Straight From the Leaf

What a City! Philadelphia and World Tea East

2011-09-16T00:58:00.001-04:00

Philadelphia is the historical incubator of great ideas: the United States of America, the cheesesteak (pictured left), and, thanks to my parents and Albert Einstein Medical Center, me. The thought of Philadelphia birthing another great idea, World Tea East, was an exhilarating one.

Would there be tea-themed fireworks? After all, Philadelphians love a celebration. Even if there were no tea cups formed in the night sky, World Tea East caused two of my all-time favorites to collide, i.e. Philadelphia and tea. So I registered, checked my SEPTA token stash, and started the countdown to September 9.

Starting the Tea Party Right

Tea industry professionals gathered to honor the first recipient of the Cha Jing Lifetime Achievement Award: Mr. John Harney, founder of Harney & Sons Fine Teas (please see the post "Worth the Wait - Tea & Orchids"). Celebrating a person who helped establish the specialty tea industry standards for growth, innovation, and education was indeed a special event. Congratulations!

Pour a Cup, Make a Friend

In between the focused tea tastings, the educational seminars, and the marvelous tea breaks, there were opportunities to connect with colleagues. For some of us, we were able to expand our acquaintance beyond Twitter avatars to meeting face-to-face for the first time. If there was any doubt, then please know that social media mavens Nicole Schwartz (@amazonv) and Nicole Martin (@teaformeplease) are both worth more than 140 characters.

Attending World Tea East resulted in my circle of unapologetic tea aficionados becoming even wider. Alas, even tea enthusiasts cannot live by tea alone. So it was my honor and privilege to introduce these good tea people to the Reading Terminal Market, located across the street. Our dialogue, sealed over delicious and reasonably-priced food, left me satisfied for having made the trip. Philadelphia is a wonderful city yet being surrounded by tea professionals made it even sweeter. Until our next tea adventure, cups up!

Oo La Ladurée

2011-09-08T21:01:00.000-04:00

Upper East Madison Avenue is not a location for the fainthearted retailer.

Walking along Madison I was both pleasantly distracted by the Tom Ford display window and deeply saddened by the closed Sonia Rykiel boutique. Thankfully for us shoe fiends, also known as fans if you're in denial, Yves Saint Laurent took its pumps a block over to Fifth Avenue.

What is the missing ingredient? Succeeding in New York City, it seems, takes more than keen fashion sense and a refined French accent. I tabled further analysis because my feet sans YSL had reached our intended destination: Maison Ladurée, 864 Madison Avenue.

Maison Ladurée (New York)

Entering Ladurée's doors, I noticed two things: the line and the palpable, curious anticipation. Maison Ladurée, the legendary Parisian confectioner exported its pastel 19th century decor and its cherubs into a luxury retail space offering assorted chocolates, preserves, candles, perfume, tea, and yes, le macaron.

There was no turning back now and this is not a place to count calories. How could one walk away without at least one macaron? Why make such a fuss over sweets? After all, how good can these ganache-filled treats be?

"They are the best in the world," my line neighbor assured me as we perused the laminated macaron menu. "When was the last time you were here?" I asked. "Last week," she replied, not a little embarrassed.

We exchanged ideas about enjoying food and life. She freely shared her favorite macaron flavors, the red Framboise (Raspberry) and the violet Cassis, and I solemnly received her confession of frequent patisserie visits. As we affirmed each other's staunch support of butter and sugar, it became my turn to place an order. Like a good New Yorker, I was ready with my six-piece ($20) box selection:

Cassis
Orange Blossom
Rose Petal

À Bientôt (To Go)

Since New York's Ladurée has no patron seating, be prepared to take your purchased goodies elsewhere. Even though the staff is extremely polite as they adroitly moved the line along, American Express cardholders should also have another form of payment handy.

This tea trio containing Earl Grey, Ladurée Blend, and Lapsang Souchong provided enough inspiration for a calm and relaxing pairing at my favorite tea place: chez moi.

Until I next visit Paris, Ladurée New York is now here to help me keep Lapsang Souchong black tea in my cup and a macaron in my mouth. That's definitely worth a sip or two in any language. Let's drink tea. Cups up!

Temper Your Tannins - Tea and Bitterness

2011-08-25T14:34:00.001-04:00

What the cha? While Londoners are encouraging each other to combat chaos by rediscovering tea, our United States tea drinking population is starting to resemble the non-Tea party. It is quite ironic considering how integral the word "united" is to our national identity.

Isn't there an expression, "That’s not my cup of tea”? It seems to imply that for general tea consumption there is more than one cup and opinion available. We tea enthusiasts, unapologetic aficionados and industry professionals all would do well to keep this in mind. Then again, tea is a beverage for which people are prepared to march into war and defend. For the love of steep, let’s not turn our weaponry on each other. There’s been enough war over tea.

Bitterness Shows

The tea plant, Camellia sinensis or Chinese camellia, contains tannins. Even though it is spelled similarly, tannins are not the tannic acid used to cure leather. Tannins are the antioxidant property within tea which cause enough astringency for our mouths to feel dry and pucker into little wrinkles. While every palate is different, we can observe someone’s face to determine if too much tannin turned the tea bitter.

For the daring among us, here’s an experiment:

1. Steep an Assam black tea for ten (10) minutes

2. Drink it without milk and sugar

3. Apologize both to your taste buds and the tea leaves for this exercise

As I observe self-proclaimed tea advocates attempt to tear down an individual, company and/or event, I wonder if the actions result from being personally oversteeped, i.e. bitter. Whenever I encounter a bitter cup of tea, I quickly put it down and promptly make a fresh one to erase the residual bitter aftertaste.

Bitterness is eradicated when we each spend our time and energy producing something fresh and delicious to share. If the tea industry information we provide is relevant, fresh and uplifting, like tea itself, people will come back for more.

Everyone has a sphere of influence ready to be filled. Rather than be upset when a bitter cup is politely yet firmly declined, choose freshness over bitterness. In other words, please find a cup of tea and sip it.

Get in Where You Fit in

The conversation around tea is growing, whether or not the listener finds it intellectually stimulating, personally relevant, or even logically sound. The question remains as to whether or not we each will choose to participate in what’s already-in-progress. Similar to a Twitter timeline, the dialogue continues and fills any void we had opportunity to input reason. Offer your sphere of influence the tea knowledge you have and keep going forward.

During any discussion, the person who gets heard is not necessarily the one who has the most knowledge or shouts the loudest. The one most heard is the one most respected.

We humans tend to be reciprocal. As we sense that our views are heard, we then are more willing to listen. If we feel demeaned and/or ignored, then we couldn’t care less about the message. Like New York’s Times Square, there is room for multiple voices if we remain aware that none of us has sole right to the shared space. Otherwise, it becomes as cluttered and counterproductive as lost tourists standing in front of the Empire State Building. (Dear tourists: Please stand to the side and look up.)

Tea is ideal for opening communication lines. Let’s drink tea. Here’s to full cups and meaningful conversations!

Technological Twitches - Tea and Teaching Moments

2011-08-15T15:01:00.000-04:00

It's amazing how a communication tool can become so embedded in our daily routines that when it is missing, its absence leaves a void the size of a freshly landed meteor.

Try this brief mental exercise: Imagine reaching for your smartphone and discovering that it is not there. Yes, a moment of silence is appropriate. The situation is enough to drive someone to drink, well, tea.

In iPhone Recovery

Initially I felt as helpless as a baby, minus the tears. My often utilized iPhone 4 was left behind while traveling this past weekend. My baby picture (right) shows the beginning of the realization that with some thought, this event may become a personal teaching moment.

After all, we did function prior to cell phones, didn't we? The question is, "How did we do it?" Answer: we used our memories. We did tasks for ourselves that we later delegated to smartphones including:

Memorizing phone numbers
Remembering appointment times and directions
Spelling words
Doing calculations
Speaking face-to-face

To view this current situation as anything other than a temporary inconvenience would render me a shallow, spoiled and dimwitted American. Regardless of what some living outside the States may believe, we Americans do both think and drink tea. Being without a phone definitely provides opportunity to do more of both.

Happy Endings-in-Progress
Please do not interpret this post as an ode to technology-free living. After all, there is no blog, i.e. web log, without the world wide web. Technology is a tool that adds convenience, speed and ease to our routines and we are blessed whenever access is available. However, there is no replacement for our brains and memories, virtual or otherwise. Any event which forces us to strengthen our brains and to boost our memories is a great outcome.

I'm so glad my brain remembered where I last placed my favorite technical equipment and while the memory is firing well... thanks Mom. Now, where's that tea? Cups up.

The Ties That Bind - Flowering Teas

2011-07-30T17:49:00.001-04:00

Being an unapologetic tea aficionado means sometimes being considered the friendly neighborhood cupbearer. A cupbearer is the person who sacrificially risks tasting a beverage to guard others against potential poison. It is a distinct honor and great responsibility since everything that comes in a bag is not necessarily tea. Furthermore, loose and/or organic tea does not automatically mean better tea. The proof is in the cup.

