NATIONAL HOT TEA MONTH 2014

JANUARY is

A hot cup of tea is like medicine for the soul

It can soothe or energize, enhance your health

and especially during the chilly winter days/nights of January,

warm you up -- morning, noon or night.

Her are a few suggestions for honoring National Hot Tea Month:

<  Be bold and try a new flavor of tea to expand your taste buds.

<  Take a break from your daily routine and treat yourself to afternoon tea by visiting a new tea room.  Even better, invite someone to share the experience.

<  Throw a tea party and share your love of tea.

<  Take inventory of your tea selections, teacups, teapots and accessories. 

Browse a tea shop and find some nice addition to your collection.

<  Make a dish that calls for tea as one of the ingredients.

<  Check on tea events for the month or sign up for a tea class before the year is over.

Enjoy a cup, or a pot of hot tea any time you need a little lift, whether it's Hot Tea Month or not.

 

JOINING HOT TEA MONTH and CHINESE NEW YEAR

This year (2014), National Hot Tea Month and Chinese New Year 

fall on the same month so I am celebrating both events with this recipe for 

CHINESE TEA LEAF EGGS.

CHINESE TEA LEAF EGGS (Chinese New Year recipe)
This recipe combines hard-boiled eggs with the subtle flavor of anise and the deep brown hues of black tea and soy.
The cracked patterns from the broken shells make these quite attractive!
You can eat them sliced in quarters or rounds and chilled as a side dish, appetizer or snack.
Or if you wish to use them to celebrate Hot Tea Month, serve them in tea sandwiches.   

Yield: 8 whole eggs that can be sliced into smaller portions

INGREDIENTS

• 8 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups water
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon black soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons black tea leaves
• 2 pods star anise
• 1 (2 inch) piece cinnamon stick
• 1 tablespoon tangerine zest

DIRECTIONS

>>In a large saucepan, combine eggs and 1 teaspoon salt; cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, drain, and cool. When cool, tap eggs with the back of a spoon to crack shells (do not remove shells).

>>In a large saucepan, combine 3 cups water, soy sauce, black soy sauce, salt, tea leaves, star anise, cinnamon stick, & tangerine zest. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, & simmer for 3 hours. Remove from heat, add eggs, & let steep for at least 8 hours.

TEA PAIRING SUGGESTIONS
Since we are celebrating Chinese New Year, it is only natural you would want to pair these eggs with Chinese teas.   

National Hot Tea Month - January 2013

January is the perfect month to celebrate National Hot Tea Month.  The weather is cold and a nice hot cup of your favorite tea will warm you right up.  It's a comfort drink.

Tea Time Magazine has a great list of suggestions for enjoying National Hot Tea Month to the fullest.

• Host a tea in your home.  Invite at least one person who has never experienced afternoon tea.
• Give the gift of tea.  Place your favorite tea in a pretty cup, and present it to a friend who isn't an avid tea drinker.
• Try a new flavor, blend or type at least once a week.  To ensure the best taste, pay special attention to the recommended water temperature and infusion time.  (see older post here:  Brewing Times for Tea; 1/27/12)
• Treat yourself to a high-quality tea, such as an oolong.  Although these teas are more expensive ounce for ounce, you can steep the leaves multiple times, making them cheaper cup for cup.
• have a tea tasting.  Prepare three or four teas to sample.  Our staff once tasted different brands of Earl Grey tea.  It was interesting to note the flavor variations.
• Keep a tea journal.  As you try different teas, write down your impressions.  (purchase handcrafted tea journals at our etsy shop:  www.etsy.com/shop/wwwpaperarchitectcom)
• Visit your local tearooms.  If you have even one in your area, you are most fortunate.  Please support it.

To read the full article and find more tea information, go to:
http://www.teatimemagazine.com/content.aspx?id=26487

Have a wonderful month of delicious tea!