With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, thoughts of corned beef and cabbage, Guinness and Irish coffee abound. Not everyone is a coffee drinker, so here's a twist on a traditional Irish Beverage.
For this delicious drink, you will need:
8 oz. Hot Irish Breakfast Tea
1 Tbsp. Sugar
1 1/2 to 2 oz. Good Irish Whiskey
2 oz. Heavy Cream, VERY cold
Cocoa powder, if desired for garnish
It's easy to make:
1. Fill your cup with hot water to warm it up.
2. Whip the cold cream until thick, but not stiff - it should still be able to run off the back of a spoon. Add a few drops of the Irish Breakfast tea into the whipped cream and stir gently to combine. Set this aside.
3. Pour the hot water out of the cup and fill it 3/4 full with the Irish Breakfast Tea. Add sugar and stir until dissolved.
4. Add the whiskey into the tea and stir to combine.
5. Hold a spoon upside down over the tea, with the tip of the spoon touching the glass edge and the surface of the tea. Gently pour the cream over the back of the spoon, allowing it to gently pool on top of the tea, filling to the top of the mug. DO NOT STIR! You should have obtained a lovely layering that looks like a pint of Guinness!
6. Using a shamrock stencil, sprinkle cocoa powder over the cream to make a beautiful drawing.
Sit back, get comfy and enjoy!
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Our chocolate cupcake is infused with Black tea. Try using Assam TGFOP or Grand Keemun. The Buttercream frosting is infused with our very own St. Valentine tea. Delicious and made with love - find Love in a tea leaf this Valentine's Day!
You can download a printable version of the recipe HERE!
]]>Chocolate Chai
Warm, spicy Chai, even better with Chocolate. Add a splash of Chocolate Syrup to make it richer.
Secret Garden
A bouquet of fragrance - Sencha, Jasmine,Lavender, Mint & flowers, with peach and chocolate flavoring. A delicate balance of flavors!
Passionfruit Oolong
Lightly oxidized Oolong with passionfruit flavor and marigold flowers. Fragrant and fruity.
BE MINDFUL WITH TEA
Make this the year you pause and take a moment to steep loose leaf tea. Discard that teabag once and for all and enjoy the wide diversity and world of Tea. The purposeful act of heating the water, measuring out the tea leaves, pouring the water over the leaves and waiting the few minutes for that perfect steep is a respite in the day. Be in the moment, focus on the simplicity of the task and then get back to your day. For more on the benefits of Loose Leaf Tea vs. Teabags, read here.
SHARE THE GIFT OF TEA
Choose Tea this year for that special celebration in lieu of flowers, wine or chocolate. Make Tea part of someone else’s life. Add a simple infuser basket or teapot and give the gift of life and health this year. Share in other simple ways by having a Tea Party, sending a Tea Gift Certificate or just serving your favorite Tea. How about starting a Tea Club? A favorite gift is our Tea-of-the-Month option, rated one of the 10 best in the country.
GET INTO TEA
Sure you drink it every day but have you thought of taking a class? Perhaps reading a book about it or even starting your own Tea Tasting Notebook? Make it fun by visiting a Tea Room or a Tasting at your favorite local tea shop. Learn about the various types and grades. Here’s our simple guide to choosing a Tea.
DON'T JUST DRINK TEA, COOK WITH IT
Earl Grey Cookies and Matcha Lattes are delicious. Other less-known uses are poaching and stewing with Tea. We provide various recipes throughout the year. Try ours or come up with your own.
NEW YEAR, NEW TEAS. Black, Green, Oolong, Herbal– try something new. Explore the countries of origin – India, China, Japan, and Sri Lanka. We have several on Sale each month – use it to experiment and widen your taste profile. Try one of our quick and easy Sampler Packs and order something new whenever you get a chance.
Make this a month to remember. Tea – it’s not just a great-tasting beverage but full of good things for you – antioxidants, stress-relievers, catechins, polyphenols, flavonoids, stroke-reducing properties, cardio-vascular properties, even fluoride. Start a year of good health with Hot Tea!
]]>As early as 1683, The Compleat Cook’s Guide included a reference to cranberry juice. Harvard University even served cranberries at their commencement dinner in 1702. This evergreen shrub with trailing vines producing a tart berry is now welcomed into homes as a holiday tradition. Where did the name Cranberry come from? In the 17th century, German and Dutch colonists in New England thought the flower, stem and petals resembled the neck, head and bill of a crane. So the German kraanbere became the English craneberry and finally settled into cranberry.
Cranberries are grown predominantly in the New England area and secondarily in other states such as Wisconsin. The taste is so beloved that many will swear that it is not just a holiday flavor but a year-round favorite. And if you thought you knew all about Cranberries, read this short, entertaining article on Cranberries published in JSTOR Daily. All manner of seasonal and holiday recipes, of course, do call for Cranberries including the ubiquitous Cranberry Sauce at every Thanksgiving table. Heated arguments break out over the canned vs. fresh issue. Because by themselves, the fresh fruit is hard, sour and bitter, it is often paired with orange, orange peel and orange zest, particularly in baking. Cranberry Orange Tea is a popular selection in many tea catalogs and often paired with spices and other complimentary flavors.
