Tea at the Unicorn Wine Guild

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

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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Jan 14

A Winter’s Afternoon

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

Looking out at the snowflakes drifting down reminds me of a favorite past time as a young woman – before life became so hectic.  On a winter weekend  where the snow was falling and the wind was blowing, I would fix myself a cup of tea and make cinnamon toast.  A piece of white bread, or wheat, slathered with butter and topped with cinnamon and sugar, would be placed on a piece of aluminum foil and watched carefully under the broiler until it bubbled and browned.  Add to that a cozy book or favorite TV movie, a comfy chair or sofa and a lap robe and I was set for the afternoon.   If I wanted to really be special, I would make a pecan pie from scratch using my mother’s recipe (substitute maple syrup for Karo) and with the leftover pie crust make cinnamon roll-ups using the same butter, sugar and cinnamon mixture.  These cookies and a cup of tea and a good book made for a great winter’s treat.  I’ll have to take the time to do that again.  Soon.

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Jan 2

Tea and Reflection – A New Year’s Beginning

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

Gone is the old year and here is the new.  This is the time when people “wipe the slate clean” and vow to make a fresh start.   It’s time to set aside last year’s challenges and reflect on the year to come.  What are you hopes and dreams and goals? It’s time to find your resolutions and make them happen.  A reflection tea combines moments of solitude and new beginnings with focused new resolutions.

Here’s How to Host Your Own:

Locate a quiet place in your home.  This could be a spot near a fireplace, a corner chair in your bedroom or even your bathtub.  The key is finding a place you will be alone for at least an hour.  Make sure your spot is free from distractions.  Shut off that phone and hang a do not disturb sign on the door.  If you have children arrange play dates so that they are out of the house.  It’s time to focus on you and your resolutions.

What You Will Need:

Candles and Matches

Journal and Pen

A pot of your favorite tea (brewed and ready)

Your favorite teacup

A plate of your favorite cookies or tea treats

(bubble bath if you choose to relax in the tub!)

Classical or instrumental music to set the mood

Reflection/Focus Book:  Consider using one of the following

 Your Best Year Yet! 10 Questions For Making The Next 12 Months Your Most Successful Ever by Jinny S. Ditzler

The Best Year Of Your Life: Dream It, Plan It, Live It by Debbie Ford

This Year I Will:  How To Finally Change A Habit, Keep A Resolution or Make A Dream Come True by M. J. Ryan

What To Do:

Put on the background music, open your journal and pour yourself a cup of tea.  If your mind is buzzing start by making a “dump list.”  Rapidly write a list of every topic or thought that comes to your mind.  It will be crazy and random.

New Year’s Resolution – Lose Weight

Shop for Batteries

Make dinner

Read article

Enroll in school

Finish making tomorrow’s cupcakes

Sew a button

Finish work project

Get gas

Write until you come to the end of your crazy thoughts.  Suddenly you will feel focused and at rest.  Sip your tea.  Ponder the taste of the tea.  Ponder the refreshment you feel.  Now you are ready to reflect on your fresh new year.  This is the birth of a resolution.

Using the book of your choice read a chapter or two and follow the instructions.  Get your mind in the game.  Journal your accomplishments for the past year, even if you don’t feel you have any.  You will be surprised at how many amazing things you really got done in the midst of chaos.

The most important key to this time is reflection and action.  Take time for yourself and refresh your focus.  The best resolution is designed when your mind is clear and your heart is focused.  Now is the best time to plan.

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May 9

Tea and Chocolate Pairing

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

This can be a fun event for you, a small group of friends or even as a larger charity event.  The décor can be as formal or informal as you wish.  You will want to avoid heavily scented flowers, room fresheners, candles and foods, as they may detract from the scents of the teas and chocolates.

Before the event you will want to consider making a “scorecard” for each participant listing the teas and chocolates to be sampled along with room for notes.  Remember, people have different tastes.  No one is right or wrong.   You may want to have some categories for them to consider such as smell, feel, visual appeal, grade (how well you like it) and what you might consider serving with the offering.

As with tasting wine and chocolates, begin with the lightest and work toward the dark and heaviest.  In other words, from a white tea to a heavy black, from white chocolate to the darkest chocolate with the highest cacao content.  Take time to smell and savor each item.  Let them fully fill your mouth.  Contemplate the flavors.

You will want to clean the palate between each sample.  Consider having some plain crackers available.  (We use unsalted oyster crackers.)  Taste the tea, and then the chocolate and then the tea again.  Note how the taste of the tea has changed.  Note the general characteristics, the aromas, the flavors, the mouth feel.

Look for items that complement each other such as Assam, Masala Chai or Earl Grey and milk chocolate.  If the tea goes well with milk, (think lattes as well as the traditional tea with milk), it will probably pair with milk chocolate.

Matcha will also go well with milk chocolate or white chocolate.

For dark chocolate try Assam, Earl Grey, Oolong or Pu-erh.

Try to avoid overload.  If the tea is flavored, then consider a plain chocolate.  Likewise, if the chocolate is flavored, consider a plain tea.  A high grade tea also calls for a higher quality chocolate.

If you aren’t sure of what to pair, you might want to do a test run yourself before presenting it to the public.  There are also new trends in chocolates, such as chocolates with spices and floral notes.  Experiment.  It can be quite a little treat for you and your friends.

