At the conclusion of my lectures, I am often asked, "Can I heat my tea water in a microwave?" The straight answer is "yes." However, my question to the inquirer is, "Will the use of a microwave add to your sense of ritual?" Most tea professionals will forego a microwave in favor of a proper…
Pairing Tea and Chocolate
Of the world’s three great temperance beverages–cocoa, tea, and coffee–cocoa was the first to be introduced by the Spanish into Europe in 1528. A century later, the Dutch brought tea to Europe. Finally, coffee made its European debut in 1615, thanks to Venetian traders.From the onset, cocoa, tea, and coffee were afforded only by wealthy families.…
Best Afternoon Tea in Montreal
Where do you go for the Best Afternoon Tea in Montreal? This is one of my favorite North American cities because it’s filled with art, food, history, and tea - all infused with a bit of la bonne vie, the good life. Here are a few of my suggestions for seeing the city with tea on…
A Poetic Riddle in a Teacup
British Prime Minister William Gladstone If you are cold, tea will warm you; If you are too heated, it will cool you; If you are depressed, it will cheer you; If you are excited, it will calm you. This famous tea quotation is attributed to British Prime Minister William Gladstone (1809–1898) whose public career lasted…
Afternoon Tea Reigns Supreme at The Empress
I had the opportunity to return to the Empress Hotel in Victoria, British Columbia last month for TeaTime magazine’s Occasion for Tea. The other speakers included Jane Pettigrew, Norwood Pratt, Shelley Richardson, and editor Lorna Reeves. We were joined by 70 devoted tea enthusiasts from across the United States and Canada for a weekend of…