Table of contents for November/December 2018 in TeaTime

The words “come for tea” are like music to our ears, especially at this time of year, as there are so many wonderful holidays to celebrate in this fashion. If you’ve been fortunate enough to be invited to such an event, you’ll find in this issue a plethora of lovely items that would make great hostess gifts—think flavored teas and tisanes, festive teaware, books about tea, and other thoughtful things. If you haven’t received such an invitation, why not host your own afternoon tea? There are plenty of recipes, tea pairings, and other ideas for Christmas and Thanksgiving within these pages, not to mention table settings for both, as well as for New Year’s Eve. With the cold winds of winter soon upon us, a trip to visit the tea…

Holiday Classics Enhance your tablescape and add a bit of whimsy with these adorable Nutcracker Napkin Rings inspired by the beloved Christmas ballet. ($9.99 for set of 4, worldmarket.com or 877-967-5362) Cup of Cheer These adorable Christmas Tea Mugs and Spoons are sure to put you in a jolly mood with every sip. ($22.50, mudpie.com or 678-397-0170) Seasonal Sweetness With 10 scrumptious blends, like Blueberry Cinnamon Crumble, Coconut Macaroon, and Crème Brûlée, among others, this Dessert Tea Sampler Gift will delight your sweet tooth. ($27.95, svtea.com or 800-282-8327) Argent Wares Adorned with silver trim and images of festive botanicals, Wedgwood’s Winter White set of four teacups and saucers will thrill any fine china enthusiast. ($239.95, wedgwood.com or 877-720-3486) Stay Cozy This Christmas Insulate hot tea and adorn your teapot with…

Snickerdoodle Scones Makes 14 2½ cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided 1 tablespoon baking powder 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided ½ teaspoon kosher salt 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream, divided ½ teaspoon vanilla extract • Preheat oven to 350°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, ⅓ cup sugar, baking powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt. Using a pastry blender or 2 forks, cut in cold butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. • In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup cream and vanilla extract. Add cream mixture to flour mixture, stirring until mixture is evenly moist. (If dough seems dry, add more cream,…

During the 15 years TeaTime has been in publication, many books have been printed on the subject of tea and its many iterations. The shelves in my office are almost groaning under the weight of those tomes, some printed recently and others published decades ago, including 11 we’ve done about the practice of afternoon tea, complete with recipes, tea pairings, and tablescapes, some of which are now out of print. (Go to teatimemagazine.com to find out which of our books are still available.) There are other volumes on my bookcase, however, that tackle tea from historical or educational points of view, making them suitable for tea lovers of all stripes, whether preferring traditional English-style teatimes or something else. In my quest to curate a collection of just 15 go-to books…

The coastal city of San Diego offers a multitude of breathtaking views and historical sites to explore. From its many beautiful beaches to the expansive Balboa Park to historic Old Town, there’s plenty to do in this Southern California metropolis. In addition to all these wonderful offerings, the city and its surrounding regions hold a great collection of businesses and venues for those in search of a memorable afternoon-tea service. Discover a number of new tearooms and shops worth adding to your itinerary. MARLENE’S TEA & CAKES 14677 Via Bettona San Diego, California 92127 • 858-756-4320 marlenesteaandcakes.com Marlene Spawton, the eponym of Marlene’s Tea & Cakes, considers afternoon tea a form of therapy for the soul. Her first tea experience at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, Canada, evoked such a…

Scottish Teatime “The July/August 2018 edition of TeaTime magazine featured an article on The Willow Tea Rooms in Glasgow, Scotland. I recently visited Glasgow, and I was privileged to enjoy tea at the newly restored Mackintosh at the Willow Tea Room located at 217 Sauchiehall Street. I also visited the Chinese Room at the Willow Tea Rooms on Buchanan Street. After reading the article in the magazine, it was such a joy to actually visit these famous tearooms.” CAROL ANN NICKLE via teatimemagazine.com Loving TeaTime “I love TeaTime magazine SO much! If I didn’t have a full-time job, I would have a tea party every day using TeaTime recipes and party planning ideas!” NANCY CONLEY via Instagram “Received my very first issue today in Australia. I love all the pretty…

Red Panda Chai TRAIL LODGE TEA  traillodgetea.com TEACUP: Royal Crown Derby Paradise Maroon “A just-right blend of green tea, orange rind, and warming spices (cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger) makes this a great choice for the holidays.” —Lorna Reeves, editor Noel CHADO TEA  chadotea.com • 562-801-9600 TEACUP: John Aynsley Gold Dowery “Before you even add hot water, the wonderful aromas of cinnamon and orange stir the Christmas spirit. Once this black tea is steeped, flavors of vanilla and almond linger.” —Janice Ritter, dealer program manager Rum Raisin Biscotti TEA FORTÉ  teaforte.com • 800-721-1149 TEACUP: Wedgwood Whitehall (Artis Green Rim) “The nutty flavor of almonds and the fruity taste of raisins bathed in rum create a rich and decadent black tea that requires no added sweeteners.” —Katherine Cloninger, editorial…

