Tea Lovers Festival; May 5, 2013

 TEA LOVERS FESTIVAL 

California's Premiere Tea Festival since 2006

www.TeaLoversFestival.com

 Facebook.com/TeaLoverFest ~ info@TeaLoversFestival.com

310 699 7271

The Tea Lovers Festival takes place this year 

from May 3rd through May 28th, 2013.

A month long celebration 

of the love of tea in Los Angeles.

The Main Event is on 

Sunday, May 5th

from 11am - 5pm

at the Armory Center for the Arts

145 North Raymond Avenue

Pasadena, CA 91103

Included at the event is:

 TEA LOVERS MARKETPLACE

Select tea-related Exhibitors showcase 

their unique products

for all attending tea lovers,

with Art of Tea, Bird Pick, Libre Tea,

Numi Tea, Zhena's Gypsy Tea & more...

TEA LABS

12 NOON - The Teaware Challenge (1hr15min)

$15.00 in advance*

 1:45pm & 2:30pm - Reading Tea Leaves (30 mins)

$10 in advance*

>>>3:30pm - CREATING A MEMORABLE 

TEA PARTY (1hr30min)

with me!

$20 in advance*

*space is limited to 12 attendees

this price includes the General Admission fee,

entrance into the Tea Marketplace,

and the 5 Tea Studies

TEA STUDIES

Everything you wanted to know about tea . . .

11:45am - Organic & Fair Trade 

1:15pm - Teas from Darjeeling

2pm - Teas from Korea

2:45pm - Teas from Taiwan

3:30pm - Savory Teas

GENERAL ADMISSION

$10 in ADVANCE ( if purchased through May 4)

$20 at the DOOR (includes a $10 coupon 

for our Tea Marketplace)

FREE for Children under 12

Be sure to register in advance.  Hope to see you there!

ART-TEA PARIS TOUR, an invitation ...

     

Love tea?  Love Paris in the Fall?

Would you love to have TEA in PARIS this Fall?

SEPTEMBER 28 - OCTOBER 4, 2013 

SOLD OUT!

please check back for 2014 dates

We have partnered with GO AHEAD TOURS, a major international travel company

to offer you a group travel package of 7 - 9 days in Paris

with the option of exploring the city on your own,

OR

take a 4 day, ART-TEA PARIS WALKING TOUR through us, PAPER ARCHITECT (teapartyworkshop.com and this blog is a subsidiary of PAPER ARCHITECT).

This walking tour will include each day

visiting a museum, a garden and a tea room in a specific area of Paris

where you will learn about the personality of that arrondisment/neighborhood.

We will be limiting this tour to no more than 12 people

to create a more intimate group of visitors to Paris.

GO AHEAD TOURS provides the travel arrangements at a group rate  --

airfare, hotel, shuttles to/from airport, welcome dinner, 

on-site travel assistance in Paris and rewards membership.

Their travel package is called Paris City Stay.

To calculate travel costs and review travel details and policies

visit our site at:  http://paperarchitect.grouptoursite.com/#travel-guide

To learn about our 4 day walking tour, click on:

https://www.paperarchitect.com/ART-TEA_PARIS_TOUR.php

We also have a TRAVEL SOLO TO PARIS blog 

that will post information about the trip and all things Paris.

www.travelsolotoparis.blogspot.com

This is your chance to not only see Paris 

but to share your love of tea with others

who  have the same interests.

Solo travels can be paired for hotel arrangements 

to save on supplemental charges.

You may be traveling solo but you will not be alone.

This could be a life changing experience.

PARIS, TEA, art and atmosphere.

You will see just why this city is so loved

in an intimate setting.

No large tour buses, heavy traffic, 

short, limited visits to lovely places,

rushed from site to site.

This is a more relaxed immersion into the Parisian culture.

A conference call will be scheduled in February 

to present the information on both the GO AHEAD TOUR travel details

and the ART-TEA PARIS WALKING TOUR.

Details will be posted here, 

on the PAPER ARCHITECT website:  

https://www.paperarchitect.com/ART-TEA_PARIS_TOUR.php

and

on the TRAVEL SOLO TO PARIS blog:

www.travelsolotoparis.blogspot.com

This customized tour can create or continue 

a love affair with Paris .... and tea.

Come join us!

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!

TEA PARTY PLANNING WORKSHOP

We've announced the exciting news

about the pop-up event at ROYAL/T

before they close their doors at the end of July. 

