Table of contents for July - August 2013 in TeaTime

There’s something about blue and white that cheers me. That’s why most of the china I own has that color scheme. The hues even carry over into my kitchen, where a cobalt blue BlueStar range and a matching hood are eye-catching features. And in my dining room, treasured teapots, boThold and new, reside on the shelves of my rounded-front corner cabinet, while antique teacups in varying patterns, but all blue and white, have places of honor on the wall. If you ever visit me in my home, you can be certain I will serve tea on blue and white. just can’t get enough of it, and I hope you feel the same, as this issue is filled with these hues. From a casual tea served in the shade of a…

Flavor Infatuation Authentic French macarons from The Confection Oven are available in more than a dozen dreamy flavors, such as lavender and banana caramel sea salt. ($24 for a dozen; theconfectionoven.com or 858-945-4218) Lusciously Tart Add a touch of citrusy sweetness to any scone with Stonewall Kitchen’s Lemon Curd and Key Lime Curd. ($6.95 for an 11.5-ounce jar; stonewallkitchen.com or 800-826-1752) Portable Honey Honey Pax offers 10 individual packets (each a 2-teaspoon serving) of rare and raw tupelo honey to take with you wherever you go. ($11.50; honeypax.com or 850-692-3425) Naturally Sweet Organic agave nectar sticks from Stash Tea are natural sweeteners made from the juice of the agave plant, ideal for people on a low-glycemic diet. ($4.95 for a box of 20; stashtea.com or 800-800-8327) Blueberry Wild Sticky Fingers…

The rich blues of Herend’s Chinese Bouquet and Ekaterina’s Cobalt Net will make even a scorching summer day feel like springtime. Exuberant white blossoms spilling from a mirrored vase (this page) and gold-framed place cards (opposite, below left) add lovely touches to this elegant table…

COVER Photography by Sarah Arrington; photo styling by Lucy Herndon. Mottahedeh Imperial Blue 5-piece place setting ($350) and teapot ($285), 800-443-8225, mottahedeh.com. Nuko Creations Goldsa runner ($420) and napkin ($35) from Bromberg’s in Mountain Brook, 205-871-3276, brombergs.com. TITLE PAGE Page 2: Johnson Brothers Devon Cottage flat cup and saucer set ($11.99) from Replacements, 800-REPLACE, replacements.com. Linen hemstitch napkins ($48 for a set of 4) from Pottery Barn, 888-779-5176, potterybarn.com. MASTHEAD Page 5: Herend Chinese Bouquet Blue dessert plate ($115), teacup ($100), and tea saucer ($55), 772-343-1965, herendstore.com. Ekaterina’s Cobalt Net dinner plate ($85), 866-677-8263, ekaterinas.com. Waterford Lismore Cobalt Blue water goblet ($149.95) from Replacements, 800-REPLACE, replacements.com. Wallace Antique Baroque gold-plated flatware 80-piece set ($279.99) from Mikasa, 866-645-2721, mikasa.com. NECESSARY THINGS Page 13: French macarons ($24 for a dozen) from The…

Digital Bliss I love getting my version of TeaTime on my Kindle Fire. I have a friend who needs to be gluten free, and she loves getting your scone recipes. Keep up the good work. Your magazine has encouraged me to try many more flavors of tea than I would have without it! DEBRA CAPIOTIS Pikeville, Pennsylvania Since we began offering a digital version of TeaTime for the Kindle Fire, the iPad (pictured at right), and the Nook, readers have told us they enjoy having the magazine in this format. To learn more about our e-subscriptions, see page 6, or go to teatimemagazine.com. Sharing TeaTime I have just recently discovered TeaTime magazine, and I am so glad I did. My sister and I often invite our mum over for elegant…