Surprise Gift Boxes

Recently I received a premium tea gift box with a caveat that both the tea's quality and taste were unknown. Well, this sounded like music to a tea lover's ears. As a result, my cupping sets went on high alert. I gratefully received the box and calming opened it. An assorted box of flowering teas, also known as display teas, teas greeted my eyes. This was a most pleasant surprise in spite of my non-zodiac personal guidance system. I put away the cupping sets, pulled out the glass teapot and prepared myself for the another tea discovery.

Becoming Blossoms

It's deceptive to dismiss anything or anyone based upon present circumstances. This is true whether it be a grain of sand, a cocoon, or, in this case, a tea pod. That is the beautiful reality: we are constantly crafting the outcomes we desire.

Flowering teas are created primarily with the end in mind, regardless of how they look. The tea pods are many individual tea leaves bundled and tied together. Flowering, or display, teas are so called because it takes time to them to open up, i.e. blossom, and show outwardly what was inside the whole time. Rather than the agony of the leaf, it's the opening of the leaves.

Tea in Motion

Encountering hot water and being turned totally upside down does not seem like a becoming start, does it? Yet, watch what happens over time...

We now see what the Montreal-based tea company My Cup of Tea Inc. originally designed. I bypassed the packaging and associated health claims to taste the tea itself. The outcome? Watching the tea blossom and reveal green tea, jasmine and globe amaranth was the highlight. However, there are eleven (11) more left in the box. So, there is more opportunity to drink tea. Until the next tea adventure, let's all keep our cups full of great tea. Cups up!

Steeped in Tradition - Tea and Family

2011-07-13T16:56:00.000-04:00

A family is a tree with roots, branches, and if blessed, has enough sap to sustain it through adversity and to keep growing stronger, taller and deeper. Like trees, family legacies do not occur overnight. They have sapling small beginnings and the branches share and gain vital nutrients together. Every action towards its care secures benefits, e.g. shade, for others. This family pictured above, the Carters, planted firmly principles about family into my life. As a result, their collective influence still provides shelter. It's true: there's nothing like family.

Rooted and Grounded

To deny one's family makes as much sense as extracting iron from blood. We are inextricably linked with our relatives, whether we like it or not. We share history, regardless of whether we share opinions, and we write history whether or not we choose to do it together.

City born and bred, it baffled me how every year we made a non-negotiable trip to Monroeville, NJ, also known as "the country". There I'd be surrounded by a swarm of tall, handsome, fashionable and very outspoken adults who seemed intent upon inspecting me as to whether I knew what being a Carter meant. Carter?! My last name is Hamilton and my father is Vernon. My willingness to assert myself at a young age seemed to please them. I passed the invisible litmus test and they pronounced me a Carter indeed. Like my mother and maternal grandfather (pictured) before me, last name notwithstanding, I belong to the Carter Family.

Over tea I learned about how my great-grandfather Thomas Gray Carter placed his life's savings within a bank to buy a farm and lost every dime he had when the bank closed in the Crash of 1929 that preceded the Great Depression. We Carters came together, supported each other, and, yes, that 13-acre farm was purchased and became the family headquarters. That was the reason we visited Monroeville every year. The land served as a testimony to our family's faith in God as well as in each other.

Branch in the Big Apple

People often ask me if living a big city like New York is lonely. Considering my family, I find that there is no place where they won't come to see about me and certainly I will seek out my relatives. Very soon our family will gather together in South Jersey to celebrate my 107-year old great-aunt Sarah Frances Carter Brown. Her recent passing means that the Carters pictured above are all deceased and laid in the ground. We Carters now decide whether to nurture or to neglect our family tree.

Yet, roots are planted so the branches can grow up. Through being a Carter, I learn daily that being a family is more than coming together for weddings, funerals, and reunions. Our family legacy, indeed our strength, comes from a commitment to seeing about and caring for each other. This is what my grandfather said his father taught them: 'When one hurts, we all hurt.' By the same token, if one is determined to make it then we all can make it. Raise your cups in a toast and let's drink tea. We will make it -- together.

Tea Where Orchids Grow - My Cottage Garden

2011-07-08T15:12:00.000-04:00

Tea serves as an international passport, even though government officials sometimes mistake it for another substance. When tea drinkers meet, there is an excitement similar to meeting a new cousin at a family reunion. Once we become acquainted, we then spend talking time talking about where we fit within our huge tea family. Yes, tea is a journey and it will take you places.

Walking Between Familiar and Unfamiliar
Isn't it odd how we can walk a familiar track and yet discover new ground? Occasionally we receive the opportunity to visit places that hold bittersweet memories. Before our departure, we may feel some trepidation about retracing our steps and/or perhaps even repeating our past mistakes. However, we choose to get on board with our baggage and go. Why? The desire to go forward outweighs anything that would try to keep us from wasting a customized ticket. Regardless of the outcome, some trips are non-transferable.

Upon our arrival, we realize that something's shifted. Maturity, as a paintbrush, added experience to those memories and covered them with a different patina. The place itself may not have changed, but the ticket holder holds a different perspective. This discovery makes the trip over familiar territory worth it. It also becomes an opportunity to appreciate the distance covered, to determine the next destination, and to start traveling in that direction. All aboard!

My Cottage Garden (Lakeland, FL)

The day I met shop owner Deborah Birdwell at My Cottage Garden and listened to her personal tea journey I became connected to another tea-appreciating human being. It was a true sipping celebration. Our sharing conversation over tea truly felt finding a long lost relative.

My Cottage Garden looks and feels like a comfortable Victorian living room. Although the actual tea service discontinued two years ago, Debbie graciously offers to make a pot of tea to any customer caring to sample the wide selection. There was a Ceylon there with my name on it.

Speaking of home comforts, this plate of sweets reminded me of how I grew up receiving company:

The tea store is located at 325 North Kentucky Avenue in historic downtown Lakeland. Surrounded by antique shops and other boutiques, this cozy spot offers its own treasure trove especially for fellow unapologetic tea aficionados.

Despite popular technology, the telephone remains the best contact method here and Debbie Birdwell herself gives directions at (863) 688-9686) to anyone trying to find My Cottage Garden. For those travelers seeking tea, I offer this helpful landmark:

Behind the orchids, there's tea. May all your travels end in tea. In other words, bon voyage (have a good trip)!

Cherchez Le Blend - François Payard Bakery

2011-06-23T17:30:00.000-04:00

Once upon a time on the Upper East Side in the Land of Gotham, there lived a prince pastry chef who provided a consistently excellent and affordable three-course, French-style afternoon tea. People came from far and wide to visit this tea castle where time seemed to stop once one's feet crossed the threshold. This magical place was called Payard Patisserie & Bistro where the tea sandwiches were miniature masterpieces, chocolate flowed like water, and macarons blossomed abundantly.

This tea tin shown once held the signature Payard Blend, a black tea blended by Harney & Sons and a fine tribute to Franco-American relations. Its memorable flavor profile prompted me to turn my memories into a newly refilled tin. So began this tea adventure.

It Takes A Village

Athough the Payard Blend is available with a different label online, I decided to use my local advantage and save myself the shipping costs. Going to François Payard Bakery seemed like a good idea: save shipping, get some exercise, and remedy an empty tin. Truly there are few things sadder to an unapologetic tea aficionado than an empty tin, n'est-ce pas?

Accompanied by my ever faithful travel companion, also known as an unlimited MetroCard, I eagerly navigated Greenwich Village to 116 West Houston Street between Thompson and Sullivan Streets [Subway: Broadway-Lafayette (B, D, F, M)].This is the site that welcomed me:

Be not distracted by this tempting display of pastry par excellence. Focus. Remember today's mission is tea. Carefully reading the labels on all the tea tins, however, I saw no Payard Blend. No Payard Blend?! Where's the Payard Blend? Alas, the elusive Payard Blend tea was not at home.

Culinary Consolation

Instead of dragging myself over to the Plaza Hotel and drowning my sorrow at the FC Chocolate Bar, I attempted to console my disappointingly empty tea quest with a temporary diversion: lunch. The turkey and Gruyere cheese sandwich on pretzel bread paired with a rich, hearty lentil soup greatly improved my disposition.

What tea does one choose after priming the taste buds with such great anticipation? Please don't get it twisted: this was no time for tisanes. A thoroughly enjoyable Earl Grey carried the day. While I sipped my senses suddenly became alert to the chocolates and macarons surrounding me. A jumbo cranberry macaron beckoned like a siren and answering the call, I discovered it pairs quite nicely with Earl Grey black tea. As for the chocolate, where there is François Payard, there will be chocolate.

Happy Beginnings

This summer chef Payard returns to the Upper East (1330 Third Avenue) to open a venue reminiscent of the once beloved Payard Patisserie. That means that my Payard Blend tin hopefully will be filled soon. In the meantime, we'll eat macarons, dream in chocolate, and drink tea.

Releasing Our Inner Pooh - The Tea + Honey Store

2011-06-16T14:26:00.000-04:00

Exploring a city on foot gives the walker an opportunity to see the metropolis up close and personal. The bigger the city, the more ground there is available to discover. Every place, whether urban or rural, has its own charms and every step we take is a decision towards discovering them.

