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Dawnya Sasse, Tea Party Girl

Dawnya loves tea. In fact, since 1997 Dawnya has been a Tea Party Girl. She has owned 2 tearooms and operated an online tea business school since 2003. Her websites include Start A Tea Business, Tea Events and Childrens Tea Party.com Tea Party Girl is dedicated to the beautiful art of afternoon tea.

About Dawnya Sasse

Dawnya Sasse is "The Tea Party Girl." Dawnya has a passion for tea and has operated a variety of tea businesses since 1997. She has owned 2 tearooms and has taught her online training course "Start A Tea Business" since 2003. Tea Party Girl is her ode to the original passion of connecting with the hour of tea.

Scone Recipes From A Mix

April 19, 2013 By
Scone

Scone A well prepared “tea party” host or hostess, will always have scone mix on their shelf.   But what is your party calls for a different flavor scone mix then then one you have on hand?  What if you need a savory scone to go with that salad course?

Never fear.  Tea Party Girl is here.

Tea Party Girl recommends always having at least two Victorian House Scones mixes, Oatmeal and Original recipe.  Victorian House comes in a large 16 scone size offering you the option of a double batch.  In addition, Victorian House Scones offers a newly printed Users Guide to Scone Making with Scone Mixes.  This small guide is chocked full of suggestions that will help you customize your scone creation.  The guide also includes a few photos to help you along your way.

Oatmeal Scone Mix will allow you to create the following ideas:

Oatmeal Apple

Oatmeal Apple Cheddar

Mock Irish Soda

Oatmeal Raisin or  Oatmeal Cranberry

Oatmeal Pumpkin

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip

Delicious Scones

Original Scone Recipe is super easy to use.  Here are some fun ideas:

Earl Grey Flavored

Coconut Milk

Winter Squash

Applesauce

Almond Cranberry

Ham and Cheddar

 

Each batch can be custom adapted from the basic scone mix.  You can even divide the dough into halves or fourths and make a series of flavors for your guests.  Original Recipe requires 1 1/2 cup of butter and 1 C buttermilk to form the base of the scone mix.  The user guide makes suggestions on how to add ingredients and customize your flavor profiles.

Want to have some fun?  Host a baking party.  Buy a set of mixes and allow your guests to compete for the most original scone creation.  Bake them together, sample and score, but don’t forget the tea!

Victorian House Scone Mix can be purchased at www.VictorianHouseScones.com

Their User’s Guide is also available on their site and is highly recommended.  Be aware that this is a small guide but it is chocked full of helpful information for both the novice and the advanced scone baker.  Make scones, freeze them and bake when needed.  You will always be prepared with the perfect scone no matter who your guest.

Want more?  Click here FREE downloadable recipe card from Victorian House Scones

 

Have an idea?  Share your favorite scone creation in our comments.

Filed Under: Featured, Tea Party Food

Brewing A Proper English Tea

April 11, 2013 By
tea menu

tea menu

 

Can’t travel to London today?  No problem.  In this post we bring a fine British gentleman to show you how to brew a proper pot of English tea.  I know you will enjoy this demonstration straight from across the pond.  Need some actual British Tea?  I recommend ordering from www.EnglishTeaStore.com  they have a great selection of teas and treats.  My favorite treat is Hob Nobs.  Those tasty oatmeal biscuits covered with chocolate are the perfect partner to a cup of brisk tea.  I also highly recommend English Tea Store’s own Irish Breakfast blend.  This tea is filled with get up and go!

And now for the instructions:

Filed Under: Featured, Tea The Beverage Tagged With: , , , ,

A Funeral Tea – Taking Time To Celebrate A Life Well Lived

April 6, 2013 By
Funeral Tea

Funeral Tea

 

Recently, I experienced three deaths in my family.  The loss of loved ones reminds you to consider the frailty of life and the honor of living side by side.  As I have pondered life, I have also considered the artful mesh of tea and remembrance.  There is something special about pouring a cup of tea and retelling tales of life’s little wonders.  My grandparent’s loved to tell a story over and over again.  Each time they told it they would laugh and sigh in the same spots.  Life was worth living and worth experiencing.

A few weeks ago I flew cross country to visit my last remaining Grandmother. ( I had lost my other grandparents only a month before.)  From the airport we went straight to the tearoom. There, over cups of Irish Breakfast tea we laughed, gobbled scones and licked lemon curd off the back of spoons.  In that moment the world seemed right.  6 days later my beloved Nana passed away suddenly and that priceless moment in the tearoom will forever be etched on my heart.

