National Ice Cream Month

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month. He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by a full 90 percent of the nation's population.  President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."

Ice cream is not a treat that I indulge in very often, but I would like to try making homemade tea flavor ice cream.  This recipe for chai ice cream from The Daily Tea sounds delicious.

Since I now have some Matcha  green tea powder that I received from The Republic of Tea, I can try making Matcha ice cream.  This video shows the simple preparation with a link to the recipe at Just One Cookbook.

Earl Grey Ice Cream sounds good.

Have any of you tried making ice cream with your favorite tea?  

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.

The Tea Song

Thought you might enjoy this fun Tea Song from Yorkshire Tea.  This is a brand that I sometimes purchase at Marshalls or TJ Maxx to enjoy as a morning cuppa.  It is a robust black tea, which is my preference first thing in the morning.

Have you tried Taylors of Harrogate Yorkshire Tea or Yorkshire Gold yet?  Also, check out their cute “Let’s Have a Proper Brew” video on their website.

You can also find this tea at online merchants like Amazon, The English Tea Store, The British Food Depot and lots of others.

Ocean of Tea – Ti Kuan Yin

This Chinese Ti Kuan Yin (also spelled Tieguanyin) oolong tea from Ocean of Tea is named after the Chinese Goddess of Mercy, Guanyin.

I decided to try the sample of oolong first, since it’s less familiar to me than Earl Grey.

This is a lighter oolong – very smooth with a hint of floral.  I decided that this is my favorite oolong of those I’ve tasted thus far.  I wondered about the method used to fire this tea, perhaps electric ovens account for the less smoky taste.

The second infusion also made a delicious cup of tea.  The package states that you can get 3-4 good infusions from the same leaves.

I’m also looking forward to tasting my sample of Ocean of Tea Earl Grey Premium.

I thought the legend of how this tea came to be is quite entertaining:

Wei legend (from Wikipedia)

“Deep in the heart of Fujian's Anxi County, there was a rundown temple which held an iron statue of Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Every day on the walk to his tea fields, a poor farmer named Mr. Wei would pass by and reflect on the temple's worsening condition. “Something has to be done,” thought Mr. Wei.

Being poor, he did not have the means to repair the temple. Instead, the farmer brought a broom and some incense from his home. He swept the temple clean and lit the incense as an offering to Guanyin. "It's the least I can do," he thought to himself. Twice a month for many months, he repeated the same tasks.

One night, Guanyin appeared to him in a dream. Guanyin told him of a cave behind the temple where treasure awaited. He was to take the treasure and share it with others. In the cave, the farmer found a single tea shoot. He planted it in his field and nurtured it into a large bush, from which the finest tea was produced. He gave cuttings of this rare plant to all his neighbors and began selling the tea under the name Tieguanyin, Iron Bodhisattva of Compassion.

Over time, Mr. Wei and all his neighbors prospered; the rundown temple of Guanyin was repaired and became a beacon for the region. Mr. Wei took joy in the daily trip to his tea fields, never failing to stop in appreciation of the beautiful temple.”

Family Celebrations

I know, it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on my blog and I’ve missed visiting your blogs, but there has been a lot going on. My younger daughter’s graduation at Valdosta State, my granddaughter’s first birthday celebration and a vacation at Panama City Beach to celebrate those events.

I’m so very proud of her for obtaining her Master of Business Administration Degree while working full time and caring for a baby.

We decided that, since Valdosta, GA was well on the way to Florida, that Panama City Beach would be a nice place to celebrate.

We stayed at Shores of Panama Resort right on the beach.  It was a couple of years ago that I blogged about her wedding at this same resort.

My little sweet pea was hesitant at first, but soon she was enjoying tasting a cupcake for the first time.

I thought her small beach theme cake from Publix was very cute. 

We ended our trip by driving back to GA in time for another birthday celebration for her on Saturday.  Things are not slowing down yet, what with some medical tests and a 4th birthday party for my other granddaughter coming up on Sunday.  Whew!

I hope to be reviewing some new tea samples from Ocean of Tea soon.