For those individuals who ignorantly say that cities like New York lack trees, I merely inquire when was the last time they walked through Central Park? Surely at least one tree may be found on the 843-acre public park. This photo shows a few trees that I noticed during a recent walk and they do not appear to be saplings. Perhaps the person is unable to see the trees for obsessing about concrete. Nevertheless, excuses prevent discoveries. It is time to keep walking.

Blooming Where You Are Planted

Productivity produces evidence. When trees produce buds, blooms and blossoms, it is a visual expression of life springing up from the roots. The blossoms announce that there is work in progress and the fruit is on the way.

Additionally, blossoms stand out among green leaves and their uncommon quality attracts those who recognize their worth, i.e. bees. Honey, the collaboration between bees and blossoms, is a sweet example. I imagine Alan Alexander Milne's character Winnie-the-Pooh would be quite pleased at discovering such productivity.

For the Pooh in You - The Tea + Honey Store (New York)

As a rule, I prefer to keep my palate sharp and to add nothing to my teas and/or tisanes. A tisane (pronounced "tis-an"), or herbal, is an infusion which does not contain the actual camellia sinensis tea leaf. Curiosity, however, motivated me to try boosting my immune system via adding local honey to a rooibos tisane.

Rooibos (pronounced "roy-boss"), is the red bush herbal grown in South Africa.When it came to selecting and purchasing honey, I visited Nicolas Sampedro and my friends at The Tea + Honey Store on the Upper East Side. Please note: the Grand Central location is closed.

My first ever non-tea purchase at The Tea + Honey Store was Hamptons Honey Wildflower Blossom. I am happily conducting my experiment. Regardless of how the experiment turns out, I have blossoms, some honey and a bear as reminders for me to keep producing. Life is indeed sweet. Cups up!

To Chef With Love - Tea and Dessert

2011-06-09T15:52:00.000-04:00

Strawberry Shortcake with Vanilla Ice Cream

Warning: This post is rated "D". Viewers are asked to use discretion as I plan to discuss in full and graphic detail desserts that contain sugar, cream, butter and chocolate. All calorie-counting obsessives and fad dieters are strongly encouraged to stop reading beyond this point. The author accepts no responsibility for any subsequent urge to consume desserts immediately after viewing these images. Again, viewer discretion is advised.

Raising Cane - A Case for Sugar

Taking My Lumps in Style

Sugar is a powerful two-edged sword that must be wielded carefully. Chemically speaking, our bodies convert sugars like glucose and lactose to fuel daily operations. Our DNA contains the sugar deoxyribose (pronounced dee-ok-si-rahy-bohs), so it would seem that our human frames are wired to receive sugar. Like any other finely tuned equipment, however, our bodies are affected by whatever we choose to add to our individual systems. Avoid adding any substance that keeps your system from functioning well.

Although I take my tea without sugar, I have relatives who routinely take a little tea with their sugar. Every family has its lumps, doesn't it? Being the tea aficionado I am, I encourage them to take the first sip without sugar to get the tea's true flavor profile. Oolong tea being the exception, I'll provide sugar and control the lumps. I'd rather see them consume pure cane sugar than substances carried about in innocuous-looking pastel-covered packets. Quality trumps quantity.

"D" Is For Dessert

Chocolate Lava Cake

Desserts are serious commitments. Dessert makes or breaks the meal. It is the finishing touch, the pièce de résistance, which elevates a very good turkey club sandwich to one of the most memorable meals ever consumed. When offered a menu, I routinely first check the dessert selections and then consider the preceding courses. When it comes to dessert, a strategy is essential.

This Chocolate Lava Cake dessert lovingly prepared by Clint Lafabvre, executive chef at the historic Lakeland Terrace Hotel, was an utterly delightful surprise. Chef Lafabvre clearly speaks my culinary language fluently. It's joy to meet a man who instinctively understands subtlety and nuance are far more effective tools in wooing tastebuds than overpowering them. Lifting my spoon in anticipation, I mentally made these sensory notes:

Presentation - simple yet elegant
Sense of mystery - a warm, chocolate pudding center hidden beneath a generous pouf of cream
Color - one perfect strawberry, a cluster of blueberries, and drizzles of chocolate sauce
Texture - moist, firm, flourless chocolate cake provides a rich foundation
Taste - Chocolate, sugar, cream and fresh berries each fully represented and balanced each other

After savoring the very last morsel, I wondered if it was possible to become engaged via dessert. This dessert was that serious. This conundrum requires some tea contemplation. Let's drink tea!

Liquid Satisfaction - Tea and Chocolate

2011-05-13T21:50:00.000-04:00

Being a connoisseur means that an individual invests considerable time and knows much about the subject matter. When it comes to tea and chocolate, well, I've decided to be a lifelong learner. Thankfully, they pair well together so it makes studying tea and chocolate a delicious culinary endeavor.

Passing The Cacao Bar

It's amazing how my walks around New York's five boroughs usually terminate in food and tea shops. Walking remains my primary form of exercise towards increasing my oxygen intake and all the other good food I intake. Additionally, my doing Pilates sessions regularly help me walk gracefully and maintain an abdominal core conducive to exploring tea and food establishments.

Yes, tea and chocolate rank very close to oxygen as items which add vigor to my life. One day while taking in some oxygen, I developed an intense craving for full, rich, dark chocolate. Wait to exhale?! The desire grew more insistent with every step. Finding a suitable place to satisfy a chocolate desire became my quest. Who knew exercise would have such an effect on the psyche? After considering several therapeutic options, I remembered The Cacao Bar at MarieBelle Chocolate, located at 484 Broome Street, has food, tea and chocolate in abundance. Relief was literally at my feet.

Experiential Education

Although MarieBelle carries a great tea selection, drinking chocolate is a must-have for every first time visitor or tea aficionado craving chocolate. It's also a fantastic place to learn more about chocolate.

Chocolate originates from the seeds of the cacao tree, usually found in tropical climates. These seeds are dried, cleaned and roasted to produce cacao nibs. The nibs are then ground into cocoa mass, rough but pure chocolate. Once liquified, chocolatiers like MarieBelle take the chocolate liquor and transform it into wonderful beverages. For example, the "Spicy" drinking chocolate pictured here features 60-70% Colombian cacao blended with chipotle and ancho chile. How does it taste? Every cup speaks for itself...

Rites of Passage - Tea and Commencement

2011-05-05T15:26:00.000-04:00

Lady Mendl's Tea Salon (New York, NY)

Rites mark our significant life events. They provide a clear signal for all observers that the familiar and comfortable season has reached its natural conclusion and another new season has begun.

Although subtle cues may preview a work-in-progress, rites officially proclaim major shifts: weddings, graduations, or someone's first afternoon tea. Recently two brilliant young ladies and I shared tea at Union Square/Gramercy Park's Lady Mendl's Tea Salon to commemorate their respective milestones.

Bucket Lists and Final Requests

Diligently pursuing homemade chicken and dumplings and peach cobbler led to my discovering my name included on the college senior bucket list. Shocked yet intrigued, I wanted to know how "having tea with Ms. Hamilton" merited such an honor. The expression bucket list, popularized by the same-titled movie starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson, is a wish list of things someone would like to accomplish before dying, i.e. "kicking the bucket". Thankfully, this list detailed their desired must-do items before graduating and departing New York City.

I consider my inclusion on this bucket list a singular honor simply because there's quite a bit a college student can do in New York. These soon-to-be graduates chose to pause their senior thesis writing, wedding plans, and graduation preparations to receive the rite of afternoon tea. Truly, this tea clearly marked the end of a season.

Herbert Von King Park (Brooklyn, NY)

Time for New Beginnings

Spring is the season which unveils what fall planted and what winter covered. The weather shifts often as each element, e.g. rain, sun, and snow, attempts to navigate the essential seasonal changes. If we are wise, then we learn to appreciate every season for its own characteristics rather attempt to prolong a season which has passed.

Regardless the season, tea continues to smooth whatever turbulence we encounter in our lives. So, let's drink tea and keep things in perspective. Enjoy the season because one day it too will pass. Cups up!

Regal Cupping - Tea at The Painted Teacup

2011-05-03T17:17:00.001-04:00

Opening an otherwise uninteresting e-mail inbox, my heart leaped at a recently received invitation. (No, it wasn't to fly to London in time to attend the Royal Wedding. It was an invitation to tea.) Suddenly, the day seemed luminous and I didn't notice the date coincided with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding. Tea makes every day a special occasion. Needless to say, I gladly accepted and made plans to meet great company at The Painted Teacup.

The Painted Teacup (Upper Darby, PA)

Located just outside of Philadelphia's city limits, The Painted Teacup is a Victorian-style tearoom featuring a small staff who delight in making each guest feel like a peer. Even though I didn't wear the faux sapphire ring they provided (pictured), I did appreciate the Royal Wedding-themed tea. The Painted Teacup's decor manages to strike a good balance between being full without seeming cramped. The overall atmosphere is intimately comforting.