  

We've described their afternoon tea menu

to get an idea of what will be served at the event.

    

Now let's talk about the workshop portion of the event.

     

Our

'ULTIMATE' TEA PARTY PLANNING

WORKSHOP EVENT

has been updated to be sure you have

current, useful and best options.

    

We will go over all the details

that give tea parties their unique ability to slow us down

and enjoy the moment while sipping tea

and communicating face to face in this time-honored ceremony.

    

Over the years of exploring teas,

sampling afternoon tea fare at multiple tea rooms

as well as using these experiences

to tweak, flip and design my own tea parties. 

Loving every aspect of the planning stage,

making sure no detail is overlooked

so my guests will have a magical, memorable tea party.

    

Instead of being overwhelmed by all the information shared,

you will find yourself opening up to possibilities

you never knew were available.

    

I will show you how planning your tea event

is as much fun as the actual tea party.

   

Each workshop allows for the participants to ask questions

so even though we make sure all the agenda items are covered

we may spend a little extra time

on specific areas of particular interest.

As a result, each workshop is a little different.

    

Examples of the many aspects to consider when planning

will be shown and you will receive

various handouts including an agenda, recipes, and tips

... and a few little surprises you will enjoy.

    

Check out what other attendees have said about the workshop at:

https://teapartyworkshop.com/About_Us

    

Parties are fun but tea parties, you will find,

are something special

because of the details that go into planning one.

Details make all the difference!

    

So join our next

'ULTIMATE' TEA PARTY

Workshop Event

July 21, 2012 from 10 - noon

at ROYAL/T in Culver City.

    

Limited spaces are available so sign up before it's too late

RSVP at:  http://royaltworkshop.eventbrite.com/

    

See previous posts for event's menu and details.

MENU for July 21st 'Ultimate' Tea Party Workshop Event

ROYAL/T has a French-Japanese influenced menu,

with over twenty tea choices and Afternoon Tea. 

I have sampled their afternoon tea

and it is a step up from the basic

cucumber and egg salad sandwich choices. 

Instead, I was served an avocado tower
topped with tuna tartare
open face sandwich on grilled bread
and sprinkled with wasabi micro greens.  

Two variations of their grilled vegetable panini,

which alternated portobello mushrooms, eggplant,
zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers

and mozzarella with a basil pesto dressing
and fresh arugula. 

The fourth selection was
smoked salmon and herb butter. 

Hardly boring and very tasty.

Their cranberry scone was flavorful and moist,

studded generously with cranberries

and served with a fruit-flavored cream. 

It was one of the best scones I've ever tasted.

The dessert was not the usual cookies or slice of cake. 

Instead you are treated to a trio of
creamy, rich cheesecake,

decadent, super moist, chocolaty brownie,

and a perfectly cooked vanilla bean flan

amidst fresh, plump raspberries, blueberries,
blackberries and strawberries, oh, my. 

The tea list here offers classic and modern choices --

all loose leaf ... real tea (not tea bags)

and brewed perfectly in your own little pot. 

Include with Afternoon Tea is 
their signature ROYAL/T Milk Tea,

a unique combination of black tea with rose petals,
pieces of fruit and vanilla brewed in soy milk. 

The perfect complement to the meal.

Their 3 tier serving tray holds a delectable and
original afternoon tea
that will leave your taste buds dazzled

and make you feel like royalty. 

I doubt you will every experience afternoon tea

like this anywhere else.

So join us at 

The 'ULTIMATE' TEA PARTY Workshop Event

at ROYAL/T
before they close their doors at the end of the month.

It takes place on Saturday, July 21st
from 10 to noon. 

Savour the cuisine
while learning how to create your own

one-of-a-kind tea party. 

Space is limited to make sure you
reserve your spot at:
http://royaltworkshop.eventbrite.com/

For additional details, see the previous post for links.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - Pop-Up Event July 21st

We invite you to join us for a special pop-up event to take place on Saturday, July 21st at the ROYAL-T in Culver City.

ROYAL-T is an unique concept combining an art gallery, gift shop, cafe and event space.  Over the past several years they have hosted many events and developed a following for their gourmet cafe fare. Unfortunately, the doors will be closing to this special place in August.

PAPER ARCHITECT and ROYAL-T have joined together

for one time only before they close their doors to co-host

THE 'ULTIMATE' TEA PARTY

WORKSHOP EVENT.



