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What a Year It’s Been

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

Last year, 2020, started out with great prospects. I had plans to renew posting to this blog, and the wine blog, to have more teas, maybe some educational tea things, etc. For some reason – actually for several known reasons and a few unknown – 2019 had not been a good year for the business. But, 2020 was going gang busters and we had our goal set of surpassing 2019 in a big way. That all came to a screeching halt mid-March, as it did for the whole nation. So, we took this time to regroup and plan. We adjusted, as did just about everyone else. My husband and I work in the health field as well and so our lives only took a temporary slow-down.

It was a time to “catch up” with friends and family on Zoom, catch up on rest, and explore YouTube for ideas. I had just had surgery and my leave of absence was extended as my boss had asked us to do what we could to lower his payroll. My husband used his vacation time. We caught up on needed sleep, became Zoom savvy, and our lives were filled with little projects. Just like many of you. In addition, as I am fairly “techie” I became a Zoom host for several organizations.

We survived, thanks to the offered PPP loan and some grant money, as well as our personal savings. As things loosened a little, we still sided with caution. No food events were scheduled. Still, we managed to beat that horrible 2019 by a little.

This year we were so happy to be able to offer an afternoon tea for Easter. It couldn’t be as fancy as usual as we were not allowed to use centerpieces unless we destroyed them afterward, but we were able to use colorful paper place mats. We didn’t put a lot of notices out as it was a first run and we weren’t sure how much response we would get. We were happy to say that we were booked to the max. People were so eager to be out and about, especially after receiving their vaccines, and were confident that as medical people we took precautions to keep people safe.

I just want to say “thank you” and I am hopeful that this year there will be a return of blogging. I haven’t gone so far as to promise a YouTube video – and won’t – but maybe. Just maybe.

Enjoy looking over past posts. We now carry some Storehouse Teas – organic, non-GMO, loose leaf teas from a woman-owned business in northern Ohio. Unfortunately, our previous vendor became unreliable. Her teas were wonderful and we wish her well, but our last three orders were never filled.

Right now I am enjoying the latest Laura Childs books, as well as Joanne Fluke’s. I recommend them for light reading. May your 2021 be blessed.

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Tea Party for Grown Ups

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

Dawnya Sasse has been one of my mentors during my tea journey. Here is one of her articles from e-zines. com.

By Dawnya Sasse

Adults, just as much as children, enjoy a tea party that celebrates any sort of occasion. Serving loose leaf tea is a healthy alternative to any party option and with the wide range of teas available, you can incorporate any theme or celebrate any occasion. From birthdays to anniversaries or other events, tea is a fun, unique and easy way to create a party. Use the event (is it a birthday or anniversary?) to determine the best types of tea to serve or, consider hosting a themed party. A theme can be based on anything from a book character to the time of year. Your party can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Just use your imagination, because you are sure to find a tea that is perfect for the occasion!

Activities

Depending on the celebration, activities may range from traditional to unusual or even none at all! In the fast-paced world we live in, many adults will welcome the chance to sit and enjoy a hot cup of tea and good
conversation. Sometimes people need a reason to relax, and a tea party can be just that. However, if you want to incorporate activities, these can easily be based on the reason for the gathering. Consult with your local party supply store or do a quick search online.

You can incorporate a “tea twist” on many common games, for example. Bridal and baby shower games can include a tea theme (such as word scrambles or searches), and tea gifts make wonderful party favors for your attendees. Package loose teas in festive netting and tie it with a beautiful ribbon. Love bingo? Try Teago and let your guests learn about tea and its customs while competing in a familiar game. (www.teago.com [http://www.teago.com])

Decorations

Decorations will depend on the activity, such as a birthday, anniversary, or baby shower. Create a theme for the party, such as a vacation getaway for an anniversary. Decorate the room with beach balls, beach towels and have guests sit in outdoor lounge chairs (or if the weather is nice, take the party outside!). A “famous babies” theme for a baby shower is much more interesting than decorations that are all green and yellow. Try filling the room with photos of actors who got their start in “pampers.” The key is to put a twist on your party, and then, of course, offer a twist on the tea you serve such as a fruity tea for the beach party or bubble tea for a baby shower.

