In celebration of their second birthday, the ladies of Empress Tea have thrown down the gauntlet with a battle for my favorite tea tales.

I have been an enjoyer of tea for a very long time.

The Old

Since my early twenties my “go to” cup of tea is a knockoff from the English. I prefer to make my own cup of tea and often request when a guest in friend’s homes that I be allowed to make my own cup of tea. First, there is no dainty English bone china for me. I use a BIG round cup with a sturdy handle. The first step is to warm the cup by filling half full with hot water. Cold water is put in the kettle and allowed to boil. Just as the kettle water is coming to the boil, the hot water in the cup is poured out. In goes an Orange Pekoe black tea bag and the fresh boiled water. This is steeped until a dark rich color is achieved and then I use the back of a spoon to squeeze all the goodness left remaining in the bag. A teaspoon of agave syrup or coconut palm sugar is added along with enough warmed milk to make a light brown brew. For the last forty plus years, this cup of tea is how I finish my evening meal. On occasion, I have added brandy, rum or instead of the warm milk an ample shot of Baileys! Yummy and addictive!

My favorite cup of tea

At Work – Green Tea

Throughout my work day, I am sipping on a mug filled with a brew of green teas. One of the first duties of the morning along with opening the window blinds is heating the kettle for my first cup of tea. I have a varied selection and depending on my mood or stress level, the choice will be different in the morning than in the afternoon. Lately, my favorite has been “Island Mango and Peach”.

My tea selection at work

The New

This past Fall in Europe, I was introduced to a new way to enjoy mint tea and now in Canada, whenever I can find fresh mint, I enjoy several cups of mint tea. In Brussels, at one of my daughter’s favorite cafes, I watched as a clear glass mug was stuffed with fresh mint leaves and brought to the table with a pot of hot water and lemon wedges on the side. I find this cup of tea very refreshing and soothing. Today, I was able to find some mint and am enjoying this refreshing cup of tea as I write this blog.

A new favorite – Mint tea

There ladies of Empress Tea is my tale of the savoring of tea! I have enjoyed all of your musings over the past year. Happy 2nd birthday!!