HOLIDAY TEA TREATS
By Ellen Easton ©2007 All Rights Reserved

These delicious holiday tea treats will be a welcome addition to any holiday party menu, tree trimming or wrapped to be given as a gift.

Ellen's HOLIDAY TEA BLEND

Ingredients
2 oz. Darjeeling Black Tea
1 tsp. ground Cinnamon
1 tsp. ground Cardamom
1/2 tsp. ground Clove
1/4 cup Currants/Raisins
1/4 tsp. ground Ginger
1/4 tsp. ground Nutmeg
2 TBS. Orange Zest, grated {1 orange = 2 tablespoons grated zest }
1 tsp. Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder or Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract

Preparation
Place all dry ingredients in a bowl and mix together.
If using vanilla extract blend well through dry ingredients, allowing the entire mixture to dry.
Mixture will yield: 20 cups of tea

Use one teaspoon of mixture per 6 oz cup of tea. One heaping tsp. per #2 T-sac may be used per 2 - 3 cup pot.

1. Preheat a teapot or hot the pot by rinsing it out with hot water. By insulating the teapot, it keeps the tea hot during the brewing process.

2. Bring the fresh cold water to a full rolling boil. Remove from the heat quickly as to not allow the oxygen to escape from the water. Water that has been reheated gives tea a flat taste. Only boiling water can extract the full flavor and benefit from the leaves.

3. Use one teaspoonful of tea or one tea bag per cup {6 ounces} of water. Pour boiling water over the tea.

{One prepared tea bag containing leaf tea will brew 2 - 3 cups of tea.}

4. Steep for 7 to 10 minutes. Do not judge the strength of your tea by its color. It takes time for the leaves to unfold and release their flavor. If you prefer your tea less strong, add hot water after the brewing period. Always decant the tea before serving. If Chai is desired add warmed milk to taste.

ENHANCERS

Sugar, Honey, Candied Ginger or Orange Rind

Click here for the recipe for Ellen's Candied Orange Rind

source credits:
candied gingermen & canes www.gingerpeople.com
hand decorated rose sugars: Reva Paul (212) 722-7981

ELLEN EASTON, author of AFTERNOON TEA...TIPS,TERMS and TRADITIONS, etiquette, lifestyle and tea consultant to leading hotels and tearooms, including The PLAZA and LADY MENDL’s, is a speaker and designer of related products to the hotel, food service, retail and special event industries. (212) 722-798