Music

Music selections for your parties can vary greatly. To make it easy on yourself, look for compilation CDs that incorporate the theme. A CD of soft love songs is a great choice for an anniversary, for example, or an orchestrated mix of lullabies for a baby shower. Visit your local music retailer for specific suggestions or do an online search for CDs that pertain to your theme.

Invitation Ideas

Use your theme to determine the types of invitations you will use. Get creative and make your own using specialty papers, or throw in a few loose tea leaves for a scented and enticing invitation (although some people
may not appreciate tea leaves falling out, so consider some type of mesh envelope!). Because you’ll be centering your party on tea, think of using naturally colored invitations and alternative papers. A traditional birthday invitation may not be quite what you’re looking for, so look into blank cards as well, as you can then add your own words.

Foods

What should you serve at a tea party? Again, your theme will have a lot to do with the food selections. If your theme is an anniversary beach party, for example, serve exotic fruits and finger sandwiches. If you are hosting a famous baby tea try collecting and serving favorite recipes of the stars then let your guests vote on the best appetizer.

Teas

Many parties lend themselves well to lighthearted and fruity teas and tisanes. Consider offering teas that your guests may not encounter otherwise. This is a fun way to introduce new teas and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Creativity is a fountain of youth. Now grab a pencil, jot down your ideas and get started.
(C) Dawnya Sasse

Dawnya Sasse is the creator of the ultimate tea business training school allowing students to discover the secrets of the tea industry, “quickly and easily” without ever leaving home.

Why do some people succeed in the tea business? Discover how to “Unlock the Secrets of the Billion Dollar Tea Industry from the Comfort of Your Own Computer” and make your tea dream a reality. Free audio mini course http://www.StartATeaBusiness.com

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Hosting a Friendship Tea – The Easy Way

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

OK. The easiest way is to make reservations and come to Unicorn Wine Guild for tea. The next easiest is to do it yourself.

Make a list of 4 to 6 close friends. You might also want to include a couple of newbies in the group, but be sure that they are included in the conversation and don’t feel left out. It is a great way to introduce the new neighbor, club member, etc.

Make, buy or e-vite the group. Be sure to include a respond by date. You can even ask them to each bring a plate of their favorite dessert. In this case indicate the size of the group. It’s OK to ask.

Send out these invitations at least two weeks in advance. In this modern age, the longer the notice, the better. Saturday or Sunday afternoons are often the best time.

For your tea you will want to have 2 or 3 varieties of tea. Make sure that one is caffeine free such as a fruit or Rooibos.

A couple of days before the party gather your supplies – tablecloth, napkins, plates, cups and saucers, tea pot, silverware. Be whimsical or formal. Paper or china. The choice is yours. This will give you time to shop to complete your needed items. To ease the cost of entertaining, many recommend that if using china to collect plain white china or clear glass. This way the china lasts year round and you can accessorize with patterned linens (or paper). A centerpiece adds sparkle to the table. Choose flowers or a whimsical arrangement. It is nice to give a small gift to each participant. These can even be arranged as the centerpiece.

A few hours before the guests arrive, prepare two types of tea sandwiches, cut into triangles and cover in the fridge until serving time. You might also want to prepare something like a simple fruit dish. Don’t forget the milk, lemon and sugar cubes.

Arrange the food as a buffet. Serve iced tea in pitchers and hot tea in teapots. Let the guests serve themselves. (While one lump or two is wonderful for hot tea, it doesn’t do so well for iced. Having a small pitcher of simple syrup is a great benefit to the guests. It’s easy. Just stir equal amounts of sugar and hot water until they form a solution.)

Above all, have a good time with your friends. Don’t worry that it’s not perfect. The point of the whole thing is to share in friendship.

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Rooibos “Tea”

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

I love tea, especially black tea. But, somewhere along the line in the last few years my body has rebelled against caffeine. I have inherited a heart arrhythmia that requires a zap to the chest to fix. Not fun. Not cheap. So, I limit my caffeine consumption and save it for a piece of chocolate, and the occasional half cup of decaf coffee or a treat of a cup of tea – usually the second brew. My new love is Rooibos. A tisane from South Africa also known as “Red Bush”, many consider it to be a more healthy alternative to Camillia sinensis.

South African Bushmen harvested the Aspalathus linearis for centuries. However, as the number of Bushmen declined, it was almost lost. In 1772 botanist Carl Humberg rediscovered the plant. In 1904 Benjamin Ginsberg began production of a commercial product of Rooibos. During World War II when importation of tea from China was especially difficult, it saw a rise in popularity. Still expensive, it wasn’t until Annique Theron wrote a book on it’s health benefits in 1968 that production increased and thus became more affordable.