More than tea themes, The Painted Teacup's tea selection features familiar brands like PG Tips, Twinings, Tea Forte' and Stash Tea. Additionally, house blends such as Queen Elizabeth, which combines Assam, Ceylon and Kenyan black teas, are served daily.

Savories Worthy of Sovereigns

Our entire table remarked over just how tasty every morsel was. There were four courses, including an appetizer and a separate dessert plate. Among the savories, the Broccoli Cheddar quiche converted new fans, so I only managed to "help" one person finish hers. The Painted Teacup's attentive staff made sure that our teacups remained full throughout our meal. Considering our copious consumption, this was no small feat.

Tea is a celebration. The Painted Teacup understands this and it showed in every sip and nibble. To seal the memory until the next visit, tea-inspired gifts tempt you at the checkout. This is a tearoom where we resolved to pause often. Cups up for a tea well done!

Blowing Off Steam - Tea and Exercise

2011-04-27T20:01:00.000-04:00

Exercise. It is what it is: exercise cuts away obstacles towards strengthening our overall health condition. Yes, exercise literally separates our skin from our bones. What is it about these three syllables that evoke guilt, shame, and procrastination within so many of us? Exercise reminds us that we are primary contributors to our overall health and wellness.

Maslow and Motivation
Observing my exercise habits, someone recently asked whether or not I was a fitness instructor. Judge for yourselves. Enter Exhibit A: Tea and Sympathy's delicious Orange Ginger Cake, complete with warm custard. This food represents one of my basic physiological needs and is the key motivator for my resolve to keep it moving. I eat, therefore, I exercise.

Walking Rewards
One of the things I most enjoy about New York City is that it is city designed for foot traffic. For those who come here unprepared to walk, well, there's a podiatrist near you.

One day I decided to walk in order to clear my mind and to make room for new thoughts. What's the best method for dispelling stale thinking? Just add oxygen. So I started at Strawberry Fields in Central Park (West 72nd Street) and walked to Greenwich Village. After such exercise, the afternoon tea paired with ginger black tea was a welcome break. Yes, I did more walking after tea carrying my slab, I mean, my slice of cake.

The moral of the story is that exercise, like tea, adds oxygen to our lives. Just in case our Federal Drug Administration ever reads this, tea equals camellia sinensis leaves and water. Water is two parts hydrogen bonded with one part oxygen. Daily recommended value? Yes. So, let's keep moving and keep drinking tea!

For the Love of Gram - Tea and Hats

2011-04-21T22:20:00.000-04:00

Grandparents are wonderful people and especially wonderful resources for their grandchildren. Children instinctively know that when their parents lay down the law, it is then possible to take that sentence and submit it to the higher parental authority for review and/or appeal. Once before the high court, grandchildren present their case, throw themselves on the court's mercy and, if necessary, beg for clemency. I freely admit to having invoked the grandchild appeal process described -- with some success -- and learned how to advocate towards hopefully saving the assets of my cousins, my siblings and myself.

Of all my grandparents, my maternal grandmother ("Gram") and I shared a special bond. There was not a time when Gram did not encourage me to go further, to dig deeper, to dream bigger, and to reach higher than she did. Gram made it her business to share my major accomplishments. For me, seeing her seated with my parents made the celebration complete. Above all else, Gram insisted that I be nothing less than a lady at all times and in all places. Thankfully, she was an excellent example to follow and generously shared her wisdom. To say that I miss our conversations is an understatement. However, sweet memories rekindle every time I don a marvelous millinery confection. Hats remind me of my Gram. As a result, hats will always be in style.

Heady Traditions

As a pastor's wife, Gram had plenty to do within her own sphere of influence. (Needless to say, she was "Gram" to me and "Mrs. Carter" to others.) Yet what impressed me about Gram/Mrs. Carter was her ability to galvanize women with different personalities and to empower them to be influential within their communities. How did they accomplish this? Coming together often over tea. When the call came, then it was time to get ready.

Imagine a multicolored, kaleidoscopic ballet of millinery in motion. See the wide and dramatic brims, pert cloches, jaunty feathered caps, and chic berets united. The ladies who wore the hats were just as diverse. They came together crossing geographic lines, denominational boundaries, socioeconomic levels, and marital status, e.g. widowed, to support and to encourage one another. Gram served officially as historian, the one who provided context and information to the issues being discussed. Unofficially, younger ladies would seek her out to learn more about to manage their lives more gracefully.

Lately, I've been missing my Gram and seeing ladies gather. Nevertheless, I am and always will be her granddaughter. That means it's time to put on a hat and come together over tea. Tea, anyone?

Balancing Acts - Tea and Relationships

2011-04-04T22:38:00.001-04:00

Balancing fragile items, whether delicate tea cups and saucers or relationships, is no small task. There is an inborn social desire to be accepted, to be accommodating, and to be flexible. In their effort to teach us basic etiquette, adults taught us children that "nice is as nice does." In other words, there must be balance between what we say and what we do.

Just Add Fire

Looking above at the exquisite tea cup and saucer set which once belonged to my great-grandmother, I consider how wet clay becomes a vessel of honor. It takes intense heat, i.e. fire, to produce something that will last throughout generations. To last, every piece must go through the same firing process. Asking wet clay to transform itself into a cup without fire is like asking a Lapsang Souchong not to taste smoky, knowing full well that this tea is fired over wood.

Adversity is the litmus test of any relationship. We never know the strength of a bond until the intense heat is applied. Some bonds become flexible, bend and conform to whatever shape presented. Others reach their tolerance limit and break because they do not fit a mold for which, perhaps, they were never designed. Balance enters our relationships when we recognize that:

> Everyone has an individual response to adversity
> Bending and breaking are two appropriate yet different responses
> Prior to expecting another person to break, check your personal willingness to bend (or vice versa)
> Only what survives adversity is worth filling

Speaking of filling, all this discussion about intense heat has created a thirsty void. Let's drink tea... Cups up!

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Pause and Reset - Tea and Relaxation

2011-04-03T20:42:00.003-04:00

Relaxation is a learned skill. Unfortunately, most people simply do not know to relax. We tend to rush to and fro, journeying from task to task, multitasking, and then brag to each other about how busy we manage to keep ourselves. For fear of appearing unimportant, lazy, or being labeled a "slacker", we will invent even more ways to overextend time designed for non-essential chores, e.g. sleep. We ignore the fact that 6-8 hours of sleep nightly is essential for healthy brain activity and immune systems.

Now take sleep deprivation and add these ingredients -- noise, distractions, communication -- and this becomes a personal recipe fraught with danger. The nonstop daily assault on all of our senses, if unaddressed, leads to frustration or an emotional roller coaster for which we just want to get off. Patience, a glorious virtue, goes out the door. In fact, most virtues go out the door. We have the audacity to wonder the reasons why we feel stressed, fatigued and overwhelmed. Do we have the confidence and courage to pause and reset?

Purposeful Pauses

In physics, relaxation is defined as returning a system to equilibrium after being scattered. When we pause, whether at a beach or over a pot of tea, we intentionally move ourselves towards a balanced state. We purposefully give our minds and our bodies the opportunity to release the tightness that we've accumulated during daily living. Additionally, relaxing pauses give us room to breathe so that we're better equipped to navigate the noise, distractions, etc. that we encounter daily. Some of my favorite ways to pause and reset include:

> Walking
> Getting a massage
> Completing a Pilates session
> Receiving a pedicure
> Listening to classical music
> Drinking tea

Relaxation, like tea, relies on an applied process to gain the desired result. For example, a massage therapist knows that one hour of massage equals four (4) hours of sleep. Yet a person has to make the appointment to receive the massage's benefits. Until we prioritize balanced living we will complain about how stressed our lives are. Instead of complaining, take a walk and get some fresh air. Feeling better? Now... let's drink tea.

Worth the Wait - Tea and Orchids (Harney & Sons SoHo)

2011-03-26T13:47:00.000-04:00

Waiting happens. It's the involuntary part of every process and it's included in every endeavor. For example, there is no tea without waiting for it to steep. The wait itself is involuntary and out of our control. How we respond to a wait, however, is voluntary and completely within our control. Sometimes we respond to waiting well and other times we do not. Yet the insights we gain during each wait is what distinguishes us from each other. I call this process character building.

Orchid Overtures

Orchids take their time to develop and those who cultivate them must develop patience in the process. The elegant orchid that captures a room's attention begins with very tiny seeds. In fact, the microscopic seed size is a distinguishing characteristic of the orchid. Then, these tiny seeds must be caught, mixed with a sticky substance to keep the seeds together, and then watched in hopes of it being germinated. The process is complex and at times tedious, but those who engage in cultivating orchids believe that seeing the resulting blooms will be worth it.

Like tea, orchids are the result of a labor-intensive process that goes beyond the pot which contains it. An orchid's silent and graceful presence in any room testifies to the fact that it not only survived the wait, but it also thrived beautifully. It also signifies that someone recognized its worth and was willing to pay the price. As a result, we all benefit. The purple orchid (pictured above) greeted me during a recent visit to SoHo's Harney & Sons tea tasting room.

