Afternoon Tea VS High Tea...what is the difference?

I used to say I was having High Tea....but in fact I was having afternoon tea (or Low tea).  It can be confusing, but the difference is the time of day the tea is served, and what is served. Afternoon tea is what I have had over a dozen times and I have never actually had High tea.  Maybe I will need to be in search of place to have High tea.



This was the one of the first places I ever had Afternoon tea.  Miss Molly's Tea Room in Medina, Ohio.  All though the first 2-3 times I went to Miss Molly's it was outside of town...this is the new location, down town Medina.

 

Afternoon tea (or Low tea)

 

Afternoon tea with bread and butter, jam and little cakes

Afternoon tea is a light meal typically eaten between 4 pm and 6 pm.

Observance of the custom originated amongst the wealthy classes in England in the 1840s. Anna Maria Russell, Duchess of Bedford, is widely credited as transforming afternoon tea in England into a late-afternoon meal whilst visiting Belvoir Castle, though Charles II of England's wife Catherine of Braganza is often credited with introducing tea to the court upon her arrival in 1662. By the end of the nineteenth century, afternoon tea developed to its current form and was observed by both the upper and middle classes: "the table was laid ... there were the best things with a fat pink rose on the side of each cup; hearts of lettuce, thin bread and butter, and the crisp little cakes that had been baked in readiness that morning."
Traditionally, loose tea is brewed in a teapot and served with milk and sugar. The sugar and caffeine of the concoction provided fortification against afternoon doldrums for the working poor of 19th and early 20th century England who had a significantly lower calorie count and more physically demanding occupation than most Westerners today. For laborers, the tea was sometimes accompanied by a small sandwich or baked snack (such as scones) that had been packed for them in the morning. For the more privileged, afternoon tea was accompanied by luxury ingredient sandwiches (customarily cucumber, egg and cress, fish paste, ham, and smoked salmon), scones (with clotted cream and jam, see cream tea) and usually cakes and pastries (such as Battenberg cake, fruit cake or Victoria sponge). In hotels and tea shops the food is often served on a tiered stand; there may be no sandwiches, but bread or scones with butter or margarine and optional jam or other spread, or toast, muffins or crumpets.
Isabella Beeton, whose books on home economics were widely read in the 19th century, describes afternoon teas of various kinds: the old-fashioned tea, the at-home tea, the family tea and the high tea and provides menus. Nowadays, a formal afternoon tea is often taken as a treat in a hotel or tea shop.

High tea (or Meat tea)

 High tea (also known as meat tea) is the evening meal or dinner of the working class, typically eaten between 5 pm and 7 pm.

High tea typically consists of a heavy meal of meat dishes (such as steak and kidney pie), fish dishes (such as pickled salmon), baked goods (such as crumpets or, in Ireland, barm brack), vegetables (such as potatoes or onion cakes), and other heavy foods (such as baked beans and cheesy casseroles). Occasionally there would be cold cuts of meat, such as ham salad. Traditionally, high tea was eaten by middle- to upper-class children (whose parents would have a more formal dinner later) or by workers when they came home from work.The term was first used around 1825, and high is used in the sense of well-advanced (like high noon, for example) to signify that it was taken later in the day.
The term "high tea" was used as a way to distinguish it from afternoon tea, a the term was used predominantly of the working class and of certain British dialects of the North.



sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tea_(meal)
http://coffeetea.about.com/od/historyculture/a/High-Tea-Vs-Afternoon-Tea.htm

STOREHOUSE Zesty Ginger Lime Rooibos and Amazon Mint Mate

Robin sent me some fun teas.  Two were from Storehouse Tea- I was not familiar with this company.  Reading about them on line, I believe that they are Christians.  I love that!!  I makes me want to support their business even more.  I was very pleased with the teas too.  Zesty Ginger Lime Rooibos and Amazon Mint Mate.
 
