Table of contents for November - December 2009 in TeaTime

WRAPPED IN WHIMSY Beautiful presentation on the outside sets the tone for the thoughtful gift inside. Wrap your treasures in fanciful paper from Paper- Source, and adorn with gorgeous silk ribbons in festive colors from Midori. Charming gift tags by Sunshine and Ravioli are hand-stamped on cut ivory card stock and recycled chipboard sheets for a personal finishing touch. SWEET DELIGHTS What better gift than that of tea and chocolate? Share these luscious tea-infused chocolate bars by The Tea Room in tempting flavors like Raspberry Rooibos and Green Earl Grey. MERRY MONOGRAMS Serve a traditional holiday tea on a table enhanced with pretty golden linens and luxurious decorating details like these monogrammed napkin rings. Elegant metallic script graces each porcelain ring by Abbiamo Tutto, adding style and sophistication. Silver-plated teapot…

SPICES ARE among the most ancient ingredients in the kitchen. Though most spices are readily available today and relatively inexpensive, in earlier times, they were very rare and considered a precious commodity. They grew in faraway lands and were difficult to find and harvest, and their use extended beyond food to medicine, perfumes, and incense. Eventually, as growing practices were streamlined and updated, spices drifted from being a rarity to being an easily accessible accent for sweet and savory dishes. Over time, spice has become synonymous with holiday baking. The most traditional—cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger—have a warming aroma and an innate affinity to one another, but there are numerous other choices that saturate sweet treats especially with an unexpectedly heady fragrance and flavor. In honor of these ancient, well-loved,…

The magic of Christmas seems meant especially for children. Thoughts of little ones “nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads” are gentle reminders of this enchanting season. Whether it’s in the beautifully wrapped gifts from jolly old Saint Nicholas or the abundance of candy canes and sweet treats, the excitement of youth is rejuvenating. Inspired by the whimsical mood of the classic board game Candy Land, we celebrate children with a fanciful tea party awash with color and sugary delights. A nod to the fairytale wonderland of the Candy Cane Forest and Gum Drop Mountain, a charming child-size table is set with big gumdrops and festive lollipops. The little darlings can take on the characters of Princess Frostine and Gramma Nutt to set…

THINGS TO DO IN SALT LAKE CITY • A visit to the famous 20,000-square-mile Great Salt Lake, the second saltiest in the world, is an absolute must. With its white sands and turquoise water, the lake and its islands provide lovely scenery and recreational opportunities. The surrounding wildlife refuge attracts millions of migratory birds each year. • Sit back and enjoy the beauty of song with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The more than 360 members include men and women from many different backgrounds and professions, ranging in age from 25 to 60, brought together by their love for singing. • The Utah Museum of Fine Arts and the Salt Lake Art Center are homes to an array of fine artwork. A view of civilization through a Pan-Asian display, the Browning…

Every harvested tea begins as green tea, the oldest of all tea families. The freshly plucked sets of two leaves and a bud are either panfired in woks or placed in large mechanical steamers, where a steam bath kills the enzymes and prohibits oxidation. The leaves are then flattened or rolled by hand or machine and dried. Since they are not bruised and oxidized, the dry leaves retain their natural dark olive green color and their vegetative aroma and taste. Green tea is sought after for its health benefits. The buzzword among tea research scientists for the past decade has been EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate, an antioxidant polyphenol), green tea’s principle catechin and a strong antioxidant. For centuries, China, Japan, and Taiwan were principle sources for green tea production. With the…

The piquancy of peppery ginger and sugary molasses are combined to create the rich flavor and aroma of gingerbread. Enhanced with holiday spices of cinnamon and cloves, this dense sweet is ideal for adding a bit of warmth to winter gatherings. When ginger became widely available throughout Europe in the 1700s, gingerbread became a popular dessert. Today, the confection remains a holiday staple in France and England and is a delightful element of American holiday tradition. The distinctive flavors can be blended into cake, a thin crisp cookie, or a slightly softer cookie used to shape gingerbread men and build charming gingerbread houses at Christmastime. Serve this delicious soft scone, infused with the season’s ever-popular spices, with freshly whipped cream and alongside a steaming cup of Earl Grey. Gingerbread Scones…