Harney & Sons Tea SoHo (433 Broome Street, NYC)

In 1970, John Harney decided to found Harney and Sons Fine Teas. Even though we can view the news clippings and other documents from its beginnings, we are not the ones who endured the process. We are beneficiaries of a process that started more than 30 years ago. Harney & Sons Tea SoHo's general manager, Emeric Harney, continues the family tea tradition offering tea, teaware, books and a place to lounge. Find Harney & Sons SoHo on Twitter (@HarneySoHo), Facebook places and Foursquare for upcoming events and special offers.

Worthy Sips and Edibles
> Kenyan Milima (black tea) - rich, fragrant and full-bodied
> Ham and Gruyere Scones - served with Dijon mustard, these savory scones make taste buds smile

Handled with Care

2011-01-27T23:44:00.001-05:00

Few items convey a personal touch like a handwritten thank-you note. We expect more from such items because of the resourceful tool used to create them: the human hand. From china tea cups to Rolls-Royce automobiles, our hands are primarily responsible for working out the dreams our minds conceive. Hands help us creatively express ourselves in writing, in cooking, in building, and in processing and preparing tea.

Digital Construction

Take a look at a hand.

Studying the human anatomy, we understand that of the 206 bones contained within the entire skeleton, each hand and wrist has 27 bones and tendons. Fourteen bones (phalanges) give our fingers, also known as digits, their dexterity and range of movement. Whether pointing a finger or writing a letter, our fingers assist us in reaching our goals. Our fingerprints bear tangible proof that our ideas have come to life. So, handle ideas and people with care.

A Hand-Intensive Beverage

Without hands, there would be no tea. From the first pluck of the tender leaf, tea is the beverage that incorporates a personal touch from start to finish. Whether hand rolled or CTC, tea still requires hands to prepare it, to pour it into a cup, and to share a moment of liquid pleasure. It is the gracious care that extends to every cup of tea and presents itself with each sip. That being said, let's use our hands to create some joy. Cups up!

#DrinkTea

A Tea in Winter: New Appreciation

2011-01-27T18:41:00.001-05:00

Winter is, without doubt, the least appreciated season. The snow, ice, sleet, freezing rain and slush that accompany winter are often portrayed as inconvenient foes to be fought and conquered, even though the weather behaves seasonally appropriate. As one who likens the sun and beach to heaven's offsite office space, I've gained new newfound respect this year for short, dark days, snow, frost and cold temperatures.

A Cup of Hibernation
Hibernation is not death. Every thing, including the ground, needs to pause, to slow down and to rest periodically. Winter is a tangible reminder for all of us to slow down and to regroup. The days with shorter sunlight teach me to conserve my energy for tasks that truly matter and to make the most of every moment.

In addition, success is not a function of whether or not there are spectators present. During hibernation, only the ones in the den know the amount of activity taking place there. Everyone else finds out what happened in the cave when winter is complete. When it is time, all will see.

Crisp Air and Clear Thoughts
Isn't it amazing how much visibility improves on a cold day? On a sunny day, the oxygen-rich air makes the sky appear even more blue and the scenery more vivid. As I inhale the cold, crisp air, its freshness removes any and all residual stale thoughts. It's a great incentive to keep breathing and to keep walking.

As I watch the snow fall, every snowflake prompts me to notice its uniqueness. Like snowflakes, there are no two people alike and no person is alive mistakenly. Snowflakes are particles of uniqueness. When individual snowflakes come together, however, they create a force that changes both plans and travel routes.

Winter is beautiful, powerful and restorative in a way that I've previously overlooked. Thankfully, this winter gives us all ample opportunity to think about the season's benefits over many pots of great tea.

Teas to Sip By
Here are some tea companies to help you replenish your winter stock:

> Upton Tea Imports (Every quarterly catalog includes tea history)

> Chicago Tea Garden (Golden Bi Luo, a tea for every cupboard)

>Rishi Tea (For the curious, Vanilla Mint Pu-Erh is very well-balanced)

#DrinkTea

Of Tea Blends and Demographic Trends

2011-01-11T23:29:00.003-05:00

This is what an unapologetic tea aficionado's cupboard looks like: a colorful variety of tea tins and other containers keeping precious tea leaves safe. Please notice that no one tea is vying for attention nor screaming to be noticed, steeped and consumed. Each tea will be enjoyed at a designated albeit unannounced moment. (For the observant and inquisitive reader, the clear pouch above is the 3 Essence of Beauty tisane by Fang Gourmet Tea. If you don't notice one or more of your favorite tea purveyors, they may be in another cupboard.)

Diverse Blends, Individual Taste

There is a tea for every moment and every palate. Tea is as marvelously diverse as the people who drink it. For example, some prefer their tea without a trace of additional flavors; others like tea blends featuring flowers, spices or fruits. Still others drink green tea and shun black. There are even some tea drinkers who really don't care what the tea tastes like as much as they care about seeing the word "organic" on a packaging label. In spite of these differences, this is the common denominator: we drink tea.

Tolerance and Teatime

Recently I visited some relatives and as we settled in for a good chat, we went to the kitchen to prepare tea. Did I mention that he prefers coffee? Well, as you can imagine, his cupboard view was not the same as mine. However, spending quality time with loved ones sometimes necessitates reaching across beverage boundaries. No, I consumed no coffee; we found some tea buried among the herbals. I steeped tea. He brewed coffee. We had a conversation. Mission accomplished.

What would happen if within our lives we focused on shared goals rather than our differences? After all, a spicy chai is prized because all the ingredients, e.g. ginger, clove, cardamom, black pepper, etc., work together towards increasing the drinker's body heat and energy level. No one asks a chai to taste like a Darjeeling. Indeed, asking either tea to taste like the other is ridiculous, even if they both originate in India. Each tea is appreciated for its own individual characteristics and appeal. What about people? This is an idea worth a contemplative sip or two.

Teas Worth a Sip
Teas to try include:
> Chandernagor, one of my favorite Mariage Frères blends, is a spicy Indian black tea that's heartwarming literally. Available at The Cultured Cup

> Gingers Oolong by Harney & Sons, a combination that's pleasantly memorable.

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When Steep Turns to Stew (Part 2)

2011-01-04T22:16:00.005-05:00

Whether or not we tea drinkers want to confess it, flagrant oversteeping runs rampant. It happens sometimes in spite of our best intentions. During the brief wait, our attention wanders somewhere else and we become distracted. In the meantime, the tea leaves open up graciously. Then, after several more neglectful minutes, these same tea leaves release enough tannins to become bitter and ruined. Voilà! a tea stew guaranteed to make jaws pucker and eyes water. In memoriam of the cuppa which could have been, we sing another sad song about tea gone wrong.

Fatal Distractions

Distractions quickly derail the most carefully crafted plans, from a cup of tea to a life goal. Like oversteeping, distractions present themselves often and include anything or anyone tempting us to lose focus, to decrease momentum or to get off track. However, it is only a distraction if we choose to look. We decide where we focus our attention and how much time we can afford to spend there.

Anywhere But Backwards

Tea stew reminds me that steeping in distractions ultimately results in bitterness. A new year, a birthday, or any other major life event gives us the opportunity to evaluate where we are and, if necessary, to make adjustments. Again, we decide either to steep or to stew. Hint: a properly steeped tea pairs better with most foods, e.g. tiramisu dessert from Corrado Bread & Pastry pictured above. May diligent focus yield even more delicious outcomes within our lives.

Teas Worth a Sip
Teas and/or tisanes to try include:

> Osmanthus Oolong by Ten Ren Tea

> Organic Relaxation (tisane) by Teas Etc.

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To Spill Or Not To Spill The Tea

2010-12-31T18:06:00.001-05:00

Words are the containers we use to carry our fragile thoughts and ideas from ourselves to others. Once we put our thoughts into words, they no longer exist within the private domain of our individual craniums. The words we share become as public as the audience who hears and sees them.

What's In Your Cup?

Words also flow in a stream and have the capacity to spill over based on the carrier. Growing up, my elders taught me that "whatever is in you will come out." In particular, my maternal grandfather, a gifted and eloquent speaker, admonished us children to pay especially close attention to a person's words. I recall him saying that "you hear a person's heart through his mouth. When it's time [to speak], you don't have to say everything because it's not their business. But when you need to say something, speak up!" Because of our relationship and how I observed my grandfather live behind the scenes, the words he spoke carried considerable weight. Consequently, I speak up.

Speaking up, however, is as different from spilling as pouring hot tea into a tea cup is from pouring hot tea into someone else's lap. Both share the same tea. The outcome yields two results: the tea cup produces a smile and the lap produces a hot mess literally. Let us use our words as carefully as if we were pouring hot tea and stop pouring them out before the cup overflows.

Tea Vernacular

Tea and words interwine within different cultures with astonishingly varied meanings. For example, isn't it odd how the current expression "spilling the tea" is now American slang for spreading gossip? As a native Philadelphian and unapologetic tea aficionado, I must protest such tea misappropriation.

