Nooo...not that kind of tea-head...
this kind of teahead...
this kind of teahead...
jasmine blossoming tea
I just really, really love tea.
Ever since I was little...I've had a weird fascination with it, lol. Mainly due to my mom.
Of course, she always had the standard lipton teabags around the house...and even in elementary school, my morning wasn't complete without a steaming cup of sweetened milky tea. Occasionally though, she would bring home a sampler box of herbal teas, with cool flavors like peach, apple cinnamon and lemon mint. I was so intrigued by their aromas, it seemed a whole new world opened up for me. I remember practically begging my mom to try one, but she always turned me down, saying that they were special, and that I probably wouldn't like them anyway.
Wouldn' t like them? Are you kidding?
You're sitting there with something that smells like an apple pie in a cup, and you're telling me I wouldn't like them?
Blasphemy!
I figured something was up, but I persisted, as any annoying six year old worth their salt would, until my mom finally gave in.
"Okay then, so which one do you want?", she exasperated.
I rummaged through the box gleefully, thumbing through the pretty pastel teabags, bursting with confidence that I'd actually managed to change my mom's mind, and salivating with excitement over the delicious tea I was about to consume.
"Peach!" I beamed.
I almost couldn't contain myself while waiting for it to brew. The sweet peachy perfume wafted through the air, enticing my tastebuds.
It was ready. I instinctually reached for the sugar bowl.
"Hold on now" my mom said,"these are herbal teas, you're not supposed to put sugar in herbal teas."
Hmmph, I thought. As usual, my little six-year-old mind tried to make sense of this statement, and decided that based on the tea's the strong smell, it was probably already sweet and peachy enough as it is. Yeah, that's it!
Fully assured, I lunged forwared, blew on the tea twice and took a sip.
Utter.Disappointment.
The flavor was some combination of bland and bitter that was almost incomprehensible to me.
This experience should have scarred me for life, but thankfully it didn't...I eventually realized that the world wouldn't end if I sweetened herbal tea...lol. In fact, I'd drunk sweetened herbal tea many times before, without knowing.
* * *
Then there was jasmine.
When I was about 10, my mom implemented a special mother-daughter tea time. In hindsight, I think she came up with it since she'd just had my little brother and sister, and wanted to make sure I wasn't lacking in the attention department.
These tea times were special to me...and the memories very simple: my mother's voice, the floral perfume of jasmine and the subtle sweetness of Maria cookies.
Now I know that there are "better" jasmine teas out there, but this brand will always have a place in my cupboard, if at least for nostalgia's sake.
So this fondness for a nicely brewed cuppa has prompted me to make a special category for tea related posts.
Ever since I was little...I've had a weird fascination with it, lol. Mainly due to my mom.
Of course, she always had the standard lipton teabags around the house...and even in elementary school, my morning wasn't complete without a steaming cup of sweetened milky tea. Occasionally though, she would bring home a sampler box of herbal teas, with cool flavors like peach, apple cinnamon and lemon mint. I was so intrigued by their aromas, it seemed a whole new world opened up for me. I remember practically begging my mom to try one, but she always turned me down, saying that they were special, and that I probably wouldn't like them anyway.
Wouldn' t like them? Are you kidding?
You're sitting there with something that smells like an apple pie in a cup, and you're telling me I wouldn't like them?
Blasphemy!
I figured something was up, but I persisted, as any annoying six year old worth their salt would, until my mom finally gave in.
"Okay then, so which one do you want?", she exasperated.
I rummaged through the box gleefully, thumbing through the pretty pastel teabags, bursting with confidence that I'd actually managed to change my mom's mind, and salivating with excitement over the delicious tea I was about to consume.
"Peach!" I beamed.
I almost couldn't contain myself while waiting for it to brew. The sweet peachy perfume wafted through the air, enticing my tastebuds.
It was ready. I instinctually reached for the sugar bowl.
"Hold on now" my mom said,"these are herbal teas, you're not supposed to put sugar in herbal teas."
Hmmph, I thought. As usual, my little six-year-old mind tried to make sense of this statement, and decided that based on the tea's the strong smell, it was probably already sweet and peachy enough as it is. Yeah, that's it!
Fully assured, I lunged forwared, blew on the tea twice and took a sip.
Utter.Disappointment.
The flavor was some combination of bland and bitter that was almost incomprehensible to me.
This experience should have scarred me for life, but thankfully it didn't...I eventually realized that the world wouldn't end if I sweetened herbal tea...lol. In fact, I'd drunk sweetened herbal tea many times before, without knowing.
* * *
Then there was jasmine.
When I was about 10, my mom implemented a special mother-daughter tea time. In hindsight, I think she came up with it since she'd just had my little brother and sister, and wanted to make sure I wasn't lacking in the attention department.
These tea times were special to me...and the memories very simple: my mother's voice, the floral perfume of jasmine and the subtle sweetness of Maria cookies.
Now I know that there are "better" jasmine teas out there, but this brand will always have a place in my cupboard, if at least for nostalgia's sake.So this fondness for a nicely brewed cuppa has prompted me to make a special category for tea related posts.
I'll just share some of my favorite tea recipes, both hot and cold, and maybe discuss any tea related tid bits of information I pick up along the way...
On that note, I'll leave you with an herbal tea recipe from my childhood.
I think this might be my first tea memory ever. I actually remember sipping this tea from a bottle, staring at the ceiling as I fought drifting off to sleep. I must've been 2 or 3. Back then, whenever I smelled the scent of this tea brewing, I knew it was time for bed...
Bay Leaf and Mint Milk Tea
serves two
1 cup water
On that note, I'll leave you with an herbal tea recipe from my childhood.
I think this might be my first tea memory ever. I actually remember sipping this tea from a bottle, staring at the ceiling as I fought drifting off to sleep. I must've been 2 or 3. Back then, whenever I smelled the scent of this tea brewing, I knew it was time for bed...
Bay Leaf and Mint Milk Tea
serves two
1 cup water
1 cup of milk
2 bay leaves
8 large mint leaves, crushed
2 bay leaves
8 large mint leaves, crushed
3 Tbsp sugar, or to your taste
Combine the water, bay and mint leaves in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add the milk and bring to a simmer once more. Immediately remove from heat and cover the pot. Allow the herbs infuse into the milk for about 8-10 minutes, then stir in the sugar until well dissolved. Strain the milk tea into your cups and there you go!
Happy sipping!
Combine the water, bay and mint leaves in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add the milk and bring to a simmer once more. Immediately remove from heat and cover the pot. Allow the herbs infuse into the milk for about 8-10 minutes, then stir in the sugar until well dissolved. Strain the milk tea into your cups and there you go!
Happy sipping!
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