Here is our Tea Room. Come and join the ladies for teatime. Make yourselves comfortable in this nice cozy room while we prepare the tea. And while we are waiting; why don't I tell you a little about the tea we have and the traditions that surround it's origin.
Tea
There are basically two kinds of teas. Those that come from tea leaves and those that are hebal from berries, flowers, seeds, leaves, roots, and peels. It was in the 17th century that Europeans and Americans were first introduced to tea. It had long been apart of the Chinese and Japanese culture.
It was in 1699 that it became common to have afternoon tea in England. As time flowed on into the 19th century the practice of ladies calling on their friends for afternoon tea was a usual part of one's day. Tea was usually served to a lady's friends and acquaintances. The Lady of the home served tea from nothing but the finest porcelain for these special occassions.
The English garden became an excellent and popular place to have tea. Imagine the serenity of having afternoon tea among the curtain of flowers and the veil of greenery on a bright sunshiny afternoon with one's friends. The ladies of course would be wearing their finest for tea. And each lady poised with graces and manners taught to her at a very young age. Her manners are a respect for herself and for those around her. She is giving of herself to meet the needs of others.
Variety of Teas:
1.) Black Tea
2.) Green Tea
3.) Oolong Tea
4.) Peppermint Tea
5.) Chamomile Tea
6.) Earl Grey Tea (A scented blend made from Ceylon and Kemun teas. Bergamot oil is added.
7.) Assam (A traditional Irish Breakfast tea)
8.) Ceylon
9.) Lapsang Souchong (A smoke treated Taiwan tea)
10.) Keemun (An English tea from Keemun China)
11.) Formosa Oolong (An amber colored tea that has a peach flavor)
12.) Darjeeling (A reddish-gold sweet smelling tea)
13.) English Breakfast (A blend of Indian teas Nilgiri, Assam and Ceylon)
Recipie for English Tea:
Fill a kettle with fresh cold water. Just before it boils, pour some of the hot water into the teapot and swirl it around to warm the container. Afterwards pour it out. Add a spoonful of loose tea leaves per person and one for the pot. Return the bottle to boil. Pour the hot water over the tea leaves in the tea pot and letsteep for 3-5 minutes. Pour the tea into cups, using a strainer to catch the leaves. As the tea pot sits, the tea gets stronger. Keep a pot of hot water handy to dilute the mixture.
