Heating water....

The water temperature is important.  I am learning this....Your water for green tea and white tea should not come to a boil.  I have also learned that if your tea does come to a boil, that if you add an equal amount of tepid water and boiling water it will be the right temperature. Black teas, herbal teas  and oolong tea water can be at a boil.  But, remember you can make the tea at the hot temperature, but do not drink it at that hot temperature.  Tea has no flavor at the hot temp.  That is one reason that Chinese and Japanese cups have no handles, if the cup is too hot to hold, the tea is too hot to drink.

Also it is important to remember the better the water the better the tea. If you have access to filtered water, then use it :)

My sister got an electric water kettle, she liked it so much that she got one for our mom.  Then she was at a surplus auction and got another one.  I bought that one from her for $5.00. They sell on Amazon for over $30.00, but I love mine and I think if you do not have one, that $30.00 might be worth it.  It reminds me of the one my cousin had in Germany when I visited her.  I like that it is just water that is in the kettle and not other liquids or coffee to change the flavor.

 

1750-watt high-speed kettle boils 7-cups of water in just 5 minutes

On/off button located on handle; boil-dry protection with automatic shut-off

Variable temperature control; lifts off corded power base for cordless pouring

Exterior water-level indicators; concealed heating element; anti-scale filter

Measures approximately 8 by 11 by 8 inches; 1-year limited warranty

 

 

There are different temperatures- It says right on it, for green and white teas use the one setting and for other teas use the boiling temperature setting.  VERY COOL!!!

 

This the one my sister Jill has, it is a great water kettle as well.

 HAMILTON BEACH BRANDS INC  Hamilton Beach Brands K2070 Proctor Silex 1-Qt. Electric Kettle

 

  This is also a way I heat my water. Since I do not drink coffee, this "coffee" maker is used to only heat water.  What I really like about this Gevalia maker is that it has a clock and timer.  I like that I can set the timer to come on in the morning and the water is hot when I get up.  But, now that I have the T-fal water kettle that makes hot water in minutes, I may get rid of the "coffee" maker.  If you are looking for a coffee maker, you can usually get a deal with Gevalia.  I was able to get my coffee maker for $19.95 when I signed up to get tea.

http://www.gevalia.com/

TEALIGHTFUL English Morning

 I tried English Morning from Tealightful and I found it really really good!!!  I added milk and it was even better.  I thought it was a good choice for a tea without added flavors.  I made the tea using the Tealightful tea filters.  You can get a pack of 100 tea filters for $8.50

http://www.tealightfultreasures.com/

 

4 oz, $13.50...about .25 a cup!

This was a really great cup of tea!  The black tea leaves are blend from Sumatra and Assam India

TEALIGHTFUL Warming Walnut Green Tea

 

you know you hear a name and think, "Yikes, I am not sure that would be a good tea".  But, then you try it and think," MAN, that is a great tea!"  Well, that is how it was with Warming Walnut Green Tea.  I almost did not try it, but I am so glad I did.  It reminds me of something, but I can not but my finger on what it is.  I really can taste the walnut.  It is warm and cozy tasting- if that is possible.  I really like it!  There were actual chunks of walnut.  I highly recommend this tea!

4oz $15.50...the tea averages out to about .25 a cup.

 http://www.tealightfultreasures.com/

ARGO TEA Armenian Mint and RICOLA TEA

I love this tea!!!When my grandparents were living we used to have this tea we called "Swiss Tea", and this tea takes me back to my very early years just by smelling it!!  I searched for the longest time to find this tea from my grandparents.  All I knew is they brought it over from Switzerland and we got it at Thanksgiving.  A few years ago I even ordered some from Switzerland, but now it is now carried in the states.  Come to find out it is put our by Ricola.  But, back to this tea....The Armenian Mint is so great, it has an amzaing rich mint taste.  If you are a fan of mint, you HAVE to try this tea.  If you live near me, give me a call and I will be more than happy to share a cup with you. I would place it in the top five of my favorite teas!  Oh yay, I went there!!!

1.7 oz, $5.95

Merchant SKU: 13405

Net Wt 1.7oz - Packed in recyclable glass bottle

Makes about 20 servings

All natural herbal tea

Premium loose leaf tea

Caffeine free

http://www.argoteastore.com/Armenian-Mint-Loose-Leaf-Tea

Ricola...tea from my childhood :)  I love this tea.  It is such a Lehman Family Thanksgiving tradition that I am now able to enjoy year round.  As soon as I open the lid I smile!


Here are my sisters and I with my grandparents. (I am in the pink)  My grandpa smelled like Zest soap.  Still over 30 years of my grandpa being gone, when I smell Zest soap I think of my grandpa. 
http://www.ricola.com/en-ch/Products/Herb-teas

Enjoy tea in an instant!
Simply add the required quantity of tea granules to a teapot or cup, add boiling water, stir and enjoy.
Your beneficial tea is ready to enjoy. Ricola instant teas only contain proven medicinal herbs which are cultivated by Swiss farmers using organic practices and values. The effective ingredients in the herbs and their unique taste are largely preserved thanks to Ricola’s gentle production process. Herb, Lemon Balm, Elder Blossom and Good Night tea can be enjoyed whatever your taste and mood! Incidentally, Ricola teabags are now also available.

WENDY'S Strawberry Tea

http://www.wendys.com/en-us/strawberry-tea/valuestrawberrytea

I tried Wendy's Strawberry ice tea.  It was good, there was a hint if strawberry there, but not over powering or fake tasting.  I thought it was a nice change from McDonalds half and half...just wish it was on the $1.00 menu like McDonald iced tea!

 Strawberry Tea

Made with real strawberries and contains no artificial colors or flavors. Give yourself a refreshing treat that is made fresh when you order.   Only 70 calories for a medium- beats pop any day!!

It was a two iced tea day...McDonalds for breakfast and Wendy's for lunch!!

My parents annual tea party...

my mom and I .......

The queen is in!!!  My dad calls my mom the queen.  When they have their tea parties they fly the Queens flag

Some of the tables.....

How cute are my parents!!!!  My dad got my mom this hat for Christmas.  My dad got his gardeners outfit down "south"

mom and I

 Dad and I on Father's Day

After helping prepare the food, then I help dad park the cars...

Wonder what we serve???  Oh my the goodness!!!  

Aunt Joyce makes this wonderful lemon bread...there is an amazing lemon glaze on this bread that I could eat and eat!

  

 This year I put together the lemon curd tarts.  Mom made the lemon curd, then I put in these filo tarts, with cool whip and a mint.

We also served chicken salad puffs, Egg salad sandwiches, chocolate covered strawberries, cucumber sandwiches, éclairs, and MORE!