You are a Teapot!!!!

As women we are sacred vessels to God!! I told the girls tin my Sunday School class to think of themselves as tea pots...all shapes and sizes, each one unique, but God can use us all. It is not about our shape and size, its about serving Him and loving others.
Let God pour into your life the richness of His love, mercy, and grace- and then you in return pour into others!!!!

Heartland Point, Orrville

 

Went to Hearland Point to treat my self the other morning to a small Chai Latte.  A rare treat, since they are not cheap. But, I decided that I had $2.00 I could spend on a chai latte.

                                        https://heartlandorrville.com/heartland-point/cafe
 

Main Street Orrville

I have had several chai latte's from Hearltand.  Normally they are very good!  This morning it was a bit weak, I was slightly disappointed.  Oh well, I guess that just means I need to go back and confirm that it was just a fluke!

What do you drink from???

 How fun is it to make a cup of tea in a special tea kettle or tea pot?  Something your mom gave you, or your child or spouse.  A fun pot you picked up at a kitchen store or a unique flea market.  Here are some of my favorite tea pots..... 

                 

This blue one I purchased in Amsterdam, it sits on a base with a candle to keep the water warm. The glass one in Munich.

Here is a tea pot that matches a set of dishes I purchased when I was working at Lehman's Hardware.  I love this little tea pot.  It is made by a company called Friendship Pottery in Ohio, that is no longer in business.

 
Here are my flea market finds.  I just to collect green granite ware.  This little green tea pot is so cute!  Even though I would probably only get about 6oz of hot water in it I can't help put love it!

I have two usable tea sets.  The green set is from Audreys Attic that I purchased for like $10.00.  I love the colors and the vintage look.   The blue set is from Chinatown, San Francisco, California while visiting my sister.  We shopped quite a few shops till we found the perfect tea set. 

This tiny little set I picked up in Lake Lugano, Switzerland.  I was out shopping one day and it called my name. 

Then there is the tea cup.  You sometimes just have to have the perfect cup to drink tea!!!  The cup can evoke memories just like the tea pot.  Maybe the friend you were with the last time you drank for the cup.  Or maybe the place where you purchased the cup.  Or possibly the person who gave you the treasured cup.

Here are steins I brought back from Switzerland and German yon two different trips.  They are nice because they are sturdy, keep the tea warm and also evoke emotion.

Then there is the cup that I had made when I sold cards.  This is a great hand made cup from an Ohio Pottery company and it hold lots of tea.

I have the reindeer cup from my friend Marlene.  I then have the Daisy cup- daisies are my favorite flower.  then I have the little Demi mug from a trip to San Francisco.  How does one decide what to drink from?  One for every day of the month???



Here is a special cup and saucer my sister brought me back from London, England





 

                                                                          

                                               

 

I have the special cup that my sister made with photos of my nephews.  I also have my big cup that reminds me of one of my favorite shows, "Friends".  then I have a cup and saucer from my sweet friend Krista





Okay, then there is this special cup and saucer I hand carried back from Segou Africa for my mom in 2006. I bought it from some African potters. It is special, unique, and one of a kind. My mom keeps it up on a shelf in her kitchen.




I have two antique cups that are from my parents, so those are special. Then I have the fun mug with my name on it.

    

 I have my two favorite work mugs.  The Lehman Hardware mug, https://www.lehmans.com  I got when I was the pottery purchaser.  I used to pick up the pottery in Shreve.  Then of course there is the mug with our logo on it.

                                                                                                                     

Then I have my fun travel mugs.  one if from Thirty One, http://www.thirtyonegifts.com/  the company I used to sell for.  Then the there is the travel mug that looks like a camera lense.

Then there is MY favorite mug!!!  I love this big mug, it hold 16 oz.  It is sturdy, and it has my favorite animal on it.  I love moose, I love tea, and I love this mug!!!

Happy drinking to all of you!

Harney & Sons WINNERS

Thank you Harney & Sons for providing four fun teas!!!!! http://www.harney.com/

Thank you to all who entered!!

Marlene won the Facebook "sharing" contest!

Jill won the comments on the blog spot contest

Thank you again and I look forward to the next contest!!  I will be sending out the teas today.

