tea go-ers. As we walked into the Marriott, we were treated to a vision of hats, gloves, and pearls. After registering, we were directed to a silent auction with items ranging from beautiful gift baskets to adorable pink earrings. For those less comfortable with the uncertainy of an auction, there was the “Pink Store” with various small items available for purchase.
Soon it was time to find our way to our table which turned out to be another adventure in and of itself! Each table had a unique theme and we flitted from table to table taking them all in - tiny fairy statues, tropical Hawain foliage with leias, Indian elephants (complete with everyone wearing saris), Asian plates complete with name cards in Chinese and chopsticks, cowboy boots, whimiscial hat boxes with tea pouring from the top, beach ball center piece with chocolate shell candies, and even a disco themed table complete with disco ball.
Even more amazing than the tables were the hats. Becky and I stared in awe at the varied confections perched high atop the lovely heads of their owners, ranging from simple elegant pieces to daring constructions, like the winner of the Dare-to-Wear category, a riot of yellow carnations and organza with a tiny yellow hat perched at the very top (or my personal favorite - a beautiful chinese latern made into a hat).
After tea was served, the program consisted of a slide show tribute, pink roses presented to breast cancer survivors, an informative medical lecture on inflammatory Breast Cancer, an inspiring talk from the found of Men Against Breast Cancer, and a live auction that included some lively bidding for such high-dollar items as tickets to a Cowboy’s game.
The entire experience was one of education, elegance and fun, pulled together with a polish and surety that made attendance a pleasure. As we drove away, we were animatedly discussing what we had learned and how we might try to host a table next year. How about travel?

Tea Room Review: Adolphus Tea

With a reputation for the "most elegant tea in Dallas", the Adolphus had quite a lot to live up to. Fortunately, and thanks to their excellent tea captain Michele, it did.
Four courses of lovely food were served, accompanied by live piano music. The atmosphere was quiet, peaceful, and most of all elegant. The tea menu was likewise well-appointed with a large number of choices of loose leaf tea, which were difficult to decide between. Thank goodness for Michele who was able to provide impeccable recommendations for every course.
Well worth the price tag, the tea at the Adolphus has certainly earned it's reputation as one of the best teas in Dallas.
For Becky's review, see http://www.beckymadison.com/cgi-bin/blog?smonth=09/2007

Tea Room Review: Middleton's House of Tea: Temple

Tucked away in near-obscurity in Temple, TX, Middleton's House of Tea is definitely a find. Providing an impressive 5 course tea (starting with sorbet and moving through to the fabulous deserts), you feel transported to a quaint cottage in the English country side. Delicious mango tea complimented the courses. Service was cheerful and helpful, ensuring a relaxing, stress-free experience.
All in all, well worth the trip!

Tea Room Review: FiveTwelveCollege Tea Room: Waxahachie

Hosted by one of the most fascinating tea room ownersI have had the pleasure to talk with, the FiveTwelveCollege Tea Room provides an experience simultaneously relaxing, delicious, and educational. A regular full-course afternoon tea is served with a select number of loose leaf teas. Everything is done with an eye to tradition, including the shapes of the sandwiches - soldiers, diamonds, and butterflies. The owner has been all over the world and is full of wonderful stories about tea she has had in far away places. A wonderful place all around!

Tea Room Review: Kiran's: Houston

While in Houston for the Lucy exhibit, Becky and I dropped in on this upscale resteraunt with my sister Sharon to try thier tea. Kiran's offers a uniquely Indian twist on the traditional afternoon tea, providing perfectly brewed loose leaf tea with every delicious course. The atmosphere was quiet and elegant with understated service ready to help and offer advice. An experience I would recommend to anyone.
For Becky's review see http://www.beckymadison.com/cgi-bin/blog?smonth=09/2007

Tea Room Review: Gypsy Rose Tea Room

On our way back from picking apples in Henrietta Orchards in Roanoke, Becky and I decided to try this new, up and coming tea room, located in the back of the Antique Mall in Lewisville. What an excellent decision! Gypsy Rose offers a wonderful selection of loose leaf teas, with sample available for viewing and (most importantly) sniffing. Prepared in individual pots, we tried the Emerald Charm and Roasted Almond varieties (both wonderful). For lunch, we ordered the daily quiche (broccoli cheese) and the salad sampler with chicken salad, soup, and pesto pasta. The quiche was excellent and the chicken salad was the best I've had at any tea room. For dessert, we split the pound cake with pomegranate reduction sauce and vanilla ice cream - lovely. The atmosphere was quiet but fun with cheerful service ready to help and offer advice. An excellent experience I look forward to repeating. I can only hope that they will begin offering an afternoon tea service in the near future - I'm confident they will do as well at that as they do at their current tea.
For Becky's review see http://www.beckymadison.com/cgi-bin/blog?smonth=07/2007
Gypsy Rose Tea Room: http://www.gypsyrosetearoom.com/

Tea Room Review: Katie's Daughter

I have been twice for afternoon tea to this quaint little tea room, tucked in the back of an antique mall in Arlington, and both times have been pleased and impressed with their loose leaf tea selection and food.The berry scones were very moist and lovely and the cucumber sandwiches were unusual and tasty. But the real star of the menu is their loose leaf tea selection. I've managed to sip my way through five selections so far and can't wait to try the rest.

I look forward to returning this fall to try the pumpkin dessert!

For Becky's take on it, see http://www.beckymadison.com/cgi-bin/blog?smonth=06/2007.

Katie's Daughter: http://www.katiesdaughter.com/tearoom_hightea.htm

Belles and Bullets

I love nothing better than a tea party. Except maybe a tea party where I get to do a little target practice with the girls.
I found out that Bullet Trap(http://www.bullettrapinc.com/) offers a "ladies night" on Wednesdays, so I couldn't resist setting up a second ladies tea shoot. (for pics and a write up on the first one, see http://barbaritea.blogspot.com/2005_08_01_archive.html?SID=8b23db6e3470315aba3dc9c3b770f109).
We met at the range and, with our 2 safety officers, proceeded to try out a number of pistols. Some of our ladies were first time shooters, others had been out to our first ladies tea shoot. Everyone had a fabulous time. After a couple of hours, we drove back to my house for a formal afternoon tea (albeit at 8pm at night) complete with finger sandwiches, scones, and lovely little desserts.
For more pictures and details, check out Becky's Blog - http://www.beckymadison.com/cgi-bin/blog?smonth=05/2007