In Middle Eastern countries, tea is offered to every guest and served by holding a metal teapot filled with steaming hot liquid held aloft. While mid-air, the tea is then poured into a small glass via a graceful arc. Yes, this takes strength and skill as the host takes great care not to waste a drop of tea. Certainly spilling scalding hot tea onto one's guests is not a welcoming gesture. For the record, spilling tea is not an American past time.

Tea is a sign of hospitality and welcome where someone can come, take a break, and relax from the journey. Every host takes responsibility for each guest's comfort and safety; the guest trusts the host to do so or the invitation is declined. So, spilling tea is not only rude but it violates the sacred trust that tea creates. In addition, tea generates conversation where people feel it is safe to share their words and their hearts. So, no spilling the tea here. What's put in the cup stays in the cup. That is, of course, until the first sip.

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When Steep Turns to Stew (Part One)

2010-12-23T14:15:00.001-05:00

Tea preparation is both art and science because timing and temperature are critical factors that affect the results. Every tea, i.e. pu-erh, black (red), oolong, yellow, white, and green, has a temperature range and steeping time that combined offers an ideal flavor profile. On the other hand, there are few things more tragic than a delicately fragrant Jasmine Pearl green tea gone wrong. This signals a less than ideal outcome and our taste buds remember the experience.

Some Like It Hot - Others Do Not

In order to make a good cup of tea, the water must be hot enough to open the tea leaves yet not hot enough to destroy the leaves themselves. Achieving this balance takes practice.

It was a great day that I learned that one should not allow water to come to a full boil when making green tea. Green tea leaves are not oxidized during its manufacturing process. The freshly picked leaves are:
• Steamed or pan-fried
• Rolled and shaped
• Dried until 2-3% water content remains

What does that mean? It means that water does not have to boiling hot for the leaves to open. The green leaves are willing to open and to release their flavor at a lower temperature.

Taste the Difference

For tea, one temperature does not fit all so please read the suggested time and temperature guides printed on the tea's packaging. However, for those who choose to ignore the difference water temperature makes, there are bitter consequences.

Not very long ago, a colleague issued me a challenge equivalent to a pistol duel at dawn: attend a coffee tasting. I met his challenge, attended the event, and demonstrated to coffee merchants how to improve their tea. True, I didn't go into the establishment to gather new tea converts but... tea draws followers.

Teas Worth a Sip

At your request, here are some teas and/or tisanes to try and to buy:
• Thé des Sables (Le Palais des Thés, @LePalaisdesThes) - Dragonwell green tea blended with Damas rose, yellow peach, mango and citrus fruits

• 3 Essence of Beauty (Fang's Leaves & Petals, @fangtea) - a fragrant, relaxing tisane of rose, jasmine and marigold/calendula

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Greene Ave,Brooklyn,United States

What the Tweet? Tea and Twitter

2010-11-06T11:33:00.001-04:00

Growing up I was taught that it's not wise to say everything that comes across our minds. Our thoughts, we were instructed, are privacy's final frontier. As a result, be wise in what you share and with whom you choose to share it. That's a beautiful thing: we have the ability to think and to make decisions. Being human has benefits.

Participants Determine Agenda

Unlike some, I do not view social media as evil in and of itself. I find it interesting that the same accusations surround various musical genres. Social media and music are similar in this regard -- the intent determines the outcome and the participants determine the intent. Please search the Twitter hashtag for tea (#tea) for an example. For the record, there is no tea party where tea is not served and the guests leave more bitter than when they first arrived.

Connections, Friends and Follows

Face-to-face conversations are human interaction's platinum level: they are priceless and must be treasured. Social media enhances and supports human interaction. However, social media lacks the nuances that make conversations so rich, e.g. vocal inflections, body language, emotion, etc. So handle social media tools wisely. For Facebook, remember that everyone is not your friend. For Twitter, remember that if you're prepared to walk alone it ceases to matter who does (or does not) follow you. For LinkedIn, remember that there is a person behind that thumbnail-sized photo. In all you do within social media focus on the "social."

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:Greene Ave,Brooklyn,United States

Pursuing Tea Perfection - Palm Court at The Plaza

2010-07-20T09:10:00.001-04:00

Events are what we make of them. The most linear route to spoiling any event is a simple, two-step process:

1. Obsess over the details
2. Ignore the intention

Balancing Intent and Intricacies

Full disclosure is necessary here: I adore details, the more intricate the better. Details are the small touches that demonstrate personal care and consideration. For example, it is the difference between hand craftsmanship and machine mass production or between a handwritten thank-you note and a form letter addressed "to whom it may concern." Details inject evidence that someone cared enough to produce something worthy of the recipient.

Details do matter for any event; they accent the occasion. However, the guests attending the event matter far more than any detail, regardless how expensive or exquisite. Indeed, there is no event without guests. Guests, then, trump all pursuits of tea perfection.

The Palm Court at The Plaza

I intentionally selected The Palm Court at The Plaza to transport a colleague from her current stressful atmosphere to a more serene state of mind. In my experience, sharing afternoon tea is a proven method for achieving this goal. Remembering my previous afternoon teas under The Plaza's stained-glass dome, I desired that she leave tea feeling relaxed, refreshed, and nurtured. Thankfully she did, but it surprisingly took some effort.

Arriving six minutes prior to our 2:00 p.m. seating, we were shooed away to meander through the now sparse Hotel Lobby. We reappeared promptly as requested, only to join a bewildered crowd at the Palm Court's entrance. We managed to make eye contact as a signal that we were present. Then we heard our name mispronounced. We took our cue, emerged from the throng, and gratefully took our seats.

We dined sumptuously on a well-planned, three-course afternoon tea and enjoyed edifying conversation too. Yet, it seemed that we were taking up space because a steward started clearing us out mid-conversation. Since we were previously interrupted with the check and had paid it, I resisted the not-so-subtle hint to leave before this tea's mission was fully accomplished.

Even though I'm glad to say my guest thoroughly enjoyed our tea, I lament over this particular Palm Court at The Plaza visit. The venue was scenic, the china and linens immaculate. The tea itself was perfect. The overall atmosphere was as sterile as the savories, scones, and sweets were sublime. Tea is more than details. Tea must also include the main ingredient -- the guests.

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Relating and Relaxing - The Pembroke Room

2010-07-14T13:45:00.018-04:00

Every relationship begins and ends with a conversation. From a baby's first words, to a person's deathbed confession, and including all the exchanges in between the two, we navigate our various relationships based upon the quantity and quality of our conversations. What does all this have to do with tea? Tea creates an atmosphere conducive for having conversations.

Consider the Time
One of the greatest compliments we pay each other is when we decide to spend time together. Time is our most precious commodity; the one that is irreplacable. Like most riches, we tend not to notice how much time we've wasted until it's gone. Then the time remaining takes on an added significance. We determine what and who really matters by the time we allocate. For this reason, it is inconsiderate to waste someone else's time. It is tragic to spend time on things that really don't matter and no time with the people who do.

Extend an Invitation
Recently one of my relatives approached me about our carving out a monthly tea appointment. It isn't that she is a tea connoisseur yet, but this gives us at least 120 minutes every month to check in, to catch up, and to relax over tea. My cousin knows that our having tea together means that she has my undivided attention for at least two hours and that her tea knowledge will increase. How could I refuse an invitation from such a willing pupil? I must say publicly that I am honored and very proud to be her personal tea ambassador. Our tea encounters are seldom dull, sometimes shocking, and always enjoyed. The fact that she took the initiative makes them even more special.

Orchids and Atmosphere - The Pembroke Room at The Lowell
Emerging from the elevator on the second floor, we followed the narrow corridor leading to The Pembroke Room (pictured above). First impressions count: I first saw the profusion of exquisite white orchids welcoming us into the room. As orchids are my favorite, I felt officially welcomed before our host Vernon ushered us to our table. The Lowell Hotel black tea, Ceylon and Darjeeling loose teas blended with jasmine, so pleased my cousin that she both tried and enjoyed it without sugar. When she view the dainty savories, she initially thought that we would leave hungry and prepared to order another plate of tea sandwiches. However, after the full three-course classic tea of sandwiches, scones and sweets, we took a lengthy stroll along Madison Avenue to counterbalance our earlier scone, Devonshire cream and lemon curd intake. That is tea: we savor life one cup at a time. Then we walk -- together.

Of Palate & Paris - Talking Kusmi Tea

2010-07-01T02:34:00.001-04:00

Speaking ill of French customs and culture appears to be a growing American trend. My voice refuses to assent; rather I object. Close acquaintances probably expect nothing less based on my French fries alliance, i.e. les pommes frites. It is true that I frequently entertain butter, cream and sugar as honored culinary guests within my home. They are also among my strongest motivators for regular daily exercise. Pilates anyone?

Details Create Experiences

So even though the premise above has some merit, I find that there is something utterly fascinating in how serious the French generally are about details. It is an art. This close attention-to-detail elevates an event from an ordinary task to an experience. All five senses -- sight, sound, scent, touch, and taste -- receive careful consideration whether it involves designing a garment, cooking a meal, or preparing a tea.