TEAVANA Sevenberry Sangaria Rooibos Tea and ARGO Fruit Sangaria (Herbal)

one of my favorite loose leaf teas is Sevenberry Sangaria Rooibos Tea from Teavana.  Argo Tea has a herbal tea very similar called Fruit Sangaria

http://www.teavana.com/the-teas/rooibos-teas/p/sevenberry-sangria-rooibos-tea

Description:

Get ready to be blown away by this breezy romantic blend of 'superfruits' inspired by the Spanish coastal cafes and bars that dot the shore. Whole sweet grapes, strawberries, raspberries, black currants, blueberries, cherries and elderberries- seven sweet fruits- frolic in the sun and create a dark fuchsia cup of fruit-filled flavor. Amazing and tantalizingly delicious when served over ice. SUPERFRUIT ENHANCED

2 oz of Sevenberry Sangaria is $6.80...you can get 25-30 teaspoons per 2 oz. See the Teavana iblend photographed below

http://www.argoteastore.com/Herbal-Teas-Loose-Leaf-Teas/b/5647187011

You can buy the Argo tea in the large bottle or in a sampler set.  I purchased the $9.95 

Fruity Teas Sampler Set to test the flavors.  I got Hibisus Apple, Charitea, and Fruit Sangaria.  I like all of them but the Charitea (it was cherry and reminded me of cough syrup).  In the sampler you get 1oz of each kind of tea, you can make about 12 cups of tea per pack.  Although I made about 24 of each, since I re-use the tea.  Fruit Sangria has ZERO CALORIES!

When I make my loose leaf tea I usually use my Teavana Perfect Teamaker.  I put in my teaspoons of tea, then fill with water and let it steep.  It is a Rooibos, so I add 1.5 teaspoons per 8 0z.  Since this makes 16 oz, I put in 3 teaspoons. I then steep for 5-6 minutes for a Rooibos.

I can set my teapot timer for 6 minutes.

as it steeps the water gets almost a dark purple, it is gorgeous!!!!  I store my loose leaf tea from Teavana in their tins. They are air tight and can store tea for almost a year...not that mine ever stays in the tin for that long!!!!

Once the tea is steeped, I put the teamaker on my mug and let the tea drain into the mug

Then I am all set for my tea!  I put the teamaker off to the side, with the leaves still in it. I can usually get at least 2 if not 3 cups out of the original leaves.

How beautiful is that color!  The tea is fruity and delicious!!!!!

Kinds of Teas....

Did you know that there are Red Teas (Pu-erh), Yellow Teas, Green Teas, Black Teas, White Teas, Blooming Teas, Rooibos Teas, Yerba Mate Teas, Oolong teas, Chai Teas, Honeybush Teas, Kombucha Teas, and Tisanes Teas?

I have tried all these above listed teas but the Yellow and Tisanes.

Teas are good to drink, but did you also know that they are good for your health????  Studies have found that some teas may help with cancer, heart disease, and diabetes; encourage weight loss; lower cholesterol; and bring about mental alertness. Tea also appears to have antimicrobial qualities.

Tea is a name given to a lot of brews, but purists consider only green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong tea, and  red (pu-erh tea) the real thing. They are all derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, a shrub native to China and India, and contain unique antioxidants called flavonoids

Types of Teas:

• Green tea: Processing does not involve oxidation. In order to neutralize enzymes and prevent oxidation, the leaves are typically steamed or pan fried. Next the leaves are rolled up in various ways and tightness. After that, a final drying takes place. Since no oxidation took place, the tea has more of a green appearance. Made with steamed tea leaves, it has a high concentration of EGCG and has been widely studied. Green tea’s antioxidants may interfere with the growth of bladder, breast, lung, stomach, pancreatic, and colorectal cancers; prevent clogging of the arteries, burn fat, counteract oxidative stress on the brain, reduce risk of neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, reduce risk of stroke, and improve cholesterol levels. Green teas are good for upset stomach. Steep 1 minute.