I really like both of these teas!  The Zesty Ginger Lime is nice and refreshing, and I like that the rooibos flavor is not over powering- as I still have not gotten used to that rooibos taste yet.
The amazon mint one was refreshing as well. The smell is amazing, the taste lingers and in a really good way.  I am a fan of mint.
I can not believe that not everyone is drinking teas!!  The guys at work love teasing me about the "weeds" that sit in bags on my desk.   They joke that the police are going to come raid my office one of these days. I tell them they are welcome to try the teas, but they say they will stick to their coffee.  They have no idea of what they are missing- missing by the taste and the health benefits.  GO TEA!!!!
 
 
Rooibos is a nutritious herb with bountiful health benefits. Prepared like tea, it’s an all natural, caffeine-free source of powerful antioxidants that help strengthen the body’s natural immunity against ageing and disease. Rooibos contains Vitamin C and E as well iron, zinc, potassium and calcium. Rooibos has a soothing effect which promotes restful sleep and relaxation. Rooibos is a shrub like botanical which only exists in specific micro-climates of South Africa. Also Known as “African Red Bush” it is often marketed in the US as a ”red tea”.
 
Zesty Lime Ginger Organic Fair Trade Rooibos...... $9.50 3 ounces
organic Fair Trade Certified green rooibos, organic ginger, organic lemongrass, organic lemon myrtle, organic lemon peel, organic Fair Trade Certified hibiscus, organic stevia and natural flavor.
Organic Green Rooibos combined with zesty lime citrus and ginger is refreshing and thirst quenching, excellent iced. Zesty Lime Ginger has a stimulating yet caffeine-free blend of anti-oxidant rich and longevity enhancing properties.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 
Amazon Mint Organic Guayusa and Yerba Maté.... $9.50 2 ounces
Ingredients: organic, fair trade yerba maté, organic, fair trade guayusa and organic peppermint.
Sweet, smooth and invigorating, our special blend of Guayusa and Yerba Maté unifies the profound aroma of organic peppermint with the woody and bold flavors of this Amazonian Rainforest energy drink. Treasured for its unique balance of caffeine and antioxidants.
 
GUAYUSA (why-you-sa) and Yerba Mate are natural, delicious sources of energy and nutrition from the Amazon. Guayusa offers clear and focused energy - what the native Kichwa people call “mental strength and courage.” A caffeinated holly leaf native to Ecuador, Guayusa contains an exceptional balance of caffeine, antioxidants, vitamins and amino acids for your whole body and mind. YERBA MATE is native to the subtropical highlands of Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil. It also comes from the caffeinated holly leaf and is harvested in the wild as well as on Mate plantations. Yerba Mate is also a stimulating herbal beverage that combines the ability to energize without the jittery and addictive tendencies of coffee while delivering high levels of natural anti-oxidants, healthy vitamins and minerals.
Health Benefits: As truly balanced natural stimulants, guayusa and yerba mate contain a diverse profile of both energizing and healthful compounds. Guayusa and yerba mate contain up to 50% more antioxidants than green tea, and Yerba Mate is chock full of polyphenols, flavonoids, and saponins. Guayusa’s unique mix of caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine is what gives the balanced energy effect. These teas are the ultimate in healthy drinks that wake you up while delivering a good tasting natural anti-oxidant appetite suppressing tea. These compounds in guayusa and yerba mate offer a range of holistic health benefits from calming the nervous system to cardiovascular health. They can also: boost metabolism, help to support weight loss programs, aid in digestion and regularity, balance blood sugar for diabetics, boosts physical energy, increases mental clarity and alertness. Albert Einstein drank Yerba Mate daily!!

Tired of feeling agitated, crashing mid-afternoon, or having stomach irritation from too much coffee? Guayusa & Yerba Mate are Great Coffee Replacements. Try substituting a cup of guayusa / yerba mate for your morning or afternoon cup of coffee and you’ll feel the difference. One cup of guayusa / yerba mate offers 80 mg of caffeine, Guayusa and Yerba Mate have what it takes to get you going, without the accompanying stomach discomfort or nervous jitters sometimes associated with drinking a higher caffeinated beverage. Try our three unique Storehouse Tea Blends, iced or hot. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
 


ABOUT THE OWNERS:

Dan and I caught in the act of enjoying a cup of tea. We both feel that fine loose-leaf tea has brought many health benefits to our lives.

