Murchie's Tea Gift and Answers to Readers

After posting about my tea gift of Murchie's 1894 Select Tea on Sunday night, I brewed a pot on Monday morning.

Why not brew it on Sunday night?  Because it is a blend of Assam and Ceylon Black Teas. 

I usually drink something a little more "mild" in the evening with a less caffeine.

Assam Tea, grown in the Assam area of India is most often sold as a "breakfast tea", English Breakfast, Irish Breakfast and Scottish Breakfast.  It is a full-bodied, bold black tea, with a malty favor and strong bright burgandy-red color. 

For this Select Tea, Murchie's blended the Assam with a Ceylon black tea, grown in Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon. 

Ceylon Black Tea is known for it's crisp aroma reminiscent of citrus. 

Yesterday's comments from readers included:

Mom Walds Place: Was it good?

Yes, it is a nice strong black tea reminiscent of teas I have enjoyed in small village English tea rooms where they serve mostly Assam or Ceylon teas.

This cuppa tea brought back a lot of memories!

Marie: likes Irish Breakfast Tea

Marie, you would enjoy this tea, as Assam is sold as an Irish Breakfast tea.

Ruth: loves to visit Murchie's in Victoria, BC

I first learned of Murchie's Teas from a friend who frequents the Victoria shop. I regret we didn't have time to visit that location on our one day tour of Victoria.  I have heard it is delightful.

Angela:  the gift-giver must have known I am a tea purist

Anytime I participate in a Tea Swap, I make it clear that I am allergic to many spices, herbs, and floral additions to tea. 

Rose Hips in most herbals and other blends would send me to the ER. 

You know me well, Angela! 

Note to tea newbies:

There is a little tea education in this post. 

Did you know many teas are named for the location in which they are grown?

A Gift of Tea

I recently participated in a tea gift exchange with an online tea discussion group of which I am a member.

Among the items I received was this box of Murchie's 1894 Tea. 

The box contains 75 Select Orange Pekoe (peck-o) 2-cup Tea Bags.

What is Orange Pekoe Tea?

It is explained on the back of the box.  Orange Pekoe has nothing to do with orange flavor. 

It refers to the cut of the leaf. 

This tea is a blend of black tea imported from Assam and Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

Murchie's Tea and Coffee Ltd.is located in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada. 

Storing Teacups

Denise, a tea friend living in England, recently showed a photo of storing teacups and saucers. 

The first time I saw this method was on my first trip to England in 1995.

The funny thing is I can tell you exactly where I was when I saw this method, but couldn't remember exactly how it was done.  Since then, I've been laying teacups on their side sort of snuggled together, but just didn't get it correctly.

Thanks Denise for sharing this method in a photo. 

The teacups above were the last gift purchased for me by my dear Aunt Ida.

They are not valuable in price, but are priceless in sentimental value. 

Proud Mom of a Stockpiling Mom

I am so proud of Daughter #1, Melissa, (left in the photo) and her business partner Shelley (on the right). 

We visited Melissa and family on Saturday when the above article appeared on the front page of the NKY Life section of the Kentucky Enquirer newspaper. 

On Monday, the Stockpiling Moms were on the Cincinnati Fox Network morning show being interviewed about a series of couponing classes at Cincinnati area libraries, and their recently published book,

Savvy Saving: Couponing Secrets From the Stockpiling Moms.

The book is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kindle, various Walmarts, Sam's Clubs and other book stores. 

Indiana Glass Sandwich Pattern Bowl

This is the second part of my Christmas gift from Mary.

It is a Clear Sandwich Pattern bowl by Indiana Glass.

It is the largest piece in my collection. 

Mary was so excited that she called me when she found this in an antique shop in Florida.

She described it as a "fruit bowl". 

I was so excited when she gave it to me!  It is 9.5 inches across the top and 4.5 across the bottom.

It looks like some of the vintage punch bowls I have seen.

It would be a fabulous to use as a fruit bowl! 

Thanks, Mary!!

Vintage Royal Crown Derby Cream and Sugar

Mary brought my belated Christmas gift yesterday,

a beautiful vintage Royal Crown Derby English Milk Jug (cream pitcher) and sugar bowl. 

Most followers of this blog know that I love spring floral designs.

When Mary was shopping in the antique shops and thrift stores in Florida,

she knew this set was for me!

Thanks, Mary!!

I will show the other part of the gift in the next post.

Hint:  it is glassware I collect.