The Gift That Keeps On Giving

CaryTown Teas' Tea of the Month Club is the perfect gift for any tea connoisseur or those who are new to tea. We currently offer 3 memberships—12 month, 6 month or 3 month.

With your membership you will be enjoying CaryTown Teas classics, unique harvests and alluring blends that are hand crafted exclusively for World Tea of The Month Club members! Each month, 2-3 ounces (approximately 20-30 servings) of 3 carefully selected teas will be shipped to your door. The teas are seasonally selected and will alternate each month.

Summer Hibiscus Sparkler

Summer Hibiscus Sparkler Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

Hibiscus Tea Simple Syrup:
1/2 cup agave or honey
1 cup water
4 heaping teaspoons Sabdariffa Hibiscus

Summer Hibiscus Sparkler:
2 tablespoons Hibiscus Tea Simple Syrup
4 oz chilled champagne or sparkling wine
Raspberries or lemon twist, if desired

DIRECTIONS:

1. To make Hibiscus Tea Simple Syrup, mix agave and water in 1-quart saucepan. Heat to almost boiling over medium heat, stirring until agave dissolves. Remove from heat. Add Hibiscus; steep 10 minutes. Remove Hibiscus ( using a tea infuser or filtering into a seperate vessel); set aside 1 hour to cool. Transfer to a storage container. Cover container, and refrigerate up to 1 week. Makes 1 1/2 cups.

2. To make cocktail, add 2 tablespoons simple syrup to a champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with raspberries or lemon twist.

Real Men Drink Tea

Tea isn't just for the ladies you know, real men, the really REAL men drink tea too.

Here are a couple ideas for that special dude in your life.

LAPSANG SOUCHONG

Smooth and clean with a powerful smoky scent. Traditionally dried with smoke from burning pine root. 

Many China teas have a subtle toasty note, but Lapsang Souchong has a dominating smoky flavor. Legend has it that the smoking process was discovered by accident. During the Qing dynasty, an army unit passing through a village camped out in its tea factory, which was filled with fresh leaves awaiting processing. When the soldiers left and the workers were able to return, there was not enough time to dry the tea the customary way. So they lit open fires of pine wood to hasten the drying. Upon taking the tea to market, to their surprise the new tea created a sensation. Today, Lapsang Souchong is first withered over pine root fires, then panfried, rolled and oxidized. The leaves are then placed in bamboo baskets and hung on wooden racks over smoking pine fires to dry and absorb the smoke. The result is a powerfully smoky aroma coupled with a sweet and mild taste. 

This is my favorite all time tea, it is comparable to a single malt scotch and appeals to scotch drinkers as well.

Don't drink tea? Well your in luck! Lapsang Souchong makes a wonderful rub for meat and makes a nice touch to any BBQ.

GUNPOWDER OSPREY

The boldest and darkest of the green teas, makes a great iced tea and is wonderful to infuse with vodka! Yes, I said vodka. Steep the tea loose in vodka for about an hour or two and then strain into a bottle, makes a great green tea vodka soda.

PUERH

Puerh tea is an aged tea that is amazing at lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol while raising HDL (good) cholesterol. Great for those men that love their red meat. Because it is aged the tannin content is extremely low making it a very smooth, earthy tea. You can drink it hot or cold and it also makes a good rub for lamb.

Peachy Keen !

 WHITE PEACH BLOSSOM COCKTAIL

You will need:

- 4-5 mint sprigs

- 1.5 oz.  Cognac

- 1 oz. simple syrup

- 1 oz.White Peach Blossom iced tea

***

Fill glass with ingredients, shake, and strain over fresh ice cubes. Garnish with mint sprig.

St. Paddy's Day Matcha-Tini Recipe

Matcha-Tini Recipe

Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of Izu Matcha and 1 to 3 teaspoons of sugar into 2 tablespoons of water. Pour into a shaker full of ice, and add 2 shots of vodka or gin. Shake shake shake. Pour into a martini glass - garnish with seasonal fruit if you like.

If it's too strong, top up with a little sparkling water.

Happy Paddy's Day !!!

Dont Forget To Book Your Spot !

We only have a few spots left, reserve yours before its too late!!

Mother Daughter Tea and Tasting

" Soon to Become a True Richmond Tradition"

Presented by CaryTown Teas & Green Monkey Catering

Lisa Granger, Professional Chef- Green Monkey Catering

Patricia Guillouard Adams, Master Tea Blender- CaryTown Teas

Where; The Elgant Glave Kocen Gallery (www.glavekocengallery.com)

1620 West Main Street, Richmond VA 23220

When; Saturday, February 11, 2012

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm in the afternoon

Enjoy this monthly event with the regional teas paired with the tastings of delicacies from around the world. The February event features loving teas, paired and complimented with a delightful tasting menu.

Tasting Menu

Grand Marnier Infused Strawberries Dipped in Chocolate

Heart Shaped Strawberry Basil Scones w/Strawberry Cream

English Tea Sandwiches

Cheddar Cheese Straws and Fruit

Goat Cheese Chocolate Truffles

Teas

Black Rose

Chocolate Lovers

Plum Oolong

Mother's Bouquet

Make your reservations by calling 804.740.6659 Seating is limited to 35.

Reservations are $15 per person for children and adults(3 or more tickets are$13 per person).

Reservations are accepted until Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at noon or until seating capacity is reached.