Our favorite recipe is to infuse Apple Cider with Cranberry Orange Tisane and Mulling Spices, and it can be found HERE. Bakers treasure their individual cookie or bread recipes. Here are some of our recommendations:
Cranberry Orange Muffins
Topping:
1/4 c. sugar
Grated zest of 1/2 orange
Muffins:
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/8 c. sugar
2 large eggs
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/4 c. vegetable oil
1 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
Grated zest of 1/2 an orange
1 1/2 c. fresh cranberries, divided
For the Topping: Stir the sugar and orange zest together in a small bowl until combined and fragrant; set aside.
For the Muffins: Preheat oven to 425° F. Line standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners and spray lightly with cooking spray. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a bowl; set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs until thick and lemon colored. Slowly whisk in the butter and oil until combined. Whisk in the buttermilk, vanilla, almond extract and orange zest. Add the dry ingredients into the bowl along with the 1 1/4 cups of the cranberries. Fold together until just combined; do not over mix.
Fill the muffin cups full with batter, mounding slightly. Press the remaining 1/4 cup of cranberries into the top of the muffins and sprinkle with the orange sugar topping. Bake for 16 - 17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cranberry Orange Cookies
Ingredients:
1 c. butter, softened
1 c. white sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp. orange juice
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. chopped cranberries
1/2 c. chopped walnuts (optional)
1/2 tsp. grated orange zest
3 tbsp. orange juice
1 1/2 c. confectioner's sugar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375° F. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg until well blended. Mix in 1 teaspoon orange zest and 2 tablespoons orange juice. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt: stir into the orange mixture. Fold in cranberries and if using, walnuts, until evenly distributed. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, until edges are golden. Remove from cookies sheets to cool completely on wire racks.
In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 teaspoon of orange zest, 3 tablespoons of orange juice and confectioner's sugar until smooth. Drizzle over the tops of the cooled cookies. Let stand until set.
Cranberry Butter
This quick and easy recipe is a must have - with just 4 ingredients, it is a great way to add flavor to your breakfast. Spread it on pancakes, waffles or even toast.
Ingredients:
1 lb. butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 c. chopped fresh cranberries
1/2 c. honey
zest of 1 whole orange
Directions:
Combine softened butter, chopped fresh cranberries, honey and zest only of one orange. Mix with an electric mixer until well blended. Store your cranberry butter in the refrigerator.
We welcome Fall with our bestsellers - Green Pumpkin Cream, Caramel Pumpkin Spice and Apple Cinnamon Tisane. Each is different but all bring you the taste of the season. Although Apple Cinnamon Tisane is offered all year long, the others are seasonal selections and available for a very limited time.
Green Pumpkin Cream is our Fall sleeper hit. It has a perfectly balanced and inviting aroma and taste of Pumpkin and Vanilla Cream with the added surprise of being on a Green Tea base. Light and fragrant, it’s become a customer favorite.
The Caramel Pumpkin Spice is a recent addition. It starts with a Black tea base, still the most popular of all teas, to which we’ve added Apple pieces, some Ginger root and Carrot bits, Roasted maté, Cloves, Caramel and natural flavor. It is warm and spicy. Good with a dash of steamed milk or on its own.
Apple Cinnamon Tisane is a long-time favorite and has been a welcome Fall blend with Rooibos as the base, into which we’ve blended Cinnamon, Apple, Marigold flowers and Apple & Cinnamon flavoring. This blend is caffeine free.
These are not all. The Organic Makaibari Estate Autumnal is from the season – it’s in the name! It is manufactured later in the year, in the Autumn, after the spring and summer heat and the monsoon rains. The cup is not quite as light as early-season Darjeelings and it can tolerate a spot of milk if you are so inclined.
Other seasonal blends are Citrus Spice or Turmeric Citrus Zest. Alas, we no longer have our Tea Room where we served our delicious Pumpkin Scones with Cream. But here’s the next best thing – a recipe for you to pair with your favorite tea:
Ingredients for Dough:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
½ tsp salt
½ cup very cold salted butter, diced or grated
¾ cup buttermilk (or milk)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Ingredients for Glaze:
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 Tbsp. buttermilk (or milk)
½ tsp. vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. pumpkin purée
¼ tsp. pumpkin pie spice
Instructions:
In contrast, High Tea is what workers came home to after a hard day's work, especially in northern England, and was served in the early evening. It was always accompanied by heavier selections such as meat dishes like Cornish pasties, baked beans, cold cuts and cheese. There was nothing fancy about this meal. Instead, it was a hearty working class family meal presented informally and often accompanied by a good strong tea. It was typically served at a higher dining table, thus acquiring the definition, 'high' tea.
With so many different types of teas to choose from, selecting a tea suitable for Afternoon Tea can be arduous. Here are our recommendations, fine-tuned by experience, and enjoyed by hundreds of our customers over the 18 years we operated our Tea Room in Tarrytown:
But lets not forget Oolong and Green Teas, as well as Herbal teas which are also popular. Our suggestions would be:
So, if you are visiting your neighborhood Tea Room or making a reservation at the Plaza or the Ritz for tea, it is Afternoon Tea that you will be enjoying, with the delicious combination of sandwiches, sweets and scones. And of course, a great cup of Tea.
