Here's to your health

{photo: mat.teo}

Beware: this is post is slightly political.

My wish is that the drinking of health and its subsequent health benefits will be added to our current national healthcare debate.
Tea is really good for you. Drink lots!

Sharing the love of good, healthy tea

Tea Shelf

{photo: www.designspongeonline.com}

I found this really sweet tea shelf on Design*Sponge while searching for inspiration. There is a lot of inspiration out there in the world! You never know what event, activity, book, photo or person will create your next aha! moment.

Two for Tea was inspired by a book EJ and I started writing about Entertaining & Tea. We never finished that book, because in the midst of researching and writing we were so overwhelmed with the desire to take our vision to the people that we opened our business. Now I am more inspired than ever to complete that book! I learned so much about entertaining while serving Afternoon Tea, I can't imagine not finishing the book.

Sharing the love of tea - inspired!

The Replacement II

At the behest of one lovely reader I am offering a more substantive review of my replacement tea infuser.

Q: Does it give the tea a plastic taste?

A: No way! I can't stand that. In all fairnness, I must share that it is not perfect. I find the infuser basket to be a little small as a ratio to the the amount of water one can put in the vessel. Also, the little arm does not stay up with most teas, but for sure not with heavier leaf greens. That means the tea keeps infusing after it should, so I either have to drink fast (ouch burnt mouth) or pour some off (ouch hate to waste tea).

What is great is that this infuser is totally portable. I can make tea 2 minutes before leaving the house and then again at work with little hassle. If the Aladdin "development team" called me right now, would I have some suggestions? You betcha! If they offered to advertise on my blog in return for a ringing endorsement, would I sell out to the man? You betcha! But only because it is a pretty good infuser.

Sharing the love of tea (to go).

Death and taxes

Confession: I haven't filed my 2008 taxes yet.
I can't.
I can't file my personal taxes until we have the partnership taxes done.
We can't do the business taxes because Two for Tea
has no money to pay the accountant.
The accountant won't do the 2008s until the 2007s are totally paid for.
It is a big vicious circle. Running a business is hard, stressful stuff.

I could really use a cup of tea.
Too bad I can't pay the accountant in tea.
A nice relaxing herbal tisane for dealing with clients like us with no money.

After Dinner Tisane

I am always excited when I come across tea world knowledge out there in the mainstream. Perfect example is 3rd and Hollywood, a new-ish restaurant that does not specialize in tea or tea foods but has an "interesting" little mint and ginger tisane on the menu.

We enjoyed it as an after dinner digestif (sans alcohol) and for that it worked well. I applaud the effort of the management of this new establishment. It is so refreshing to order tea or a tisane out and get something that is not Lipton or a tired, half-full box of Tazo Teas.

I am currently growing mint, basil, lavender and dill that I plan to mix and match randomly to create my own tisanes. I'll post the results in a few.

Sharing the love of tea...and other leaves

Happy Mother's Day

Every Mother's Day I struggle to find, create or share the perfect gift. I mean, how do you honor someone for giving you life, dealing with your pubescent years and then becoming your business partner? If we didn't already have a tea business, I would throw her a really great tea party.

Long before we started our business my mom (EJ) and I used to host wonderful Annual Afternoon Teas. Our first tea was an intimate affair with about eight women and three little girls in attendance. We planned, prepared and orchestrated everything ourselves. The menu was simple--scones, homemade lemon pound cake, a few finger sandwiches and several varieties of tea. We had such a good time, an annual tradition was born.

Our Afternoon Teas grew from 8 to upwards of 40 guests. Each year for six years we opened one or the other of our homes and shared our passion for people, entertaining and tea. On more than one occasion we had women call months in advance to make sure they were on the list and to see if they could invite a friend! So many people raved about our parties that we started to think about ways of bringing that atmosphere and tradition to an even larger group of people. Our business, Two for Tea is a direct result of those annual tea parties.

So my gift this Mother's Day is one of hope. I will not be throwing my mother a tea party, but I will brew a nice pot of tea and have her over in the afternoon. Our conversation will surely turn to our business and our plans for the future. It is at that point that I will again thank her for all that I am. Then, I will suggest that we find a way to march on and continue to promote our shared passion for tea.

Breakfast, anytime

Breakfast, anyone? I've been drinking a lot of tea lately, especially breakfast blends. My usual m.o. is to drink black in the morning, black after lunch and green or herbal in the evening. Lately, it has been black all the time. Am I more tired than usual? Who knows. What I do know is that I like the description I found below(sorry I don't remember where and hope this isn't infringement).

Breakfast Blend – Black tea blend of any variety and origin astringent enough to add milk and sugar, but balanced enough to drink straight. Appearance of the dry leaf depends on the blend. Leaves should be well-twisted and include some tip. Wet leaf is brown, copper with a toasty to citrusy aroma. Liquor is bright and clear with rich, reddish-brown hues and a medium to full bodied, mouth-feel that is balanced, brisk and astringent with a tangy high note.

I invite you to share your favorites--teas or descriptions: info@shoptwofortea.com.

Sharing the love of tea,

Dara and Ernestine