We named our company Storehouse Tea because the word “Storehouse” in (Deuteronomy 28:12-13) says “The Lord will open for you his rich storehouse, the heavens, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands.” We want you to be blessed and to stay healthy, so you can live longer and teach others to do the same.
Paula Hershman, Certified Organic Tea Blender/Owner 

TEAVANA Chai blend with Rock Sugar

Robin sent me some more tea...this time is was Teavana Chai blend with rock sugar- so good.  I don't add sugar to any tea except Chai. I have learned that Chai tea is SUPPOSED to have sugar and milk added to it.  So, I am okay with this coming with rock sugar, since you are supposed to add it.  In chai I like to froth my milk.  I heat the water and then I added sugar and frothed milk- there is NOTHING like it.  oh, so great!
 


Chai Teas
Add some spice to your life with these great Chai Teas!

Chai spice is generally a combination of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves and vanilla, among other spices. Of course, we played with the blend and created a selection of very distinct chai teas for you; each one delicious in its own way.
Here are the variety of Chai Teas that Teavana sells. 
Maharaja Chai Oolong Tea
Maharaja Chai Oolong Tea
$12.00                    
 
 
 
 
Rooibos Chai Rooibos Tea
Rooibos Chai Rooibos Tea
$4.80
 
 
4.4
(90 reviews)
Samurai Chai Mate Tea
Samurai Chai Mate Tea
$6.20                    
 
White Ayurvedic Chai Tea
White Ayurvedic Chai Tea
$10.00
 
 
Dosha Chai Rooibos Tea
Dosha Chai Rooibos Tea
$7.80                    
Spice of Life White Tea Spice of Life White Chai
$14.00
 
 
 
 

RISHI Green Tea Mint

 
I was treated to some more baggies at work by my friend Robin. :) Ahh, fun tea!  I am a fan of mint tea.  This tea had a strong green flavor, but I did enjoy it.  It had a sweet flavor as well.  It was fun to try this new mint tea.  You can get multiple infusions out of this tea as well.  I was able to drink it three times.  It called for a Tablespoon per 8 oz, put I did not do that much, I thought that seemed like a lot.  I think this would be fun mixed with an herbal tea.  Do you like to mix teas?  I do.  I was just telling Robin about how I mixed teas, and that got me to thinking that I really don't talk a lot about that on my blog.  But, I do really like to mix teas.   I learned it from Teavana.  I like to take a plain tea and mix it with a herbal tea- either fruity or flowery.  I think this green mint with would be great with a fruit herbal.  You should get creative and try it sometime!!!

 

 
$4.00 an ounce
 
The naturally sweet flavor and long-lasting candy-like mint aroma of organic peppermint from the Pacific Northwest blends smoothly with the pleasant, soothing character of roasted green tea. Green Tea Mint makes a wonderful, refreshing digestive to enjoy after a meal.

Tasting Notes: Mellow with a sweet mint flavor, a pleasant toasty note and hints of chocolate

Ingredients: Organic green tea, organic peppermint.

Additional Info: Green Teas are enjoyed worldwide for their invigorating, fresh character preserved through various crafting styles and firing methods.
 
Water Temperature: 195°F
Leaf to Water Ratio: 1 tablespoon per 8 ounces
Steep Time: 3 minutes (1st infusion), 4-5 minutes (2nd infusion)

We encourage you to experiment with the quantity of tea leaves and the length of the steep time to find your desired brew strength. Varying the water temperature isn't recommended, as water that is too hot will over-extract the bitter components of tea, while water that is too cool might not fully draw out the aromas and flavors of tea.

GEVALIA Tea

 
22 bags of Green Tea with Magno $9.99
 
22 bags of Afternoon Revial Tea $5.95 
 
 


 
Raspberry Hibiscus Tea, 22 bags $9.99                    Mixed Berry Tea, 22 bags $9.99


 $5.95 for 22 bags
 
I was excited to try Gevalia tea,  I purchased the "coffee" maker, to brew water for making tea. They were running one of their specials. For $19.95 I received the coffee maker and 4 kinds of teas.  I was very disappointed in the flavors though. I thought that they were all really weak.  I ended up giving the teas away.  I guess I just like a stronger tea.  I hope if you try the tea that you have a different experience than I did.  but, hey I got a great coffee maker to brew my water!  I tried all these teas above...The best thing about these teas was the tins that they came in :)
 
From the Website:

Subtle notes of hibiscus and licorice beautifully complement this luscious blend of tart lemon and sweet raspberry flavors. Whether served hot or cold, our Lemon Berry Breeze is a delectable treat for your taste buds.

