Tea Leaf Talk

Tea For Ten

Invite your favorite people over for a time-honored tradition with a modern twist

-Melanie Mitzner

When you were plotting your goals at the turn of the new year, did your list look something like mine?

1. Reciprocate the hospitality for all those holiday invites
2. Take better care of yourself
3. Expand your horizons and enjoy exotic locales

Is it possible to accomplish all three in one step, in style, without maxing out your credit card?

Oh, yes! Host a Tea for Ten party your friends and family won’t forget! Experience the taste of India, Africa, China and Japan all in one night and enjoy the fabulous benefits of immune-boosting antioxidants. Better yet, this kind of entertaining isn’t labor intensive. It’s hip, affordable and a return to tradition, so what are you waiting for? Be the first to throw a cool party with no need for designated drivers.

A few simple steps:

Collect your teaware. Go to thrift shops for gorgeous one-of-a-kind cups and teapots.

Select your tea. Let’s face it. You want the best, and you want to impress, so don’t fool with low-grade fannings and dust. Buy pure, high-grade, seasonally harvested organic Fair Trade loose tea at a great price on a 4 oz. bag and experience the flavor and benefits. For that trip around the world from your living room, try African Red Bush from South Africa, Genmaicha from Japan, Golden Halo from China and Masala Chai from India.

Design your menu – simple yet tasty to complement the tea. Tea sandwiches, sweet and savory, on fresh whole-grain bread. One loaf will suffice. Slice off crusts then make the spreads and cut in fours.

Sandwiches:

-Cucumber, thinly sliced, on buttered bread with chopped dill
-Fig preserves spread on a thin layer of blue goat cheese
-Wild smoked salmon topped with capers on a thin layer of cream cheese
-Organic chicken curry finger sandwiches
-Organic spiced nuts

For sweets:

-Island Bakery organic shortbread cookies (comes in 4 delish flavors)
-Organic chocolate dipped strawberries

Make a lasting impression with your guests, and send them home with little bags of tea to brew at home.

About the Author

Melanie Mitzner is a NY based writer who is also a partner of the hip sustainable online store: The Groovy Mind

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