Rooibos undergoes oxidation and fermentation like black tea with an end result of containing more antioxidants. It is naturally decaffeinated as it contains no caffeine to begin with and has fewer tannins. With fewer tannins, the body can more easily absorb iron and thus the person feels more energized. It has a sweet and nutty taste.

Not only is Rooibos tasty as a hot drink, it makes a refreshing iced beverage. So, if drinking tea too late in the day makes you jittery or delays your rest, try substituting Rooibos. Use a heaping teaspoon brewed with 180 degree water for 7 minutes for a fine drink. Enjoy.

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The Definitions for Different Types of Tea

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

Dawnya Sasse has been one of my mentors since I began my journey to open the tea portion of the winery. I share with you, with her permission, a definition of teas.

As I talk of different teas here at Tea Party Girl, you will find a definition for the different types here:

Assam-Like wines, teas are often named based on where the tea is grown. In this case, Assam tea is a black tea grown in Assam, India. Assam tea is the base for many of the breakfast teas, i.e. English Breakfast. Assam tea will give you a bold, malty flavor.
Ceylon-Ceylon tea is also named for where it is grown, Sri Lanka (previously the island of Ceylon). It is a black tea with a lighter, crisper taste than Assam.
Darjeeling-Sometimes called the champagne of teas because it is coveted above other teas and often more expensive. It is grown in India. Its taste is fruity and spicy. Most Darjeeling teas are black teas. If a Darjeeling tea is described as a “first flush”, it is describing when in the year the tea is harvested, as this affects the taste.
Green-If a tea is green, it has undergone less oxidation, the process of the tea plant chemically changing to yield a different result (black teas go through the most oxidation). Green tea has traditionally been popular in the East; however its popularity in the West increased radically when the health benefits of green tea were introduced during the last decade or two.
Lapsang souchong-This tea grows in China and is pan-fried resulting in a smoky, earthy brew. This is reminiscent of the days when tea came from China to Europe over land. It gathered the flavor of the traders’ fires. It is one of the more bold flavors of black tea and has been said to be an acquired taste. Also said to be popular with men.
Oolong-a tea that is less oxidized than black tea and more oxidized than green tea. It is mainly grown in China and Taiwan.
Yunnan-Named after a China province, it is also called Dian hong tea. It is often used in tea blends. High quality Yunnan is identified based on the amount of leaf buds or golden tips of the tea plant present in the tea. These are harder to pick which is why their presence is valuable. This tea turns bitter quickly if over-brewed, but can handle multiple infusions (the leaves can be brewed more than once).
Earl Grey-a tea named after a British Prime Minister from the 1800s. It is flavored with the oil of bergamot, a citrus fruit.
White-Tea is classified as a white tea when it includes young-growth tea leaves AND buds, resulting in its pale color. Oxidation of the tea is stopped through steaming or frying the leaves. It’s more delicate, therefore more care is needed in its handling, and often fetches a higher price. It cannot handle boiling water and needs to be steeped at about 180 degrees.
Dragon well-Also named Longjing tea and drank by emperors, Dragon well is a high quality green tea and China’s most renowned out of about 700 of their teas. It is hand-picked which can increase the cost and pan-fried providing a delicious chest-nutty flavor.
Rooibos-A red “tea”, more correctly a tisane, not made from the camellia sinensis plant, but the rooibos plant grown at this time only in South Africa. This “tea” is also called honeybush and comes in almost every flavor imaginable. The South Africans enjoy rooibos with milk and sugar and even share it’s mildness with their infants. It is becoming popular outside of South Africa because of it’s lack of caffeine and other health benefits, and it’s mention in the popular novel, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.

I will add definitions of other teas as I add them to my articles. If I miss one, be sure to let me know!

Dawnya Sasse is the author of Tea Party Girl.com and is a long time educator in the art of tea. Grab 52 FREE Afternoon tea recipes by subscribing at http://www.TeaPartyGirl.com You are going to love it!

Unicorn Wine Guild carries over 30 teas that have been imported and blended by Teh-Ku teas in Dublin, Ohio.