You will be served ROYAL-T's afternoon tea meal with a pot of their special blend tea while learning about all the many aspects that go into planning a magical, memorable tea party your guests will always remember.

It will be a fun-filled two hour tea party with delicious gourmet food and tea and lots of information to inspire you to host your own fabulous tea party. 

Details are as follows: 

DATE:  Saturday, July 21, 2012

TIME:  10am to noon

COST:  $50 for both afternoon tea and tea party workshop

LOCATION:  ROYAL-T              www.royal.org

8910 Washington Blvd. 

Culver City, CA  90232

RSVP through:  http://royaltworkshop.eventbrite.com/
Space is limited and filling quickly.

PARKING:  limited parking is available in their lot located behind the space on Lindblade...

look for the Crown on the sign

or park at the large MetroLink parking lot

at the corner of National Blvd. and Washington Blvd.

just up the street from ROYAL-T

or metered street parking

METROLINK:  there is a MetroLink Blue Line stop at

National Blvd. and Washington Blvd.

if you prefer to take public transportation.

To learn more about PAPER ARCHITECT, go to:  www.paperarchitect.com

SUMMER TIME CELEBRATING

Not only is the month of June National Iced Tea Month, but it also marks the start of summer -- known as Summer Solstice which takes place on June 20th this year.

Summer is sunshine, beaches, longer days, celebrating the season outdoors and on vacations.

The refreshment most popular for quenching your thirst is Iced Tea in numerous varieties to sit back and sip.

There is:

• BASIC BLACK -- and like the little black dress, goes with everything.  A dark, rich hue of golden brown liquid, chilled with plenty of ice and sweetened to your liking.
• SWEET TEA -- Southern style iced tea.  Obviously known by its name for it being sweetened when made.  (more on this tea in the previous post)
• PASSION FRUIT -- has grown in popularity so much so that it is listed as a choice on many menus at restaurants and cafes alike.  A satisfying fruity tea that has subtle sweetness from the passion fruit.
• ARNOLD PALMER -- a brilliant blending of black tea and lemonade.  The best is when fresh ingredients are used and the ratios balanced so the tea flavor enhances the tart lemon flavor.  Thank you Arnold Palmer for creating this delicious concoction.
• GREEN TEA -- its bright and grassy flavor blends well with fruit flavors.  My personal favorite is green tea and blueberry served at Maria's Italian Kitchen or the Japanese Cherry Green Tea available at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.
• WHITE TEA -- has come into vogue with its health attributes being touted as "THE best."  Its light, subtle flavor makes it so easy to add a blending of flavors.  Peach and pear work well.
• Then there black teas like Oolong, Darjeeling, Earl Grey served straight up or custom blended.
• ICE PICK -- speaking of cocktail speak, years ago, my sister and I came up with a drink we call Ice Pick.  A mix of sweetened iced black tea with vodka.  It was a smash at our company's softball games.  Now vodkas come in flavors to mix and match with tea ... black, green, or white,  gives you more serving options.
• HERBAL TEAS -- although not considered a true tea as they are not from the tea plant Camellia Sinesis but made up of herbs.  Flavors like mint, lemon, chamomile and ginger are refreshing.  And red tea -- roobus, a South African herbal tea has a sweet, slightly nutty taste.  Any of these herbal teas blend well with real tea.

And like that little black dress, the accessories that complement your tea are important to complete the ensemble and create the perfect sip.

~~ SWEETENERS -- real sugar, organic sugar cane, agave sweetener, simple syrup, honey - plain or flavored and the imitation sweeteners. 
~~ ICE -- essential component to keep it icy cold; large or small cubes, cubes made from tea or juice, cubes with fruit or mint leaf frozen inside, tubular shaped, crushed, or flavored ice. 

~~ GARNISHES -- a lemon slice, an easy and worthwhile accent.  But think beyond the beloved lemon.  Depending on the flavor of the tea, complement it with a garnish of fruit or herbs to brighten the flavors, like a sprig of mint, raspberries, lime, orange, cucumber or apple slice.  Maybe sprinkle a little cinnamon or nutmeg when you brew it or a dash of vanilla or almond flavoring. 

There are so many choices, and just a few have been named here.  Experiment and see how your favorite flavors can inspire your own signature iced tea.

Enjoy your summer with lots of refreshingly yummy iced tea and share it with someone you love!