The confusion in terms and continued misunderstanding between 'Afternoon' and 'High' Tea is probably mingled with our incorrect association of other high-sounding words such as high-falutin, high society, highbrow, high-handed, highness, higher-than thou and similar terms. But in the world of Tea, the well- known unforgettable collection of sandwiches, desserts and scones is always Afternoon Tea. Now you know!
Dear Anupa,
I just cupped the 2023 Darjeeling First Flush Tea you sent me and the descriptive word that comes to mind is 'Exquisite'. It brings back memories of the First Flush fragrance I experienced at the Makaibari Tea Estate withering room, fresh and bright.
I am fortunate to have a knowledgeable Tea Merchant such as yourself who keeps her customers connected with the Champagne of World Teas, Darjeeling Tea from the Makaibari Tea Estate.
Best wishes to you, your family and your 5-Star Silver Tips Tea business.
Your Friend in Tea,
Mike
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Mango Orange Sparkling Iced Tea Recipe
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Let's set the stage. Tea is more widely consumed in the world than coffee and is second only to water in popularity as a beverage worldwide. The revered Japanese Tea Ceremonies were conducted by men. Wars were fought over Tea. The British even invented a built-in kettle for armored vehicles. The famous Moustache Cup followed the popularity of tea in the Victorian era. America started out as a British Colony and until the Boston Tea Party, tea was the most consumed beverage even in the American colonies. Cricket is still played all over the world with a well-publicized Tea Break.
Our own research shows that our customers skew an impressive 40% Male and 60% Female. And that difference is narrowing. At Tearooms, décor often dictates the customer breakdown. When Tea Rooms are decidedly feminine in their décor, fewer men are customers. Where the ambience is more neutral, the customer base is more balanced. Tea is diverse in every characteristic and the entire industry has evolved and changed to accommodate the increase in usage and popularity.
Teaware
Victorian teapots and fine bone china tea sets are still elegant and beautiful. Afternoon Tea at upper class hotels and salons is a sparkling affair. But no longer is this your only choice. Teapots and Cups and Mugs now come in a myriad of designs to please every taste - functional, sparse, utilitarian, elegant, floral - and in all colors and sizes.
Tea Rooms
Graceful and elegant settings with tea sandwiches and scones on bone china plates are exquisite. But Tea Rooms across the country have changed their presentations to accommodate a wider interest in Tea and to be more gender-neutral. Even the legendary Plaza Hotel in New York now has a more modern look. The Beverly Hills Hotel serves their Afternoon Tea on classic white china.
At the St. Regis San Francisco, the famous 3-tier presentation is an updated, modern adaption on glass serving trays. Notable also is the fact that Victorian or English-inspired Tea Rooms are just one perspective of Tea. A significant part of the world follows a completely different tradition of Tea that is centered around fine Greens and Oolongs and is decidedly Asian in inspiration. The Teance Tasting Room in Berkeley, California or The Tao of Tea in Portland, Oregon, or the impressive Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse in Colorado have an inclusive, far-reaching audience and without a hint of chintz or lace or Victorian place settings!
Tea
No matter how well-know Earl Grey is, it is still not the most popular Tea in the world. Overwhelmingly, most of the world consumes either a straight Black or Green Tea as their daily beverage of choice. Perfumed, aromatic, flower-filled teas are aesthetically pleasing to behold and make up many popular brands, but they constitute a minor share of revenue. Indeed, most tea companies today feature teas geared towards men and most schedule marketing for both Mother's Day as well as Father's Day.
The marketing for Dads includes appropriate packaging (Tee Off with Dad, Mr. Tea, Sugar Daddy). Dads are portrayed in multiple settings (Office, Outdoors, Indoors). Special Afternoon Tea Menus for Dad feature mini Beef Sliders and Sausage Pinwheels! There is enough evidence-based demand and variety to justify specific teas for Dad. They include smoky teas - perhaps a nod to the famous Sherlock Holmes commonly associated with Lapsang Souchong. Overtly manly teas could include Czar Alexander, Pu-erh, Russian Caravan. Some companies market strong black teas - a robust Assam, a full-bodied Keemun, an earthy Yunnan. Still others offer premium high-end teas for Dad - Formosa Jade Oolong, a fine Darjeeling or a premium Green. Of course, none of this is necessary. Men drink all kinds of Tea in all kinds of environments without regard to name or description. The driver is and will always be flavor and taste.
Why Should Men Drink Tea
Fruit Tisanes look and taste different from other herbal blends. Two key ingredients are often Hibiscus and Apple. Hibiscus provides the red color and tartness while apple pieces provide sweetness. Added to these two base ingredients may be fruit pieces such as berries, peach or mango bits, coconut, papaya or pineapple chunks, rosehips and flavorings such as vanilla. Beetroot is sometimes present to add more color to the blend. Tisanes are naturally caffeine-free and can be served hot or cold. They tend to have more body than commonly known herbal blends such as peppermint.
