Table of contents for May - June 2011 in TeaTime

The advent of warmer weather draws me outdoors to enjoy the beauty of nature. Whether it’s a formal afternoon tea with pretty china set on a patio or a casual picnic outing to the local botanical gardens or a favorite park, any reason will do to partake of tea outside. Sometimes, I even enjoy having my first cup of tea for the day outdoors. And that was just what I did when I stayed at Island’s End Resort, an old-Florida-style inn literally at the end of St. Pete Beach. I was there doing research about the Tampa Bay–area tearooms. Each morning, I took my cup of tea to the deck and watched the sun rise over the water. What a great way to start the day! In this issue, I’ll…

Pretty Pattern Black and white floral is accented with pistachio interiors in this adorable tea set. (teapot, $99; creamer and sugar, $68; platter, $110; milanihome.com or 336-207-2265) Lovely Linens An inviting blue and white floral toile print reverses to a blue and white stripe on this place mat and napkin. (place mat, $10; napkin, $7; williamsburgmarketplace.com or 800-414-6291) Floral Cupcakes Brightly colored flower silicone baking cups from Wilton are reusable and oven safe. (6 pink and 6 yellow, $9.99; wilton.com or 800-794-5866) Spot of Tea This cheery dish towel is charming with its piled-high teacup pattern and floral border. ($16; anthropologie.com or 800-309-2500) Decorative Apron Don this blossom-bedecked apron to usher springtime into your kitchen. ($32; anthropologie.com or 800- 309-2500) Flowery Scones nes Dark chocolate and French Violet syrup combine…

Warm weather calls for a chilly dessert. Make the most of the plentiful produce available during these months with the classic pairing of rhubarb and strawberry in a wonderful frozen dish reflective of the season. A teacup full of brightly colored Rhubarb Sorbet garnished with a few green mint leaves is a perfectly elegant way to enjoy a cold treat on a hot day. rhubarb sorbet Yield: 1 1/2 quarts Preparation: 15 minutes Bake: 25 minutes Cool: 15 minutes Freeze: 2 1/2 hours 6 pounds fresh rhubarb, divided 2 cups sugar, divided 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered 1 cup Simple Syrup (recipe follows) ½ teaspoon fresh lemon zest Garnish: fresh mint • Preheat oven to 350°. • Line 4 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside. •…

A Memorable Tea Party Squealing happily, my 6-year-old granddaughter, Fiona, arrived at my home, and I invited her to choose suitable clothing for a tea. She chose a feather boa and a flowered hat. (The “fancy hat” Fiona wore was made from a pretty scalloped paper dinner plate with the center removed and a paper soup bowl stapled on top, all covered with about 2 yards of tulle and silk flowers.) As she saw her reflection in the full-length mirror, her smile lit up the room. I wore a hat, too, and used my best china and teacups. Several courses were served—egg salad in Frito Scoops, peanut butter or cream cheese on quartered rice cakes, cubes of cantaloupe served with little forks, homemade bread with honey-cinnamon butter, tiny cupcakes with…

There is a country lush with lakes and forests whose name has been synonymous wiThexceptional tea for more than 120 years. Whether you call it Sri Lanka or Ceylon, its colonial name, this teardrop-shaped island, just off the southwestern tip of India, has developed a loyal tea-drinking audience while rising to the rank of the world’s No. 2 tea exporter. The subtropical nation of Ceylon was known for producing coffee, rubber, and quinine until a fungus swept through the coffee plantations in 1869 and wiped out an entire industry. Partly in desperation, the dead coffee trees were ripped out and experimental tea gardens introduced in an effort to save the struggling agricultural economy. The first Ceylon teas were shipped to the London auctions in 1873, and a burgeoning industry was…

Warm sunshine and bright blossoms beckon us to spend time outside during the months of May and June. Beautiful outdoor surroundings are ideal for a sumptuous afternoon tea. Grace the table wiThexquisite flower-patterned china, vibrant blooms for the centerpiece, and delectable plates of food. A bottomless pot of tea is another star of this garden-inspired event. Savory seafood dishes, such as Marinated Shrimp Crostini with a whipped goat cheese spread, pair well with a cup of hot Dragonwell green tea. Or our picturesque Mini Cherry Pies might be perfect served with a petite scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of vanilla-infused tea. Bask in the season’s balmy temperatures and gorgeous flowers by taking tea in the garden with friends. It’s sure to be a wonderful afternoon. blueberry tea…

