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FIND YOUR CUPPA TEA RIGHT HERE


Japanese tea ceremony. Photo courtesy of justfoodnow.com
Japanese tea ceremony. Photo courtesy of justfoodnow.com


Ok so I already know that you love to make a nice cup of tea and cozy up to your computer to read the latest post at Kitchensforliving.  You don’t?  Well maybe you should.  Coffee gets enough press and I’m not knocking it but the  “in” thing in hot beverages is TEA!  Now I know I have your attention because chances are you’re freezing your buns off right now if you’re anywhere in the northern hemisphere. (If you’re in regions down under just add ice and you’re good to go.)

Tea is an art and a ritual.  Japan has always been known for the “tea ceremony”, a complicated ritual performed by geishas who attend school for special training in the art.  If you are here in South Florida you can attend an authentic tea ceremony at the Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens.  Interestingly, Japanese do not add any sweeteners to their teas balancing the pure flavor of the tea by eating teacakes.


Tea stand in Pushkar Rajasthan, India Photo courtesy of bridgeandtunnelclub.com
Tea stand in Pushkar Rajasthan, India Photo courtesy of bridgeandtunnelclub.com


One the contrary, in India, you’ll find a yummy form of tea called chai which has become popular in the west these last few years.  To make chai, add milk, sugar and a pinch of a blend of spices called chai masala.  You can also purchase teas with the chai spices already mixed in.  Last but not least, let’s not forget our dear friends across the pond.  English tea is a classic and a concept that has provided the British with comfort and refuge through multiple wars!


A proper Englishman enjoys a "cuppa"
A proper Englishman enjoys a "cuppa"


A few blog posts ago I wrote about the amazing teapots at Teavana but now I want to talk about the tea.  You can buy it online but the stores are downright seductive.  My daughter and I were lured into one while Christmas shopping.  We sampled the feature of the day and I HAD TO HAVE IT.  Yes, it was inexcusably expensive ($24 for this special blend of two teas) but it was an indulgence.  I was able to brew it so that it tasted exactly like the sample and of course I bought the German Rock Sugar to use as a sweetener.  There’s the aroma, the flavor, the warmth and it looks beautiful!  A real feast for the senses.

My Youthberry & Wild Orange Blossom Blend from Teavana. Photo by Sabrina Brunk
My Youthberry & Wild Orange Blossom Blend from Teavana. Photo by Sabrina Brunk

If you’d like to dip you toe into the world of tea without involving a major financial commitment try Shui Tea.  I found out about this great online source for tea from one of my fellow bloggers.  You can get samples (enough for a few cups) for as little as $2.00 each! This site is run by a crazy dude and features crazy blends of all sorts of tea.

If you have a tea habit tell me about it.  C’mon I know you’re snowed in with nothing better to do or maybe you screwing around at work because, let’s face it,  no one really “works” between Christmas and New Year’s ;)


FAVORITE KITCHEN GIFTS

The turkey has left the building and now as we enter that gift giving time of year, we look once again to the age old question of what to get for the ones we love.  Make no mistake, gentlemen, diamonds are still a girl’s best friend and I don’t want to be the one to blame when your beloved opens the crockpot you gifted her with, no matter how nice.  That said, there are those of us who love kitchens and all the goodies that go along with them.  This year there are an abundance of kitchen gifts that make our life easier, more comfotable and even maybe a little adventurous.  Here are my fave picks for 2010 and where you can score them.


Babycakes Cupcake Maker
Babycakes Cupcake Maker


1.  Babycakes Cupcake Maker-  Think George Foreman Grill for cupcakes!  I found out about this nifty gift from my 15 year old daughter who is begging for one this year.  It’s like an Easy Bake Oven for big girls.  It comes with a recipe book that shows you how to make cute cupcakes, muffins and more in about 5 minutes.  You can get one for $28.88 from J.C. Penney.  It comes in pink and yellow but IMO pink is the way to go.


Keurig Coffee Maker
Keurig Coffee Maker


2. Keurig Single Cup Coffee Maker-  This is nothing new but it is really hot this year.  This is the perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life.  I love ours!  You can make a single cup of coffee in the flavor of your choice with no mess or hassle.  Just pop in the pre-measured Kcup of coffee, press the button and you’re good to go.  The coffee is delicious and there are now 150 varieties of coffee, tea and hot chocolate available.  I have found Bed Bath & Beyond to be the best place to replenish your Kcup stash.  Don’t worry if you run out though,  it comes with a reuseable cup that allows you to brew your own coffee too.  To be fair, on the downside, you pay a little more for a cup of coffee, the machine’s a little noisy while brewing and so far, the Kcups are not recyclable. Check out this video Keurig Single Cup Coffee Brewer from The Coffee Detective for a great demo.  Pricing varies depending on model.  The B60, shown here, goes for $129.99 and you can get it at amazon.com with options for free shipping.


Aroma AEW 306 5 Quart Electric Wok
Aroma AEW 306 5 Quart Electric Wok


3. The Aroma AEW 306 5 Quart Electric Wok is a great gift for the adventurous chef in the family.  It’s great for whipping up a healthy stir fry, or any variety of Asian culinary experimentation.  I even use my wok to make Indian food.  The advantage of an electric wok is it’s portable,  perfect for braising, tempura, steaming, and more. This sleek, cast metal wok has a non-stick coating, heats up quickly and retains heat, for professional results every time. Includes everything you need to make all your favorite modern and traditional foods, and the large glass dome lid with adjustable steam vent allows for maximum control. The entire unit easily detaches from the base and is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup and even easier storage. Includes long cooking chopsticks, steam rack and tempura rack.  At only $35.42 from amazon.com you can probably even throw in a cook book!


Cast Iron Japanese Teapot
Cast Iron Japanese Teapot


4. The Tetsubin Cast Iron Japanese Teapot by Teavana is on the top of my wish list this year.  I love tea, all kinds, but I also love beautiful art and craftsmanship.  This elegant teapot has all that plus function.  This is the best way to brew tea, since the cast iron distributes the heat evenly inside the pot to better extract the flavors and benefits of the tea. These Japanese teapots are handmade in Japan of solid cast iron with a fully enameled inside and a stainless steel basket for your tea leaves. Cast Iron teapots will keep your tea hot for close to an hour. They also sell cast iron stands that will hold your pot over a tea candle to keep tea warm for several hours!  Each pot is engraved with symbolism such as dragon flies which stand for new beginnings or dragons which stand for power and good fortune.  These teapots start at $69.95 and are available on line or at your local Teavana retailer.


Wine Country Gift Basket
Wine Country Gift Basket


5. Last but not least, do you have a whole family to shop for without the budget for individual gifts?  This is a great opportunity for a gift basket.  They come in all kinds of themes including wine, chocolate, coffee, pasta and more.  I love winecountrygiftbaskets.com.  They offer variety, value, dependable delivery, free shipping and prices starting at $25.  If you’ve got the time you can also make your own gift basket.  This is a great way to make a very personal gift at an even better price!