An important and useful attribute for this category – be it Tisanes or Herbal blends or Rooibos – is that all of it is naturally caffeine free. For those seeking a lower caffeine content, we recommend choosing an herbal blend or Fruit tisane rather than a decaffeinated tea. The difference between decaffeinated and non-caffeinated is that the first had caffeine which was then removed while the second category never had any to begin with. Some caffeine residue remains even with decaffeinated tea, so a non-caffeinated option is always the better way to go. Chamomile tea and Peppermint are probably the most popular of the herbs.
Fruit Tisanes are often divided into two groups – those with Hibiscus that steep a deep red and those without. The blends without Hibiscus have less tartness and the most popular blend in this category is our runaway bestseller – Toasted Almond.
Our Fruit Tisane selections have been selected and grouped by taste:
SOUTH PACIFIC |
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CHERRY JUBILEE |
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MANGO FLIP |
PIÑA COLADA |
WOLFBERRY MELON |
TOASTED ALMOND |
Tisanes appeal to everyone – even real tea people! Although sometimes targeted towards only non-tea drinkers, Iced Tisanes are a particularly appealing summer refreshment. They make a great drink for children and a caffeine-free alternative to Iced Tea. Try these variations for an excellent, refreshing summer drink:
Steeping Tisanes
Most of us are probably familiar with Black or Green tea. A few changes need to be made when steeping Fruit Tisanes because they consist of chunky fruit pieces and botanicals. There are no tea leaves in a fruit tisane so steeping a cup will need more time. Whereas a cup of black or green tea can be steeped perfectly in 3 or 4 minutes, a fruit tisane will need a good 5 -7 minutes depending on the ingredients. If a Tisane has hibiscus in it, it will color quicker. Without the presence of hibiscus, fruit pieces such as apple or mango will require a longer period to extract all the flavor into the cup. One other note to remember with Fruit Tisanes – don’t be tempted to add milk automatically. It may end up curdling the blend. Try tisanes iced – they are refreshing and pair well with fruit juice, lemonade or seltzer.
Iced Berry Sangria
You’ll need:
Instructions:
Makes: 12 Servings
]]>Tea is so versatile. Of course you can drink it. But did you know you could bake with it? Add some fine loose leaf tea into your favorite cake or bread recipe and it elevates it to a higher level of indulgence.
We're going to share some of our tea baking secrets with you. If your recipe calls for melting butter, you could add some tea right into the butter. Another option is to add some tea leaves directly into your batter or dough. If your tea is too coarse, use a spice grinder or a mortar & pestle to break it up into finer pieces. So easy! Not only does it add visual appeal but the added flavor is exquisite.
One of our favorites is Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies - it changes snack time to Tea Time. We recommend any of our Earl Grey teas - try Baroness Grey for an added touch of Citrus or Earl Grey Blue for a robust Earl Grey with blue flowers. The Earl Grey Cookie is elegant and fun and, needless to say, you won't be able have just one!
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Fast forward to 1990 when a group of environmental leaders requested Denis Hayes to lead another big campaign. Many of us remember that day when 200 million people worldwide in 141 countries participated in efforts to boost environmental issues globally. In 1995, Senator Nelson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom - the highest honor given to civilians in the United States - for his leading role as the founder of Earth Day.
Although Earth Day comes but once a year on April 22, it can be a part of our daily lives and inform many decisions. Here are some actions that we have incorporated into our lives, personally and at work:
We invite you to be conscious of the Earth not just on Earth Day but every day of the year. Sip your favorite organic tea and help the Earth at the same time. So, join us in celebrating our Earth - it's the only one we have.
]]>If you're someone who sneezes through the Spring, suffers from runny eyes and the sniffles, you know how miserable this season can be. You're not alone. Studies indicate that over 25% of the population is affected by allergies which can be triggered by pollen, animal dander, specific foods, air pollution, dust mites, mold and even ingredients in beauty products to name just a few. Why do allergies occur? They do so when your specific immune system reacts to a foreign substance that most likely has no adverse effect on most people. The majority of allergies aren't life-threatening but they can affect the airways, sinuses and nasal passages, skin and even the digestive system.
Although most allergies cannot be cured, treatments and natural remedies can make life immensely more bearable for those affected. And our best advice is - don't wait for the symptoms to arrive - make it part of your daily habit during allergy season and promote wellness. Here are our recommendations from the wide variety available in Herbal and Rooibos Blends...
]]>Although most allergies cannot be cured, treatments and natural remedies can make life immensely more bearable for those affected. And our best advice is - don't wait for the symptoms to arrive - make it part of your daily habit during allergy season and promote wellness. Here are our recommendations from the wide variety available in Herbal and Rooibos Blends - all of which have benefits to stave off allergy symptoms:
Nettle
Yes, this is the same prickly plant that is an irritant in the garden but its leaves have beneficial properties and it is considered a common natural allergy relief remedy. By itself, it has a grassy, unpleasant taste but blended with other herbs, it can be enjoyed daily. Nettle's anti-inflammatory qualities prevent hay fever symptoms. Our Herb Revive is a blend of Apple, Stinging Nettle & Verbena leaves, Lemongrass, and Cranberries, naturally sweet and delicious hot or iced.