Sweet Potato–Ginger Scones Makes 20 2½ cups all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 tablespoons firmly packed light brown sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger ½ teaspoon kosher salt ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed ¾ cup mashed sweet potato (approximately 1 large sweet potato) 2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon cold heavy whipping cream, divided 2 tablespoons ginger cane sugar • Preheat oven to 400°. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Using a pastry blender or 2 forks, cut in cold butter until it resembles coarse crumbs. • In a medium bowl, stir together mashed sweet potato and ⅔ cup cold cream.…

November 3 & 4 San Francisco International Tea Festival 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ferry Building Marketplace San Francisco, California This two-day event is perfect for tea lovers around or visiting the San Francisco area. Festival attendees will be able to taste different teas from nearly 40 vendors, have access to hundreds of different brews for sale in the tea market, and learn from professionals all about the beloved plant and beverage. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit sfitf.com. 10 Hairspray Tea 6:00 p.m. Erika’s Tea Room Clermont, Florida Rat-up your hair and follow the beat to Erika’s Tea Room for an evening inspired by the music and characters of the popular musical Hairspray. Sing along to your favorite tunes and enjoy a four-course themed menu…

There is something magical about the combined aromas of cinnamon, citrus, and cloves that sparks memories of holidays past. Years ago, I blended a tea with all these ingredients, and during a sampling session, one staff member took a sniff from the cup and exclaimed “That’s Christmas in a cup!” Voilà! My new holiday blend had a unique name, and it soon became a best seller. A similar combination of tea and spice launched America’s second largest tea brand in 1946 when Ruth Bigelow created a blend in her New York City kitchen. She shared her concoction with a friend who served it at a party to delighted guests. “Ruth, there was nothing but constant comments about your tea!” the friend reported. Ruth’s husband, David, began packaging the spiced tea…

Cranberry, Pistachio & Orange Scones Makes 13 2½ cups all-purpose gluten-free flour blend 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed ½ cup dried cranberries ¼ cup finely chopped roasted salted pistachios 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest 1¼ cups cold heavy whipping cream ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Garnish: granulated sugar • Preheat oven to 375°. 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 cranberries, pistachios, and orange zest, stirring to combine. • In a small bowl, stir together cold cream and vanilla extract. Add cream mixture to flour mixture, stirring until…

Accompany the courses of this celebratory menu with copious cups of these offerings from Ahmad Tea. Order online at ahmadteausa.com , or call 800-637-7704. SCONE COURSE: Cardamom Tea SAVORIES COURSE: Kalami Assam SWEETS COURSE: Peppermint & Lemon Herbal Tea Herbed Egg Salad Canapés Makes 18 6 red radishes 3 large eggs, hard-cooked and peeled 3 tablespoons mayonnaise 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice ¼ teaspoon minced fresh tarragon 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 9 slices pumpernickel bread, lightly toasted Garnish: fresh tarragon • Using a sharp knife, cut 18 (¼-inch-thick) slices from radishes. Place radish slices between paper towels until needed. • In the work bowl of a food processor, pulse together eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, parsley, salt,…

Jim told himself a change was going to come. No more weeks away from home, no matter how well paid. No more phone calls home to hang up and face another night without Joan. She had nursed him, a wounded warrior, back to health, married him, and given him a family back before the Beatles first sang “Money Can’t Buy Me Love.” She’d been chief nurse on the floor at St. Agnes Hospital in White Plains, New York, when they brought him in with his leg injured in training down South at Camp Lejeune. By the time of his discharge in 1961, he had her phone number and the promise of a date. It was not just one of those things—it was the beginning of a life together. Their comfortable…

I looked intently as the sun rose in the east. In the early morning hours, an uncommon rain fell on the desert. Artificial blue light from a cluster of hospital equipment cast a dim glow in the room. The view outside this window had become more familiar to me, as I greeted another day from a room that had become my new home. I woke up and realized I was still there—there in this challenging situation, sleeping on a small couch in my husband’s hospital room. I suppressed tears that too often clouded my eyes, not daring to release them for fear the flood might never end. I especially did not want my brave husband to see me cry, causing more stress than he needed at this tender time in…

COVER Lenox Embassy teacup ($78) and saucer ($36), 800-223-4311, lenox.com. Lenox Holiday teapot ($69.95) from Replacements, Ltd., 800-737-5223, replacements.com. Mikasa Christmas Night crystal cake stand, tablecloth, and ornaments from private collection. TITLE PAGE Page 2: Lenox Embassy teacup ($53.95) and saucer ($24.95), 800-223-4311, lenox.com. Lenox Holiday mini sugar bowl and lid ($99.95) from Replacements, Ltd., 800-737-5223, replacements.com. Ralph Lauren Hampstead Red Christmas Holiday tablecloth ($24.99) from HomeGoods, 800-888-0776, homegoods.com. MASTHEAD Page 5: Royal Crown Derby Elizabeth teacup ($124) and saucer ($82) from Devine Corp, 732-751-0500, devinecorp.net. Wedgwood Holly Wreath teacup/saucer set ($47.99) from Replacements, Ltd., 800-737-5223, replacements.com. THE COMPLETE TABLE: GOLDEN HOLIDAYS Pages 19–20: Royal Crown Derby Elizabeth Gold dinner plate ($170), salad plate ($150), teacup ($124), saucer ($82), teapot ($776), creamer ($244), and sugar bowl ($404) from Devine Corp,…