A meal at Aureole, the restaurant of award-winning Chef Charlie Palmer, is a memorable one. Set in a dramatic and sophisticated space at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, the restaurant provides diners with a world-class experience, complete with delicious food and “wine angels” who fly through the air next to the impressive 42-foot-high wine tower. The seasonal Progressive American cuisine offers a variety of delectable dishes, including those that feature tea. “I look at tea as more of a seasoning ingredient. … It’s very interesting in the sense that it doesn’t necessarily change the texture of the ingredients or the recipe itself but brings an extra layer of flavor,” explains Aureole’s Executive Chef Vincent Pouessel, who has been cooking with tea for 10-plus years. Megan Romano, the…

Q. You certainly have extensive tea experience. How did it all begin? A. My first tea memory is of black tea that I drank at my grandmother’s house. We lived in the Pacific Northwest, where it’s damp, and after school we’d walk to her home, where she’d have a fire going and a pot of tea on. The aroma of very sweet Red Rose tea in a very warm little cottage is really memorable. My first recollection of herbal teas is when I was in high school and there were some hip Bohemian-style coffeehouses. It was the tail end of the beat generation. I would go there and drink chamomile tea—I thought it was pretty cool. Q. From there, how did tea become your career? A. After a year in…

may 5 & 6 Tea in the Garden at the Davenport House 4:30 or 5:30 p.m. Isaiah Davenport House Museum Savannah, Georgia Partake in an early 19th-century tea in the Isaiah Davenport House Museum’s beautiful courtyard garden. Patrons will visit areas of the home where tea service took place and will watch costumed interpreters demonstrate tea traditions of the period. The tea is also available May 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27. Cost is $18 per person. Call 912-236-8097 for available times, or learn more about the Davenport House at davenporthousemuseum.org. 7 Sixth Annual Friends of the Library Ladies Tea 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Moulton, Alabama Savor freshly baked scones, tea sandwiches, cakes, and three types of teas preferred in Scotland in a quiet country garden setting at this annual ladies’…

May and June are ideal for hosting a tea in your own garden on a sundappled afternoon. Choose teacups and plates that depict cheery flowers and vibrant leaves. Bring the green of the lawn to the table by using color-coordinating place mats or linens. Mixing and matching your casual dinnerware with just a few new pieces produces a fresh look. The glimmer of a backyard pool can be reflected in the blue blossoms on the dinnerware or even in your flower arrangement. Gather a bouquet of bright blooms from your backyard for the table, or ask your florist to fashion a centerpiece with seasonal clippings. Add creative, garden-inspired details, such as a floral napkin holder, or give your guests a box of seedlings or a small potted plant as a…

The sweet tropical flavor of coconut infuses this recipe for gluten-free scones. Cut into squares and topped with toasted curls of coconut, these baked goods are fabulous when savored between sips of a fruity tea, either green or black. For added color, embellish the plate with fresh pineapple, mango, apricots, or blueberries. Or serve with clotted cream or butter for a rich and delectable teatime treat. However you indulge, these coconut scones will make your afternoon break for tea even better. gluten-free coconut scones Yield: 1 dozen scones Preparation: 10 minutes Bake: 18 to 20 minutes 2½ cups sifted gluten-free all-purpose flour* ¼ cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup butter, cut into pieces 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut ¾ cup plus 3 tablespoons heavy whipping…

I love afternoon tea! Gracious, elegant, timeless. An excuse to wear a hat, pile whipped cream on scones, and sip warm, delicious tea with like-minded women. And in the South, we do it best. Every woman I know has a collection of teapots for hosting tea in her home, at least one recipe for scones, and the ability to make perfect crustless cucumber sandwiches. But we also know that sometimes it’s just better to have afternoon tea in a formal tearoom—one where the setting is luxurious and the tea never comes in bags. My fondness for this ritual has given me the role of “tea initiator” in my family. I’ve introduced my younger sisters, my daughter, and my nieces to afternoon tea. This year, a new generation was ready for…