Tea Parties

I have attended 3 tea parties in one week! Dates had to be changed to accomodate every one's busy schedules, and so it just so happened that they all fell in one week.
One tea was at Barbara's Victorian Tea House in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. The home is on the historical society's list, and was a wonderful old fashioned home. The food and tea service was excellent, and my Victorian Tea Society group had a lovely time. I highly recommend it, if you are in the area.
A few days later, another tea group that I belong to held thier monthly tea in a member's home.
Her theme was tea and roses. A lovely centerpiece of fresh roses adorned the table. We enjoyed tea, salad and tea sandwiches and too many desserts.
Then, on the week-end, I attended a monthly tea that a friend does every month for 16 to 24 friends. This remarkable friend is in a wheelchair, but that doesn't stop her from hosting her teas. Her theme was a red, white and blue picnic. She sets up tables in her kitchen, dining room, den and enclosed garden room to accomodate her guests.
I hope you take advantage of the summer months to host a tea party yourself. There are so many delightful teas to serve iced, and they are so refreshing.

Tea Bags vs Loose tea

Tea bags are so convenient, why would anyone want to switch to loose tea? The answer is simple: Quality!
Tea bags first came into popularity in 1904. Before that, tea was sent in tins. A merchant in New York, trying to cut costs, began sending sample teas to his customers in small silk sacks. The client, not knowing this was new packaging, put the tea in hot water-bag and all. And a new way of preparing tea was born. Tea bags became popular. Then, in order for the tea to fully infuse, smaller tea leaves were used. Soon, merchants began using cheaper grades of tea, known as "fannings" or "dust". The thought was that as long as they were hidden inside the tea bag anyway, no one would know. As time went by, companies began to wrap the "leaves" in paper filters, a cheaper alternative to the silk bag. This alternative doesn't allow the water to flow through to the cup as easily, eliminating even more quality.
Unfortuantely, the tea found in most grocery stores is this lower grade of tea.
That is why I have begun to work with Heavenly Special Teas. They offer high quality premium full-leaf tea blends from around the world. Visit thier web site at www.heavenlyspecialteas.com to see a great variety of herbal/fruit, and flavored teas. Be sure to tell them Maxine sent you.

Taking the Mystery out of brewing Tea

I've been learning alot about tea lately, thanks to Heavenly Special Teas.Find them at www.Heavenlyspecialteas.com. The temperature of the water and the amount of time the tea steeps is very important. Black tea should steep in boiling hot water for 3 to 5 minutes. Green tea should steep for 3 minutes in 180 degree water. This temperature is reached just when the tea kettle starts to sizzle, just before it reaches boiling. Herbal tea, which is naturally decaffeinated, likes the boiling hot water and should steep for 5 to 7 minutes. Water that is left to boil too long gets depleted of the oxygen in the water and the result is a flat, tasteless cuppa.
For the best cup of tea, use loose tea leaves rather than a tea bag. I'll tell you why in another blog post. Ta ta for now.

New Mystery Tea Party Plan, The Sinister Sleepover

Whoever heard of attending a tea party in your pajamas? Well, that's how the guests arrive when they attend the new pajama party mystery tea party!
It seems that the hostess has awakened them all with the dreadful news that a robbery and murder has taken place while they were all snoozing. Or were they? Several of them were seen roaming the halls in the middle of the night!
This new mystery party plan is already becoming popular. One lady ordered it and wrote that she is going to do it as an actual slumber party. Another said she is ordering it for her church's ladies night out.
I always do a trial run of any new party plan, and when I hosted "The Sinister Sleepover" my guests really had fun! They arrived in pajamas and bathrobes,one had slippers with floppy dog ears, another brought her teddy bear for company.
One lady had curlers in her hair, another wore a night cap. The party was a great success. You can purchase yours by clicking on www.mysteryteaparties.com.

Tea in Texas

Hey, all you Texans! There is a great tea magazine called Tea in Texas. It comes out every two months and filled with great tea information, recipes, and news of many, many tearooms in Texas. Apparently, tearooms are very popular in Texas.
Look them up on the internet for more information and to be able to subscribe. It's really a great magazine.

Mystery of Tea

My education in tea continues to grow. I am working with Heavenly Special Teas, a home party company. I do not plan on doing home parties myself, but will offer these wonderful high quality teas through my mystery tea party business. I am also looking for consultants anywhere in the nation.
There are so many benefits to drinking tea. It's one beverage that contains no calories, no carbohydrates, no salt and no fat.
Green tea contains more antioxidant working for you than Vitamins C and E. Some studies suggest it may prevent rheumatoid arthritis and/or lessen pain from those already afflicted.
Black tea even contains fluoride which fights bacteria that causes gum disease and decay. Who knew?
Oolong tea has so many benefits I don't know where to begin! It aids in digestion, works as a diuretic and has cleansing actions in the system. It fights dark spots on the skin and wrinkles. It also has been shown to help lower blood pressure and reduce heart disease. This tea also helps prevent tooth decay. Many claim it also aids in weight reduction.
If you'd like to learn more about these amazing teas visit www.heavenlyspecialteas.com. Please be sure to tell them Maxine sent you, or just give me a call at 951-301-7218. I'm on Pacific time, so if you're on the East Coast, please don't call before 9:00 a.m. your time!

Mystery of tea

Iam learning so much about tea! I starting reading some tea forums on various websites. I soon discovered that many true tea lovers are not content with the teabags purchased at the local grocery store. They were ordering special teas and blends from different tea sources. They wrote with great passion about senchas and oolongs. They shared how long to steep various teas and worried about the temperature of the water. How long should the water boil? Should green tea steep longer than black?
Should you steep tea in a teapot with the cozy on or off? This last question led to a lengthy discussion, and several people performing tests.
The answers? Usually, water should just reach a boil. Green tea steeps for 3 minutes, black 5. Never cover a teapot while steeping tea. It "cooks" the tea and spoils the taste.