Licorice Root
This is an old-school remedy and known as a natural cough suppressant and expectorant. It is also considered to be an anti-inflammatory, thus assisting in respiratory problems associated with allergies. Our aptly-named herbal blend Spring Solace contains Licorice Root, Honey Bee Pollen, Mint as well as Eucalyptus among other ingredients.
Bee Pollen
Even the US Department of Agriculture cites bee pollen as one of the most nutritious foods we can eat. It contains vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, lipids, and protein. It is said to boost energy, fight allergies and relieve digestive disorders. Local bee pollen and local honey are highly recommended. Our very popular Phoenix tea has Black Tea, Bee Pollen, Honey, and Caramel. Not just sweet in the cup but also good for you!
Rooibos
Naturl antihistamine properties in Rooibos come from a bioflavonoid called Quercetin. This essential ingredient blocks the release of histamine and curbs the common and annoying symptoms of seasonal allergies such as a runny nose, sneezing, and other hay fever symptoms. In addition, Rooibos is high in anti-oxidants, naturally caffeine-free and a great robust base for many herbal blends. Since we suffer from the same allergies that others do, we've come up with our own House Allergy Blend - Rooi Relief. It is a calming blend of Rooibos, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Citrus - make yourself a cup daily and relieve your allergy symptoms.
Other Teas and Herbs are also used to fight allergies:
Green Tea which has EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), an antioxidant compound which assists in reducing allergies to pollen, pet dander, and dust. Include 2-3 cups of Green Tea to your daily diet.
Pepppermint acts as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and decongestant. It can decrease the release of histamines released when experiencing seasonal allergies, making it a good home-remedy for sinus inflammation and congestion. We offer several Wellness Blends - Mystic Mint Detox, DigestiMint, Ginger Ease and Spring Solace.
So before you reach for pills, try the above remedies - they have fewer side effects and may just allow you to coast through allergy season, symptom-free. And keep in mind that herbal blends, even though sometimes called Herbal "Teas" are not real Tea - they are herbs. So store them carefully, buy small quantities and check them before use to make sure they are still in good condition.
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According to recent studies, "true" teas like Black, Green, White, and Oolong, may provide a number of unique wellness benefits for humans, including:
And, of course, it tastes great! Tea suits every mood and the wide diversity in varieties can fit any time of day or need. From a robust Black Tea for a pick-me-up any time of the day to energizing Greens to fragrant and fruity flavored teas - you are sure to find one you enjoy. Read more in this recent article, highlighting the many benefits of Tea.
As we often say - Tea Cures All! Our only caveat would be, choose loose leaf tea - you will get more taste and health benefits from it compared to a teabag.
]]>Over the course of 18 years, we amassed quite a following and customers would routinely call in the morning to find out what the Soup of the Day was. Alas, we closed our Tea room in the Spring of 2018 but our love of Soup continues. Most are quite easy to make, all are vegetarian and are made from scratch. Like all recipes, adjust to your own taste and needs. We thought it would be fun to share some of our most popular Soup recipes with you.
Chick Pea & Cannellini Minestrone
Serves 12
Ingredients:
Directions:
Download this Recipe HERE.
Golden Vegetable with Green Lentils
Serves 6
Ingredients:
Directions:
Download this recipe HERE.
Here are a few more customer favorites that you can download or print.
Tuscan Chickpea Soup Download HERE!
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Green Vegetable with Basil Pesto Soup Download HERE!
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Tea is a great way to put a new twist on some old favorites. Infusing your recipes with tea is easier than you may have imagined, but ditch the tea bags and use loose leaf tea. Not only is the quality better, so are the flavors that it imparts to your favorite recipes. Although you can add tea leaves directly to your recipes, you can substitute brewed tea for any liquid in your recipe. Infusing tea into your melted butter is also a great way to add flavor to your recipes, and it's easy as well.
Just follow these 5 easy steps:
1. Add butter and loose leaf tea in a small saucepan and heat until melted.
2. Heat the mixture on a low temperature for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Let mixture stand for about 5 minutes or until it visibly tinted by the tea leaves.
4. Pour mixture through a fine mesh sieve, pressing on the tea leaves to extract all the flavor you can.
5. Let it cool and use as you would regular butter in your recipe.
You want to choose teas that you know will enhance the flavors of your baked goods. For example, Chai is a particular favorite for baking. With warm spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and anise, it's hard to go wrong adding it to your favorite chocolate or snickerdoodle recipe. Citrus flavored black teas also lend themselves well to baking, as well as green teas, such as matcha.
Well we can help you with that. Just break out those aprons and cookie sheets and let's get started! We have a few recipes to share with you!
Chocolate-Mint Tea Crinkle Cookies
Makes about 2 dozen
Ingredients:
Instructions:
1. In a small bowl, stir together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt.
2. Follow instructions for infusing the melted butter with tea leaves.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat cocoa and butter mixture until combined. Stir in the eggs and vanilla. Gradually stir in the flour mixture until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips. Chill dough for at least 1 hour.
4. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and toss in the powder sugar to coat the entire ball. Place the balls on the baking sheet and bake until cookies are cracked slightly but soft in the middle if pressed lightly, about 10 minutes.
