Table of contents for September - October 2011 in TeaTime

While I know that most of September is technically part of summer, I can’t help but begin to think of autumnal things— pumpkins, warm spices, and golden leaves. If you live in an area that is prone to extreme heat in summertime, like I do, then September usually marks the advent of slightly cooler weather. And by the time October arrives, fall is in full swing, and that calls for celebration. Why not capitalize on the season’s pleasant temperatures and changing foliage and have afternoon tea outdoors? Th at’s just what we did with this issue’s “Tea on Lake Placid” (beginning on page 24), which we photographed on location at Lake Placid Lodge in New York’s Adirondack Mountains. Th ough a bit off the beaten path, the lodge is a…

Darling Dessert Divine Delights creates dark and white chocolate petits fours hand-decorated with fall-inspired icing and filled with fruits and spices. (36 petits fours for $42.50; divinedelights.com or 800-4-HEAVEN) Fall Flowers Serve tea in an orange-and-yellow floral bedecked Carynthum Teapot by Pier 1 Imports at your next autumn gathering. ($29.95; pier1.com or 800- 245-4595) Drops of Honey Add a hint of lavender and allnatural sweet honey to your cup of hot tea with L’Abeille Occitane’s filled candies from Th e French Farm. ($11; touchofeurope.net) Rich Linens Intricate and bright, this Turquoise Embroidered Sunset Block Table Runner fashions a chic and welcoming table. ($39.95; pier1.com or 800- 245-4595) Sweet Syrup Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Rose Syrup by the Wild Hibiscus Flower Company contains 15 handpicked blossoms and the essence of Bulgarian…

carrot and parsnip soup Yield: 2½ quarts Preparation: 15 minutes Cook: 45 minutes ¼ cup butter 2 cups chopped onion 1 tablespoon minced garlic 3 cups grated carrot 3 cups grated parsnip 1 cup chopped celery 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth 1 tablespoon ground coriander 2 teaspoons sugar 1¼ teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon ground white pepper ½ cup heavy whipping cream ½ cup sour cream Garnish: carrot curls, parsnip curls, carrot leaves • In a medium saucepan, heat butter over medium heat until melted. Add onion and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. • Add carrot, parsnip, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. • Add chicken broth, coriander, sugar, salt, garlic powder, and white pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to mediumlow,…

When you think of “tea parties” preceding the American Revolution, everyone recalls that famous incident in Boston Harbor on December 16, 1773. More than 100 colonial men boarded three British ships that night and tossed overboard 250 chests of Chinese Bohea, Hyson, Souchong, and Congou tea. An outraged British Parliament retaliated by enacting the Intolerable Acts and closing the harbor. But farther south, another tea rebellion would soon boil over. It didn’t take long for the news of the Boston uprising to reach the bustling inland port of Edenton, North Carolina. Citizens there were already up in arms in response to the Tea Act of 1773, which levied a three-pence tax on each pound of tea. In an act of solidarity with their Massachusetts brothers and sisters, Edenton residents sent…

A New Fan I’m a new subscriber to TeaTime magazine, and I also sent for six back issues, which have just arrived. Please accept my compliments on an absolutely beautiful magazine! Th e pictures are stunning, and your design personnel and writers do a great job of presenting new ideas for tea gatherings. I also appreciate TeaTime’s identification of china patterns and manufacturers’ names. SANDRA W. Vadnais Heights, Minnesota Going Vegan TeaTime has been a great magazine to me. It is the only one that I have subscribed to. Each month I am in awe of the pictures and great recipes. However, I am a vegan and was wondering if you would ever consider doing a special vegan tea. I am constantly trying to tweak and change the recipes to…

