Tea Travels!™...Holiday Tea Blend
by Ellen Easton ©2005 - All Rights Reserved

Photo By Ellen Easton ©2007 - Hand Decorated Sugars By Reva Paul ©2007 - Candied Ginger By Gingerpeople ©2007 - All Rights Reserved

This delicious holiday tea will be a welcome addition to any holiday party menu, tree trimming, or even wrapped to be given as a gift.

Check out more of Ellen Easton's Tea Travels™ articles and recipes.

Learn about the History of English High Tea and more delicious Afternoon Tea and High Tea Recipes.
 

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Ellen’s Holiday Tea Blend

Recipe Type: Afternoon Tea and High Tea, Tea Travels
Yields: makes 20 cups of tea
Prep time: 20 min

Ingredients:

2 ounces Darjeeling black tea
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup currants/raisins
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons orange zest (rind), grated*
1 teaspoon vanilla powder or pure vanilla extract

* 1 orange = 2 tablespoons grated zest.

Preparation:

Place tea, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, currants/raisins, ginger, nutmeg, orange zest, and vanilla powder in a bowl and mix together. NOTE: If using vanilla extract blend well through dry ingredients, allowing the entire mixture to dry.

Mixture will yield 20 cups of tea.

Making Tea:

• Use one teaspoon of tea mixture per each 6-ounce cup of tea. One heaping teaspoon of tea mixer per #2 T-sac may be used per 2 to 3 cup tea pot. One prepared tea bag containing leaf tea will brew 2 to 3 cups of tea.
   
• Preheat a teapot or "hot the pot" by rinsing it out with hot water. By insulating the teapot, it keeps the tea hot during the brewing process.
   
• Bring the fresh cold water to a full rolling boil. Remove from the heat quickly as to not allow the oxygen to escape from the water. Water that has been reheated gives tea a flat taste. Only boiling water can extract the full flavor and benefit from the leaves.
   
• Use one teaspoonful of tea mixture or one tea bag per cup (6 ounces) of water. Pour boiling water over the tea.
   
• Let steep for 7 to 10 minutes. Do not judge the strength of your tea by its color. It takes time for the leaves to unfold and release their flavor. If you prefer your tea less strong, add hot water after the brewing period. Always decant the tea before serving.
   
• If Chai is desired add warmed milk to taste.

Tea Enhancers:  Sugar, Honey, Candied Ginger, or Orange Rind