Follow the Nose

I firmly hold this view about tea selection: if the tea does not speak to the nose, then it will not speak to the palate. A tea's aroma either invites or repels further interaction. As a result, I do not purchase tea from places where inspecting the tea, e.g. seeing and smelling it, is discouraged. Let's open the tea tin and allow the senses to participate.

Cerebral Connections

From studying neuroscience we understand the nose's olfactory nerves are located closest to the deep limbic system, the brain's memory and emotional center. Since the palate physically separates the space between the nasal and oral cavities, the associated nerves work closely together to send the brain signals. Otolaryngologists, also known as ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors, specialize in this medical area. In other words, tea combines art and science.

Parisian Tea Passion - Kusmi Tea

Thanks to a fellow tea aficionado, I received an opportunity to discuss my tea selection theory with Kusmi Tea CEO Sylvain Orebi (@SylvainOrebi, @KusmiTeaUS). Not only did he agree that the nose is crucial for tea discernment, but he also generously shared a bit of Kusmi Tea's tea blending approach. "It all starts in the mind," Orebi said. Curiosity piqued, I asked what thoughts inspired the Kusmi Sweet Love blend. His answer? Instead of sharing our conversation verbatim, I'll let the tea speak for itself.

Kusmi Tea opens its first US store today in Manhattan (1037 Third Avenue at 61st Street). We Americans are now able to enjoy tea like Rose Green Tea (pictured above) firsthand. Welcome Kusmi Tea!

(For those who wonder, no tea company employs me nor pays me for postings. The opinions expressed here are solely mine and not medical advice. May inquiring minds drink their tea in peace.)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Cups Up, Brims Down - Tea and Hats

2010-06-21T17:19:00.014-04:00

After what had seemed like forever, the day was finally here. A ladies' tea was an occasion for which suit, stole, pumps, earrings, brooch, handbag, gloves, handkerchief, and hat were de rigueur. For this occasion, I would be privileged to "help" my beloved grandmother pull out her hatboxes and select just the right hat. Even though she would never admit it, there were quite a few attendees waiting to see in what stylish ensemble she would appear. It was always worth the wait.

After Gram finished, she then would share her abundant hat collection with my mother, aunts, and other close family friends attending the event. As I watched them, I looked forward to the day that I too would join them in this feminine rite of passage. In the meantime, this studious pupil took notes. Something happened to these ladies the moment they put on hat and heels. The confidence they exuded was more tangible than the perfume that wafted softly behind them. I learned that both scent and hats were intoxicating. So began my hat affinity.

It Just Takes One

Hats do more than cover our heads, say mercifully hiding a hair experiment gone awry. When a person puts on a hat, that same person makes a statement. From a low-brimmed Yankee fitted lid to a church-worthy chapeau, the hat is the accessory that expresses our individual style. Hats are the silent supplements that announce what's going on underneath. Even though I agree with the saying, "the price of your hat isn't the measure of your brain," a hat does convey a mental attitude. In turn this attitude, like volume, is unique and can be set as high or low as the wearer chooses. Therefore, there is a hat for every head.

Heady Notions

There are fewer things more handsome than a man and his fedora, e.g. Fred Astaire. However, men generally remove their hats upon entering a building. We women, on the other hand, have much latitude to when and how we wear our hats. Whenever another woman approaches me, shares a hat compliment with me, but then says that she herself doesn't look good in hats, that troubles me. These ladies also tend to be uncomfortable in receiving compliments or favorable attention. When encountered, I share what my feminine role models taught me:

1. Others mirror the value that we place on ourselves.
2. Try the hat on before dismissing it.
3. Remember you are wearing the hat.
4. When you find the hat that makes you smile, that's the one.

We wear our hats because we can. Whether simple or ornate, our creative millinery expressions are bound only by our imaginations. As long as our confidence is able to carry the hat without it carrying us, we'll do just fine. Speaking of fine, please take another look in the mirror. Make sure that you like what you see and then go have a cup of tea.

Cup of Tea & Courtesy

2010-04-24T19:11:00.001-04:00

Facing reality often precedes our taking necessary action. As difficult as it was for me to admit this privately, I do so now publicly: Common courtesy is not common. Based on the daily personal interactions both witnessed and shared, I wonder if we as a society have collectively decided that courtesy is now optional.

Courtesy Defined

By its definition, courtesy is "a respectful or considerate act or expression" (please see www.dictionary.com). Courtesy then has very little to do with whether one agrees with or even likes another individual. It represents a conscious decision to treat someone else as most of us seek to be treated. Namely, we most seek to be:

> Respected
> Valued
> Loved

Earlier this week I attended a lecture where the speaker said that he's noticing how the Internet, with its accompanying veil of anonymity, emboldens us to become more insulting and rude. Contemplating this, I grow chilled at the thought of perhaps becoming a tech-savvy interpersonal barbarian. Firm, decisive action is vital.

With Sincere Apologies

As humans, we all make mistakes. An apology is the way we express our remorse, we take responsibility for our "off speech", and we counteract the insults and/or injuries we've caused others. Even though the apology does not erase the event itself, an apology acknowledges that the event occurred.

In my opinion, someone offering no apology is better than one tossing out an insincere one. Regardless of the recipient's acceptance or rejection, people can easily distinguish the difference between the two. A sincere apology starts the healing process. In contrast, an insincere apology delivers another blow to an already open wound.

Tea & Courtesy

Growing up, I along with other children received etiquette instruction via attending tea parties. The adults and relatives who chaperoned us were very strict about us children quickly making amends over any given offense, i.e. "say you're sorry".

Indeed, I confess to having had an adult sometimes make me say that I was sorry. As a child, I reasoned that a) it was wrong to lie and b) two wrongs don't make a right. The response to this precocious display of rationale? Apologize and learn how to treat everyone courteously.

Children are excusable because they are immature. Adults set the example for them to follow. So, may every cup of tea strengthen our collective resolve to be courteous only under these conditions:

> At all times
> To all people
> Under all circumstances

Here's a tea toast: To the future!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Kettle Wisdom

2010-02-11T23:15:00.001-05:00

It's amazing the life lessons we can learn while preparing tea. Yes, I say PREPARING tea, not to be confused with 1) popping a top, 2) twisting a lid, or 3) emptying a packet of faux crystals. Realizing how quickly all of us tend to speed through our lives' individual moments, we may view taking time to do anything as a luxury rather than a necessity.

SIMPLE TEAKETTLE LOGIC

Before our current high-tech, electric, temperature-controlled, porcelain enameled versions, teakettles worked very simply:

> Insert water
> Apply heat
> Await signal
> Remove heat
> Pour water

What's so profound? Again, I'm glad you ask, i.e. a very good indicator that you are still reading. Please consider the teakettle itself. The amount of water inserted inside is based on the kettle's volume capacity, so each teakettle has its own limits. Depending on the job size, however, multiple kettles can be put on the stove and readied simultaneously.

TEAKETTLE TEACHING

Regardless of capacity, there is only one way to produce hot water from cold: apply heat. Heat, i.e. friction, opposition, adversity, etc., results in expansion, growth and progress. Heat also causes internal pressure and that pressure strains, or presses, against the teakettle's very capacity limits. Sometimes we can observe the kettle trembling slightly over the heat source. This is an outward clue of what's occurring inwardly. Something is about to happen.

Then, it happens. A sound. A whistle, sometimes shrill but always loud and unmistakable. This sound calls for attention, indicating the kettle's contents are ready for the next step. In other words, remove the heat.

A teakettle's whistle reminds me that despite how pressured I personally may feel at any given time, I must remain exposed to the heat long enough to become purposefully productive. When that time comes, then release the sound of one who's endured and, therefore, has a right to sing loud and strong.

AFTER THE WHISTLE BLOWS

There's more to a teakettle than its whistle. After the whistle, expect to be poured out. Timing is indeed everything. For example, removing the kettle prior to its siren song may result in lukewarm water, especially unproductive for black tea. Conversely, leaving a teakettle singing indefinitely may cause its contents to evaporate. So,

> Know when to wait
> Know when to sing
> Sing loud enough to release internal pressure
> Expect to be poured out

Go ahead, someone's waiting -- and you have exactly what's needed. Pour it out.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

An Oolong State of Mind

2010-01-11T13:13:00.006-05:00

Solitude is a healing balm and my personal antidote for the bites everyday life inflicts. I firmly believe that in order to give our best to others that we must first take the time to cultivate the best within ourselves. As a result, time alone creates a platform to examine one's thoughts, emotions and actions in order to maintain a proper perspective. Solitude encourages introspection, meditation and relaxation.

BECOMING A LIFELONG LEARNER OF RELAXATION
Most people simply do not know how to relax. Relaxation is a learned skill; however, it is important not to confuse rest with laziness. As Americans, we daily tend to rush to and fro, hurry from task to task, juggle appointments and then brag about how busy we manage to keep ourselves. For fear of being branded a "slacker", we are often tempted to find more ways to "do more", i.e. to overextend, and to devote less time to "menial" chores like sleep. Thinly disguised insecurities tend to create illusions of indispensablility. However, no one is indispensable.