• Red (Pu-erh) tea: This tea has been fermented and typically aged for decades. It is often purchased in cakes or disks and is regarded and one of the highest quality teas on the market One animal study showed that animals given pu-erh had less weight gain and reduced LDL cholesterol. Steep 3-7 minutes

• Black tea: Made with fermented  or fully oxidiestea leaves. After the leaves are plucked, they are laid out to wither for about 8 to 24 hours. This lets most of the water evaporate. Then the leaves are rolled in order to crack up the surface so that oxygen will react with the enzymes and begin the oxidation process. The leaves are left to completely oxidize, thus turning the leaves to a deep black color. After that, a final drying takes place. black tea has the highest caffeine content and forms the basis for flavored teas like chai, along with some instant teas. Studies have shown that black tea may protect lungs from damage caused by exposure to cigarette smoke. It also may reduce the risk of stroke.   Black tea is generally stronger in flavor than its green and white counterparts and will maintain its flavor for several years. Ceylon tea is one of the most popular types of black tea in the world.  Black tea has a long shelf life. Steep 2-3 minutes

• White tea: This tea starts with just the tightly rolled buds of the plant. White tea does not go through any oxidation at all. In order to prevent oxidation, white teas are immediately fired or steamed after letting them wither (air dry) for a period of time. There is no rolling, breaking, or bruising of any kind. White Tea is derived from the first flush* buds of the tea bush. The name refers to the silver-colored (white) hairs on the picked tea bud. White tea is the least processed of all teas. It isn’t rolled first but is immediately fired so there is no withering or fermentation/oxidation. Availability is limited and the cost high as a result of the limitations of the plucking standard. The liquor of White Tea is very pale yellow in color, and has a light, subtle flavor. White tea should be prepared using water that is just off the boil. *The new growth on a tea plant consisting of a full complement of leaves. It takes about 40 days for a new bud to blossom into a flush.. One study showed that white tea has the most potent anticancer properties compared to more processed teas. Steep 4-6 minutes...unless it is a flavored white, then only steep 2 minutes

• Oolong tea: Oolong leaves are processed immediately after picking. Typically, the leaves are first laid out in the sun to dry and then placed into baskets and shaken, which “bruises” the leaves. The leaves are then spread out again under the sun to begin a partial oxidation process, however the process is halted after two hours or so the leaves may be fired in hot woks. Ultimately, an Oolong will have crisp, dry leaves.  The partial fermentation produces a slightly deeper and more complex flavor that is often described as being half way between green and black tea. Oolong tea leaves are usually long, twisted, and have an greenish-brown olive color.In an animal study, those given antioxidants from oolong tea were found to have lower bad cholesterol levels. One variety of oolong, Wuyi, is heavily marketed as a weight loss supplement, but science hasn’t backed the claims. Oolong is also said to burn already built up fat in the body by speeding up the metabolism.  Steep 3 minutes

• Herbal Teas:  Herbal teas are not made with any part of the Camelia sinensis plant and are usually caffeine free. Made from herbs, fruits, seeds, or roots steeped in hot water, herbal teas have lower concentrations of antioxidants than green, white, black, and oolong teas. Their chemical compositions vary widely depending on the plant used. Steep 5-6 minutes

• Yellow Tea: is a tea processed similarly to green tea, but with a slower drying phase, where the damp tea leaves are allowed to sit and yellow. Typically, the tea has a yellow-green appearance yet a different aroma from both green and white tea. In terms of smell, it is sometimes mistaken for black, but similarities in taste can still be drawn between yellow, green and white teas. Steep 3 minutes

• Tisanes Teas: Sometimes, tisanes are made from a blend of plant types or from multiple parts of the same plant. Occasionally, tisanes are made from moss, stems or other plant matter
  Tisanes are usually categorized by what part of the plant they come from. Here are some examples of each of the major categories of tisanes:
  * Leaf tisanes: lemon balm, mint, lemongrass and French verbena
  * Flower tisanes: rose, chamomile, hibiscus and lavender
  * Bark tisanes: cinnamon, slippery elm and black cherry bark
  * Root tisanes: ginger, echinacea and chicory
  * Fruit/berry tisane: raspberry, blueberry, peach and apple
  * Seed/spice tisanes: cardamom, caraway and fennel
Steep 7-9 minutes

• Kombucha Teas: is often classified as a tisane, but it is technically a symbiotic colony of yeast and bacteria (or "SCOBY"). Kombucha is a fermented beverage prepared from a mushroom (Fungus japonicus). Known as kombucha tea, the drink is touted for its health-promoting properties. It is also called Manchurian mushroom tea, Manchurian fungus tea, Kwassan, combucha tea, and champagne of life. Kombucha tea contains significant amounts of the B complex vitamins, as well as vitamin C and minerals.

