We want our tea in the Sahara with you

As I mentioned previously, my Auntie Ging and cousin Emily were here last week. Hopefully they have now recovered from the not very temperate climate we have here in comparison to Victoria. Talk about a shock to the system whenever anyone in our family visits from BC. But we miss them already, the boys especially. Emily bought each of them Care Bears, which seems to have prompted an apparent Care Bear obsession with Thomas. He cajoled me into renting a CBs DVD, and if I dare to give into his demands it would be running non stop on the player. Geared strategically to the two year old psyche, but fairly grating after the fifth time to the parental faction. He is certifiably in love, and I myself may soon be certifiable. ;)

Something else I'm inclined to mention. Everyone in my family drinks tea, with one notable exception. That would be me. I'm obviously quite the rarity, given the whole British mother thing. I apparently did not acquire the palate, in fact, I think overall it tastes fairly unpleasant. But there is such a social and celebratory aspect to the process that I feel I'm missing out on slightly. Was again reminded of that watching my aunt prepare the evening tea, R partaking, myself not so much. Choosing a little snack, savouring. That's it, the savouring, I don't do that often enough. I gulp done my coffee in the morning, but I can't drink coffee at night. Yes I know that I could have decaf, but coffee doesn't taste right in the evening.

So I want to incorporate this ritual into my day. I enjoy a herbal tea, even green tea, but the whole Orange Pekoe, Earl Grey, ugh. I picked up a couple boxes from Tazo, one assorted and the Wild Orange Ginger which is technically a herbal infusion. But I need some more recommendations, for amazing teas, to convert me completely. If you have a fav, let me know or send me a link.

Comments

[melanie]

glad to help with the tea scene... my favorites are by the republic of tea : blackberry sage [all time favorite] and ginger peach. you'll love them!

[tammy t]

Aveda, yes the haircare & makeup company has a loose tea that I love. They serve it at the salon I go to, and it's called Aveda "comforting" tea. I love it and my girls drink it as well. It has licorice root in it so it has a sweetness that they even enjoy.

Good luck on your quest. Tazo was a perfect place to start!

tammy t

[Lori Harris]

Hi Tina,

I had a good laugh when I read your blog today - I too do not like tea. One of the 'family' jokes is that I must have been adopted as I have never understood the ritual, so I'm glad to confirm that I'm not adopted and there's another one just like me within the family. The only time my teapot ever gets used is when the family is visiting!

PS - I love your blog

Auntie Lori

[Jess]

Big tea fan over here! Have you ever been to "The Tea Party"? I think it used to be on Fourth Ave, but has moved to York St - SO many kinds of teas!

As far as herbals go, anything by Celestial Seasonings is pretty much a good bet!

[Deanna]

I know you say you don't like Earl Grey, but have you ever tried it with a splash of french vanilla creamer? That is heaven in a cup if you ask me. Enjoy one every morning.

[Ging]

Hi Tina, I'm glad you want to get into the tea ritual. I look forward to next time we are together and we will enjoy a cuppa together. You know my favorite. Tetley!! with something yummy to go with of course.
Love reading your news.

[janel]

I have tea every morning..but only one tea...a wonderful black tea....sweet orange spice. Very wonderful, naturally sweet...and I do not drink ice tea...any kind of other tea..it is my comfort. If you email me I would love to send you some to try. The only place I can get it is at a wonderful little tea store in Boulder called Pekoe..or a small restaurant close by. Would love to send you some.

[Celeste]

www.devitea.com

The proprietor, Gretchen, travels the world over for wonderful loose leaf teas grown in responsible ways. Yes, you will pay more for this tea. Yes, it is worth it. Try the Earl Grey, or the Jasmine Pearl Green tea. You will not want to use tea bags ever again! Tea is as much about the ceremony to me as it is the beverage - taking TIME to pause, hear the kettle whistle, let the leaves steep. It is a multisensory experience! Whereas coffee is about haste, tea is about slowing down.

[Shelley Rankin]

Oh we will bring you over to the dark side Obwon (sp?) LOL. I love my tea. I love coffee just as much or more but it doesn't like me unfortunately. Now green tea is my staple. I drink about 3 cups a day. Large ones. With a teaspoon of organic sugar. It can also help you lose weight you know! I love the Tetley with ginseng or with honey lemon. Try them. I have no doubt you will come to really enjoy it! I have.

[Suzette]

Since you're in Ottawa, I'd suggest you visit the Tea Store in the ByWard Market. They're on York Street on the block that falls between Zak's and Sassy Bead. You can sit with a pot of tea and people watch, or bring your favourites home.

They are, without a doubt, one of my favourite tea haunts in Ottawa. They have a wall of loose tea with wonderful names - Angel Falls Mist, Jest Sittin', Blue Lady. There's a Lemon Mango that tea that just oozes summer. Lovely for the warm weather we've been having.

My office drawer hides boxes of Tazo Green Ginger tea and a box of President's Choice Morrocan Mint (Mint and green tea combo). There's also the Tea and Ginseng store (Bank just north of the Queensway) that has a pretty good selection too.

[Shelby]

I have just recently started drinking tea again, so I have not discovered a lot of the specialty brands yet, but I do love the Tazo teas, and one from Celestial Seasonings called Blueberry Breeze green tea, oh and there is a Lipton black tea that is maple and vanilla. Love that one too :)

[Shelby]

oh! I love chai tea of any kind too! :)

[Willa]

Hi Tina - I love'd reading about the tea ritual with Auntie Ging. I guess I never thought of it as a ritual. Michelle, Kristy and Stacey are just like you too - they don't like tea either.

I didn't realize we could comment on your blogs - Ging let me in on how to do it.

Miss you and the boys,

Love Auntie Will