National Pink Day

What are you sipping on National Pink Day today?

I thought that this was the perfect opportunity to use my pink teapot that I purchased while in Berea, Kentucky with the Travelling Tea Friends.

“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.”       - Audrey Hepburn

The Republic of Tea

Recently, I received some samples from The Republic of Tea. 

With temperatures in the 90’s lately, I thought that the Ginger Peach White Tea Tea would be perfect iced.  It tastes smooth, slightly sweet and has a pleasant fragrance.  I quite enjoyed this as iced tea and it is low in caffeine (quite calming). 

The Biodynamic Organic Darjeeling is new to me.  I don’t think that I’ve ever had a biodynamic tea before.  This Darjeeling is from a tea garden in Northern India where the biodynamic practices have boosted soil fertility, while preventing soil erosion.  It’s nice to know that this estate uses only organic fertilizers and renewable energy sources in the tea production. 

This “Champagne of Tea” is available in the convenience of tea bags.  It’s a pleasant, rounded cup of tea without the addition of milk, but you know what they say about old habits – I still like to add a splash of milk.

In order to do justice to my first experience with Matcha tea, I purchased a bamboo whisk (also known as a chasen).  It is amazing to me that the whisk is made from a single piece of bamboo. 

 You might enjoy this video on the preparation of Matcha using the whisk. 

I don’t own a traditional Matcha bowl, so I made do with a mixing bowl and served the tea in a little Japanese cup.  It’s probably not a good idea to switch bowls. 

The Matcha was pleasant and not overpoweringly vegetal (a quality I’m trying to warm up to).  I’m looking forward to trying some recipes like Matcha cupcakes, or a healthy smoothie.  Check out the great recipes on The Republic of Tea website.  They have so many kinds of tea, I’m not sure where to start next, but the Downton Abbey Teas caught my eye, especially the Grantham Breakfast Blend. 

 

Reusable Tea Bag

Now this is something that would not have occurred to me.  I do like to sew, although infrequently these days, and came across this free pattern at the You Can Make This website.

I use the unbleached paper variety.  You can throw them in the compost heap when you’re done, tea leaves and all.  I’m not sure if the money saving value of these reusable tea bags would be worth the mess (to empty and launder them).  What do you think? 

 If you like the idea, you can download your free pattern here.