Tea in the St. James Tea Room

What a lovely impromptu tea with great friend Guru Jivan Kaur.  We had a field trip to pick up some tea supplies and I needed to add to my travel pack of tea.  As it would happen we arrived and had the opportunity to stay for the tea service.  A wonderful display of foodie treats.  Ill have to practice taking pictures BEFORE I consume.  As a foodie friend calls it food porn.  Ill try to remember the before photo.    Each month there is a different theme.  so great.  enjoyed tea by the name of Atlantic city Jubilee.  Note the china with great words for contemplation.  Grace, Gentility, Beauty.  simply lovely...

Must not forget my tea obsession.

I have a tea obsession.  There are many things in life I enjoy and as we get along on this journey you will learn of them.  Today I begin with the tea obsession.  Particularly afternoon tea. Now afternoon tea doesn't necessarily mean that it involves a meal or scone related food item.  But there is nothing wrong with that. It can be simple, just a warm cup of something soothing during a quiet moment with little distraction unless it involves conversation with a friend.  For me it is the perfect time out.  A reboot for the day.  Years ago I had a Diet coke addiction (I still battle with this, I admit) and found that to do a similar thing but not quite as good or satisfying.  The reboot has become a necessary part of my day and the accompanying tea break has made it such a pleasant time for me that I hardly can pass a day without. Today it was Cream Earl Grey. Yummm.  you will see that a lot. I really enjoy the fragrance of the Earl Grey aspect of this tea.  This seems to work well for me in the afternoon particularly.

Did you know the steeping time for tea is crucial.  Black teas range from 3 to 6 minutes.  White tea is about 1 minute, Rooibus is about 3 minutes. Green tea about 3 mins.  They actually make timers for teas that tell you.  I recently saw one at a great tea place in Albuquerque called Mes Amis near the University area.

So the next time you find the afternoon blahs kicking in, take a tea break.  Time it and take the tea bag OUT of your cup after the allotted time.  Sit down, breathe and relax,  even for 5 minutes.

Down the road I encourage you to get a cute cup (or very manly tea cup if you desire, men) and make it a celebration, a time out a reboot.  The if you are really daring try loose tea in a tea ball (a small tea strainer thingy that holds loose tea) in a cup or pot.  Or pour a pot of tea for yourself and a friend pick your fancy cups have apiece of shortbread or some crackers and cheese.  Tell me all about it when you do it is a great thing to do.