Types of Tea

White tea

A type of tea which has new buds which are picked before they are open. The buds have a silver color and are dried. This tea contains more active cancer-fighting antioxidants than green tea, less caffeine and has a sweet light taste. Some excellent white teas to try are - White Peony and 100 Monkeys.

Green tea

Leaves are picked, allowed to dry and then are treated to stop any fermentation. The brew is a light green color with a grassy taste. This tea has the ability to inhibit the development of certain cancers and has other health benefits. Some excellent green teas to sample are - Dragonwell and Sencha.

Oolong tea

Known as semi-fermented and has a unique appearance. The tea leaves look like they have been rolled up in small semi-balls. The brew is a bright golden-yellowish color with a strong and pleasant aroma. My favorite oolongs are Ti Kwan Yin and Formosa.

Black tea

Processed by withering, rolling, fully fermenting, and drying. This tea has the strongest flavor and the most caffeine. The brew can be a dark red or dark brown color. Two of my favorites are Lady Londonderry and Darjeeling (MIM Second Flush).

Storing Loose Tea

If you are a serious tea drinker you know that loose tea purchased from a specialty shop is the freshest tea that can be bought. The teas are more expensive than tea bags therefore you must make sure that it stays fresh until you are ready to drink it. If you purchase loose tea in foil bags or sealed tins then it will be easy to keep it fresh.

Some tea shops keep their teas in see-through containers which expose the tea to light and constant exposure to the air when they are opened. These teas may not be very fresh. If you purchase loose tea and it does not come in a tin or resealable foil bag then you must put it a tin and keep it in a dark place. Tea will in some cases last up to a year if it is sealed in a foil bag.

Brewing Tea

This is a common question that everyone has when they begin to brew loose tea. How long should I brew the tea leaves? The length of time it takes to brew the tea depends on what kind of tea you are brewing.

Taste is your best guide. If you prefer weak tea steep 3 minutes, medium 4 minutes and strong 5-7 minutes. Be sure and start with cold water, heat the water, preheat your teapot with hot water, pour boiling water (depending on type of tea) on tea leaves that have been placed in a tea ball or paper filter. Use one teaspoon loose tea per cup. Let steep for proper time and remove the tea leaves. If you leave the tea leaves in the pot the tea will become too bitter and no amount of hot water added will improve the taste. Sip slowly and savor!

Host a Tea Party in Your Home

Decide on what kind of tea party you would like to host. Do you want to host a proper English style party or informal? Would you like a traditional English hotel afternoon tea or a Victorian parlor tea in your living room?

Once you have decided on which kind of tea you would like to host you can then decide on how many people you want to invite. Most traditional afternoon teas are served as a sit down event so make sure you have enough space around the table to seat everyone!

Next figure out the menu! Traditional tea party food consists of English scones served with Devonshire or Clotted cream, finger sandwiches and small finger desserts and/or some type of cake or torte.

The day before you can bake your items or purchase them from a bakery or grocery store! Assemble your sandwiches as close to your guests arrival as possible as they tend to dry out. You can assemble your fillings and refrigerate them ahead of time, cut your bread into shapes and wrap them with plastic wrap. Then an hour before guests arrive assemble the sandwiches and wrap with plastic wrap.

Set the table with plates and tea ware. Provide small spoons for each tea cup. Don't forget the milk and sugar as some guests may want to drink their tea English style!! English hotels use the three-tiered plate servers so that everything is placed in front of the guests. You may pass the plates and then put them back in the holders if you wish.

Brew your tea 15 minutes before guests arrive and keep warm using a tea cozy or tea warmer. Tea is best when it is piping hot!!! You may also decide to provide iced tea in the summer for those who want it!!

Tea Party Food

Sandwiches may be made with butter (English style or mayonnaise). It is traditional to serve cucumber sandwiches as well as smoked Salmon. I usually serve cucumber, chicken salad and tuna. Use different flavors of bread such as rye or potatoe and cut them into small finger size shapes. If you use cucumbers be sure and slice them thin and drain them on a paper towel as they will make the bread mushy if you don't.

Tea was meant to be an afternoon snack not a meal. Make four finger sandwiches, two scones and two small desserts per guest and/or one cake large enough for all of your guests!!

Small desserts work best if you wish everything to be eaten with fingers so that no silverware is needed. My favorites are mini cream puffs, truffles, and lemon tarts.

If you wish to serve English scones you may purchase them at "A Touch of Britain"or any bakery that makes European style scones. English scones do not have frosting and are more like a biscuit with currants or white raisins. You eat them with lemon curd (lemon jelly) and real English clotted cream. You may purchase lemon curd from any import store or grocery store. Clotted cream may be purchased at "A Touch of Britain" or World Market.