• Flowering Tea or Blooming Teas: consist each of a bundle of dried tea leaves wrapped around one or more dried flowers. Steep 3-4 minutes.

•  Rooibos Red Teas: is an herbal infusion that can be drunk as cold or warm. It comes from a red bush that's native to South Africa. Rooibos red tea also tends to contain bits and pieces of fruit.  Rooibos naturally helps with cramps and hydration. Steep 5-6 minutes.

• Yerba Mate Teas: is made from the mate plant, also known as Ilex paraguriensis. This plant is what is believed to be a species of holly, with properties similar to those found in caffeine. People drink this tea as an alternative to coffee, and it also helps to reduce fat accumulation in blood vessels. Steep 5-6 minutes

• Honeybush Teas: With its sweet smell of honey and its beautiful spread of yellow flowers, it is only fitting that the honeybush, or heuningbos, plant produces such a pleasant and enjoyable tea. Growing only in small areas of South Africa's southeast and southwest regions, honeybush is a temperamental plant, growing only in a very precise climate with all the right elements in place. Honeybush tea is naturally caffeine free and is an excellent source of Vitamin C, iron, zinc, potassium, copper, magnesium, calcium and sodium. The indigenous people of South Africa have been utilizing the tea for its vitamin properties for hundreds of years. Research has shown that honeybush tea is linked to preventing cancerous tumors, symptoms of menopause in women, colic in babies, helps with digestion, can help with skin damaged from prolonged exposure to the sun, and can stimulate the production of breast milk in new mothers. Steep 5-8 minutes

• Chai  Teas:  Chai means tea in Arabic, Urdu, Hindi and other languages. Chai tea is characterized by English speakers as a rich, spicy tea that blends the exotic spices of the East with milk or cream and a sweetner. Chai is prepared slowly, to harvest the rich taste, aroma and properties from the chai spices. Chai is commonly a black tea base that is combined with spices, such as cloves, coriander, pepper, cardamom, cumin and cinnamon. Other ingredients such as rampe, ginger root and curry leaves are sometimes added. Steep 5 minutes

• Matcha Teas: This shade-grown tea from the tencha leaf is deveined then stone ground into a fine powder. This bright green powder is whipped into water that is heated to just before boiling resulting in a smooth, vegetal sweetness with no astringency. Japanese matcha powder ground from the finest Japanese green tea leaves. On average, Matcha contains less than half the amount of caffeine per cup than in a similar-sized cup of coffee. Fill the kettle with fresh, filtered water and heat to just short of boiling. Fill matcha bowl or cup with warm water and pour out. Add ½ to 1 teaspoon of matcha powder to bowl or cup. Add 6 oz of steaming water (175°F). Experiment to find your favored strength. Using a tea whisk or a hand frother blend for one to two minutes until the matcha forms a nice top foam. For iced tea, blend ½ to 1 teaspoon to 8 oz of cold water and pour into a glass of ice.

thanks to Winkepedia, answers.com, ask,com, Teatulia, and other online sights for helping me learn about all the teas out there!!!

Loose Leaf Tea infussers

I have been asked what sort of tea infusers I use to make loose leaf tea.  It is a good question because there are lots of styles out there for todays consumer.
I went to my kitchen gadget drawer to show you the "old" style tea ball infuser.  I realized I did not have one.  I guess that is because I do not like them and do not use them, hahaha.  I called my mom to see if she had one I could photograph for the blog.  She did have one.  She said that she does not use it either, but she keeps it because she thinks it was her mothers, Alma Steiner Lehman.

I am not a fan of the tea ball infuser because the holes are so large, and the tea leaves get out and get in your water.

This cute tea pot infuser is fun, but again it has large holes.  It is nice that it comes with a plate to set the wet tea pot on, so you are not getting your tea water on your table or desk- wherever you are drinking your tea

I found these 2 old ones.  the small one is so cute, but again it has big holes.  the bigger one has small holes, so it may work ok for an infuser.

