Tea at the Unicorn Wine Guild

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

Aug 4

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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Jun 23

Fruit Cloud Cream

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

I think all of us are looking for something simple that can dress up our tea time.  This is something that can be made a bit ahead and will go wonderfully with cake – whether it be a store-bought pound cake, from a mix or made from scratch.  Experiment a little to find your favorite flavor combination.

Ingredients:

2.5 teaspoons unflavored gelatin (that should equal one packet)

1 cup fruit juice concentrate

2 cups heavy cream

Preparation:

Whip the cream to soft peaks.  Meanwhile, soften the gelatin in 1/4 cup fruit juice concentrate for 5 minutes.  Microwave until the gelatin is dissolved.  Add to the remaining fruit juice concentrate.  While continuing to beat the cream, add the concentrate mixture to the whipping cream.  Spread between cake layers.  Chill.  Yummy!

Note:  Strawberry daiquiri mix or white grape/raspberry are very good with chocolate cake.  Lemon would be good with white cake.

 

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May 21

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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Apr 23

Planning Your Tea Parties

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

There are a lot of details to remember when planning a tea party, be it a corporate, club, or personal function.  And the best way to keep track of everything, and to bring back memories later, is to keep a journal.  Choose whatever size you want. (I personally like a loose-leaf half-size binder.)  If you like to scrapbook, you may want to use a journal that matches your favorite size.  If you are a computer lover, you can keep it on the computer.  I have more than one computer and invariably the information I want is on the other one.  Yes, there are flash drives – in the other computer case.  So, a loose-leaf notebook is my choice.

In your journal you can collect decorating ideas, themes, guest lists, recipes, and more.  After each event you can critique what you would do differently, note where you stored your equipment and journal other thoughts about the day.  Maybe you want to take pictures and place them along with your notes of the event.

The first things you should do for your party are to set the date, the theme and the guest list. Be sure to track your RSVP’s once you send out the invitations.  Plan details such as decor,  room arrangement, table settings, menu (with recipes) and beverage matches.

You will want to develop a shopping list and may even want to do some comparison shopping.  You may find that a recipe or favor is out of your budget.  You can also decide with your budget in mind whether to hand-craft your invitations, use pre-packaged ones or even use an electronic invitation.

A very important checklist is actually the timeline for the event.  Be sure to double the time needed for any one thing.  Distractions, cooking mishaps, and more can set you behind.  Be sure to leave time for you to relax before guests arrive.

Depending on the size of the group you may even want to ask a few friends to help in exchange for a service for them.  Barring that, you might offer a civic group or church a donation in return for help or, if large enough, hire help.  Again, a checklist.

You might decide on a potluck.  In which case you need to keep track of who is to bring what item and what items you borrowed or rented from whom.  You might also want to create playlists for background music (soft classical or light jazz).  You might even want to make a few notes about topics of conversation so you don’t forget the blessing for the meal or to toast the guest of honor or even topics that are taboo for the day due to sensitivities of a guest.

Your attention to detail will make the party memorable.  By planning well ahead your guests will be amazed by the little things that make your party unique.  Be sure to take pictures, have small gifts for the attendees and boxes to send leftovers home with the guests.  Pictures you will want to have are of the centerpiece and table setting before guests arrive, pictures of the party in progress and afterwards.  You might even want to send pictures to the guests afterwards.

Checklists will help you know you are well prepared and allow you to relax and enjoy the party, too.  Remember though that not everything will go perfectly.  Plan for contingencies and you will sail through the event.  Tea parties are fun, for you and a friend or as a corporate event for 500.  Preparation will ensure that.

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Apr 7

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Oolong-a tea that is less oxidized than black tea and more oxidized than green tea. It is mainly grown in China and Taiwan.
  7. 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).
  8. Earl Grey-a tea named after a British Prime Minister from the 1800s. It is flavored with the oil of bergamot, a citrus fruit.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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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Mar 27

I admit it. I’m addicted to books

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

Yes, I admit it.  Books.  I’ve loved books since I was big enough to turn the pages on my Dr. Suess books.  My parents made sure my brother and  I were surrounded by books.  My great-grandparents and grandparents also left shelves of books with leather covers and gilt edges when they moved on. My library has also grown and parting with a book for a book sale is sometimes difficult.

There is nothing better than curling up on the couch – or even comfy in bed – with a nice cup of tea, the cat, and a good read.  I have lots of tea books for reference.  But, when I want to relax, a book is the number one way.  It used to be historical romances, then Star Trek adventures.  Now, it’s a good cozy mystery.   Laura Childs and Joanne Fluke book releases are circled on my calendar.