6. Let them stand for 10 minutes. Carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
For a printable version of this recipe, click HERE.
Ingredients:
For the frosting:
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 325° F, and line the bottom of an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper. Then, lightly spray the exposed sides of the lined pan with cooking spray.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 1 - 2 minutes.
3. Add the eggs, matcha powder and vanilla, beat until just combined.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.
5. Add half of the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stir to combine.
6. Add in all of the buttermilk, and stir to combine.
7. Finally, add the remaining flour mixture and stir until no streaks of flour remain, but be careful not to overmix the batter.
8. Pour batter into the prepared pan, and bake on the middle rack for 30-33 minutes. Toothpick inserted should come out clean.
9. Let cake cool in pan for 15 minutes, you should see it pulling away from the edge of the pan. Place on wire rack and cool completely.
10. To make the frosting: combine all frosting ingredients in a bowl and beat until light and fluffy.
11. Slice the cake in half (to form 2 rectangles), spread some buttercream frosting on the top of one half. Place other piece of cake on top and finish icing with the buttercream frosting.
12. Dust the cake with some powdered sugar and fresh strawberries. Slice into 5 or 6 triangle slices and serve.
For a printable version of this recipe, click HERE.
Earl Grey Snowball Cookies
Makes 2 dozen
Ingredients:
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F and line 2 cookie sheet pans with parchment paper.
2. Mix butter, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar and vanilla extract in a stand mixer until fluffy.
3. Add flour, tea leaves and salt and mix until well incorporated. Fold in the nuts.
4. Scoop the dough and form into 1" balls. Place on prepared cookie sheet about 1 inch apart.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the bottoms are slightly brown. While baking, fill a small bowl with the remaining 1/2 cup powdered sugar.
6. Remove cookies from the oven and cool for 1 minute. Roll each cookie in the powdered sugar until well coated, then place on wire rack to cool completely.
7. The first powdered sugar layer sometimes melts a little, so once the cookies are completely cooled, you may want to re-roll them in the powdered sugar.
For a printable version of this recipe, click HERE
]]>Well, we are happy to tell you, our Evening Grey is back in stock and ready to ship.
]]>"I went on a quest to find the product to bring home. This is a feast for every sense.."
"Tastes like the holidays!"
Toasted Almond falls into the family of Fruit Tisanes. A Tisane is typically a blend of edible fruits and botanicals. Most steep a dark red as they usually have hibiscus to add color. Our Hawaiian Berry, Cherry Jubilee and South Pacific fall into this category. Toasted Almond is one of the few low acidity Tisanes. It's tell-tale pink color, when steeped, comes from, of all things, beetroot! This Tisane has only a few ingredients: Apple, chipped Almonds, Cinnamon, Beetroot pieces and flavoring. The other Tisane in our collection that is lower in acidity in our collection is Wolfberry Melon. Although it does have hibiscus and rosehips, there is an abundance of other fruits to provide a balanced naturally sweet taste.
A few items to note about Toasted Almond - remember it has almonds so avoid this if you are allergic to it. Read more about Allergens in Tea here. Second, it is naturally without caffeine. Finally, you can enjoy it hot or iced. We do not recommend adding milk. And why stop at just steeping it? Cook with it - here are our favorites for you to try.
Toasted Almond Ice Cream
Ingredients:
1 Pint Heavy Cream
1 c. Almond Milk
3 Tbsp. Toasted Almond Tisane
1 c. Sugar or Honey
1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 Tbsp. Almond Extract
Pinch of Salt
1 c. slivered Toasted Almonds
Directions:
1. Warm almond milk and then remove from heat. In a tea infuser or spice bag, steep the Toasted Almond Tisane for desired length of time. Remove the tisane.
2. Dissolve sugar or honey in the milk.
3. Add the salt and extract, then mix in the heavy cream.
4. Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions, stirring in the slivered toasted almonds once the ice cream starts to set up.
Toasted Almond Oatmeal
Ingredients:
1 packet of plain Instant Oatmeal, or 1 serving of old-fashioned oats
1 to 1 1/2 cups of freshly brewed Toasted Almond Tisane
dash of salt, optional
Directions:
1. Brew Tisane as directed.
2. Make oatmeal according to package directions, substituting the toasted almond tisane for the water. Garnish with toasted almonds, fresh berries, brown sugar and cream if desired.
Apple Almond Bread with Cream Cheese Swirl
Ingredients:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 egg
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. apple juice
1/4 c. butter, melted
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract
2 tbsp. toasted almond tisane
1 egg beaten
2 c. chopped apples
3/4 c. sliced almonds, divided
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of a 9 x 5 loaf pan with shortening; lightly flour. In a small saucepan, melt 1/4 c. of butter. Put 2 tbsp. of toasted almond fruit tisane in the melted butter, set aside to infuse for 20 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, discard the fruit tisane.
2. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add 1 egg; blend well and set aside.
3.In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, backing powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in apple juice, tisane infused butter, vanilla and almond extract and beaten egg, until well blended. Fold in apples and 1/2 cup nuts. Spoon half of the batter into the pan, spoon cream cheese mixture evenly over batter. Top with remaining batter and swirl batter with a knife a few times to swirl the cream cheese though the batter. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of almonds over the top.