Here is another style that I am not a huge fan of.  It sits on the cup- but the holes are large and the water can not go over the top of the leaves.  So really the only leaves that are getting steeped are the bottom leaves

now this infuser I like because it sits down in the cup and has mesh so the leaves don't get into your cup

my only warning with is kind of tea infuser is that if you let the water get too high in the cup the leaves will float around

 Here are muslin spice bags.  I got mine at Lehmans Hardware https://www.lehmans.com/p-1961-muslin-spice-bags.aspx.  They are nice and green, because you can run them in the washing machine.  The only draw back is that they are hard to clean out.  I flip the bag inside out and try to wash it all off.  It works, but is not as easy to clean as other infusers.

here is an infuser I like with no complaints.  You squeeze the handle and the ball opens.  You put your loose leaf tea in the ball and it closes.  You then set it in the cup and let the tea steep.  It again has the mesh and the tea is not escaping into your mug

OKAY- this is my all time favorite!!!! I got this from Lehman's Hardware in Kidron.  www.Lehmans.com   This infuser is perfect.  It has two sides, one is mesh and the other has holes.  but the holes are small enough that the tea leaves do not come out.

You open it up and put the loose leaf inside

The grey handle can be pushed to push the "stopper" in the infuser.  It pushes the leaves together and drains the extra water!  How clever is that????

It is my favorite infuser for individual cups.  I have even thought that if I was going out to a restaurant I would carry this in plastic bag in my purse and order hot water in a restaurant. Then I can make my favorite cup of loose leaf tea anywhere I go!!!

I also found this infuser in my kitchen gadgets.  It is nice too. I am not sure where I got it.  You put the loose leaf tea inside, then there is a "knob" on the top that you turn and it closes the  opening.  Again the holes are not so large that you do not get leaves in your cup

As you can see here most tea bag or tins will tell you how much loose leaf to add.  For example for green tea if I were making an 8oz cup of tea I would add 1 tsp of loose leaf tea and steep it for 45 seconds to 1 minute. (although some say to steep green for 4 minutes- so check the label!  It is amazing how steep it too long really does effect the taste.  It can ofter become very bitter.  The only tea that I have found can steep for a long period of time with our getting bitter is herbal tea.  Also, I usually get two cups of tea, sometimes even three cups, from the loose leaf tea before I add new leaves.  Also, on a side note- save you loose leaf tea for your garden.  I will be blogging about composting tea soon!!

STEEP TIMES FOR HOT TEA: (on average)

Black tea: 5 minutes
Green tea: 3-4 minutes
Oolong: 3 minutes
White tea: 4-6 minutes
Flavored White: 2 minutes
Red tea (Pu-erh): 3-7 minutes
Yellow tea: 3 minutes
Rooibos tea: 6-7 minutes
Honeybush Tea:5-8 minutes
Chai tea: 5 minutes
Herbal tea: 5 - 6 minutes
Mate tea: 5-6 minutes
Tisanes tea: 7 - 9 minutes
Blooming tea: 3-4 minutes (until bloomed)
Komucha tea

Now here is my ultimate favorite!!!!  This is Teavana Perfect Teamaker.  This is for the 16oz size, it sells for $19.95.  I love it so much, I have one at work and one at home.

just add your loose leaf tea, add water and let it steep

Then once the water is steeped you put it on your mug and the tea drains down.  So simple and cool!!!!  I then set the teamaker aside and when I want another cup I just add more water.  It is the best!!!!!  I liked it so much I got my 2 sisters each one for Christmas, and my mom just got one.  Also, you can add bagged tea to this as well.  you again just add your water.

There are even tea infusers for those on the go.

This one is nice, but you will have to find a place to put the infuser.  It clicks on to the lid, but once the tea is steeped I find it hard to find a place to put the infuser because I am using this on the go

this is the insurer that slides off.  Once it is off you can just close the lid and drink.

Here is one that I like to use at work.  It like the one above, with one small difference

This one has an infuser cup that pulls out.  Again, you need a place to put the infuser cup, but I like that you can make the tea on the go.  Just remember to bring a plastic bag or be able to dump the loose leaf tea out somewhere to put the cup back in empty so that the tea does not become bitter.

okay, I thought it would fun to see what else is out there.  Mine are pretty basic.  See the cute infusers listed below.  I am sure at most kitchen stores you can find tea infusers.  My only suggestion is to be sure that you have small holes so the leaves do not come out.  Mesh is great!!

This infuser is $9.95 at Crate and Barrel

I think that there would be fun to give as a Christmas gift with a mug and some loose leaf tea!!!

I think that this might be my favorite if I drank out of a glass cup!!!!