Here are some simple ways you might remember a loved one over a cup of tea:

 

A Memorial Tea Party -

Gather photos, music, jewelry, china and any other memorabilia that represents the life of the one you loved.   Take time to pour each guest a cup of tea and discuss your memories and the treasures set before you.  Do you remember when that photo was taken?  Where do you remember that painting hanging?  Was that his or her Mother’s china?  Allow the tears to flow and keep filling the teacups, a memorial tea party can stir up emotions as you honor that special someone.

Here is a favorite poem written by Michael Ashby:

A Long Cup Of Tea

Death is too negative for me
So I’ll be popping off
For a long cup of tea
Do splash out
On two bags in the pot
And for my god’s sake
Keep the water hot
Please pick the biggest mug
You can find
Because size really does matter
At this time
I’ll pass on the Lapsang
With that Souchong
And that stuff with bergamot
And stick with my favorite friend
You know the English breakfast blend
Breakfast! thanks for reminding me
There’s just time before I fail
To stand on ceremony
Two rashers of best smoked back
Should keep me smelling sweet
Up the smoke stack
So, mother, put the kettle on for me
It’s time, mother, for my long cup of tea

 

Consider a simple table fare:

 

Traditional Funeral Pie:

Pastry for two-crust pie
2 cups raisins
2 cups water
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 pinch salt
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a pan with half the pastry and chill.

Place the raisins and 2/3 cup of the water in a heavy-bottom saucepan and heat over medium heat for 5 minutes.

Combine the sugars, cornstarch, spices and salt into a bowl and, mixing all the time, slowly add the remaining 1 1/3 cups water. Add this mixture to the heating raisins. Cook and stir this until the mixture begins to bubble. Add the vinegar and butter, and heat until the butter is melted, stirring it in. Cool until just warm. Pour into the prepared shell and top with the second crust.

Bake for 25 minutes or until golden. Cool.

** If raisins aren’t your thing consider using apples instead!**

 

Hearty Tea – Irish Breakfast or Scottish Breakfast.

The bracing strength of an Irish or Scottish breakfast tea pairs well with funeral pie and it adds strength to the atmosphere.  Feel free to serve this with or without sugar and milk.  You may also want to consider serving coffee or a decaf tea along side the pot of tea.

 

Brie-

Brie pairs well with apples, raisins and a hearty tea.  Offer a variety or water crackers and perhaps a bit of apricot jam.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Tea Party Girl Thoughts, Tea Party Themes Tagged With: ,

Simple Tea Latte’s You Can Make At Home

April 6, 2013 By
Tea latte

Tea latte

 

Dear Tea Fans,

It is time again for a series of recipes.  These recipes are designed for making simple tea lattes in your home.  A latte is a term used for “coffee milk” but in this case we will be using tea and milk instead.  Feel free to replace traditional milk for soy or even almond or rice.  You will have to experiment and see what tastes best to you.   Lattes can be served hot or poured over ice (if all ingredients are already cool.)  The recipes included are pretty easy but for some inspiration here is a super cool video on latte art!  Don’t start here but get some fun ideas!

 

 

Now here are some recipes:

 

Earl Grey Hot or Iced Latte

8 ounces of strongly brewed hot Earl Grey Tea
4 ounces milk (could be soy)
3 tbs Vanilla or Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup

Pour hot tea into serving cup.  Stir in syrup, steam milk
and add it to cup.  Stir and top.

If you wish to ice it start with cold tea and add cold milk
frothed into the cup.  Stir.

—
Simple Indian Milk Tea

Experiment with the one cup concept of creating personalized
chai.  This recipe is an example but you can offer a variety of
spice options and customize it to the individual.

For one cup tea :

2 tsp Indian black tea (finally cut)
2/3 cups water
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 cardomom or small piece of crushed ginger
1 teaspoon sugar or stevia

Put tea in disposable filter in water and let it boil vigorously for 5 minutes. Pour in milk and add sugar. Let it boil until the milk rises.
Add crushed cardomom pods or ginger.
Serve hot.

