An Irish Tea

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, what better time to share a cup of Irish Tea? I have tried many different brands and finally decided I would try my own blend. I use about 2/3 assam and 1/3 ceylon tea and brew it rather strong. This tea is wonderful with milk and like most of the Irish, I use more milk than I do with an English Breakfast tea. Then having some Irish Potato Scones with butter…a great start for a St. Paddy’s morning. The Irish actually are the world’s number one tea drinkers. They drink more tea than the English, over 6 cups per day!

I think there are some very interesting stories about St. Patrick, but did he drink tea?  I think so, but you decide after hearing this version of how St. Patrick’s day came into being.

The original patron saint of Ireland was called Maewyn.  He was said to be born in Wales about AD 385 and applied for the job of bishop of Ireland.  Since he didn’t have the requirement for the job, he was actually sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders.  He was not in any way a saint, but acutally considered himself a pagan.  While being held a prisoner, he found that he was very drawn to a closer relationship with God. After six long years as a slave in the prison camp, he escaped and went to a monastery and realized his calling to convert pagans to Christianity. After much difficulty, he eventually was sent to Ireland as a bishop.  He was quite successful at his calling of converting pagans and this was quite an insult to the Celtic Druids.  He had several brushes with the law, but managed to travel throughout Ireland and established many schools, churches and monasteries. He remained a bishop in Ireland for over 30 years and then retired to Country Down.  He died on March 17, AD 461.

There are lots of other stories regarding St. Patrick, including the one of him raising the dead, and also of having given a sermon from a hilltop that drove all the snakes from Ireland.  Not much credit is given this folklore, as no snakes were ever allowed in Ireland!  Originally, St. Patrick’s Day was a Catholic holy day, but has evolved into a secular holiday.  Shamrocks remain the icon of the holiday for the following reason.   St. Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to give an explanation for the Trinity, with each leaf representing the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, yet all existing  as seperate but still the same plant. His followers began to wear a shamrock on his feast day.  St. Patrick’s Day came to America in the 1730′s and remains one of the most popular celebrations all over the country.

So, no matter what part of the U.S. you live, brew a pot of Irish Tea, make a batch of Irish Potato Scones and celebrate!

Irish Potato Scones

2 cups flour

1 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2 teaspoons sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup cold mashed potatoes ( no butter or milk)

3/4 cup milk or buttermilk

cream for top

Sift dry ingredients, cut in softened butter and potatoes. Stir in flour.  (Add more flour if too sticky)

Stir in milk.  Less handling of dough makes fluffier scones.  Pat  onto  floured surface to 3/4 inch thick..  Cut with cookie cutter into desired shapes, dip cutter into flour after each use.  Brush tops lightly with cream. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet or baking stone for 12 to 15 minutes at 400 degrees.  Cut  open and serve with butter or Jam and Devon Cream  If desired, add 1/4 cup currants before adding milk.

Enjoy and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!!

“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

A Better Cup of Tea

How often do you make tea and how often do you enjoy your cup of tea?   Think you might like a little advise  - Tea 101?

Some commonly made errors while making that perfect cup of tea:

#1 Tea Quality – the grocery store shelves may not be the best place to buy your tea. Unless your local super market carries some popular British loose leaf tea, don’t buy the traditional tea bags. Many stores are now carrying PG Tips, Taylors of Harrogate or Typhoo, if your store isn’t, then buy some where else. I love Whittard’s Tea which is available at AnniesTeaTime.com (formerly Penelope’s Tea Time). The variety of tea’s, loose and tea bags is heavenly.

#2 Temperature of Water – Your water must be boiling and then poured over the tea leaves. Do not put the tea or teabags into the water. I suggest you invest in an electric tea kettle, available on line and at most discount and department stores. I have used the Superior brand (manufactured in Canada) for many years. They have a stainless steel base and an automatic shutoff. Once you invest in one you will wonder how you ever did without. Microwaved water for tea just isn’t proper…the water does not stay hot long enough. Sorry all you microwave tea makers!

#3 Storing Tea – Heat and light are the biggest enemies of tea. Store your tea in either a tin or tea cannister and keep away from heat and light, especially direct sunlight. Never put your tea in the refrigerator or freezer. Tea does have a long shelve life if stored properly.

#4 Squashed Tea Leaves – Tea leaves expand to twice their size and need room to expand and for the water to flow around all surfaces of the leaf. Use a T-Sac or mesh infuser to brew your tea. Place the tea leaves in the sac or infuser and pour the water over the tea and let steep for 3 to 4 minutes. A little less time for green tea. Before the invention of the T-sac or infuser, one would place the tea leaves directly into the teapot, then pour the boiling water over the leaves. A strainer is then used over your teacup to filter the tea leaves. Many still use this method.

#5 Incorrect Timing – If you don’t leave the tea leaves in long enough you will have a very weak, unflavorful tea. Leaving the tea leaves in too long and the tea will become bitter. Longer brewing, past 3 -4 minutes, doesn’t make stronger tea, just bitter tea. The perfect cup of tea takes as long as it takes you to read Psalm 51!

#6 Additions – The traditional way to drink black tea is with milk. Some add sugar, some like sugar and some like honey. Never use cream, half and half or International Flavors creamer. I prefer whole milk or 2% milk. Milk will enhance the flavor, while the others will mask the true flavor of the tea. Don’t use milk in a fruit flavored tea or you might just end up with curdles. Also don’t add milk and lemon together..same effect! If you have never tried black tea with milk..try it, you’ll probably like it! I don’t like to use skim or non-fat milk as it gives the tea a chalky appearance.

Ok….let’s make the perfect cup of tea. Let me know if these suggestions make a difference,

Until We Tea Again….Penelope