Tea’s role as a vital ingredient in a healthy lifestyle is getting more attention than ever as thousands of scientists across the globe study the link between tea and health. But the amount of information, often delivered in complex scientific terms and acronyms, can be overwhelming to health-conscious consumers who simply want to infuse tea into their daily routine. Let’s cut through the statistics and get to the highlights of what researchers have discovered. Green tea is getting most of the attention these days because it contains a powerful antioxidant commonly known as EGCG. Antioxidants help eliminate free radicals, unstable molecules that arise naturally in our metabolism as well as from pollutants in the air. If free radicals are not controlled, they may damage cells and promote cancer or heart…

COVER Spode Indian Tree in Orange/Rust salad plate ($25.99), teacup and saucer ($33.99), and teapot ($319.95) from Replacements, 800-REPLACE, replacements.com. MASTHEAD Page 6: Lenox Gilded Tapestry 5-piece place setting ($195), 800-223-4311, lenox.com. COME FOR TEA Page 8: Spode Indian Tree in Orange/Rust teacup and saucer ($33.99) and teapot ($319.95) from Replacements, 800-REPLACE, replacements.com. NECESSARY THINGS Page 14: Divine Delights Autumn Demitasse Petits Fours ($42.50), 1-800-4-HEAVEN, devinedelights.com. Pier1 Turquoise Embroidered Sunset Block Table Runner ($39.95) and Carynthum Teapot ($29.95), 800-245-4595, pier1.com. Wild Hibiscus Flower Company Wild Hibiscus Flowers in Rose Syrup ($15), 212-366-4863, epicurepantry.com. KitchenAid Gourmet Essentials 2.25-quart Soft Grip Teakettle in Mustard ($39.99), 800-450-0156, potsandpans.com. Rag & Bone Recipe Journal in Clementine ($44), 888-338-8128, ragandbonebindery.com. L’Abeille Occitane Boules de Miel Honey Filled Candy ($11), 866-764-2975, touchofeurope.net. THE PERFECT CUP Page…

september 9 & 10 End of Summer Tea 1:00 p.m. Majestic Mansion Bed and Breakfast Athens, Tennessee Enjoy sandwiches, cheese, fruit, scones, sweets, and Elmwood Inn’s apple spice tea at this end-ofsummer event held in a beautiful historic downtown landmark built in 1909. Cost is $17.50 plus tax per person and is by reservation only. Call 423-746-9041 to reserve a spot, or visit themansionbnb.com to find out more. 10 “I love herbs!” Harvest Tea Party 10:30 a.m. Anna Marie’s Teas and Th e Terrace Avenue Inn Liberty, Missouri Recipes bursting with fall herbs and flavors will be served at this memorable autumn tea. Th e party includes a full tea menu consisting of savories or sandwiches, desserts, a signature cream scone and toppings, and a bottomless pot of loose-leaf tea…

A pink ribbon has come to symbolize breast cancer, a disease that, unfortunately, touches the lives of many women across the globe. Honor survivors and their families by hosting a chic tea for friends, or support a local or national cancer organization by holding a community-wide fund-raiser. Take time during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, to celebrate these inspiring women. classically elegant Pink china edged with gold is a sophisticated way to honor breastcancer survivors at this exquisite afternoon tea. Fold lace-lined napkins in an appealing shape to best display their gorgeous pattern. Gold-lettered place cards tied with a simple pink ribbon are perfect at the head of each guest’s place setting. And the modern yet refined teapot and accompanying teacups perfectly suit this stylish gathering. casually refined A white…

tea sommelier Serve your guests a choice of infusions to accompany this treat. Second-Flush Darjeeling Black Tea or Rooibos Chai Tisane gluten-free apple spice scones Yield: 1 dozen scones Preparation: 10 minutes Bake: 18 to 20 minutes 2½ cups sifted gluten-free all-purpose flour* ½ cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon apple-pie spice ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup butter, cut into pieces 1 cup finely chopped Granny Smith apple ¾ cup plus 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream, divided 1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar 1 recipe Vanilla Bean Cream (recipe follows) • Preheat oven to 375°. • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. • In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, apple-pie spice, and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly.…