tea Archives - Reverberations

Travel in a Teacup with These Unique Teas to Try

If you have the same black or green tea that’s your go-to every day, then I’ve got some unique and delicious tea suggestions to help you spice things up. Tea seems more popular than ever, especially loose tea in particular. But the standard bagged black tea or standard green can get boring very quickly. I’ve made a list of five unique teas, and maybe a little unusual but absolutely delicious teas you’ll want to brew up immediately. Whenever I travel, I make sure to sample the local teas. Every time I find something new and special. Each of these teas I’ve stumbled upon during my travels. Don’t forget: tea makes a great souvenir!

Continue reading →

Afternoon Tea & English Classics at A Taste of Britain

Food, Travel

On a rainy and snowy late winter day, a date for afternoon tea and a meal at A Taste of Britain is the perfect way to spend a day. Or, really, any day if you ask me. While cities are known for having restaurants and shops that cater to all tastes, it’s actually Philadelphia‘s nearby suburb of Wayne where you’ll find this charming tea room. And be assured that A Taste of Britain is more than “just” a place for tea.

Continue reading →

Everything You Should Know About Matcha Green Tea

Food

Over the past few years, matcha has become a popular trend and buzzword with tea enthusiasts, those who swear by healthy and clean living, and indie coffee shop customers. But I still frequently get a look of confusion when I say I’m having matcha. Who knew a type of tea could cause such problems?

Here are all the basics you need to know about matcha green tea — as well as a simple recipe for a refreshing matcha latte to get you hooked!

Continue reading →

Afternoon Tea at HOTEL DUPONT is Delightful, Delicious

Food, Travel

A day of culture. Art and afternoon tea. It’s difficult for me to think of a better way to spend a day. And Wilmington, Delaware, has just the answer. After my recent trip to the Brandywine River Museum of Art, I headed down to downtown Wilmington. Only a short drive away from the museum is the historic HOTEL DUPONT. The luxurious hotel serves up afternoon tea that will spoil and delight. It’s a day to savor and enjoy.

It doesn’t take long to become impressed by the HOTEL DUPONT. Even those unfamiliar with its legendary reputation for luxury will soon get the picture once they step inside the lobby.

Continue reading →

Downtown Lancaster City: Beyond PA Dutch Country

Food, Travel

For many, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, brings to mind farms on a gently rolling landscape, Amish driving along in horse and buggies, and small villages with entertaining names like Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse. Think Harrison Ford in Witness. The Amish communities have made Pennsylvania Dutch Country and Lancaster County nearly synonymous.

But in the heart of the county is Lancaster City, a young, hip urban center that has experienced a rebirth and gentrification in recent years. Today, Lancaster City is offering a thoroughly modern lifestyle with a melding of sites of historical importance with trendy restaurants and shops. I recently made a visit to Lancaster to get to know this up and coming city a little better.

Continue reading →

Must See: Afternoon Tea in London

Food, Travel

For fans of tea, travel and pastries, there’s no better item for your travel bucket list that I can think of than having afternoon tea in London. Maybe that’s just my love of tea and pastries talking. But afternoon tea is a creation, afterall, of the English. For this month’s Must See Travel Bucket List, I’m highlighting five locations in London whose afternoon tea I’d love to try: from the traditional to the not so traditional.

Continue reading →

Great Brews from the Coffee and Tea Festival

Food

For me, the biggest draw of attending the Coffee and Tea Festival NYC was about trying new coffee and tea brews. But it is also about taking some of those samples home with me. I also enjoyed getting introductions to companies that are new to me. In addition to having great tasting products, many have positive background stories. You can have good tea and coffee and feel good about it.

Many of the vendors exhibiting at the festival offer premium quality products. So my “haul” is rather limited. I’m more in favor of quality over quantity! Let’s get to know Ippodo Tea Co. Kyoto, Ajiri Coffee, Four Sigmatic and Sugimoto America!

Continue reading →

4 Coffee and Tea Trends You’ll Want to Try

Food

Tea and coffee seem to be more popular than ever! Everyone’s trying special artisan coffees and loose-leaf tea blends. After attending this year’s Coffee and Tea Festival in Brooklyn, I noticed some specific coffee and tea trends. We’re not talking about your grandma’s instant coffee and weak tea anymore. Oh, no! We’re way past that! Artisan, organic, and unconventional. There is something for everyone. Check out these four Coffee and Tea Trends that you’ll want to try!

Continue reading →

Visit to: Coffee and Tea Festival NYC 2017

Food, Travel

What is better than a hot cup of coffee or tea on a snowy winter’s day? How about sampling dozens of different coffees and teas? This past weekend my husband and I took the ferry to NYC and trekked to Brooklyn. The annual Coffee and Tea Festival was being held in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn. After attending the Philadelphia arm of the festival a year or two ago, I was looking forward to the NYC version.

Continue reading →

Brewing Tea with a French Press

Food

When you think of a French press, your first thought is probably to think of coffee, right? It would make perfect sense as French pressed coffee seems more popular than ever. Everyone is looking to get that perfect cup of coffee without venturing out to pay someone else to do it. But have you ever considered brewing tea with a French press?

One of the reasons to opt for loose leaf tea over bagged tea is the way the leaves are processed. If you were to open a typical tea bag, you’d likely find finely chopped tea leaves. Loose tea is different. It is usually sold as large pieces of tea leaves even whole tea leaves. This can depend on the brand or even the style of tea. Because loose tea leaves are larger, when brewed they will expand. Having this extra room allows the leaves to release more flavor. In Asia it isn’t uncommon to put the tea leaves right into a pot. But this method, usually, doesn’t include any kind of mesh so leaves can get into your cup. Tea ball infusers, which is my normal brewing method, don’t give the leaves much room to unfurl. That brings us to brewing tea with a French press.
Continue reading →