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Jan 9

Serenity Chai

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

It’s a quiet evening here at the Unicorn Wine Guild.  The snow is falling gently and customers appear have decided to stay home this evening.  This is the last night we will be open until 9PM for a while.  The holiday hours did not seem to catch on.  Most evenings we were open late, everyone left by 7 anyway.  Traffic on Washington Boulevard slows on winter nights.  As I review the blessings 2010 brought us, I sip Serenity Chai.  It’s is a wonderful Rooibos, with aniseed, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and fennel.  We carry it here at the winery.  Yes, we are a winery.  But, we are also a tea room and retail shop.  While Joel and I worked full time jobs to support this business while it is in it’s infancy, Mandy did a great job keeping the shop stocked and the clients served.  She did a great job behind the scenes, too, developing tracking systems for the wines and customers.  We were blessed nearly a year ago with Stephanie, a talented artisan.  She is tackling the job of the baking part of the business, specializing in Gluten-Free.  I did not realize the need for the service, but quite a few are purchasing her goods.  And I will say they have improved greatly as she experiments.  She makes beautiful cakes and bows.  With her expertise, the gift baskets have taken on a new look.  Joel has expanded the wine selection to 34 and I have expanded the tea selection, coffee selection and the retail gifts.  There is so much to learn and without the great customers that we have, there would be no reason to continue.  Just last week we added Ashley to our staff and she promises to be a valuable asset.  Big changes are coming in 2011, from personnel to new teas, new classes and the expansion of our offerings.  There are so many things we want to do that we have to be careful not to expand too quickly.  Serenity Chai.   It’s a great tea.   May you find the serenity and joys that I have this last year. Thanks for “stopping by.”  Come again soon.

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Nov 20

Tea Pairing for Thanksgiving Dinner

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

There are some simple rules for pairing tea with food.  Personal taste is number one.  Drink what you like.

Think about the meal.  What will be the dominate flavors?  Keep things in balance.  Neither the food nor the tea should overpower the other.

Tannins cleanse the palate and match well with fatty, rich foods.  Acidic foods go well with teas that tolerate acids such as lemons.  Just as milk and lemons don’t mix, neither does a milk-based food and an acidic tea.

Suggestions?  For that multi-course turkey dinner, My Pu-erh may be your perfect choice.  Other blacks such as My Irish Blend and Sunday Blend may suffice as well.

Ham instead?  Depending on how you prepare it, the same teas as suggested for turkey will be good, as would Almond Cookie and Autumn Leaves.

When it comes to the pumpkin pie, the obvious choice is My Pumpkin Pie with it’s cinnamon, pumpkin and spice.  Chocolate for dessert?  There’s Chocolate Strawberry Cake or Snow Flake, depending on what is served with the chocolate.  Maybe you tend to lean towards Mom’s apple pie.  Earl Grey Decaf might fill the bill.

Curling up to watch Christmas Story?  Try Holiday Dream.

Try experimenting.  You just might find a new favorite.

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Oct 1

Autumn Tea Themes

by teaattheunicornwineguildllc

The leaves are starting to turn.  Here they are turning brown with little color, yet.  But as the evenings are cooler (and so are the days) thoughts turn to warm food, warm beverages and indoor entertainment.  Are you looking for something different to use as a theme for your Autumn Afternoon Tea?    Here are a few.

Consider gathering a few friends  for tea with the purpose of planning for the upcoming season.  Make your holidays a little less harried by planning to share some of the duties.  How about beginning now to plan a cookie exchange?  Each person could volunteer to make so many dozen of certain kinds of goodies and set the date for an exchange of the goodies – along with serving a sample at the tea, of course.  If there are 8 of you and you each volunteer to make 8 dozen of 2 varieties of cookies or brownies or other specialty, on the day of the exchange you will each go home with 16 dozen cookies.  To read more about the cookie exchange idea and develop one of your own, just google.

And, as you get busy with the holidays, there is always a lack of time for dinners.  Everyone tends to get tired of pizza or carry-out.  How about organizing those ladies to each make some freeze ahead meals?  As with the cookie exchange, if each one makes 8 dishes of one recipe (stews or casseroles for example) large enough to serve the family, then tha’s 8 nights out of the way when things get hectic.

That’s really not what you had in mind for a tea?  Taking that community cooking idea further, how about an apron exchange?  Each person brings an apron (gift wrapped, of course) and are given a number.  Each person receives the apron with that number (just be sure it’s not the one they brought.)  You can even theme this further if you want by limiting the aprons to hostess aprons, antique aprons, a dollar amount, whatever.  The guests have the fun of showing off their new aprons.

Other October ideas include a costume planning tea.  You all don’t want to show up at the Halloween Party dressed alike.  I attended a costume event this spring and there were 3 Dorothy’s (only one Toto) and even a couple of Molly Brown’s.  Maybe you have a piece of clothing or a hat and need some ideas to refine it into your Halloween outfit.  Let the others give their suggestions.

Plan a mystery tea.  What fun for Halloween.  Each person gets to play act.  It’s a take-off on the mystery dinner theaters.  Kits and scripts are available on the web.

And finally, the is the tea leaf reading afternoon tea for Halloween (or anytime.)  Again, books and the web offer lots help with deciphering the leaves.  Previous writings in this blog also can help you plan an afternoon tea around Halloween.  Discuss superstitions surrounding tea or do amateur palm reading.  Just remember that the predictions ar all in fun and not to be taken seriously.

What to serve?  Cheeses, apple scones, pumpkin tarts, quiche, apple walnut salad,  My Pumpkin Tea, Autumn Leaves tea and chai are just a few ideas.  Decorate with autumn colors and enjoy. With a little thinking and planning, you can host a fun tea.

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