4. Bake 65 to 75 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly in the center. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan. Cool completely. Wrap tightly and store in refrigerator.
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The first question was: "We've offered various types of promotions. Rank your top 3 with the 1st choice being your most preferred promotion". Although we will continue to offer a variety of promotions, we will more prominently feature your top ranked suggestions below:
With the holidays around the corner, we wanted to touch base to see what you would like to order and gift during the busy holiday season. Although it is tempting to offer a variety of Teaware including teapots, cups, mugs, gift boxes and holiday-themed items, it is clear from your entries that Loose Leaf Tea is what you consistently prefer and order:
No matter how much Green teas and Herbal and Wellness blends are hyped in the media, Black Teas continue to be your overwhelming favorite Tea:
And here are your comments which make us smile and make our day!
We are very aware of the amount of e-mail that lands in your inbox daily and how annoying it can be to repeatedly receive material that's not useful for you. So we were heartened to know that the frequency of our newsletters to you hits the sweet spot. A clear majority thinks what we send out is the right amount!
Thanks for taking the time to let us know how we're doing. And for those who have not yet used the Discount Coupon we sent you as a thank you for filling out the survey, remember it's valid through the end of this year.
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"Hi! I was born in Tarrytown and growing up, my Grandma took me to Silver Tips Tearoom all the time. It is one of my fondest memories. One of my grandma's favorite parts of a lunch at the tearoom was a layered lemon cake for dessert. Her 85th birthday is coming up and I would love to be able to get her that same cake. I was wondering if there was anyone from the tearoom who remembers where they would order their cakes from? I would be over the moon if I could find it. I appreciate it greatly and thank you for all the fond memories at Silver Tips I'll cherish forever!" - A.S.
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The famous Lion symbol of Ceylon Tea comes with specific burdens of use. First, any tea bearing the Lion Logo must be grown, manufactured & packed in Sri Lanka. Even a blend that is 95% Sri Lankan cannot be described as Ceylon Tea. Overseas, 100% tea from Sri Lanka may be called Ceylon Tea but not bear the famous Lion Logo.
Sri Lanka may be a tiny country but is a giant in the world of Tea. Tea production not only accounts for almost 15% of its foreign exchange but also accounts for over 65% of its export agriculture revenue. The industry, directly or indirectly provides employment to almost 20% of its population. For several years, it even bore the distinction of being the world's leading exporter of tea. For a country small in geographic size, this is, indeed, remarkable.
The quality of Ceylon Tea is aided by its geography - both high and low country, humidity and cool temperatures, sun and rain and fertile soil. Some of the famous tea areas in Ceylon are the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya District. Teas from the latter are often called 'the Darjeeling of Ceylon'. The origin of Ceylon Tea is often attributed to James Taylor, a British citizen who arrived in Ceylon in 1852. Taylor visited India in the 1860's to learn the basics of growing tea on plantations and returned to Kandy and started the Loolecondera Tea Estate. In 1875, James Taylor sent the first shipment of Ceylon tea to the London Tea Auction. He is still revered in Sri Lanka.
The Tea Industry of Sri Lanka celebrates its 150th Anniversary in 2017. Ceylon produces a significant variety of teas, both in grade and type. Although Black tea still dominates, Ceylon Green teas are prized for their mild, nutty and slightly astringent quality. Leaf style is particularly important for Ceylon teas. Its classic long, wiry leaf style for an OP grade is world-famous. Well-known tea regions are Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula, Uva, Kandy and Ruhunu. Ceylon tea is brisk, not too overpowering in flavor, not as earthy or malty as other well-known black teas such as Assam or Yunnan and is often the favorite cup of tea drinkers.
We offer Ceylon Black and Green Teas. Kenilworth and New Vithanakande are our very popular black OP grades. The Pekoe from the Ruhunu region is a completely different leaf style - rolled in style and producing a thicker, deeper cup for those who prefer a touch of milk. Idulgashinna Tea Estates is certified organic and fair trade and we carry both their Black and Green grades. Our house Earl Grey blend called, appropriately, Silver Tips Earl Grey, is on a Ceylon OP base and our French Breakfast also starts with a Ceylon Black. Enjoy them all - you are tasting history.
]]>Iced Tea is simple to prepare and a healthful alternative to soda and sugary drinks. It needs just a few teaspoons of loose leaf tea, water and a quick 5 minutes to steep. Stay away from the powdery mixes widely available today in the supermarket. They are usually loaded with sugar and defeat the healthy benefits of tea.
Although tea is often thought of as a warm, comforting cold-weather beverage, it can be enjoyed iced throughout the summer. Down South, the ever-present Sweet Tea (usually Peach) is the beverage of choice and served wherever you go. We’ve learned a thing or two about Iced Tea and so we offer you a guide on how to make the best iced teas and the different ways you can serve them. It doesn’t have to be Flavored Tea – it works just as well with Oolong or Peppermint. Modify and experiment with the tips and recipes we provide – you can’t go wrong with these simple but delicious blends.
