Table of contents for November - December 2011 in TeaTime

The months of November and December are extra special for me as I gather wiThextended family that I don’t see regularly except during the holidays. I also entertain close friends and immediate family in smaller groups in my home, so our time together can be quite meaningful. Whether I’m serving lunch, dinner, or afternoon tea, I try to slow down and savor the memories I’m making with these loved ones. And what better way to slow down than to put the kettle on and serve a new holiday-scented tea or a tried-and-true favorite —or both! Our wonderful menus are all accompanied by tea pairings that are designed to make your celebrations special. Whether it’s Hanukkah or Christmas, casual or elegant, there’s a tea for each flavorful course in our Tea…

Tied with a Bow Snowberry Christmas Tea by Brownlow Gifts contains 20 sachets so charmingly packaged it’s lovely as a present on its own or as part of a gift basket. ($6.99; brownlowgift.com for laurasgiftcottage. r retailers or giftcottage.com) Tea Gift Paperproducts Design’s bone china teapot, teacup, and saucer come in a bright box decorated with artwork by Fringe Designs for a fantastic under-the-tree gift. ($44.99; companytoo.com or 415-328-2936) Stocking Stuffers Teatulia’s mini eco-containers hold 6 corn-silk pyramid tea bags and come in flavors such as peppermint and ginger. ($5–$6; teatulia.com) Silver and Gold Entertain well at your holiday party with this attractive Mariposa napkin holder paired with star-themed napkins. ($48; mariposa-gift.com for retailers) Trendy Teatime Handmade tea accoutrements, like The Artful Penguin’s tea ball and tea scoop, make afternoon…

tea sommelier A sweet scone deserves a dessert-friendly tea selection. Golden Monkey Black Tea gluten-free banana nut scones Yield: 18 scones Preparation: 10 minutes Bake: 18 to 20 minutes 2½ cups sifted gluten-free all-purpose flour* ½ cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup butter, cut into pieces 1 cup finely chopped dried banana chips ½ cup finely chopped pecans 1 ¼ cups plus 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream, divided ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Garnish: finely chopped pecans and white sugar crystals • Preheat oven to 375°. • Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside. • In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly. Add banana…

A sumptuously set traditional table makes a dramatic welcoming statement. Its bounty invites guests to linger, to savor the last drop of hospitality. China patterned with lushly embellished surfaces, gilded trim, and elaborate details recaptures bygone grandeur. Metal works its alchemy on the tabletop, too. Silver’s shimmer reflects the sparkle of crystal and enriches china and linens. Traditionalists cherish period pieces whose pedigrees might date to George I or Great-Aunt Martha. One of the best places in Manhattan to reconnect with the past is James Robinson Antiques. In 1912 on Madison Avenue, James Robinson founded a firm that specialized in antique silver and Chinese porcelains. Brother-in-law Edward Munves strengthened the antique silver, English and French porcelain, and glass assortments when he became head of the company upon Robinson’s death in…

“I t’s a gift for your dorm room,” my grandmother said as she proudly handed me a ceramic pink and white flowered teapot with four dainty matching cups and saucers. I couldn’t imagine hauling a fragile tea service off to Oregon State University, but seeing her earnest smile and my mother’s grin from across the room, I knew I must graciously accept it. Surprisingly, my grandmother’s gift quickly became a source for celebrating. If someone aced their test or completed a paper on time, they had to have a tea party. We would smooth out the end of the bed and proudly display the ornate teapot, which just happened to make four cups of tea (which meant we could have only four guests), and we would marvel at how good…

Game, Set, Match I am an avid fan of your magazine. I host some large buffet-style tea parties from time to time (30 to 50 people). To make things easier, I like to use tennis sets. That way, people don’t have to carry a cup and saucer in one hand and a plate for snacks in another. I’m just really curious— why are these snack sets referred to as “tennis sets”? NANCY DEWEY-FELLOWS Florida According to the research department at Replacements, the cup-and-plate combinations were referred to as “tennis sets” because they are very convenient for a courtside snack. These are also referred to as “snack sets.” Gluten-free Glee I’m a new subscriber to your magazine (two issues so far) and am completely falling in love with it. Thank you…

Deck the halls with a fun twist on traditional holiday décor, and invite friends for a festive Christmas Eve tea. A cherry-red checked tablecloth topped with a colorful ribbon-bedecked, handmade centerpiece creates a whimsical atmosphere. And the food presentation fits a fanciful holiday tea perfectly. Chinese takeout boxes in bright green and red are a merry container choice for decadent Peppermint Truffles, while tree-shaped tea sandwiches with cucumber slices for the leaves and miniature cheese stars are adorable. Guests will love the star-topped Chicken Pot Pie and the Candied Fruit Scones, both nods to the season. This jolly tea party with cheerful, bright decorations accompanied by inventive Christmasinspired recipes will wow your friends and family. candied fruit scones Yield: 12 scones Preparation: 10 minutes Bake: 4 minutes 2 cups all-purpose…

