"All The News That's Fit To Print"

Greetings everyone, I hope you welcomed the New Year in.  We have finally had a bit of snow and at the moment, sunshine.  It is so welcome.  We have had so little of it this fall.

All sorts of news to start the year off.  Bigelow Teas is having a drawing to win a trip for 2 to the Charleston Tea Plantation.  Go to their Facebook page and look for Sweepstakes in the column on the left.  I wish we could all win - wouldn't that be a party?!

Alex Zorach has announced that his wonderful website, http://www.ratetea.net/ has become http://www.ratetea.com/  Please note this and go visit the site, it is well worth it.  You might want to visit his blog as well, which is always thought-provoking.

Bruce Richardson, well-known tea historian and writer is the new Tea Master for the Boston Harbor "Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum", which will re-open in June 2012.  He will be designing teas based on the  cargos of the 3 ships, all of them China teas.  The ones tossed overboard on that famous night were Bohea, Congu and Souchong, black teas, and two greens, Singlo and Hyson.  He will also be designing menus and foods for the 100 seat tea room at the museum.  Definitely a summer destination for tea fans.

January 15-17 will find San Francisco home to the Winter Fancy Food Festival at the Moscone Center - tea included.

In the East, NYC will host the Coffee and Tea Festival at 7 W 34th St.  That's near Macy's if you want to shop as well.  The dates for this event are February 24-25.  The Specialty Tea Institute will be having Level I, II and Professional  classes.


Authentic Teas is now carrying herbal tisanes from Armenia.  If you can't remember where that is, their site has maps.  these are all wild grown, sustainable and hand processed from start to finish.  There is a selection of six and if you can't make up your mind, there is a sampler available.  http://www.authenticteas.com/

SerendipiTea http://www.serendipitea.com/ has Guatemalan tea on offer.  This is the first time this tea has been for sale in the US.  It comes from the Chirropec Tea Co-operative in northern Guatemala, near Coban.  German settlers in the late 19th century introduced the tea, which is grown at an elevation of 4,300 feet.  4 ounces is $12, a very good price.

How's this for your everyday Royal Bible book cover?  Solid gold.  From the Imperial Museum in Vienna.