Monday afternoon I had an optional excursion.
A two hour master tea class at Twinings.
I signed up on Trip Advisor. If you try to sign up on Twinings webpage it directs you Trip Advisor, you can also use Booking.com or Viator.
This fun looking building is across the street from Twinings.
Can you find Twinings???
This was a nice 20 minute walk from the Strand Palace Hotel. It is on the same street, so it made it very easy to find.
Twinings is this cute little white building tucked in among these rather large buildings.
The threshold. Notice the ' in Twinings...that is because it was HER Twinings- Mary Twining. I love that!
It's basically a long hallway or galley.
Even though the store is small, it is filled with all kinds of great items. Because I signed up for the class I was given 10% off everything I purchased. I told myself I needed to be good, because it was only day one, lol.
The Master Tea class was downstairs.
We walked into the room with these fun "placemats" for our tea tasting.
The first hour was an education of Twinings history. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the history of their tea.
Twinings started in 1706, they are the oldest tea company in London.
Even though you want to call it "Twin-ings" it is "Twine-ings" It is named after a town in Gloucestershire are Twyning.
The founder of Twinings was Thomas Twining, it started out as Tom's Coffee House. Then his son Daniel took over, then Mary took over and she called it Twinings.
Mary's son Richard took over in 1784. And he was the one responsible to the threshold that says- Twining's with the apostrophe. It meant HER Twinings.
In 1787 the Twinings sign was created- it has the Chinese men where tea came from, and the Lion for the family.
Twinings also created Earl Grey for Charles Grey, the Earl.
In 1837 They were given a Royal Warrant. Her Majesty gave them this honor.
Twinings is now on their 11th generation.
It takes 14 years to be a blender!
I was so excited to try the teas. We had Pei, leading us through the tea tasting. She was so sweet and knowledgeable! It was a great time.
We started with the lighest tea, a white, Chakra Silver Tips from Indonesia.
Then moves to the rare yellow tea, Huo Shan Huang Ya from China.
Then the green tea, a Long Jing from China.
Then we did an oolong, Tie Guan Ying, from China.
Then lastly a black tea, 2nd Flush Darjeeling from India.
We did not taste the Pu'erh, but were able to take it home to try late.
Such beautiful color in all the teas.
I also learned that they make the UK tea stronger than the US tea. The circle logo means it was made for the US. The rectangle logo means it was made for the UK and is a stronger blend.
After spending a week in the UK, I have to say I am learning to love the stronger blend with a splash of milk!
Family Crest.
The gals in the shop were so much fun! I had a great time chatting with them. It was so delightful.
Mary and I loved the experience!
I absolutely give this place and the experience 5 tea cups!! I would totally do this again. I learned so very much and it was tasty too!!
Feel free to contact me to lead you or your group in England.
I have a book you can order for the 7-day tour as well.
Why plan your trip to England, when it can be done by experts for you!
Let us make all the plans, remove all the guess work, book all the appointments, reserve all the rooms, confirm everything for you, and guide you seamlessly around England while enjoying tea and giving you free time to do your own exploration.
We’ve already done the hard leg work and recommend these fun tea adventures and ask you to try a new one with us- the River Thames Afternoon Tea cruise.
The days for each activity may change, but this is the itinerary we have planned.
This is a day by day journal of your tea trip to England. See exactly what is planned for each day and journal as you go. Keep track of key memories.
Enjoy afternoon tea on Brigit's Tea Bus, a river cruise down the Thames, at Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey), in Bath at the Jane Austen Regency Center, at Kensington Palace, and at Fortnum and Mason.
We’ve already done the hard leg work and recommend these fun tea adventures and ask you to try a new one with us- the River Thames Afternoon Tea cruise.
The days for each activity may change, but this is the itinerary we have planned.
This is a day by day journal of your tea trip to England. See exactly what is planned for each day and journal as you go. Keep track of key memories.
Enjoy afternoon tea on Brigit's Tea Bus, a river cruise down the Thames, at Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey), in Bath at the Jane Austen Regency Center, at Kensington Palace, and at Fortnum and Mason.
1 Peter 4:10-11, ESV
1 Peter 4:10-11, ESV
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.