Celebrations

Autumn Tea

I love tea! Having said that, I am looking forward to cooler afternoons when I can, once again sip a perfectly brewed cup of hot tea.

Taking tea is more than just eating scones and tea sandwiches, it is indeed an experience. From traditional to the very hip, tea can be what you choose it to be as long as you follow a few simple rules.

During the summer months I typically enjoy iced-tea in the afternoons due to the warm climate in which I live. And for that, my favorite spot is on my screened porch. Once autumn appears however, tea on the porch becomes a totally different experience.

Autumn is a great time to pull out the tea cups and whip up a nice batch of tea cookies and dessert breads to celebrate the new season. The cooler weather is a welcoming change for those of us who love this time-honored tradition. Tea can be as simple as the lighter fare of a “cream” tea or as lavish and more filling as the more traditional “high tea”. No matter which one you choose, however, you will walk away refreshed and satisfied.

When choosing what to serve for tea, look at it as a way to not only create special tea recipes, but also as an opportunity to re-make leftovers from the previous night’s dinner. Things like roasted chicken breast when mixed with a little mayo and dried apricots and lemon juice can become a nice spread for tea sandwiches. So, when thinking about what to serve, be sure to check out the refrigerator for ideas first. And remember too, even if you have just a cup of tea and a couple of tea cookies, you have the makings of a great afternoon tea experience.

Tips for Tea:

  1. Having tea on the porch does not necessarily mean that you are limited to wicker chairs and café tables. Instead, you can, if you choose, bring some of the comforts of your indoors onto the bright area of the porch. Things like small settees with plush pillows make for a beautiful and comfortable setting for sipping tea.
  2. When choosing a table setting, opt for a mixture of your favorite tea cups and saucers rather than going “match” for your table top. This is so much more relaxed and does not take away from the element of elegance if that is what you are striving for.
  3. Use different colored linen napkins to compliment your setting. The traditional white linen is so much a thing of the past and unless you are hosting a wedding tea or formal tea gathering, always opt for the flair of brightly-colored linen napkins instead. Remember too that linen or cloth napkins are a must. They are reusable, therefore, using them cuts down on the amount of garbage added to landfills and they absorb little spills so much better than paper. If you absolutely must have paper, there are a few great linen-like napkins that make for a pretty table setting and they do an okay job in the event of an accidental spill.
  4. When possible, choose a very good loose tea as the difference in flavor is like night and day. When brewing, remember to take your time. A good cup of tea requires patience. In the coming months, be sure to look for our own blends that will become available on our online store.
  5. Use the good stuff — leave the mugs and paper plates for another time. This is your time to celebrate the little moments each day so make it special. Pull out the good china and don’t forget the fresh flowers. If you don’t have the budget for fresh flowers, pick up a nice flowering plant while at the supermarket and use this to accent your table. This will keep down the cost of having to replace flowers each day.
  6. Coming up in the October issue — a couple of my favorite tea recipes. Until then, enjoy!