How to Steep Iced Tea
Although adding a spoon of powdery instant tea mix into a glass is easy, remember it is mostly sugar and artificial ingredients. Opt instead for loose leaf tea. Steep your favorite tea just as you would make it hot. Remember, you can ice them all – black tea, green tea, matcha, jasmine tea, herbal tea, even English Breakfast. You can find plenty of options that are both Organic and Fair Trade certified.
Start by boiling water. Measure and spoon the loose-leaf tea into a mug, teapot or pitcher and add the boiled water. Cover and steep for the recommended time. This is usually 5 minutes for Black Tea and 2 – 3 for Green Tea. Just follow the label directions. If you are preparing Iced Tea in advance, just chill in the refrigerator. If you need to serve it immediately, fill a glass with ice and pour the hot tea over the ice.
We’ve put together a list of our 10 most popular tea-drinking tips for the summer:
Mango Orange Sparkling Iced Tea Recipe
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup sugar
1 cup water, boiling
2 heaped tsp. Tango Squeeze Black Tea
1 1/2 cups sparkling water, chilled
1/2 of orange, thinly sliced
Ice
Directions
To make simple syrup: In a small saucepan, bring the orange juice sugar to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until sugar has fully dissolved, about 5 minutes. Cool for 20 minutes.
To make tea: Bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Put the tea leaves in an infuser basket, pour boiling water over the tea leaves and steep for 5 minutes. Remove the leaves and allow to cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Pour the tea and simple syrup into a small glass pitcher and stir well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
To serve: Pour chilled sparkling water into the pitcher, add the orange slices. Pour tea into 2 ice-filled glasses. Garnish with orange slices. Refresh yourself!
Yields: 2 servings
Green Tea Lemonade
3-4 tsp Green Flavored Tea
1 cup boiling water
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup cold water
2 Tbsp. sugar, plus more to taste
Lemon slices & mint leaves for garnish
Directions:
Steep 3 - 4 teaspoons Green tea using a disposable filter or infuser basket in 1 cup boiling water for 3 minutes. Our Green Limon is perfect for this recipe. Remove the tea leaves and add 2 tablespoons sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolve.
Pour into a small glass pitcher. Add 1/4 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice and 3/4 cup cold water to the green tea mixture. Stir to combine. Add additional sugar to taste.
Pour into 2 ice-filled glasses. Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves.
Yields: 2 servings
]]>No one argues about the quality of Coffee anymore. Think about Tea the way you do Coffee. There’s Instant, then there’s the supermarket brand and finally, there’s Fresh Ground. Sure, a no-frills cup of coffee is sometimes all you can get but a cup of fresh ground Sumatra or Guatemala is a cup to savor. So too with Tea.
Here are the Fundamentals of Tea. It starts with fresh plucked leaf. Then, for Black Tea, it is rolled, allowed to oxidize, dried and sorted. At the sorting stage, the leaf is separated by size. The largest leaves are set aside and sold as Whole Leaf, sometimes known as Flowery Orange Pekoe. The not-quite-whole leaves are the next best grade and known as Brokens. Finally, we’re left with the very small particles that didn’t make the Leaf or Broken grades and these are collected and used for teabags. These are the most inferior of the sizes.
For Green Tea, the leaf is not allowed to oxidize at all. For Oolong, some oxidization is allowed and the result is not quite black and not quite green. The small sized particles in a teabag are also the reason that it takes only a few seconds to steep – it colors as soon as it hits the water. In the case of a full-sized leaf, it takes 2-4 minutes for the entire surface of the leaf to be fully infused and release its character & flavor. In some cases, the same tea leaves can even be infused multiple times.
Tea is a simple cup – all you need is leaf and water. Within just a few minutes you can indulge in one of the world’s finest but most affordable luxuries – a great cup of whole leaf tea. It is simplicity, complexity, repose and upliftment in a cup.
Here are some of the many advantages of steeping Whole Leaf Tea:
Taste – Whole leaf is nuanced. It brings you the malty notes of a premier Assam or the fragrant notes of a Jade Oolong in a way that teabags cannot.
Health Benefits – A teabag is a short steep – not long enough to provide you with the full benefits of antioxidants and polyphenols.
Variety – All teas do not come in teabag form. This is true of some of the world's finest teas - Genmaicha, Ti Kwan Yin, Wu Yi Oolong, Pai Mu Tan, Yin Zhen…
Aesthetics – The beauty of a full leaf tea unfurling before your eyes is remarkable. It reminds you of the vast journey of the leaf from the mountain sides to your cup.
Calm – The small, pure act of measuring and steeping loose leaf tea provides a moment of calm to the day.
Take the first leap into the world of Loose Leaf Tea. Make your own tea bags by using Disposable Filters. You can even fill it with your favorite tea and take it with you. Place the loose leaf tea in the paper filter and pour hot water over it. In a few minutes your tea is ready and waiting for you. Enjoy your moment of peace. Once you are convinced that the taste is superior – and you will be – you can experiment with a more permanent infuser basket or even a teapot. Just make sure you use leaf tea.
]]>We received many great submissions and after selecting our 3 winning entries at random, we were left with many others that were memorable. So we're sharing those, our Honorable Mentions, with you:
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