What’s up guys! Today, after a long day of meetings and briefings (but there never seem to be any brief meetings, ha ha), nothing sounds better to me than a nice, soothing cup of tea. you know how soothing a cup of tea can be--everyone knows about the relaxing properties of a delicious tea at the end of the day.
Oh my diligent tea students, I am feeling quite nostalgic as I sip my organic oolong tea. The strong aroma does take me back to my younger days, and thought I continue to feel young due to the almost magical effects of tea. But that’s not what I am talking about. You see, coming up in Japan, some tea houses are going to hold what cold be the largest tea ceremony ever.
On October 25 and 26, in Hamarikyu Gardens in the Chuo Ward will play host to a ceremony that will be celebrated by something like 8,000 people. 8,000 people will be taking tea, being a part of the Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony. This is quite an amazing thing, tea students. I should not have to tell you that.
What’s up you guys! Jasmine here to talk to you about something very important. It’s not about tea. Well, it is, but it’s not just about that. it is about tea, and it is about tea parties. But most of all, it’s about breast cancer.
See, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And one of the types of fundraisers people are having that I’ve been reading about are Pink Tea Parties. So I want to encourage you guys to throw a Pink Tea Party for Breast Cancer!
I just had a great conversation with Mr. GTD over IM (Hey, I’m a 21st Century kind of girl.) about tea. I know, you’re all so surprised.
But over the course of the conversation (which took place when I should have been doing work, but oh well), he said the perfect cup of tea was small cup of perfectly brewed green tea, savored while meditating. With all the health benefits of green tea and how much better he felt after a few minutes of meditating over the steaming cup it was like a mental makeover, he said.
Sure, that sounds nice, I said, but far from perfect to me. The perfect cup of tea, in my mind, is a strong cup of black hot tea, like classic Earl Grey, with a spoon full of honey. With a little boost of caffeine to get me going and a bunch of antioxidants to keep me going, that, I said, was a cup of perfection. Read full entry! »
I’m still reeling from that bouquet of tea the Mr. Kent gave me. Can you believe it? He’s so thoughtful! But now, I want to return the kindness and give him a wonderful tea gift, too. But what to get him?
The Gift of Tea
I know he likes loose leaf tea, so I’m sure he has a tea ball infuser. Who couldn’t use another one? And I could include a box or two of his favorite kinds of tea like Rooibos and Green tea.
He also mentioned having to work a lot of late nights recently, so I could give him a nice, big travel mug, and a strong, caffeinated Black tea–plus a soothing caffeine free herbal tea, because too much caffeine is not good for your health.
You’ll never guess what got delivered to my door yesterday. A bouquet of tea! What’s that, you ask? Who sent it? Well, let me tell you.
Actually, I’ll keep you in suspense for now about who sent it, just for fun. But a certain mystery someone sent me the most beautiful box of colorful tea bags arranged like a bouquet. And the strings were tied together as if you could hold it. It was laid out in this gorgeously wrapped box. And then I noticed that each of the tea bag tags said what kind of tea it was on one side, and the health benefits of the flowers and herbs it contained on the other–hand written!
Here’s a sample of what was inside:
Beautiful Roses. Exquisite Tea.
Rose Garden White Tea: Besides the fact that roses are my favorite flower and there’s no denying that things that make you happy have a huge effect on your mental health, White teas have more polyphenols, a supercharged antioxidant that can help fight cancer causing cells, among other great health benefits.
It is no secret that a good cup of tea is one of my favorite things. They didn’t name Earl Grey Tea after me for nothing, after all. (It wasn’t a catchy name when I first told them what to call it, BTW, and a bit of resistance had to be stamped out quickly and some say viciously.)
But as much as I enjoy a good strong black tea (though I like green tea and white teas as well, and don’t let anyone tell you differently), I do also enjoy a bit of the nectar of the gods, the fruit of the vine. And in that frame of mind, I shall tell you a bit about how tea is like wine. Read full entry! »
Forgive me if I am slower today as I impart wisdom unto you. The path to the Perfect Pot sometimes winds in directions one does not expect.
Last night, we graduated a new class of Tea Masters. And after the big Tea Ceremony, there was a bit of celebration. And as a result, this morning, old Master Amanzi isn’t feeling that “tea makes you feel young forever” feeling I’ve taught you so much about. Not to worry however, for I shall incorporate it into today’s lesson. How tea can help with a hangover.
Is it Friday yet? No? Why Not? Let’s just say that Ms. Tia is anxious for the weekend to get here already because she has big plans with Mr. Great Tea Date! Surprise, surprise: it involves tea.
Friday night, Mr. GTD is coming over so I can show off my grand culinary talents. I love to cook, especially using organic vegetables and meats. I’m thankful everyday that we have such a wonderful farmers’ market nearby. So I asked my local organic tea vendor how I could use tea in more edible, as opposed to drinkable, ways. You won’t believe what he had to say!
