This will be my last post about my tea adventures in Vancouver, BC. Ironically, I started this blog with the last day of my trip (Murchie's), and I'm finishing with the first.
After traveling 7 hours on the plane to get from the Midwest to Vancouver, I was ready to stretch my legs! My traveling companions and I set out for a walk in the mist. We stumbled onto the Infuze Tea House (photo below). It's a tea bar - kind of like a Starbucks, only specific to tea. The interior is mostly white with orange accents. A friend and I had the cardamom chai. In terms of quality, the chai was so-so...from a mix. It was warm and comforting. Another friend had a green oolong, which seemed to be good. This same friend pointed out a tea chocolate. I picked one up, and actually resisted the temptation to enjoy it until I got home where I shared it with my husband.
The confection was a combination of milk and white chocolate shaped into a thin leaf. The white chocolate was colored and flavored with green matcha. The flavor came through more than I anticipated, and it was nice!
The Vancouver Tea Adventure was a trip I will cherish!
Friday, April 29, 2005
Hotel George - Tea in the Bar
On Day 5, I met a friend for tea at the Hotel Georgia. We had tea in the hotel bar, which was not your average bar! It was nicely furnished and tucked into a quiet corner of the hotel. It had cheetah print wallpaper and leather chairs.
The photo below shows the teapots we used. Historically, I haven't been drawn to this style of teapot. I found the stainless steel lid to be a break in form with the rest of the body. But after using the teapot and viewing it up close, it grew on me! I like the size, perfect for about 2-3 cups of tea. I also like the shape of the body.
I chose a jasmine green tea and my friend chose a black vanilla. Both were high-quality loose teas, tho they were served in silk teabags. There was room for the tea to expand and experience the "agony of the leaf", so I was satisfied.
This tea was comfortable and cozy. I could imagine taking tea at an English pub. The food presentation was the nicest I'd seen in BC. The sandwiches were beautifully garnished! It was a wonderful afternoon treat, and I was especially blessed to enjoy it with my special tea friend!
The photo below shows the teapots we used. Historically, I haven't been drawn to this style of teapot. I found the stainless steel lid to be a break in form with the rest of the body. But after using the teapot and viewing it up close, it grew on me! I like the size, perfect for about 2-3 cups of tea. I also like the shape of the body.
I chose a jasmine green tea and my friend chose a black vanilla. Both were high-quality loose teas, tho they were served in silk teabags. There was room for the tea to expand and experience the "agony of the leaf", so I was satisfied.
This tea was comfortable and cozy. I could imagine taking tea at an English pub. The food presentation was the nicest I'd seen in BC. The sandwiches were beautifully garnished! It was a wonderful afternoon treat, and I was especially blessed to enjoy it with my special tea friend!
Tea at the Fish House, Stanley Park
I continue with the story of my tea adventures in Vancouver, BC.....
On the fourth day of my trip, I spent the bulk of the day exploring Stanley Park. It is an incredible green space! Bigger than New York's Central Park. I took a horse-drawn tour then walked the sea wall and hiked the interior (rain forest). I was hungry! I made my way to the Fish House in Stanley Park for Afternoon Tea. I had the chance to work up a bit more of an appetite, because it was on the complete opposite side of the park. By the time I was there, I was famished.
I had a nice Imperial Oolong tea. It was served in a small cast iron teapot. I was impressed that my server knew about the benefits of quality loose teas. The traditional three-courses were quite tasty. (See photo above). What I remember most intensely is the incredible blueberry jam that was served with the scones. It was so delicious!
On the fourth day of my trip, I spent the bulk of the day exploring Stanley Park. It is an incredible green space! Bigger than New York's Central Park. I took a horse-drawn tour then walked the sea wall and hiked the interior (rain forest). I was hungry! I made my way to the Fish House in Stanley Park for Afternoon Tea. I had the chance to work up a bit more of an appetite, because it was on the complete opposite side of the park. By the time I was there, I was famished.
I had a nice Imperial Oolong tea. It was served in a small cast iron teapot. I was impressed that my server knew about the benefits of quality loose teas. The traditional three-courses were quite tasty. (See photo above). What I remember most intensely is the incredible blueberry jam that was served with the scones. It was so delicious!
Tea at the Empress Hotel, Vancouver, BC
I recently had tea at the famous Empress Hotel in Vancouver, BC. I was blessed to enjoy it with a dear friend! (Thank you!) We took the ferry over from Vancouver to Victoria. The ferry ride was relaxing and provided us with lovely views of the islands.
Above is a photo of the China - designed exclusively for the Empress by Royal Doulton. The setting is lovely! It's the original tea parlor. Much has remained the same from a 1930s photo we saw. The menu started with fresh strawberries and whipped cream with a Canadian gooseberry on top. Then we had the tea sandwiches: egg salad, salmon & rye pinwheels, cucumber/tarragon, and a delicious and mysterious butter/carrot. Next came scones with golden raisins and jersey cream, and a shortbread biscuit. We finished the feast with chocolate ganache cake, a lemon perfiterole (cream puff), and a fresh fruit tartlet. The Empress serves its own blend of tea, a blend of Darjeeling, Ceylon, and China teas. I drank mine with milk and sugar! It was a wonderful experience that I will treasure!
Above is a photo of the China - designed exclusively for the Empress by Royal Doulton. The setting is lovely! It's the original tea parlor. Much has remained the same from a 1930s photo we saw. The menu started with fresh strawberries and whipped cream with a Canadian gooseberry on top. Then we had the tea sandwiches: egg salad, salmon & rye pinwheels, cucumber/tarragon, and a delicious and mysterious butter/carrot. Next came scones with golden raisins and jersey cream, and a shortbread biscuit. We finished the feast with chocolate ganache cake, a lemon perfiterole (cream puff), and a fresh fruit tartlet. The Empress serves its own blend of tea, a blend of Darjeeling, Ceylon, and China teas. I drank mine with milk and sugar! It was a wonderful experience that I will treasure!
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
A Rainy Tuesday
It's raining and chilly today! Warm weather came to tempt us in the Midwest, then disappeared. Mother Nature's way of reminding us she's in control, perhaps! I enjoy these cool and rainy days because they make for excellent tea-drinking weather! Check out my tiny tea biz website: www.serendipityteas.com. This month I am running specials on two teas: Ice Wine and Blueberry.
Today, I am actually drinking someone else's tea: Murchie's Blend No. 22. The tea is a blend of black and green. I do enjoy it! I picked it up during a recent visit to Murchie's Coffee & Tea in Vancouver, BC. I'll write more about that trip over the next few posts. In the mean time, the photo above is a photo from Murchie's. It's a lovely store!
Today, I am actually drinking someone else's tea: Murchie's Blend No. 22. The tea is a blend of black and green. I do enjoy it! I picked it up during a recent visit to Murchie's Coffee & Tea in Vancouver, BC. I'll write more about that trip over the next few posts. In the mean time, the photo above is a photo from Murchie's. It's a lovely store!
Monday, April 25, 2005
Welcome!
Hi - Welcome to my blog spot. This is a totally self-indulgent exercise. I get to post my musings on the world! I plan to write here every few days while having a nice cup of tea! We'll see where it goes - I have no idea. The one thing I can guarantee is that I'll do my best to mention tea somewhere along the way.
Thank you for reading! And, feel free to add a contact!
Stephanie
Thank you for reading! And, feel free to add a contact!
Stephanie