1 Royal Golden Safari Tea ROYAL TEA OF KENYA “This orthodox black tea yields a fragrant, golden cup wiTha complexity that rivals a nice oolong.” —Lorna Reeves, Editor 2 Fredericksburg Peach Black ZHI TEA “The hint of peach in this tea reminds me of eating fresh peaches on a hot summer day in the South.” —Betty Terry, Associate Editor 3 Black Tea S. D. BELL’S “I can imagine myself on holiday in Ireland, sipping a cup of this robust tea on a cool, misty day. ” —Janet Lambert, Test Kitchen Professional 4 Nepal Aarubotay “Plum Tree” Gardens Organic Delight Black 2nd Flush SIMPSON & VAIL “These tippy tea leaves brew a cup that is sweet enough to not need sugar.” —Marcy Black Simpson, Senior Photographer 5 China Keemun Spring Mao…

Summer birthdays are often celebrated in casual ways, but even in the relaxed mood of summer, there’s room for a little elegance. Complete with candles, cake, and ice cream, this opulent birthday tea is designed to make any guest of honor feel truly special. HELPFUL Hint When rolling out scones, cut rounds close together (almost touching), and reroll the dough no more than once—too many times will make your scones tough. Strawberries and Cream Scones Yield: 20 scones Preparation: 15 minutes Bake: 18 minutes 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/3 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder . teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons cold, salted butter, cut into pieces . cup chopped freeze-dried strawberries* 1 (3-ounce) package cream cheese, diced . cup plus 3 tablespoons cold heavy whipping cream . teaspoon strawberry extract…

TEA sommelier Elmwood Inn Fine Teas offers a single-estate tea from the St. Coombs Garden in the highlands of Sri Lanka that pairs perfectly with this herb-laced raspberry scone. Order online at elmwoodinn.com French Breakfast Black Tea Raspberry-Herb Scones Yield: 13 scones Preparation: 15 minutes Bake: 15 minutes 1. cups gluten-free all-purpose flour* 1⁄3 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder . teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons cold salted butter, cut into pieces . cup dried raspberries, such as Stoneridge Orchards 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh pineapple sage or fresh mint 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest . cup cold heavy whipping cream . teaspoon vanilla extract 1 recipe Confectioners’ Sugar Glaze (recipe follows) • Preheat oven to 350°. • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. • In a medium…

July 6, 25 & 27 All American Tea Party 11:00 a.m. Miss Spenser’s of Longview Farms New Virginia, Iowa Celebrate summer wiTha patriotic tea in true red, white, and blue tradition. Enjoy a four-course tea luncheon in a cozy, English-cottage atmosphere. Then stroll the gardens, and savor the pastoral beauty of this 140- acre farm, which is also a bed-andbreakfast. The cost is $24 per person, and reservations are essential. Visit missspensersspecialteas.com for more information, and call 641-342-1547 to make reservations 20 & 21 6Thannual Jane Austen Festival 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Historic Locust Grove Louisville, Kentucky Honor the bicentenary of Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice at Locust Grove, a restored 18th-century mansion near Louisville. Come in period dress, and join the Regency Promenade on Saturday. The…

P reparing tea for a group comes easily for me because my wife and I owned a tearoom for 14 years. However, I realize this task might appear daunting to a tea novice or even a seasoned host who needs a bit of guidance on the logistics of making tea for four or more. Here are a few helpful tips I like to share with those planning a larger event—either formal or informal. Always offer a choice of at least two teas that complement your food selections. Classic blends or Ceylon, Indian, and China black teas generally go well with most tea foods. Stay away from highly aromatic selections such as a smoky Lapsang Souchong or an Earl Grey. These can be off-putting to some tea drinkers or someone susceptible…

Minnesota is known for its many lakes, scenic hiking trails, campgrounds, wildlife, and lush landscapes. The city also offers a number of outstanding places to enjoy tea. Whether it be in a movietheater- turned-tearoom, in Wonderland with the Mad Hatter, next to a waterfall at a fairy-tale cottage in the woods, among acres of flower gardens at a landscape arboretum, or at a tea class wiTha world-renowned expert, the Minnesota tea experience is boThimpressive and delightful. Get ready—your Midwest tea adventure awaits! THE MAD HATTER TEAROOM 300 East Main Street • Anoka, MN 763-422-4160 • madhattertearoom.com When Liz and Tim Koch aren’t touring the countryside on their Harley-Davidson motorcycle, they’re busy serving tea at their charming tearoom in Anoka, Minnesota. “The Mad Hatter began as the dream of two friends…