The expression ‘The Art of Tea” is heard quite often but not the phrase ” The Theatre of Tea” until now. Mark Thirwall is one of only four Australian World Tea Judges, and the ‘Theatre of tea’ is his approach to tea. Mark wants all Australians to slow down and take more time to prepare…
Tag: Tea
“Que les invités qui entrent dans cette maison repartent en amis”
The French phrase above translates into English as, May all who enter as guests, leave as friends. I love this beautiful sentiment that happens so easily over a cup of tea. Let’s put the kettle on and become friends as I share my love of all things tea; teapots, recipes, quotes, tea news and fine…
“Rainy days should be spent at home with a cup of tea and a good book or some yarn.”
One of the more pleasant aspects of rainy days is being warm and dry indoors with piping hot tea nearby, and some yarn for knitting or crocheting. For me, it’s all about crochet which is not only relaxing and calming at the same time stimulating. Not unlike tea; invigorating yet soothing. I need nothing more…
“Tea, garden. Tea, garden. Does a good morning need anything else?”
Apart from loving Tea, I also enjoy being outdoors and in the garden where tea plays a vital role in the day of working on garden tasks. In fact one of my favourite tea moments is sitting on a garden bench, piping hot cup in hand, taking a breather after heavy work, and collecting one’s…
Tea… from the farm to the cup
The phenomenon of paddock to plate continues to build in Australia as we live more mindfully and sustainably. Being more aware of where our food is grown, by whom and the story behind the farmers and producers of our commodities is one way to be more proactive about food ecology and ethical values on sourcing…
“Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company.”
It is heartening to realise that millions of people throughout history were as fussy and demanding in their tea-drinking habits as I am. Not only in the past but now in the modern contemporary world of art, music, film and literature, ardent tea drinkers abound. Who would have thought Mick Jagger, Russell Crowe, Lady Gaga,…
Put the Kettle On…
The simple act of putting the kettle on to make tea has been written about, quoted, and even sung about millions of times and yet remains a highly significant and worthwhile task. We do it naturally at the pauses during the day, to comfort others, on waking, when we come in from the garden or…
You can never have too many teapots..
Many of us have enjoyed the Regency splendour of shows like Bridgerton with the elaborate tea settings in glorious palaces and stately homes lately. Together with popular shows, The Crown, Sanditon, Downtown Abby, or The Queen and Pride Prejudice have given rise to increased interest in many of our everyday objects; tea sets, vintage delicate…
“I find it harder and harder every day to live up to my blue china”.
We can never hope to attain the perfection and beauty of blue china aptly expressed by Oscar Wilde. He said he found it harder and harder to live up to his blue china in the abovementioned sentiment, and I wholeheartedly agree. Blue and White are unequalled; fresh and bright, charming and delightful, elegant and forever…
I don’t drink tea to wake up. I wake up to drink tea.
Is there anything more invigorating, comforting and refreshing first thing in the morning than a hot cup of Tea? The quote above says it all. Do I wake to drink Tea, or does Tea wake me up? There is a fine line between the two at times, and like coffee drinkers, tea drinkers love the…
“The Mere Chink of Cups and Saucers Tunes the Mind to Happy Repose”
The design and aesthetics of everyday objects I’ve always found fascinating and I enjoy collecting antique and vintage cups and saucers. They have an endless array of designs, decorative styles, embellishments, colours and shapes. Fifty years ago it was common to collect the best set of china and later pass them on to daughters and…
“Earl Grey is really more of a ‘Sense and Sensibility’ kind of tea”
What exactly is Earl Grey Tea? Earl grey is a flavoured Tea scented from the oil in the rind of Bergamot oranges, that grow along the coast of Italy and the south of France. Adding the oil from the orange rind to black tea gives the tea an aromatic, zesty flavour that, according to Twinings,…
“Come and share a pot of tea. My home is warm and my friendship is free”
My philosophy of living is a “my door is always open” attitude and there is nothing I like more than cooking for loved ones – family and friends. Sharing a meal around the table or a tea is a joy and I always like to use my fine China collection at every opportunity. Even now…
“Rainy days should be spent at home with a cup of tea and a good book.”
My mother used to have a day now and then where she would stay inside, read books, drink tea and, because her hands were rarely idle, do knitting or handiwork all day. These occasional days she called ‘a nightie day’, meaning she stayed in her nightie all day. Rather than a common habit, ‘nightie days’…
“Better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea for one”
The ancient Chinese proverb above encapsulates the sentiment I felt in lockdown last year on a ship heading for Italy at the height of the pandemic. Without warning, the Captain sent us to our cabins, and we did not come out for more than a week. Apart from the fear of the unknown situation and…
High Tea Sandwiches
Delicate finger sandwiches are a customary part of Afternoon Tea and usually have their own dedicated tier on the High Tea stand. To make appetizing, dainty sandwiches the main things to consider are taste, (so not too overpowering), colour, shape, variety, texture, and freshness. My suggestion is to use an assortment of different loaves of…
The Silver Teapot 