FOOD: Tea By Tiffany's Green Meditation

Green Tea Chocolate Granola - courtesy of Tea By Tiffany
Photo Credit: Chante/VySyn Photography 

Tea and mediation go hand and hand - that's what I along with a few other guests learned at last night's green tea meditation event hosted by Tea By Tiffany at Asali Yoga in Harlem. The evening was filled with learning, sharing, embracing a renewed way of thinking and tea tasting, of course.

After returning from the recent annual tea industry event in Las Vegas, Tiffany treated us to four teas from Korea and Japan that she brought back from the conference. 

Let me know you...this tea is indescribable. It is pure, high-quality tea from the farms of the shaded, unshaded and mountain sides of lands far away that when sipped you feel as if you are being transported to those parts unknown.

Incredible!

Aside from the tea leaf offerings, we indulged our senses to sweet green-inspired treats, like the one above, as well as our spirits to the inspirational words of meditation speakers, Alan Watts and Jiddu Krishnamurti.

After a long, long week at the office, this was the perfect way to kick off my weekend with great tasting tea and a lesson in meditation.

Tiffany will continue to host these themed events more frequently so I encourage you to join her mailing list for updates and if you are interested in a private tea tasting contact her here.

What's in Your Cuppa?
Chante

FOOD: A Cuppa at PressTea

Last month, a new cafe opened in Greenwich Village namely Press Tea to much fanfare.

Since the opening, I've stopped by a few times and I have to admit the fuss is warranted. This place brings coffee and tea lovers alike to try an innovative approach to tea preparation and freshly brewed special blends - very imPRESSive! 

The wooden motif, warm lighting and cozy seating offers an ideal place to catch up with friends, sip a special brew in your creative mode or get away from reality with a good book.

Ironically, each time that I've stopped by ended up being the worst rainy days of spring and Press Tea was that oasis in those stormy moments.

Chante

ART: Little Teapot

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

I'm beyond giddy with the clay tea set that Lindsay of Little Bearpots custom made for me.

After meeting her at the LaunchPad event a couple of months ago, I became an instant fan of her craftsmanship. She creates so many exotic pieces that I simply had to ask her to make a teapot for me and it was not a challenge for her at all.

While I gave her creative freedom, we did collaborate on the types of glazes and surfaces that would work for this piece since I was looking for something subtle yet classic. And I was looking for yunomi-style cups for my tea sessions.

It turned out wonderfully!! My first steeping was with a Rooibos tea blend...but of course!

I'm so looking forward to steeping many more leaves in this pot

Chante

The brew is ready!
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

SIDE TOURING: The Tea Culture Movement

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

"A man without tea in him is incapable of understanding truth and beauty." -Okakura Kakuzo

Recently, courtesy of Side Tour, I had an opportunity to experience a tasting of Tieguanyin (oolong tea) with artist and co-owner of Mandarin's Tea House, Timothy Hsu for two hours - with every passing minute the taste become incredibly more potent! The experience was amazing and I highly recommend a visit to the tea house for a cup of tea with your cultural lesson.

The tea culture is so expansive and inclusive with tea novices, aficionados and snobs intertwined at socials, and the ranges of teas that are steeped into existence continually redefine the question of "how many teas are out there?”

There is a tea movement gaining momentum whether out of people seeking a healing alternative rather than continue with tradition medicines that fail us or choosing a healthier way of life by way of drinking natural beverages that taste good (and are good for our bodies) instead of indulging in bad drinks that are loaded with processed sugars, fructose, etcera. Or simply have the utmost respect for the leaf - whether it be part of a spiritual or cultural regime. Whatever the reason - more people are drinking tea and that is great thing!

Spices and Tease at the Chelsea Market [NYC]
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

The tea world is still fresh to me and I'm enjoying every millisecond. My introduction to loose leaf tea was about two years ago. And my very first tea house experience was at the Radiance Tea House this past January. What will be my next tea experience? I can see more tea tastings in my near future (the April 11th Tea By Tiffany’s Chocolate & Tea Tasting comes to mind!). Or perhaps being a part of a Japanese tea ceremony. Who knows!? But whatever the experience I'm grateful to broaden my cultural palate.

Visit to the Sullivan Street Tea & Spice in the West Village [NYC]
Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/Vysyn Photography

SideNote: If you want to know more about the medicinal benefits of tea or are curious about the various Asian teas, be sure to read "Healthy Teas" by Tammy Safi. It was so helpful to me! Learning is fundamental but while I experiment on my own I tilt my hat to tea specialists that have inspired & enlightened me - Tiffany (Twitter: @teabytiffany), Mario (Twitter: @mariotravels) and Nicole (Twitter: @teaformeplease).

What's In Your Cup?
Chante

A Tea Soiree By Tiffany

Photo Credit: Nona Brooklyn (website)

The teas that Tiffany, owner of Tea by Tiffany, creates marvels me! I only met her this past summer at the Dekalb Market and I'm a customer-for-life. Her blends are holistic, tasty and refreshing whether enjoyed in warm or cold weather. Her chocolate tea is downright sinful!


Tiffany is a tea-scientist as she continuously experiments with new combinations. And well versed in her craft and passes on interesting tidbits of wisdom to her customers each time you partake in her blends.


I am an avid tea-lover but I have admit I consider myself a novice to this beverage genre. On occasion, I would indulge in ginger root, green tea, rooibus and earl grey, just to name a few. So when Tiffany sent us an invite to attend last night's exclusive tea soirée, attending was a must!

Photo Credit: Chante Ramsey/VySyn Photography

The soirée was held at a top secret location with an elegant display featuring a royal tea set, endless appetizers and a special punch based with one of her special tea blends infused with vodka (reminiscent of sorrel).


As everyone mixed and mingled throughout the night, Tiffany brought out three of her many tea blends, one that I found quite interesting was a coconut blend that helps with your digestive system that was absolutely delicious. She also schooled us on the proper way to brew your tea - yup I took notes! lol


In 2012, she will be offering these soirées on a regular basis and her teas will be featured at special events throughout the NYC-area so be sure link up with her on her website or twitter for up to date info on future events.


-Chante