Best Tea Products 2011

TALK of the TOWN
Tea Products You’ll Love

Orange Curd

Fresh, smooth and irresistible! For a truly delicious snack sensation, just fill a mini tart shell with cream cheese and top it with a smooth, tangy orange curd or fill the little tart shells with the curd and topped with fresh mandarin oranges (delicious!). You can also use it as a cake filling, top fresh fruit with it, serve it on top of chocolate pudding (doesn’t that sound divine?), or just eat it off the spoon (seriously good).
11.5oz – $7.95

WHERE TO FIND: curdelicious.com

Teapot Card Holder

Pewter business card holders make a great desk accessory for a tea lover. This elegant business card holder is made of pewter and hold approx. 30 business cards. Apart from keeping your business cards within easy reach, it also looks stylish. Can hold sugar packets or tea bags as well. Perfect for the home or office.
$18

WHERE TO FIND: Teablessings.com / 832-922-9335

Designer Series Texas Cozy

Bring home the Old West with a Leather-ish fabric tea cozy for your pot. Completed with a Texas flag, this rich rustic piece is a great buy for Dad or those preferring a non-Victorian feel at tea-time. Large enough to cover a 6-cup pot.
$45

WHERE TO FIND: Crossroad Collection, Old Town Spring, 281-528-6550, crossroadscollection.com

Cinnamon Chip Scones

We’d never seen canned scones before, and if they were good – it would take scones with tea to a whole other level of convenience. The texture of these scones is quite similar to a canned biscuit, making them a bit different than a scone from scratch (or even a mix). Our tasters say these aren’t as ta

sty as a scone from scratch. But, they are certainly yummy (not to mention convenient!) and are great when you want to have a little something with your tea, but don’t have the time or energy to whip up a batch of scones yourself.
$3-4

WHERE TO FIND: Available at HEB Grocery Stores

Squeezmo™ Tea Squeeze

A colorful little accessory that allows you to use a tea bag without all the mess. Typically when we use bagged teas we’re left squeezing the extra tea with our bare hands. Well… not anymore! This little squeezer not only holds the tea bag after you’ve infused it, you can use it to squeeze the un-dripped tea from the bag as well. Use it to squeeze the essence and moisture from a tea bag and enjoy drip-less tea bag use. There’s no waste and no mess using one tea bag to brew multiple cups of tea. $6

WHERE TO FIND: www.squeezmo.com / 530-345-8000

Chinese Drinking Jar

Polycarbonate drinking jars for the traveling tea drinker. Available in 8 and 12 oz. Set includes jar, screw-on strainer and screw-on travel lid.
Put loose leaf tea in jar. Add correct temperature water for your tea type. Screw on strainer lid. Steep for recommended time. Enjoy tea. Strainer lid keeps tea in jar while drinking. Good for multiple infusions. Recommended teas are Bailin Gongfu and Fujian High Mtn Green.
$17.95-22.95

WHERE TO FIND: www.devotea.com / (888) 832-6505

Teapot Pillow

This was a light bulb moment for Grandma Rae as she fashioned her newest hand-made tea gift. She thought, “Why not!” Rae decided her Teapot Pillow had to be more than a pillow. It had to be a safe keeping place as well. There are two big pockets in the pillow, perfect for stashing trinkets, letters or favorite books. $25

WHERE TO FIND: GrandmaRae.com / 973.664.0986

Spa Tea

It’s a tea for your tub! Texas Spa Tea gently calms, cleanses and conditions dry and irritated skin and helps you to relax. Made from all-natural herbs to provide the ultimate aromatherapy experience in a handy recyclable tea bag. No added colors, fragrances or preservatives. Simply place one or two tea bags in your hot bath. For best results, place tea bags in a few inches of very hot water, then dilute to the desired temperature with cool water.

4 oz bag- $3.95

WHERE TO FIND: Teablessings.com / 832-922-9335

Dead Sea Black Mineral Mud Bar

Enjoy your tea, then rejuvenate yourself with the soothing benefits of the Dead Sea using this cleansing homemade soap bar which is extremely rich in Dead Sea minerals and Dead Sea Black Mineral Mud. This unique facial and bathing bar absorbs dirt and oils and cleanses the skin while stimulating and nourishing it with minerals at the same time. Each bar is approximately 5.25 oz. Since this soap is naturally hand made and cut – the size, weight & color of each bar might vary slightly. $6.95

WHERE TO FIND: takethymeteas.com / Midland Texas

Pecan Whipped Honey

Whipped honey is simply honey that is crystallized in a controlled environment, and using special methods. When the Amish beekeeper is attempting to make whipped honey, they are controlling the temperature to speed up the process and to get the finest granules they can. If the process is correct, the producer should end up with a product that is smooth like butter. Many people say that it tastes better than liquid honey. Used on toast, in ice cream, in pastries, and just about anything that a person would enjoy a sweet taste with. 5 1/2 oz. Jar – $4

WHERE TO FIND: www.amishbarn.com / Midland Texas Amish Barn / 281-651-9209

Afternoon Tea Society Subscription

Each month, members have an option to purchase the Tea Package of the Month, containing a tea cozy, sample teas and a tea party plan (complete with written plan, photo sheet, menu, recipes, and craft ideas) and an optional photo CD. Plans include: A Spring Affair, A Blue and White Tea, A Bon Voyage Tea, A Welcome Autumn Tea, A Victorian Christmas Tea, A Winter White Tea.