I was devastated by the closure of the local Borders.   A large green tea latte’ and a few minutes to wander the store relaxed me from the hours working in surgery and transitioned me to working on the winery.  And, of course, there is a stack to be read on my bedside stand.  I took advantage of the sale as the store closed.

Other people may leaf through decorating books. Personally, I love to read about afternoon teas.  And while e-readers are the future, I still like the feel of paper.  When I lamented to a customer that I missed my Borders and found out that the remodel was not for a book store, he told me to get over it and get a Kindle.  I have an e-reader.  I’d rather have a book.  OK, I’m old fashioned. And I have a library as big as a small town’s.  Is that such a bad thing?

A cup of tea, a furry companion, a book, a comfy warm spot.  Bliss.

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Feb 28

Uses for Old Tea Bags

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

Old tea bags may not be good for tea, but do have other uses.  Several can be added to bath water to help ease sunburns, poison ivy itches and such.  A wet bag can also be used to ease razor burn.  You can cover a boil or “zit” to help bring it to a head.  Supposedly a wart can be treated by covering it with a wet tea bag for 10-15 minutes several times a day.  Moist tea bags can be cooled in the refrigerator and used as compresses for puffy eyes and even for headaches.

It can even be used to treat hair.  Brew 2 tea bags in a quart of water, cool and pour over your hair as a conditioner.  Rinse well or just pat  it dry if you want red highlights.   This same concoction can be used to clean wood floors and furniture and as a dye for fabric.

The bag can be opened and the dry leaves sprinkled on the carpet and then vacuumed to leave a nice scent.  Dry herbal tea bags can be placed in shoes and drawers as sachets.

Tea can be used as fertilizers and gardenias and ferns are supposed to love them.  And, finally, used tea bags can be placed in the compost heap to speed decomposition of the rest of the heap.

There are even more uses for the tea.   I personally have not tried a lot of these remedies, so cannot really recommend them.  Use at your own risk.

 

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Feb 17

Some Finer Points about Bagged Tea

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

Sometimes there is no choice but to utilized bagged tea.  Maybe the tea was a gift, or that’s all the restaurant or hotel serves.  In any case, bagged tea can be better than no tea.  (Can you tell that I’ve become a loose tea addict?)

First, if you receive bagged tea as a gift, or still have a favorite from the grocery, you can store the unopened box in a plastic bag for up to eighteen months.  Once opened, store the bags in a glass container that can be tightly closed, or a plastic container.  Be sure to only store one kind per container to prevent flavors from seeping from one type to the other.

As with loose leaf tea, begin with cold, preferably filtered, water in your kettle.  Black teas should be made with water that has just come to the boil.  Green and herbals with water that is below the boil, about 160-180 degrees F.  Steep black tea 3-5 minutes, green and herbal about 3.  Check package directions, especially for herbal as some actually want a 7 minute steep.

If the bag has a sting, take care to keep it over the edge of the brewing vessel.  If there is no string, then a spoon will aid removal.  A fork could puncture the bag.  Do not squeeze the bag.  Yes, I know there are bag squeezers available and you may have been taught to wrap the string around the bag and spoon and squeeze.  But, that just adds bitter tannins to the tea  best left behind.

If there is no tea bag holder, it is perfectly OK to ask for a small plate or bowl in which to place the used bag.  Do not place it in the saucer and then replace the tea cup in the saucer as you will just end up getting the bottom of the cup wet and that can drip on your clothes or the table.

If you are serving tea, do not place the bag in the cup, add water and then bring it to the recipient.  Either brew and  remove the bag, or bring the bag separate from the water.  Some people do like weak tea.  And please take care to have the water at the proper temperature.  Water that has  been boiled too long or even reboiled will release too much oxygen and cause the tea to be flat.

Tea, in its many forms, is still the second most consumed beverage on the planet.  The first – water.  Enjoy!

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Feb 5

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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Jan 19

My Cold Reliever

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

After the wild winter weather we’ve been having (50’s and rain, then 30’s and snow, then 20 and sunny and all over again) I’ve caught a cold.  Or it caught me.  Sore throat, sniffles, sinus headache, aches, yucks.  And, of course, on my days off from my other job.  Doctor’s advice is get more rest.  Sure.  He doesn’t live in my world.  So I tried some of my own medicine.  Rather, Inggrie’s medicine.  I sell it at the winery. TehKu’s My Cold Reliever.  It did help.  I feel much better after two days of the herbal tea.  Others have tried it, too, and feel that it does help.  Yes, I got more rest.  But, the course of illness seems to be shorter and of less severity than I normally get when I get a winter cold.  My Cold Reliever.  Two thumbs up.

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