The Tea Bush

Isn’t it interesting that the tea plant, which is an evergreen shrub, can grow to a height of sixty feet or more.   I only picture it as those lovely tiered green rows of tea bushes growing at a height of about three to five feet (for ease of harvesting).

Those Camellia sinensis bushes thrive in tropical and semitropical climates with abundant rainfall.  The best teas grow at high elevations of 3,000 to 6,000 ft.  When the new leaves and buds sprout it is called a flush and early spring first flush teas can be expensive.

It is also interesting to me that there are around 2,000 sub-species of tea.  Tea connoisseurs can actually identify the different varietals.   I’m afraid my palate will probably not develop past discerning whether the tea pleases my taste buds, but that’s okay.  As long as I have a good cuppa to enjoy – I’m good.

British Tea Attitude

Tea reached England around 1645 and by the 1700s it was the nation’s favorite beverage.  However, it wasn’t until the 1800s that tea came within the financial reach of the masses.  

It has been said that next to water, tea is the Englishman’s proper element.

This little rhyme by Rudyard Kipling says it quite well:

We had a kettle; we let it leak;

Our not repairing it made it worse.

We haven’t had any tea for a week.

The bottom is out of the Universe.

Bruschetta or Grilled Bread

This tasty bread has been enjoyed in Italy since the 15th century.  Lately I have had a craving for bruschetta, so today I decided to make some for my lunch.   I started with a slightly stale baguette sliced 1/2 inch thick.  I pressed some fresh garlic and mixed it with olive oil, then brushed this mixture onto the bread slices.    Make sure to spoon any stray garlic pieces onto the bread.  Broil quickly until the bread is nice and crisp.

I then made a mixture of chopped tomatoes, chopped fresh basil, salt,  pepper  and a splash of aged balsamic vinegar.   Spoon this onto your bread slices and let the juices soak in.  Delizioso!

Since I don’t drink wine, I enjoyed this treat with a cup of Darjeeling tea.   

For those who would like to see the traditional method of preparation I’ve included this video.

Tea Break

Tetley tea is not a brand that I drink much anymore, but it was my favorite tea for many years when I lived in Toronto.  Everyone knew the Tetley Tea Folk and the commercial jingle.

I grew up making pots of hot tea with the little round teabags.  Brewing loose tea was something that would come much later, as my appreciation for tea developed.  My parents were both coffee drinkers, so my tea was enjoyed solo or during visits with my best friend Louise.

Joseph Tetley & Co. was founded in 1837 in the United Kingdom.  Tetley is now a subsidiary of Tata Tea – the world’s second largest manufacturer and distributor of tea.    It is the second largest in the United States.  I think most of the Tetley Tea here in the South is blended for brewing iced tea.   

Book Bonanza

Sometimes not sleeping well can have its rewards. I awoke early this morning and decided that I would check out a local community yard sale. This subdivision had half a dozen houses that were participating in the sale. However, I came away empty handed and so I drove around a little to look for new prospects. After several more duds, I turned into yet another subdivision with a yard sale for one final try.

Well, for a book lover like me, it was the mother lode. A media specialist from a local elementary school was selling thousands of children’s books. What an opportunity to update my grandsons library.

I was able to buy a total of 64 like new books on a wide range of subjects for just $l6. I must admit that I am planning on reading many of them (history and science) myself.

Here is one that I plan to use right away. It is a terrific cookbook divided up by Countries and what their food specialties are, including recipes, food tips, interesting facts and great photos.

There is a simple scone recipe in the England section which I will be trying. I also plan to make good use of the internet link which ties in with this book.

Now, if only I could find a yard sale with loads of teapots or cups and saucers. Maybe next time.

Teapot Use and Care

These suggestions for teapot use and care are from  Mrs. Isabella Beeton’s Book of Household Management, published in 1860.

-  have several teapots for different occasions

-  avoid using aluminum or enamel; aluminum may discolor the tea; chipped enamel may effect the flavor of the tea

-  ceramic or bone china teapots retain the heat best

-  check the glaze inside the pot for cracks and crazes

-  check the handle for finger and knuckle room to avoid burns

-  look for a hole in the lid to allow air to pass into the pot to avoid dribble and a mess from the teaspout

-  a lug should be part of the lid to hold it in place so the lid doesn’t crash into the cups as the tea is poured

-  avoid using detergent inside a teapot as this will affect the taste of the tea

-  remove tannin stains inside the teapot by filling and soaking the pot over several hours with a solution of hot water and four tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda – rinse thoroughly.

Funny how this advice was given nearly 150 years ago, but it is just as relevant today as it was then.  The only thing I do differently is using a paste of baking soda to clean the inside of my teapot, instead of soaking it and this is only because I don’t want to wait for several hours.

America’s Tea Sage

"America's new tea lovers are the people who have forced the tea trade to wake up," Norwood says. "Elsewhere, tea has meant a certain way, a certain tradition, for centuries, but this is America! The American tea lover is heir to all the world's tea drinking traditions, from Japanese tea ceremonies to Russian samovars to English scones in the afternoon. India chai, China green, you name it and we can claim it and make it ours. And that's just what we are doing. In this respect, ours is the most innovative and exciting tea scene anywhere."

 

Mr. Pratt has a new book “James Norwood Pratt’s Tea Dictionary” which is on my wish list.  I know it will be an excellent addition to my tea library.