In Indian style:
For better taste, tea should be boiled for long time. The more you boil, the more creamy it will be. The amount of sugar can be varied with your taste. (the Indian’s drink it SWEET)

- – -

Masala Spice Chai Latte

Ingredients:

3 – 4 Tea Spoons Darjeeling
A chunk of dry ginger (or fresh ginger if dry isn’t handy)
3 – 4 cardmom pods, crushed (See Note below)
3 Cloves
Small piece of cinnamon
A Tsp of SOANP
(I don’t know the name. Can be found at Indian grocers. Also indian restaurants keep this for your pleasure after dinner. Looks like cummin seeds)

1 or 2 whole black peppers (optional)
Sugar to taste
Milk (atleast Vitamin D, low fat won’t do)

Brewing:

Bring 2 cups of water to boil (microwave or otherwise). Add all the ingredients and boil again for about 15 seconds. Let stand for a minute. Warm milk in a pot.

Filter tea into cups.

Add milk and sugar. That’s IT.

If you don’t like to spend much time, mix all the spices and coarsley grind them. Boil water and add tea and a tsp of this ground spices. Rest is as above.

Note: Since cardmom is expensive, I peel them and add the skin to my stock of tea leaves. This gives a distinct aroma. Of course you boil the skin with water.

- – -

HOT PEPPERMINT & CREAM

A dollop of sweet whipped cream, nutmeg and a little chocolate are the perfect topping for a warm cup of peppermint tea.

SERVINGS: 4

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups    Freshly Brewed Peppermint Tea
½ cup    Heavy Cream
2 tsp    Sugar
Ground Nutmeg
Grated Semisweet or Powdered Chocolate

DIRECTIONS:
Briefly heat the strained, steeped mint tea in a small saucepan over medium heat, until bubbles form at the edge of the pan. Whip the cream in a small bowl, adding the sugar gradually, until the cream is stiff. Pour the mint tea into a cup, then top with cream, nutmeg and chocolate.

HELPFUL TIPS:
Don’t allow the tea to steep too long or the tea will be too strong for most tastes. If too strong, add a shot of hot boiling water.

- – -

Mint Tea Latte

INGREDIENTS
2 teaspoons black loose-leaf tea
8 ounces filtered water
2-3 fresh spearmint leaves (with stems)
4 ounces whole milk
1 teaspoon unrefined (raw) sugar (gives better taste)

INSTRUCTIONS
Bring the water to a boil (let sit for a few minutes to prevent burning the tea). Place loose-leaf tea, mint, and sugar in a French press (or tea pot), add the hot water, stir, and let steep for about five minutes.
Froth milk, add to tea, and pour in a large mug.

If using the tea pot method, strain tea in a large mug and enjoy.

—

Green Matcha Latte

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 matcha green tea powder
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup low fat soy milk
2 TBS sugar or stevia or ??

Mix all ingredients together with handheld frother and serve
over the top of ice.  Remember that a little matcha can go along
way to be sure to taste test this first and make sure the porportions
are right for the type of matcha you are using.

–

Snickerdoodle Delight Latte

1 OZ Torani Cinnamon Vanilla Syrup
1 Cup Milk
1/2 cup of black tea brewed strong  (enough leaf for 1-2 cups)

Steam the milk and the syrup together and froth.  Add the hot tea.
Pour into a cup and add the froth on top.

This can also be done cold if all ingredients are kept cold!

 

Filed Under: Featured, Tea Party Girl Thoughts, Tea The Beverage Tagged With: , ,

Tea Review – Try Something New

February 11, 2013 By
SAMSUNG

 Tea Drawer

 Is There Such A Thing As Too Much Tea?  NO!

Dear Tea Friends,

My drawers are currently FILLED with tea.  I have been sampling tea till it comes out my ears, in order to write this article for you.   Are you ready to try a new tea?  Are you ready to support a small tea company?  Do you need a special birthday, Valentine or St. Paddy’s gift?  If so, this article is for you.   Here are the simple steps I would like you to take.

 

Step #1 – Read the article and decide what sounds yummy!

Step #2- Order it and support the vendor mentioned. (tell them you read about them on Tea Party Girl)  Don’t wait.  Take action.

2012_darjeeling_first_flush_sourenee_black_tea_dry_leaves_1

 

 

 http://www.darjeelingteaxpress.com/

 

 

The first company to send  me teas was Darjeeling TeaXpress.  They sent only Darjeeling and it came straight from India to my home in Kansas. (pretty cool).  I enjoyed a variety of their first and second flush offerings and it is surely some of the freshest tea I have ever reviewed.

Here’s a bit about the company:

DarjeelingTeaXpress is a Darjeeling based progressive Tea Brand with a singular focus on delivering the best Darjeeling Teas to tea connoisseurs and consumers worldwide. Founded by tea entrepreneurs with a strong knowledge about the Darjeeling tea industry, DarjeelingTeaXpress was started with a vision of sharing authentic Darjeeling teas with the world, the way it was meant to be enjoyed- a fresh cup of the highest quality.

