Co-Op Tea Swap is Twittering!

As you know, Authori+ea and Tea Escapade teamed up to establish the Co-Op Tea Swap. The purpose of the swap is to allow tea lovers to connect, get to know one another and of course, swap tea.

Over the last few months we have had fun doing just that. However, one thing that seemed to be missing was a common mode of communication where we could all come together and chat… take a load off… relax… and share our love for tea. Well not anymore…

The Co-Op Tea Swap is now Twittering! What is Twitter? Twitter is a real-time short messaging service. It enables people in countries all around the world, to connect with and follow the people/sources most relevant to them. Where? All via one common website called Twitter as soon as it happens—from breaking world news to updates from friends. Oh yeah… did I mention… it’s free!!!!

Calling all Swap Members!  Join or login to Twitter, then connect with us at the Co-Op Tea Swap’s official Twitter site. If you are not a part of the Co-Op Tea Swap, click here to learn more. Can’t wait to Twitter with you!

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Tea Quote

There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be much diminished by a nice cup of tea. 

~Bernard-Paul Heroux

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Presidential Election 2008

It’s finally here… Election Day 2008. Regardless of who you support in the Presidential Race, please vote. There is still time for those of you located in the Western part of the country.

Our votes will truly make a difference… I hope we will discover that Americans came out to vote in record proportions. This is the first time in the history of the United States that both a woman and an African American have the opportunity to be the Vice President and/or Vice President respectively. Never in my lifetime did I expect to see either.

As I sit here, blogging, twittering, and doing homework my television is glued to CNN. With anxious anticipation I am closely monitoring the election results. In consideration of the fact that this is a tea blog, I do not plan to post minute by minute, blow by blow, detailed by detailed results. Instead I plan to sit comfortably albeit on pins and needles eagerly awaiting the culmination of the presidential race while drinking a cup of tea.

Are you watching the election coverage? Are you glued to the television? Are you uncontrollably giddy about being part of history? And by the way, what are you drinking? Tea that is…

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Tea Quote…

Love and scandal are the best sweeteners of tea.  ~Henry Fielding, “Love in Several Masques”

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November 2008 Co-Op Tea Swap

SAVE THE DATE! November 1, 2008, is the date for the next Co-Op Tea Swap! A fantastically fun collaboration between Tea Escapade and Authori+ea. Membership is free! To join in on the fun, simply email the following information to Nikki at TeaEscapade@yahoo.com no later than October 31, 2008 to qualify for the November Swap:

• Name:
• Mailing Address:
• Phone Number:
• Sample Preferences (if any):
• Sample Restrictions (are you allergic to any herbs or ingredients?):

For more information, visit the Co-Op Tea Swap page found here on Tea Escapade. Don’t miss the opportunity to share your love for tea with others who are just as passionate about tea as you are. Remember to participate in the November Swap all requested information must be received no later than October 31, 2008, otherwise you will have to wait until the December Swap.

Let the swap begin!

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What’s New In Your Cup? (7/28/08)

Consider me the slacker tea blogger. Incredibly overwhelmed by all of the Yixing teaware information I somehow failed to post “What’s New In Your Cup?” last week. 

This week I’m back on track and ready to post all of the great tea you have been drinking last week. Not to mention recounting what I have been drinking for the past two weeks.

Let’s talk tea!

1. David has been drinking Kava Stress Relief by Yogi Tea. David’s newest tea discovery. You’ll have to stop by and let us know if your stress was relieved.

2. Over the past couple weeks I had the pleasure of discovering, steeping, and drinking fur new teas: Serenity – a unique herbal blend by Tavalon Tea, Imperial Formosa Oolong – a delicious oolong by Golden Moon Tea , NYC Breakfast – another Tavalon Tea, and 2005 MengHai “Meng Song Gu Cha Shan Peacock” – a fantastic Puerh from Hou De Fine Teas. Ironically, it seemed as though I tasted so many more new teas. “Is it possible I missed a tea review?”  Highly unlikely! Each tea provided a variety of unique flavors that stimulated my taste-buds.

Hope you have an opportunity to try one of these delicious teas. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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What’s New In Your Cup? (7/14/08)

Last week was full of tea adventures. More than I have had time to write about. I often wonder where does the time go? 

Before I fall into philosophical rhetoric, I’ll get on to the meat of this post. The focus… recounting what new teas we were drinking last week.

It’s Monday night – at least it is in my time zone so I better finish writing this post before Tuesday arrives…

1. Summer of Felicitea – “This week I drank a lot of Earl Grey. I’m making a custom blend for Brandice of SteapTV and that’s leaving me tasting, tasting, tasting to find the right balance.” Additionally, Summer has been sipping The Simple Leaf’s Chloe and several bottles of iced Refreshing Afternoon.

2. Tea from Ocean of Tea has been enjoying various Oolongs and Whites. “A friend gave me a few ounces of silver needle from Teavana, I must say, it’s quite delicious!”

3. Gretchen from Book Of Tea drank four teas this week: an iced White Pear tea from Tealuxe, a Blueberry Green Tea from the Superfruit Tea line of the Republic of Tea, Grand Green by Zhena’s Gypsy Tea, and a Coconut Pouchong from Tealuxe. “The superior tea by far was the Grand Green, which is an organic, fair traded green tea with peppermint and stevia.”