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Valentines Day Tea

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, many are wondering what they will do to celebrate the day. Many prefer a quiet celebration, still others choose a multi-generational raucous celebration and some will have no one to celebrate with through whatever kind of separation. Whether alone, quiet with your significant other or at a rowdy children’s party, the day is a day of joy.

Perhaps this is the year to start a new tradition. Offer to hold a “princess” tea for the little ones while allowing their parents a night alone. Have fun at the dollar store and have plenty of princess “bling” for the girls or change up the theme and let them be pirates or superheroes or astronauts. If you can add an etiquette lesson to the festivities, all the better.

Invite someone alone to share a tea with you. If she is widowed, remembering happy times with her spouse can be very therapeutic. A gift of a fancy handkerchief or a journal would be nice. If you have photos of you and your special someone sharing good times with her and her loved one, a framed photo or a photo album would be a wonderful addition. If she is alone because hubby is out of town on business or in service to the country, perhaps a diva theme, a funny movie, or your own costume party can make the event fun. Invite other girl friends to share in the fun.

Wait, you say. Valentine’s is a day for lovers. There is no reason that you and hubby can’t have a romantic tea. Candles, chocolates, a little romantic music, some wine and even a romantic movie can add to the event.

For some assistance with any of these ideas visit Tea Party Girl at www.teapartygirl.com. Have a wonderful and memorable Valentine celebration!

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New Additions at the Tea Room

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

We are pleased that we have been able to hire another person part-time and she is experienced with Gluten-Free pastries. I had not realized just how common celiac disease was. My hubby has a wheat allergy and I was tested a few years ago when one of my doctors thought I might have a celiac problem. Anyway, her pastries are wonderful and she does beautiful floral work with icing. Her wedding cakes are tasty and beautiful.

We are now open Mondays. Hours Monday through Saturday are 11AM -7PM.

We also have added a few teas since last fall. If you haven’t had the opportunity to try some, please stop by. We are a great place to cool off on a summer afternoon.

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Chocolate Icewine Truffles

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

These truffles were featured in our advertisement in the Parkersburg News and Sentinel 2009 Cookbook. It is adapted from Chateau Chantal who adapted it from London Winery. These truffles are easy to make, but they will need time to cool a couple of times, so start early or preferably the day before serving.

You will need:

1/3 cup whipping cream

1/2 pound semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

1/3 cup Magical Dreams (Unicorn Wine Guild’s Riesling wine in an ice wine style)

2 Tablespoons butter, softened

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 teaspoon powdered sugar

Bring the cream to a boil, being careful not to scorch it. Place chocolate in a bowl and add the milk. Blend until the chocolate is melted, making a ganauche. Add the Magical Dreams and allow to cool. Beat in the butter. (You can add the butter when the chocolate is warm the first time, but by allowing it to cool and then reheating, you temper the chocolate for a better product.) Refrigerate until firm enough to handle. Once cool, drop mixture by small spoonfuls into a shallow dish of cocoa powder sweetened with the sugar to taste. Roll each truffle in the cocoa, rounding between the palms of the hand. Dust hands with the cocoa if necessary to keep the truffles from sticking. If the truffle mixture becomes too soft, return to the refrigerator to harden then continue making the truffles. The completed truffles may be shaken gently in a strainer to remove excess cocoa, if desired. Store in an airtight refrigerator for up to 10 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to soften slightly. Serve in a candy dish or place each truffle in a fluted paper cup. Makes 3 dozen small truffles.

Hint: To make a great topping for ice cream, make the ganache, add the butter while warm and serve warm over ice cream.

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Tea Class at the Guild

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

Somehow my first notice did not get published (my error, I’m sure), but I want to let you know that there will be an Introduction to Tea Class at The Unicorn Wine Guild on August 8, 2009 at 4:00 PM. We will cover the history of tea, a bit about the different types of tea and how to make a perfect pot of tea. Call us at the winery 740/423-1300 to register. It’s free, but we want to have enough copies of handouts. Hope to see you there.

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Tea at the Unicorn Wine Guild

Tea-related education and events, the enjoyment of the beverage and the culture of tea

What a Year It’s Been

Hosting a Friendship Tea – The Easy Way

Rooibos “Tea”

The Definitions for Different Types of Tea

Valentines Day Tea

New Additions at the Tea Room

Chocolate Icewine Truffles

Tea Class at the Guild

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