Category: Taking Tea

Tea, In Three Courses (Course 3)

In Course 1, we talked about the origin of tea, the history of afternoon tea, and a brief discussion of some of the varieties of tea. In Course 2, we examined afternoon tea, a ritual that is a meal and an experience, all in one. Now let’s talk about the tea, the plant, and the various options.

Classic black tea, camellia sinensis, may have had humble beginnings by falling into a cup of …

Tea, In Three Courses (Course 2)

In Course 1, we talked about the origin of tea, the history of afternoon tea, and a brief discussion of some of the varieties of tea. For course 2, we will get into afternoon tea, an event that is a meal and an experience, all in one.

In the afternoon, one can have a simple Cream Tea, which is generally a cup of tea and something with Clotted cream, or whipped cream. It could …

Tea, In Three Courses (Course 1)

There is a lovely evergreen plant known as Camellia Sinensis that grows prolifically in a number of places, including China and India. The story is that in China a certain ruler named Shennong was sent into exile sometime about 2737 BC, where he stayed in his house and garden. One day he was heating water in a large open kettle when a leaf of the Camellia Sinensis fell in and the ruler left it there, …

Afternoon Tea Bus Tour

In London there are many attractions and unique offerings for a visitor. We have not personally been able to see them all, but that doesn’t mean we cannot tell you about them. Our good friend, Misty Watkins and her husband recently visited London for a few days before going on to other sites and then joining us for a cruise back to the US. They were able to experience one attraction that we have not …

When It’s “Afternoon Tea Week” in England

There is nothing quite as alluring to the woman known as the “Tea Lady” as the words, “Afternoon Tea Week in England.”  Yes, sweet words indeed to these ears!  Our week in London couldn’t have been timed any better for that reason alone. Fortuitously a couple of Tea venues were booked in advance of our arrival and we have hopes of sneaking in at least one more before the week ends.

Our first Afternoon Tea …

Taking Tea

A love affair is what you might call Marsha’s relationship with English Tea, the delicious elixir brewed, sipped and enjoyed through the ages.  It began while we lived in England where she learned not only the proper method for brewing tea but all about the ritual of “Taking Tea.”

With the resurgence in the 1990s of teashops and tearooms all across the United States—as well as in Great Britain for that matter—it became clear that …