Table of contents for May/June 2018 in TeaTime

Warming temperatures, blue skies, blooming flowers, and chirping birds beckon us to have our teatimes and tea parties outdoors at this time of year, and I am certainly happy to oblige. This issue is filled with al fresco tea parties in what may be slightly unexpected locales, as well as indoor gatherings with plenty of inspiration from nature. While I enjoy drinking hot tea year-round (yes, even in hot weather), I know that many of you prefer to have yours iced and, perhaps, with a little (or a lot) of sugar. To celebrate your penchant for the cold version of this marvelous beverage and to mark June as National Iced Month, the TeaTime staff is pleased to showcase some of our favorite iced infusions from our recent tasting. (See page…

From East to West since ancient times, flowers, which we often think of as purely decorative, have been used as food. There is record of the nasturtiums being eaten as early as 400 B.C. Hernán Cortés wrote of flowers being consumed in Mexico City in the 16th century. In the 18th century, roses were a flavoring as popular as vanilla, and during the Victorian era, it was quite common to harvest and distill flowers for flavor and medicine. Today, we use flowers such as broccoli, cauliflower, and artichoke as vegetables. Jasmine tea is scented with fresh jasmine flowers. Sambuca liqueur is made with elderflowers, and zucchini flowers are sold in Mediterranean markets. Flowers can also be used to create a unique teatime experience. They can make a simple dish unusual…

COVER Paragon China Company Rockingham Green teapot ($399.95), footed cup and saucer set ($41.99), dinner plate ($49.99), luncheon plate ($29.99) from Replacements, Ltd., 800-737-5223, replacements.com. Floral arrangement by FlowerBuds, 205-970-3223, flowerbudsbirmingham.com. TITLE PAGE Page 2: Royal Albert Cheeky Pink footed cup and saucer ($21.50), Polka Blue footed cup and saucer ($21.50) from Royal Albert, 877-720-3488, www.royalalbert.com. MASTHEAD Page 5: Herend Rothschild Bird covered sugar bowl with rose ($250); Rothschild Bird Green Border teacup ($300), saucer ($145) from Herend, 800-643-7363, herendusa.com. THE COMPLETE TABLE: VERDANT CHARM Pages 19–20: Paragon China Company Rockingham Green dinner plate ($49.99), luncheon plate ($29.99), cake plate with handle ($37.99), teapot ($399.95), footed cup and saucer set ($41.99), creamer ($41.99), sugar bowl ($19.99) from Replacements, Ltd., 800-737-5223, replacements.com. [Pretty in Pink] Mikasa Scarlet flatware (price unavailable) from…

Praise for March/April 2018 Wonderful article on Elyse and John Harney! Thanks to James Norwood Pratt for this enjoyable story of their beautiful romance and how they worked together as a team. Your magazine is always a joy and highlight of my day when received. SHIRLEY ALBRIGHT-SIMPSON Via letter Just received my latest issue of TeaTime. Eight lovely places for tea in France. This first-ever French issue is the absolute best! I am recommending it highly to several friends. The recipes look fabulous. I can hardly wait to snuggle up with a cup of tea and read it cover to cover. Merci beaucoup! LAURA MARTIN-WILLIAMS Via Facebook From Cover to Cover TeaTime is my favorite magazine. I always sit down with a cup of tea as soon as I receive…

Lemon Quencher Black Iced Tea SIMPSON & VAIL svtea.com • 800-282-8327 PITCHER: Simon Pearce Meridian “As the name implies, this black tea has a pleasant zesty hint of lemon, perfect for quenching thirst on a warm afternoon.” —Leighann Bryant, art director W ld Strawberry Green Tea ELMWOOD INN FINE TEAS elmwoodinn.com • 800-765-2139 PITCHER: Majestic Gifts Classic Rectangular “Infused with strawberry essence and papaya pieces, the mild notes in this Japanese green tea are especially enjoyable cold.” —Britt Stafford, associate editor Moroccan Mint SIMPSON & VAIL svtea.com • 800-282-8327 PITCHER: Juliska Berry and Thread “This refreshing green tea is so well balanced with just enough mint for a delightful finish without being overpowering.” —Lorna Reeves, editor Hibiscus Berry Iced Tea HUGO TEA COMPANY hugotea.com PITCHER: Zafferano Provenzale…

Jasmine–Green Tea & Coconut Scones Makes 14 1½ cups plus 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream, divided 5 tablespoons loose litchi-jasmine green tea leaves*, divided 2¼ cups gluten-free all-purpose flour blend 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed 1/3 cup minced dried unsweetened coconut ½ teaspoon coconut extract ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract • In a medium saucepan, heat 1½ cups cream over medium-high heat until very hot but not boiling. Remove from heat; add 3 tablespoons tea leaves. Cover and let steep for 15 minutes. • Strain cream mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a heatproof container. Cover and refrigerate until cold, 6 to 8 hours. • Preheat oven to 400°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. • Using…

May 6 Afternoon Tea and Evensong 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. Trinity Church Princeton, New Jersey Fresh from their successful tour of England in 2017, Trinity Church’s exceptional choir will perform a Choral Evensong in the historic church. This musical evening will be preceded by an afternoon tea, featuring a special blend of tea created for the occasion and plenty of homemade savories, sweets, and traditional scones. The event, which costs $35 per person, kicks off a fundraising effort for the choir and parish to raise money for their next tour in the United Kingdom in 2021. Reservations are required and can be made by e-mailing trinitychurchtea@gmail.com or calling 609-924-4807. 13 Mother’s Day Tea 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Old Caledonian Bed & Breakfast Caledonia, Missouri Spoil mom with a proper afternoon…

Much of the world continues to be baffl ed by America’s fascination with iced tea. We drink 80 percent of our tea poured over ice and, for over a half-century, we have expected this ubiquitous beverage to be “a crisp, clear tea that’s never cloudy,” as first advertised by Nestea Instant Iced Tea in 1971. While we writers wax eloquently about the legendary tea gardens of China, India, and Sri Lanka, many readers will find it surprising that over 40 percent of the tea imported annually into the United States comes from Argentina. In that South American country, tea bushes, planted in long rows on flat terrain, are skim-cut weekly by tall-wheeled harvesters that vacuum the clippings into hoppers. Truckload after truckload of fresh green leaves are quickly transported to…

Creative centerpieces, such as flower-filled birdcages, can tie the table together while establishing a fun and festive ambiance. Raspberry-Lavender Scones Makes 10 2½ cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup granulated sugar 2½ teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed ½ cup crushed freeze-dried raspberries 1 teaspoon dried lavender ¾ cup plus 3 tablespoons cold heavy whipping cream, divided ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1 large egg Garnish: fresh raspberries, fresh mint leaves, and fresh lavender • Preheat oven to 350°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Using a pastry blender or 2 forks, cut in cold butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add freeze-dried raspberries and dried lavender, stirring well.…

Since 1911, Indianapolis has become synonymous with the Indy 500. However, the Midwest metropolis has more to offer than the once-a-year famous automobile race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. From decadent bakeries to traditional tearooms to a department store treasure, tea lovers are in for a treat year-round with a number of locales sprinkled throughout the Hoosier State’s capital city. THE CAKE BAKE SHOP 6515 Carrollton Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46220 317-257-2253 • thecakebakeshop.com While the exterior of the cottage that houses The Cake Bake Shop is stunning, the true splendor of the business awaits inside. One glimpse at the floral fixtures, chandeliers, and butterflies strewn around the venue lets guests know they can expect a nearly magical experience regardless of whether they are stopping in for a tasty treat…