4. I enjoyed several new teas last week as well. Lemongreen, a refreshing green and lemongrass tea from Tavalon Tea; Champagne Oolong, a high quality oolong tea from Dragonwater; Black Vanilla Chai, a delicious flavored black tea from Dragonwater; and After Dark, a fruit filled herbal tea from Tavalon Tea. Each of these teas provided a unique tea drinking experience. Reviews can be found right here on Tea Escapade.

It has been a wonderful week drinking and sharing tea adventures. A big thanks to all who contributed comments to this week’s edition of “What’s New In Your Cup?” I look forward to hearing from you this week. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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What’s New In Your Cup? (7/7/08)

Due to vacation, I missed last weeks “What’s New In Your Cup?” This week I am back and ready to share all the new things we’ve been drinking.

I have enjoyed several new teas during these last couple of weeks as I am sure you have as well. So getting to the point, let’s talk about tea…

1. Summer from Felicitea reported that she’s been drinking white tea with lychee fruit. I tried lychee fruit for the first time last month… delicious! Lychee fruit bursts with flavor in your mouth. It is juicy, refreshing and sweet. I can only imagine that this tea is yummy! Summer, you’ll have to provide us with the actual tea name and where it can be purchased. Additionally, Summer has been sipping away at iced Sloth Tea to get through the days. An oldie but goodie! I just tasted Sloth Tea for the first time over the weekend. The review is in progress.

2. Alexis from My Tea Cups was drinking… Formosa Nut Oolong tea from Teavana. “The flavor and aroma are nutty and warming. Would be perfect for a crisp fall morning.” Alexis also enjoyed Lemongreen from Tavalon Tea. “It’s incredibly refreshing, especially when iced. The lemongrass is spicy yet soothing.” Thanks Alexis for the updated information. The Nutty Oolong sounds wonderful and I am drinking my first lemongrass green tea today… it’s called Lemongreen. I can’t wait to review. Ironically it is the same tea you sampled last week.

3. Over the last couple of weeks I enjoyed Chief’s Delight by Native American Tea Company, Orchid Temple Oolong and Sugar Caramel Oolong both by Golden Moon Teas, and finally Darjeeling Goomtee (2nd Flush)by Tea Logic. I cannot say which I enjoyed the most as each one was distinctly different. Check out the reviews here on Tea Escapade.

Thanks for sharing what you have been drinking. I look forward to hearing “What’s New In You Cup?” this week. Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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What’s New In Your Cup? (6/23/08)

WOW! It’s Monday already and even though it may not appear to be true, I have been drinking some new teas this week. Just behind as usual on the posting.

Fortunately, today’s post is not about me as the name suggests. I want to learn about the teas you have been drinking during the past week. What’s new? What’s a favorite and possibly new to me?

Nevertheless, here is what you were drinking last week…

 1. Summer of Felicitea… my poster child for new tea experimentation enjoyed a nice assam, hopefully after seeing this post she’ll provide me with the name and where to purchase. Summer has been trying new teaware and brewing styles this week trying to determine what if any impact it has on some of her favorite teas.  Update: The Assam Summer was drinking is Season’s Pick Mokalbari East FBOP from Upton Tea Imports. Thanks Summer for the update!

2. This week I enjoyed and reviewed Super Irish Breakfast Black Tea and White Monkey Paw Tea. You can read the reviews right here on Tea Escapade by simply clicking the link. Both teas were distinctively different – one being black and the other a cross between white and green tea. Nevertheless, the quality of the White Monkey Paw Tea was superb. You’ll have to try it for yourself.

It seems this week that Summer and I were the only tea lovers drinking new teas. Please visit and share What’s New In Your Cup this week, I cannot wait to share what’s in mine.  Until then… Happy Tea Drinking!

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What’s New In Your Cup? (6/16/08)

Good Morning!!! I am excited to post a summary of new teas brewed, tasted, and possibly reviewed by me here at Tea Escapade as well as anyone who visited and commented last week.

It goes without saying that if I am not trying something new, I am drinking my old favorites… Winter White Earl Grey, Peppermint Herbal, or Yellow and Blue. However, if I am drinking something new, I may drink the new brew multiple days in a row. So let’s talk tea…

1. S for Kitchen Confit enjoyed a sublime cuppa Earl Grey Creme by Harney and Sons. I wonder how it compares to my Earl Grey Creme Flavored Black Tea by Teavana?

2. Summer from Felicitea tried Shanti Green Tea by The Simple Leaf last week. “Shared it with a friend who also loved it. Definitely a fantastic green in my book – nice light vegetal taste, with just a hint of grassiness.” Summer also tried Stash’s powdered green tea. “It was… interesting. I’m not sure I’d buy it, but for something quick, light and green tea tasting it worked.” Thanks Summer for sharing! Your experience with the powdered green tea sounds much better than mine. I think I’ll pass on that one.

3. This week, I had the great pleasure of drinking Honeybush Vanilla - a fantastic creamy yet sweet rooibos and Yerba Mate. Both were amazing! I placed an order with Dragonwater to obtain more as well as a couple other new teas. You can read reviews for both right here on Tea Escapade.

Thanks for sharing what was new in your cup last week. I look forward to hearing and sharing tea experiences. I cannot wait to hear “What’s new in YOUR cup” this week. Until we chat again… Happy Tea Drinking!

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