U ntil summer 2010, the East India Company occupied one’s thoughts only when matters of historical foreign trade and the colorful story of tea, spices, jewels, and silks were being discussed. Walk along Conduit Street in London’s West End today, and you will find yourself gazing admiringly into the sumptuous interior of a store that brings both the name and the tempting oriental products vividly back to life. Step inside, and you will find yourself surrounded by luxury teas, coffees, chocolates, jams, cordials, mustards, cookies, spices, and porcelains. The ambiance is a fusion of Georgian elegance and the intense colors, textures, tastes, and smells of the East. The name East India Company has, over the years, provoked very different attitudes and reactions in countries around the world. For the British,…

COVER Photography by Sarah Swihart, food styling by Janet Lambert, photo styling by Lucy W. Herndon. Lenox Holiday Tartan teapot, cups, and saucers. Wedgwood Duchess footed cake plate ($125), wedgwoodusa.com. CONTENTS Page 3: Johnson Brothers His Majesty 4-piece place setting ($37.99)*. MASTHEAD Page 6: Royal Crown Derby India dinner plate ($140), salad plate ($100), teacup ($95), and saucer ($65)†. COME FOR TEA Page 8: Royal Worcester Holly Ribbons teacup and saucer ($49.99)*. GIFT GUIDE Page 14: Brownlow Gifts Snowberry Christmas Tea ($6.99 for 20 sachets), 800- 433-7610, brownlowgift.com. Paperproducts Design Holly Bird Tea set ($44.99), 415-328-2936, companytoo.com. Mariposa Traditions beaded napkin box ($48), 800-788-1304, mariposa-gift.com. The Artful Penguin Loose Tea Scoop ($20) and Hanging Mesh Tea Ball ($22), 847-721-6995, theartfulpenguin.net. Mary Lake Thompson Gift Bucket ($33), 800-279-8352, marylakethompson.com. Teatulia Peppermint and Ginger Herbal Infusions…

november 1 to 30 Harvest Tea 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The St. Regis Atlanta Atlanta, Georgia The Harvest Tea will be offered daily the entire month of November in The Long Gallery, the luxe upper lobby area of The St. Regis Atlanta. St. Regis butlers in tuxedos and white gloves will serve guests, who will be treated to an assortment of hot and cold teas, from White Tip Darjeeling to the St. Regis Peach Blend and many more. Harvest-themed sweets will include carrot cake pops, sweet potato cheesecake parfait with burnt marshmallows, and miniature apple pie with cinnamon streusel, among others. Tickets are $38, $42 with a glass of champagne, and $22 for children under 12. Call 404-563-7910 to make reservations. 12 Tea 101 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.…

C andlelight, fine china, and elaborate Christmas decorations all combine for a luxurious occasion. Tea savories such as Oyster Dressing Canapés topped with Red Pepper Relish and Fried Oysters, Beef Wellington Canapés, and rich Lobster Cheesecakes are classic selections for an upscale menu. Desserts like a gorgeous Luscious Lemon Cream Cake and our charming Chai Mousse in miniature dark chocolate teacups serve as sumptuous finales to a fashionable holiday gathering. tea sommelier Serve one of these teas from Simpson & Vail in a delicate china teapot alongside each course. Go to svtea.com to purchase these choices. SCONE COURSE: Snowbuds White Tea SAVORIES COURSE: Kenya Oolong Tea SWEETS COURSE: Darjeeling Ambootia Estate Premium Organic Black Tea cranberry-pistachio scones Yield: 24 scones Preparation: 10 minutes Bake: 16 minutes Cool: 5 minutes 2½ cups…

“M eanwhile, let us have a sip of tea. . . . let us dream of evanescence and linger in the beautiful foolishness of things.” The music of such language transports us just the way tea does sometimes—we understand: Tea can be spiritual refreshment. Those beautiful words I quoted were composed by one born in Japan, the son of a samurai. How he became such a master of late Victorian prose has remained a mystery. Now Bruce Richardson has lovingly investigated—and really for the first time brought to light—the life of this remarkable author. Previously, almost all that was known of him in the tea world was his name: Okakura Kakuzo. Okakura was such a charismatic genius, the Japanese call him tenshin, meaning “teacher,” which he certainly was. But they…