Ingredients: Hibiscus Flowers, Licorice Root, Natural Flavor, Soy Lecithin Contains: Soy

another Facebook FREE Give away

 


Easy to win
1.  Like Kerrie's Cup of Tea   https://www.facebook.com/KerriesCupOfTea 
2. Share the post called "New Give Away"

I will ship anywhere in the USA.  Anyone can win- family, friends, co-workers, and people I have never met!  GOOD LUCK TO ALL.

I will pick a random winner on August 23rd.

 
Notice there is a large fun variety of tea.  There are two Pur-erh China tea cakes. Also a brand new tea pot.

Cucumber sandwiches and a new hair do.....


 Melanie's great mom, Janet, brought in cucumber sandwiches the other day at work.  YUM!!!  So easy to make.  Just get:
1 carton (8 ounces) spreadable cream cheese
2 teaspoons ranch salad dressing mix
small cut pumpernickel rye bread
English cucumbers
dill

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and dressing mix. Spread on one side of each slice of bread. score cucumber with a fork, thinly slice, place on slices of bread, garnish with dill.  ( I do not peel the cucumber)
super yummy!!!!!
 
Looking at my photo with the cucumber sandwiches I decided I needed a new do!!!  Actually, I had already decided that I needed to get it done.  I got the hair cut, and then colored it myself.  I like the change.   I feel about 10 pounds lighter and about 5 years younger now!!!

Tealightful® Cupid's Super Fruit Gogi Green Sparkling Tea

 Tealightful® Cupid's Super Fruit Gogi Green Sparkling Tea

2 1/2 heaping Tablespoons of Tealightful® Cupid's Super Fruit Gogi Green Tea
4 cups steaming water
4-5 cups ice
2 cups club soda
1/2 cup blueberries...
1/2 cup sliced strawberries
1/2 cup raspberries
1 heat resistant gallon pitcher

Pour tea into paper tea filter or iced tea brewing basket. Place filter into heat resistant gallon pitcher. Pour 4 cups steaming water over tea. Steep 4-5 minutes. If using a paper filter, dunk and then remove. Quickly add 5 cups of ice to the steeped tea. Add fruit, club soda and stir.



  4 cups, steep 4-5 minutes

I thought that the tea was weak, so next time I would add more loose leaf tea.  After sitting in the fridge I really ended up only tasting the strawberries.  I may work on tweaking this.  But, I do really like the idea of making the iced tea into a sparkler.
 
 
 
This is a photo from my Tealightful up-line, Kelly.  She really likes the tea.  So, I will keep trying because I want to like it too :)
 

PAROMI Tea- Sleep with Me



I could not find this tea on the website....Maybe it is new?  I loved it.  It is probably one of my favorites from them.  It is soft and has a lot of flavor.  I really enjoy a couple of cups of this tea the other night.    Just be sure that you never ask someone, "Would you like to try Sleeping with Me?"   You need to say, "Would you like to try Sleep with me Tea"- hahaha  I am a fan!!!!
 

pyramid bags












Our transparent, large full-leaf tea bags are made from non GMO corn-starch and have 3 important benefits:
Convenience: Enjoy the superior taste and maximum health benefits of full-leaf tea with the convenience of a bag. Our large, transparent bags are pre-portioned for an ideal brew and there are no soggy, loose leaves to clean up when you’re done.
No leeching: Our bags are 100% natural and do not leech. This means you get a pure infusion, tasting and smelling the ingredients in the sachets, not the sachets themselves. There is no bleached paper, glue, staples, or strings to taint your brew.
Biodegradable: You may have already seen bags like ours. Actually, a lot of bags on the market look like ours, but many are made from nylon (a petroleum based product). You wouldn’t know the difference just looking at them, but the environment sure does. Plus, do you really want to steep a petroleum-based product in boiling water and then drink it?