Table of contents for November - December 2014 in TeaTime

Much has been written over the centuries about “the way of tea.” Contemporary authors, such as TeaTime Contributing Editor Bruce Richardson, have covered the topic quite well. In this issue, he references it in “Finding the Way of Tea in Pasadena” (page 46), an informative look at not-to-be-missed tea venues in this Southern California town. I’ve discovered that an important part of my way of tea is sharing the gift of tea, especially during the holiday season. It is so much fun to introduce family and friends to the pleasures of teatime, whether through the simple act of serving them a cup, giving them a tin of a favorite flavor (tea bags or loose leaf), or hosting a tea party with all the trimmings. If you’re looking for holiday blends…

Kalamata Olive and Rosemary Scones Yield: 15 scones | Preparation: 25 minutes Bake: 20 minutes 2 cups bread flour 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons cold salted butter, cut into pieces 3 tablespoons finely chopped kalamata olives 1¼ cups cold heavy whipping cream, divided 1 recipe Black Pepper Butter (recipe follows) Garnish: fresh rosemary • Preheat oven to 350°. • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. • In a large bowl, combine flour, rosemary, baking powder, and salt, whisking well. Using a pastry blender, cut butter into flour mixture until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add olives, stirring to combine. Add 1 cup 3 tablespoons cream (reserving 1 tablespoon), stirring to combine. (If dough seems dry, add more…

September/October 2014 How Do You Do It? Where do you get all the china and accessories you use for your beautiful tablescapes? They are always so elegant. ANNE THOMPKINS Toronto, Ontario EDITOR’S NOTE: Lucy Herndon, our photo stylist, does a wonderful job creating the tablescapes you see in each issue of TeaTime. She works with various china companies, such as Wedgwood and Royal Crown Derby; a local retailer; and Replacements.com. We always print information about the china and other props we use for each tablescape in the Resources for Readers column, which usually appears on page 63 of each issue— be sure to check it out! Tea with Children This summer, my 3-year-old finally gets tea parties, so we’ve been having one almost every weekend. We even had a Skype…

Gluten-free Toffee-Pear Scones Yield: 9 scones | Preparation: 25 minutes Bake: 17 to 19 minutes 1½ cups gluten-free flour* ¼ cup sugar 1½ teaspoons baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons cold salted butter, cut into pieces ¾ cup diced and peeled pear, such as Bartlett ⅓ cup toffee bits, such as Heath ¾ cup cold heavy whipping cream ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1 recipe Brown Sugar Cream (recipe follows) • Preheat oven to 350°. • Spray a 12-well square muffin pan† with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. • In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, whisking well. Using a pastry blender, cut butter into flour mixture until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add pear and toffee bits, stirring until coated with flour mixture. Set aside. •…

At the beginning of the 18th century, when tea drinking had become a social habit amongst the wealthier classes, silver wares came to be regarded more and more as an essential and very prestigious part of the ceremonial equipage that decorated English and American tea tables. The very earliest silver teapot recorded in London was presented in 1670 to the Committee “of the East India Company by the Right Hon˚ George Ld Berkeley of Berkeley Castle. A member of that Honourable and worthy Society and A true hearty Lover of them.” Now in the safe keeping of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the pot looks more like a tall coffee pot but is inscribed “This silver tea Pott. . . .” In America, a 1701 inventory of the…

Floral arrangements by Flowerbuds, 205-970-3223, flowerbudsinc.com. COVER White scalloped cake plate ($14.95) from Pier 1, 800-245-4595, pier1.com. Waterford Holiday Ribbons salad plate ($29.99) and cup and saucer ($55.99); Raynaud Ambassador Gold teapot ($529.95) *. Classic Linen table runner ($47) from Pottery Barn, 888-779-5176, potterybarn.com. TITLE PAGE Page 2: Waterford Holiday Ribbons cup and saucer ($55.99) *. MASTHEAD Page 5: Royal Copenhagen Star Fluted Christmas high handle cup and saucer ($65), dinner plate ($65), and dessert plate ($60) †. Wallace Grand Baroque knife ($210) and spoon ($240) ‡. HOLIDAY BLENDS Page 15: 1—Pickard Winter Festival flat cup and saucer ($55.99) *; Gingerbread Black Tea ($5.50 for a 3.5-oz. package) from Tealuxe, 888-TEALUXE, tealuxe.com. 2—Mikasa Holiday Traditions cup and saucer ($14.99), 866-645-2721, mikasa.com; Cinnamon Apple Oolong ($12.95 for a 3-oz. bag) from…

November 6 The Book of Tea 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Georgia O’Keeffe Museum Education Annex Santa Fe, New Mexico Teaism, the philosophy Okakura Kakuzo espoused in The Book of Tea, influenced many artists of the early 20th century, including American modernist painter Georgia O’Keeffe. Join TeaTime contributing editor Bruce Richardson for a presentation on the ways Okakura affected O’Keeffe’s life and work. For ticket information, call 505-946-1039. 8 & 9 Coffee & Tea Festival Philly 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Greater Philadelphia Expo Center Oaks, Pennsylvania Drink, eat, and learn at Coffee & Tea Festival Philly. Come taste some of the finest coffees and teas from around the country at this two-day festival, which includes more than 40 exhibitors and well-known industry pros and pioneers. One-day tickets cost $20, and…

Angel Scones Yield: 24 scones | Preparation: 25 minutes Rise: 1 hour | Bake: 8 minutes 1 teaspoon active-dry yeast ¼ cup warm (110°) water 2 cups all-purpose flour ¼ cup sugar ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon baking powder 4 tablespoons cold salted butter, cut into pieces ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons cold heavy whipping cream 1 recipe Spiced Cream (recipe follows) • Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet. Set aside. • In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let stand for 5 minutes. • In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder, whisking well. Using a pastry blender, cut butter into flour mixture until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. • In a liquid-measuring cup, combine yeast and cream, whisking to blend. Add to flour mixture,…

The Japanese have a name for “the way of tea.” It is chado. For those who love beauty and the arts, tea can easily become their way as they explore Pasadena, California. Known for its annual Rose Parade, Pasadena is a bouquet of sensory delights encompassing great architecture, art, gardens, and, of course, tearooms. Unlike its big sister to the south, Los Angeles, this sunny suburb is easy to navigate. And should you make a wrong turn, you’re apt to find yourself in front of a house or a hotel that served as a backdrop for a movie. Join me on a delicious tea adventure through one of America’s most beautiful cities. ROSE TREE COTTAGE 801 S. Pasadena Avenue Pasadena, CA 91105 626-793-3337 • rosetreecottage.com If the mention of scones,…

When she was growing up, Melanie O’Hara shared a pot of tea and conversation with her mom every day after school. Later, during dinner, her dad, a pathologist, talked about his work. Who knew that these two early life experiences would one day motivate Melanie to write a book series featuring tea-loving ladies and murder? Inspiration for The Traveling Tea Ladies murder-mystery series goes beyond the author’s childhood influences. In fact, story settings, characters, and even events throughout are basically a scrapbook of her life, blending local color from the places she has lived or visited, the personalities of friends and family, and even antics and unique guests she has encountered as a tearoom owner. The series centers around Amelia Spencer, owner of the Pink Dogwood Tea Room in fictional…