Picture now adding these ingredients to our daily personal roux -- noise, distractions, miscommunication, information overload -- and the result is a life gumbo chockful of frazzled nerves. Have you ever been so fatigued that you lost mental track of the time of day? Or woke up more tired than when you went to bed? If continued, then this path leads to a physical and mental emotional roller coaster for which we just want to see an exit sign. Patience goes out the door. In fact, everything goes out the door. Wait! Please come away from window, put the chair down, and keep reading.

Inhale. Exhale. Relax.

While attending massage therapy school (and after completing my masters program), I studied the physiological effects of massage therapy. The relaxation derived from a one-hour massage, regardless of modality (e.g. Swedish, shiatsu, etc.) is equivalent to four hours' worth of sleep. Actor/comedian Bob Hope, who died a centenarian, was often cited as a strong advocate for daily massage sessions. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the daily relaxation opportunities during my school tenure, my graduation necessitated an increased frequency of these alternative relaxation methods: Pilates and tea.

OOLONG TEA AS AN OBJECT LESSON
Oolong tea is the tea type that reflects the relaxation process itself: it starts out very tightly rolled in knots. Apply the proper amount of heat and oolong tea begins to unwind, stretch out to its full leaf length, and releases its taste and aroma. The leaves unfurl more with every infusion, so the flavor profile changes as a result. In other words, we get to the real essence as the tea unwinds. Oolong tea reminds me of our lives: the more invested, the more returned. That sentiment encourages me to get away and enjoy another cup of oolong -- or book my next massage appointment. In either case, it makes an uncluttered mind that much more attainable.

Worth Doing Well

2009-11-18T18:19:00.002-05:00

One of the things I enjoy about taking tea is that it can be done anywhere and anytime. Whether in a formal tea salon with others or alone in a favorite quiet corner at home, tea allows one to forget everything at least for as the cup needs refilling. Again, the key point is not how you do it but that you do it.

Like all children, I learned about taking tea from the adults who surrounded me. I must also say that I was blessed to grow up around phenomenonal women who knew how to take the ordinary and turn it, seemingly effortlessly, into the extraordinary. Each had her own style, but style was the common thread. Anything worth doing, I learned, was worth doing well.

PREPARING THE WAY FOR GOOD CONVERSATION

Whenever someone would visit, either expected or unexpected, refreshments were offered. Often the kettle would be filled with cold water and placed over a gas pilot to boil. While waiting for the unmistakable kettle whistle, the visitor was invited to sit down to table. Then my grandmother, aunt, or mother would go about preparing tea and refreshments.

As our guest watched my relative make the preparations, the visitor would become visibly more relaxed and then the talking began. At this point, I would ask to be excused (before being asked to excuse myself). From the next room, I could hear the sounds of punctuated laughter. This sound let me know that whatever brought the visitor upon arrival, the tea and company would help our guest feel better upon departure.

Once Upon an Oolong

2009-11-18T17:26:00.004-05:00

Curiosity is a strong indicator that our brain cells have not yet died. As long as we still have active brains, then learning is possible. However, humility must accompany curiosity because it takes humility to recognize and to admit that there is something to learn.

So it was with my curious colleague friend. A journalist by trade, she knew that I "liked" tea but readily admitted that she knew nothing about it. However, she wanted to learn about tea. A new tea convert?! How could I refuse? I promptly extended her an invitation to her first tea tasting.

In my experience, once someone tastes a properly prepared cup of tea, then their perspective about the drink and its customs alters considerably. For such a momentous occasion, I wanted to immerse my inquisitive comrade in tea culture.

LUH YU TEA EMPORIUM - FLUSHING, NY

Flushing, located in the New York borough of Queens, is home to 173,826 residents, 43.1% of which identified themselves as Asian during the 2000 United States Census. Those who seek authentic Asian cuisine (e.g. Thai, Malaysian, Indian, Chinese, Korean, etc.) make the 10-mile journey from Manhattan to Flushing, an easy 7 subway train ride to Main Street - Flushing.

Stepping down into Luh Yu Tea Emporium, we were warmly greeted by owner Annie Ro and Luh Yu's display of clay teapots. Once I explained our mission -- introduce my friend to our world of tea -- then the exploring began. We drank and savored Bi Lo Chun (green), Dong Ding Oolong and a Yunnan so spectacular that no one noticed the rain that started pouring profusely outside; we busied ourselves with drinking tea profusely inside. Our conversation covered several topics: tea origin, Chinese medicine, massage, benefits and customs. My participation surprised Annie, who pronounced me "half Chinese" and shared her local restaurant favorites.

Since then, I'm happy to say that my colleague friend now properly prepares her green tea, complete with rinsing the leaves, not boiling the water and warming the pot. Thanks to fellow tea enthusiasts, another person has been rescued from the perils of tea ignorance.

Finding Tea Room to Breathe

2009-10-06T09:45:00.019-04:00

Constant pressure makes our need for relaxation even more acute. Regardless of how wonderful our family, friends and/or work may be, there comes a time when unplugging from all of the above ceases to be a suggestion and becomes an imperative.

So it occurred to me one Saturday. I was on a mission to:

Change scenery

Step away from the routine

Encounter a new tea experience

Enjoying Changing Scenery

Accompanied by a courageous friend undaunted by my impromptu adventures, we headed toward the hills. The previous night's rain induced the fall foliage to start its transition. As a result, we viewed an unfolding and glorious display of red, gold, and bronze leaves. Truly this was precisely the scenery change our weary souls craved.

It amazes me how easily conversation flows when we make a conscious effort to break away from routine tasks. Although the trip was 40 miles to our destination, it was a prime opportunity to unwind verbally, to enjoy unrestrained laughter, and to congratulate ourselves on our successful escape. Before we became too giddy, however, our insistent GPS guide would sternly remind us of our mission goals. No, she was not amused.

Focusing on Relaxation

Sufficiently chastened, we safely arrived at our destination: Charlotte's Tea Room in Warwick, NY. Admiring the tea saucer-lined pathway, we entered the spacious home prepared to unwind even further.

Instead, we found ourselves sharing space with a boisterous, three generation, feminine family reunion. I personally appreciate family as my family gatherings are anything but quiet. How did we resolve it? Did we move to another area?! No. This required focus: we determined ourselves to relax and to enjoy the charming Victorian decor, the friendly service, and the overall cheerful atmosphere.

It wasn't until our neighbors left that we noticed the soothing classical music softly playing in the background. That one adjustment ushered us into the "Wooo-Saaah" zone (read: breathe in, breathe out).

Charlotte's Tea Room (Warwick, NY)

Charlotte's Tea Room offers a wide assortment of Harney & Sons teas (http://www.harney.com/). We selected "Chinese Flower", a blend of hand plucked Chinese green tea, three types of flowers, and citrus flavors. The tea paired beautifully with the Curried Chicken Salad tea sandwich, creating a citrus and spicy symphony for the palate.

Although our knowledgeable server informed us the damp weather prevented their import of clotted cream, lemon curd was available. My cranberry scone received this offering graciously and filled any remaining void.

The dessert course makes or breaks an afternoon tea. Our dessert selection, the Cheesecake Petit Fours, was a deceptively small yet rich plan to encourage abandoning any existing dietary restraints. As I thankfully have none, I greeted each one as a long lost friend. We left Charlotte's Tea Room and Warwick full and satisfied. Mission accomplished.

In the Beginning

2009-08-12T16:34:00.000-04:00

For any endeavor, the start is usually the hardest part. What does this have to do with tea? There are individuals who admit to knowing absolutely nothing about tea. There are others who actually believe that a tea bag placed in a styrofoam cup of microwaved water is tea. (Excuse me: I must pause until the involuntary shudders that resulted from that painful statement subside.) Then there are still others who delight in discussing all things tea. All groups share this common denominator: everyone has to start somewhere.

Uncommon Courtesy
Where did this Straight From the Leaf blog start? My favorite childhood memories include watching adults receive guests and offer them refreshment, usually a warm beverage accompanied by a light snack. This, I learned, was a simple, courteous act of hospitality extended to every visitor -- regardless of status, background or circumstances. I also observed the guests evidently leaving far better than their arrival, their lively conversation and laughter now filling the air. The conclusion: sharing tea is a very good thing. Although I did not realize this 'simple' courtesy was uncommon, the lessons made their mark.

Unapologetic Tea Aficionado
For those who haven't guessed, I enjoy tea. No, that is an understatement. I adore tea. Tea is multifaceted, universal, and civilized. People from various backgrounds can find common ground in this beverage and, behind only water, tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world. By design, our world is a big place. Tea helps me enjoy my space within it.

Being the unapologetic tea aficionado that I am, I am constantly shocked at the multitudes who have never in all their lives enjoyed a proper cup of tea. By proper, I mean actual tea leaves rather than dust. Leaves or dust? that is the question. Straight From the Leaf's aim is to:

Inspire others to enjoy tea and its preparation
Appreciate all the elements adding to the overall experience
Create an atmosphere for purposeful conversation

In other words, we'll talk about ways to savor life one cup at a time. This is the start.