Celebratory gatherings of friends are some of the best-loved traditions during the holiday season. While classic open houses and formal teas are lovely choices for special get-togethers, a bake-and-share cookie swap is an engaging format for a party, filling the kitchen with the sounds of warm conversation and the swirling aromas of butter, sugar, and spice. At the end of the afternoon, each guest can take home a selection of the gourmet goodies to keep or to share with loved ones. Because we are food and tea lovers all, the TeaTime staffcame together for our own afternoon of baking, chatting, and—of course—sipping tea. We each chose a favorite heirloom recipe, and everyone delighted in hearing the stories behind the cherished cookies. We’re pleased to share our collection of family recipes…

savories Spread a soft, flavored cheese, such as Boursin, on toasted slices of baguette. Top with thinly sliced pear and a sprig of fresh thyme. & Cut purchased mini croissants in half lengthwise. Whisk jarred pesto with softened cream cheese, and spread on bottom halves of croissants. Top with sliced prosciutto, then sandwich with top halves of croissants. & Bake a wheel of Brie cheese at 350º for 15 minutes. Top with fruit preserves, and serve with slices of toasted baguette. sweets Scoop bite-size rounds from the filling of a prepared cheesecake. Roll into balls, and refrigerate until firm; roll in milk chocolate toffee bits, toasted coconut, or a topping of your choice. & Bake frozen phyllo cups until golden brown and very crisp. Cool, then fill with prepared lemon…

cover Lenox “Winter Greetings” tea pot, $60, cup and saucer set, $36, available at lenox.com. Silver plate flatware by Cake Vintage, $25 per set, available at cakevintage.com. Williams-Sonoma Scalloped Cake Stand in White, $45, available at williams-sonoma.com. gifts of the season Page 13: Gift wrap by Paper Source, $2.25–$7.95, available at paper-source.com. Doublefaced Satin Ribbon in Red, Pine, and Juniper by Midori, visit midoriribbon.com for retailers. Gift tags by Sunshine and Ravioli, $5 per set of 5, available at etsy.com. Page 14: The Tea Room tea-infused Chocolate Bars, $16 for 5 or $29.90 for 10, available at tea-room.stores.yahoo.net. Decorative Silver Scrolls on Cream Gift Box by Paper Source, $4.50–$8.50, available at papersource.com. Gold diamond napkins, $13.99 each, available at Lamb’s Ears Ltd., 205-969-3138. Porcelain monogrammed napkin rings by Abbiamo Tutto, available at e-abbiamotutto.com. Silver-plated tea-pot place-card holders, $18 per set…

November 13&14 Ninth Annual Quilts and Tea Festival Historic District Davenport, Florida Savor late fall with outdoor quilt displays, delicious delicacies, and endless cups of tea. This festival features a glimpse of history with historic homes embellished with quilt-lined porches and verandas. For more information, call 863-422-2267 or 863-258-7800. 27 Annual Holiday Tea 11:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Sweet Remembrances Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania Welcome the holidays with a traditional tea the day after Thanksgiving. Entertain guests, or simply get together with family and friends to relax. Assorted tea sandwiches, fruit, hot scones, miniature desserts, and tea will be served on delicate china. For reservations or more information, call 717-697-5785. December 6 Holiday Bazaar Tea Hotel Boulderado Boulder, Colorado Local artists and craftsmen display their wares just in time for the holiday…

There’s something wonderfully soothing about having a steaming cup of tea when a chill is in the air. Salt Lake City, Utah, where the surrounding mountains have an average snowfall of nearly 40 feet each year and the wintry mood lingers well into spring, is a pleasant place to delight in Afternoon Tea at one of the city’s tea venues. Known as the Crossroads of the West, Salt Lake City brims with history, art, and culture. The city’s lovely assortment of tearooms presents a new and different tea-taking experience for locals and visitors alike. From a classic threecourse tea service and entertaining tea parties to an authentic English-style bakery and teashop, this selection fits any tea lover’s fancy. DOWNTOWN DELIGHT Nestled in the historic Clift Building in the heart of…