The aim at DarjeelingTeaXpress is to reach as many customers, consumers and Tea Connoisseurs as they can all around the world. It is their passion to share our Darjeeling teas in their freshest and finest state so that customers get full value for their money and can enjoy a cup of tea to its fullest anytime of the day.

DarjeelingTeaXpress  is a brand that believes in innovation and we took the first step in reaching our customers personally by creating the first online tea store dedicated only to Darjeeling Teas at highly reasonable prices. It is the perfect place for tea connoisseurs, retailers, wholesalers and tea lovers who only want the best Darjeeling teas.

The teas:

I was sent a set of samples each from specific plantations in Darjeeling.  Giddapahar, Goomtee, Sourenee Blossom, Gopaldhara.  They sent a variety of types including first and second flush, green and black muscatel.  The teas were exceptionally fresh and even an untrained palate would be able to enjoy the different tastes of each region.

My personal favorite was the Sourenee Blossom – Special Black Muscatel.  This single estate tea stood out from the rest.  It has a natural sweetness and a flowery scent.  It is very smooth and mellow with an astringent finish.  This means it is a great cup of tea for any afternoon gathering you might have.

Here is the link to this tea: http://www.darjeelingteaxpress.com/2012-darjeeling-first-flush-sourenee-bio-organic-black-tea.html

If it is out of stock try another tea from the Sourenee region.  You will be very satisfied!

 

red-hot-chai-tea

WWW.THETEASPOT.COM

The Tea Spot, known for unique tea innovations, was the second company on my list.  Based in Colorado, the Tea Spot has had products and teas featured in Oprah’s magazine and all over the media.  They have a fun approach to tea and they sent me some flavored teas perfect for the winter months.  I love their “steepware” particularly the no drip teapot and their super cool, steep and go.

In addition to cook steeping products they also carry a full line of quality teas.  I personally sampled their Harvest Spice and their Red Hot Chai both of which would be fantastic hot or iced.

Harvest Spice is a limited edition product originally designed for the holidays but honestly, this tea makes ANY DAY a holiday.  Imagine a cup of black tea wrapped in layers of orange peel, cinnamon and cloves.  The aroma is simply heavenly.  The tea tastes fresh and flavorful and over ice becomes exceptionally refreshing.  You can order Harvest Spice at: http://theteaspot.com/black-spiced-tea.html  but remember it is a limed edition.  SO ACT NOW!

Red Hot Chai is perfect for those of you who love spice but want to avoid caffeine.  This Chai blend uses Rooibos as its base so there is no caffeine only natural, healthy antioxidants.  This herbal blend has a spicy kick that again would be great iced or hot.  Filled with ginger, cinnamon, cardamon, cinnamon and a splash of vanilla, Red Hot Chai indulges your Chai cravings without all the calories.  You can order Red Hot Chai at http://theteaspot.com/red-hot-spiced-chai.html .  This herbal tea is also a limited edition.

Personally, I liked the Harvest Spice, iced with a touch of stevia.  YUM.

 

teaconnemaramorning-2WWW.TRAILLODGETEA.COM

Lastly, our featured advertiser, Trail Lodge Tea, sent me a great collection of unique samples.  Trail Lodge Tea not only offers fantastic products but one of their teas help support a mission work in Mexico! ( which makes it even more special).  Trail Lodge main emphasis is Fair Trade and cause related tea programs which makes buying from them extra special.

March is right around the corner and with it comes, St. Paddy’s Day.  As an Irish decedent I love celebrating afternoon tea on March 17th so what could be better than offering my guests Connemara Morning from Trail Lodge Tea.  Connemara Morning is an Indian black tea with a splash or Irish cream flavor and a dash of Shamrock sprinkles.  This tea is not only fun to serve your guests, it makes a terrific party favor for each and every Irish wannabe!  You can order Connemara Morning at http://www.traillodgetea.com/Connemara_Morning_p/teaconnemaramorning.htm

My favorite tea from Trail Lodge is their Mexican Cocoa Rooibos which is extremely unique.  It blends Rooibos, Honeybush, Mexican Cacao and a kick of chili!  This tea will wake your taste buds up naturally.   Drink this tea hot or iced and remember that each and every cup gives back to the Ninos De Mexico charity.  http://ninosdemexico.org/   The tea is available at http://www.traillodgetea.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=cocoa+rooibos.  

 

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