Steepedteablog.com

Time for another Tea Quote

I came across this one recently and it made me smile - hope you'll remember it when you're up to your neck in "life"...

Remember the tea kettle - it is always up to its neck in hot water, yet it still sings!  ~Author Unknown

My Invitation Must Be Lost in the Mail!

I'm doing a tea party tonight at Joyce's house and one of the teas we are tasting is Buckingham Garden Party, so I thought I'd do a little quick research.

Buckingham Garden Party is a delicate medium tea with a hint of Earl Grey and Jasmine - the delicate nature lends itself well as a light afternoon tea. It includes malty Assam (Borengajuli) and Ceylon teas as well. The flavours come to the fore at separate times. I've quite enjoyed it in the middle of the morning when the house is quiet...

The tea has a history. Every year, the Queen of England and her family host a garden party. The tradition dates back to 1860, in the days of Queen Victoria, and the tea is a medley specially selected for this occasion.

This year, there was a tea party on July 8th, just a few weeks ago, in the gardens of Buckingham Palace (I tried to find you a photo of the gardens but came up empty - hope this photo of the street side of Buckingham Palace helps put you there.) I guess my invitation went astray, what about yours? Actually, about 8,000 guests of a variety of ages and walks of life were invited. The common thread is that they have made a contribution to the British Commonwealth. The Sun Star Online reports, "The queen's first garden party of the summer season was a step back in time to an age when the food was flavorless - pass the cucumber sandwiches and milky tea, please - and everyone was ready to curtsy or bow when her majesty came by." This is the first of three garden parties the royal figure hosts, usually one at Holyrood in Scotland and the rest in London. According to a web page by Ellen Eastn and Reva Paul, the royal staff will have prepared for the 8,000 guests:

• 20,000 various tea sandwiches
• 5, 000 bridge rolls
• 9,000 butter drop scones
• 9, 000 fruit tartlets
• 3, 000 butter cake fingers
• 8,000 slices of chocolate/lemon cake
• 4,000 slices of Dundee cake
• 4,500 slices of Majorca cake
• 3,500 slices of chocolate/jam Swiss roll

And what if you don't drink tea??? (Absurd question, I know.) There is, in addition to the 27,000 cups of tea, 10,000 glasses of iced coffee and 20,000 glasses of fruit squash.

The garden tea party is served buffet style on a 408-foot buffet table and requires 400 wait staff and 30 management personnel to pull it off. Quite a shindig, isn't it? And there are 2 more parties to go for the royal family. Lots of hand-shaking and smiling to go - all followed up with a lovely cuppa tea!

Why not make a cup of this historically rich tea and head out to your own garden for a simpler party? Don't own Buckingham Garden Party yet? If you live in Ontario, I would be happy to help you out with an order.

 

Just Another Reason to Love Green Tea!

Science Daily announced today that yet another study has concluded that green tea is good for you.

The study found that the consumption of green tea rapidly improves the function of (endothelial) cells lining the circulatory system; endothelial dysfunction is a key event in the progression of atherosclerosis. The study was conducted using green tea, coffee, and hot water (as a placebo) to compare the results.

Results showed that endothelium-dependent brachial artery dilatation increased significantly after drinking green tea, with a peak increase of 3.9 per cent 30 minutes after consumption. The effect of caffeine consumption (or hot water) was not significant.

You want to keep those arteries healthy? Keep drinking your green tea!

If you are running low on green tea, and you live in Ontario, give me a call or email to order more - annthetealady@rogers.com.

Happy Canada Day!

Wouldn't you agree that we are truly blessed to live in Canada? Our government does not oppress us, both our male and our female children have the privilege of an education, we can freely worship without the fear of being imprisoned for it - I could go on... Enjoy celebrating life in Canada today!

Do you try to shop Canadian when you can? Sometimes, finding Canadian choices isn't easy. Did you know that when you buy Steeped Tea, you are supporting Canadian business women. You support me as I supplement our family income. And you support the founder of Steeped, Tonia Jahshan, who is building a great company that will help many Canadians change their lives by adding to their family income, or simply by enjoying some time relaxing with a great cup of tea. The SavvyMom has an entrepreneur of the year award and one of Steeped's customers nominated Tonia and Steeped. The winner will receive advertising advise and opportunities, an article in Today's Parent, mentorship from last years winner, and greater exposure. Will you join her in voicing your support for Steeped by casting a vote? Just click on over here to vote for Steeped.

I thank you for your business and support!

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