Matcha Madness

Recently, I sampled an assortment of matcha-infused drinks and foods.

From Donut Monster: This delicious donut has a matcha-infused glaze.

From Foundy Ice Cream: Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream

(I am single-handedly keeping Foundry Ice Cream in business).

 This was one of the best matcha ice cream that I've had! 

I could have devoured a pint in one sitting, but I restrained myself.

 From a friend: A tasty sample of Lipton's "Magnificent Matcha" green tea with ginger.

From Starbucks: I took advantage of Starbucks' promos of their new Teavana Tea Lattes (50% off  from 3-6 pm, March 2-5) to try out their new Matcha Tea Latte described as, "A vegetal and smooth blend from Japan, China and Korea."

Do you drink matcha teas?

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Tea with Friends

Five on February

Since my post are scheduled on Mondays, I never participated in the (now defunct) Five on Friday linky parties. Brenda and Lorrie's recent posts inspired me to use this format to summarize the February happenings around here.

1. I finally went to Terra's Winter Market. I was too busy gawking at the plethora of baked goods, produce, specialty food items, and crafts to photograph the booths. But I did snap a photo of this pretty display of orchids.

2. I enjoyed a belated birthday luncheon at a Korean restaurant (YUM!). My friends gifted me this beautiful card and fun teapot puzzles. I will be sharing the third part of their gift on this blog soon...

3. I finally visited Mizener's Antiques and More Market which had 5 (!) different buildings filled with antiques, kitsch, etc. I didn't take any photos but you can see examples of what the vendors are selling here. My mom was my shopping buddy and bought this adorable Bavarian tea set for me as a Valentine's Day gift.

4. Another win for February: this charming Nice Cuppa Calendar photo calendar was my prize from Sylvia's SMD Paper Arts Blog Giveaway. Visit Sylvia's blog to check out her other photo calendars. Thank you, Sylvia!

5. I'm not much of a gardener so I don't know why I made an impulsive visit to the local garden  centre. But I'm glad that I did because I found these super cute teacup planters. I took advantage of the store's 20% off promotion and purchased a purple planter (the lighting makes it look blue in the photo). Any suggestions on what to plant?  

February, I hardly knew you!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Tea with Friends

February Holiday Tea Times

My colleagues and I couldn't let Valentine week pass without having another tea social.

Red Rose's sweet strawberry cheesecake herbal tea was served in dainty teacups.

 

The savories and sweets brought in by my colleagues.

When a co-worker gifted my mom with some "good teas from China", she naturally passed it on to her tea-loving daughter! Since the package labels were all in Chinese, I couldn't read what type of black tea it was.

I thought that the Lunar New Year was the perfect time to brew some of this mystery tea in my Asian-style tea-for-one set.This handless teacup has a generous capacity (similar to a mug). The black tea smelled and tasted malty.

Did you celebrate these February holidays?

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Tea with Friends

Pinks and Reds

When the calendar flipped to February, I brought out my red and pink teawares.

Pretty in pink

I have "Big Love" for Emma Bridgewater.

The tea for one set was a present from an aunt who purchased it in Asia.

I 💓 this tea set!

"With hearts...the best thing you can do is Invite someone in, make them some tea 

and Secretly hope they don't break anything."

The quote is funny because it's a little true.

This beautiful Royal Albert Old Country Tea set was from the people who love me best: 

my parents!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Friends Sharing Tea

Belated Birthday Celebrations and Gifts

Last month, I turned another year older.

My talented aunt baked me this gorgeous strawberry shortcake. 

It tasted as amazing as it looked!

Photo Credit: My Friend

I finally had afternoon tea at Tea at the White House's new location. 

This was a joint birthday celebration with my friend. We both selected dessert-inspired herbal teas. Donut herbal (top right) tasted sweet and nutty, while the chocolate covered strawberry herbal tea (bottom left) was a delicious, fruity tea (this was my favourite).

The pretty tea-themed birthday cards.

The 5-year-old daughter of my friend (from the afternoon tea)--without any hints from her mom--selected this cute teacup image for my birthday card and even coloured the teacup in my favourite colour: purple!

My family and friends showered me with tea-themed gifts again!

This charming teapot is the perfect addition to my collection. 

I'll have to share my 3 elephant teapots one day.

How adorable is this Chip mug?!?

A tea infuser bottle.

Teas! Teas! Teas!

A crafty friend handmade this super cute cozy. 

Can you see the embroidered teacup on the back?

Lovely teabag holders in my favourite hues: turquoise and purple.

These pretty paper plates and napkins are almost too pretty to use!

Ditto for these notecards!

Purple strikes again: an embroidered tea towel.

An interesting historical book on tea.

I'm hooked on this present!

A reusable bag featuring teacups and teapots.

I'm beyond grateful to my generous and thoughtful family and friends for the fabulous gifts!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Friends Sharing Tea

January Blues

On National Hot Tea Day (Jan 12), we had the first office tea social of 2018.

People brought their own cups. I brewed the Madeleine Cookie black tea by Monarch Tea which was a hit! Our tea was accompanied by a box of Girl Guide chocolate mint cookies and good conversation. It was a simple, but fun tea.

When my relatives came over to my place last weekend, I used my Blue Willow tea sets for our tea. Over the years, I've managed to collect 12 tea sets (one cup is missing a saucer) by different makers (e.g., Churchill England, Crown Clarence, Johnson Brothers).

I've also acquired a few mugs by Sadler.

The tea set on the right is a modern reproduction by Johnson Brothers.

I used my new "Drink Me" teapot to serve green tea.

My "Celebrate Life" teapot served the black tea.

Enjoy the last few days of Hot Tea Month!

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Friends Sharing Tea

Tonia's Birthday Cake Black Tea

This month, I tried Tonia's Birthday Cake black tea by Steeped Tea, a local direct-selling tea company that has expanded across Canada and the US. Steeped Tea's Founder and President, Tonia, is also a January baby.

Tonia's Birthday Cake tea is supposed to taste like black forest cake. The label listed the following ingredients: black tea, sour cherry, cocoa bean bits, cocoa bean peels, almonds, rose blossom leaves, strawberry, safflower, natural flavors.

I stepped the tea for the recommended 3-minute time in my Royal Albert's polka blue tea for one set.

The breakfast cup is about twice the size of a standard teacup so fewer refills are required!

Tonia's Birthday Cake tea smelled wonderful.

My sweet tooth enjoyed the combined chocolate and fruit flavours in this dessert tea.

I also tasted a slight astringency so next time I'll try it with some milk. 

Do you drink dessert teas?

I'm joining the following parties this week:

Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Friends Sharing Tea