Saturday, January 3, 2009

Let's Celebrate National Hot Tea Month!

Please join me and lift your teacups during January to toast National Hot Tea month. I love tea! What's not to like? It's tasty, easy to make, and affordable.

My love of tea started very early in my life. Like most Southerners, I was introduced to iced tea at a young age. Over the years, I have experimented with various flavors of iced tea. It wasn't until about ten years ago that I began my love affair with hot tea. I began researching and studying all about tea and etiquette. The more I read about the world's SECOND most popular beverage, the more I wanted to know about it. My interest in tea turned into the dream of someday being able to have a tea business. The dream has slowly become a reality. I am a Certified Level 1 Tea Professional and conduct tea and etiquette programs for children and adults.

Today I am relaxing while reading the January/February issue of Tea Time Magazine and sipping some Pomegranate Oolong Tea. This wonderful tea is available at Harney Teas--the leaves of Ti Quan Yin Oolong are infused with tangy pomegranate. Try it, y'all will love it!
During the month of January, I will be posting about all about tea--the history of tea and where it is produced, the varieties of tea and the stages of processing, the health benefits of tea, how to prepare tea, special times of the day for tea, tea accoutrements, and tea etiquette--from the invitations to the thank-you notes. I will also include some interesting tea-related websites, books about tea, and programs available for those who are interested in becoming a Tea Consultant or maybe opening a Tearoom.
Thank you so much for visiting with me today. Remember, tea is considered the beverage of hospitality--so go steep some tea and...Make it Southern.

13 comments:

  1. I'm an avid tea drinker, and your site is just perfect for folks like us!Looking forward to your January posts.

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  2. Oh Miss Janice...I must confess I'm a coffee person, although I do love an occasional cup of Constant Comment in the winter! Honestly, tea seems so much more elegant somehow! I will be looking forward to reading your posts!...Debbie

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  3. I love your posts!! So interesting and sweet!!

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  4. Ah Miss Janice you are such a Tea-se. You know I love my coffee but over the years you've shown me how good hot tea can be. Thanks.
    Teresa Jane

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  5. Oh how fun. I am really looking forward to your posts this month. I love tea and everything associated!
    Valerie

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  6. Hey Miss Janice!

    I love your tea table and all the beautiful serving pieces! I also get Tea Time Magazine... It's my favorite. I love to study the pictures and get ideas....

    Harney & Sons Paris is my favorite all time tea. It is good hot or iced.

    Thanks for the pretty pictures and information!

    ~Liz

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  7. I was raised in the south and don't drink coffee or tea...(what is wrong with me!) I think I need to try some because I love tea parties ...

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  8. Evening, Miss Janice! Oh, this is a wonderful post! I do so love tea - both ways - iced and hot! Now the magazine Tea Time is one of my favorites and one that I subscribe to. I don't drink coffee, never have, but give me a good cup of tea and I'm in heaven. I'll be looking forward to your tea posting!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;) P. S. - are you all settled in your new home? I'd love to see it! hint hint

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  9. Hi Miss Janice,
    My husband has really become a hot tea fanatic. I still love my Vanilla flavored coffee in the morning. I have found a few flavors of tea I do like. Bentley's Minty- Mint and Pomegranite.
    I'm going to check out the site you mentioned. I may surprise my hubby and order the magazine for him as well.
    I'll be checking in on this subject. Thanks for sharing. ~Melissa

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  10. I can drink coffee and do so on occasion with DH, but my beverage of choice is tea. It depends on my mood and taste at the moment, but I enjoy orange pekoe, pekoe black, white, green and herbal teas. I recently tried some red tea. I'm on the fence on that one for now.
    I like tea hot or cold. either sweetened or unsweetened, and with or without lemon.
    I am looking forward to your upcoming posts this month, so that I may expand my knowledge on this subject.
    I gave myself a Christmas present this year of a Spode Tea for One Teapot & Cup Set in the Christmas Tree pattern. Decided I better get it while it was still available.

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  11. Enjoy your day and your magazine.
    I am a coffee junkie, but I do enjoy tea as well and my love for tea has been growing greatly over the past few years.
    I love to read about proper etiquette and history and tea is so proper that it calls to my spirit.
    Thanks for a wonderful post.

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  12. I see your Old Country Roses tea cup! I will be looking forward to your articles on tea! You have your Tea Time Magazine, mine has not came yet! I just love vanilla creme tea.

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  13. Just a few days ago I was remembering how last January a few of us including La Tea Dah at Gracious Hospitality did posts in honor of Hot Tea Month. Here is the link to one post:
    http://oakrisecottage.blogspot.com/2008/01/hot-tea-and-teacup-collection.html
    Carrie

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