Each entrant must create a 1-2 minute video focusing on a unique or creative way to drink tea (real tea, not herbal). It must also mention one health benefit of sipping an afternoon (or morning, or evening) brew. Sorry, but entrants must be citizens of the USA or Puerto Rico and be at least 16 years old.
The deadline is August 6th, 2008, so get those ideas (and film) rolling!
Even if you don’t live in the USA or don’t need a scholarship, it will be fun to see what sorts of videos these kids make. I’ll be keeping an eye on the gallery page so I can watch the videos as they’re posted!
Last year’s video is kind of funny, but I’m honestly not TERRIBLY impressed… it sounds like a pretty cheesy advertisement. I’m sure you can do much better!
(Tippy Leaf is not responsible for any of the health claims made in the above video. Seriously.)
If you are new to tippyleaf’s blog, or if you’re a regular visitor, please consider subscribing for free.
WikiCha, a web2.0 site, is dedicated to compiling the knowledge of tea lovers around the world in hopes of providing information to people who might not be as expert in the subject of tea. So if you have knowlege to share, become a contributor! And if you have questions, you might find answers there!
You’ll find tons of information about different kinds of tea, different countries’ teaware, and tea culture. There’s also a tea on the net section which includes a full list of tea blogs if you’re looking for more places to read about your favorite beverage!
One funny page to check out is the Tealolz page… it’ll have you in stitches!
Go take a look, and if you become a contributor, please make sure to add your favorite tippyleaf articles to the databasse!
If you are new to tippyleaf’s blog, or if you’re a regular visitor, please consider subscribing for free.
Homer’s paintings make one feel that they are out walking through a wonderfully disheveled backyard garden in the company of a visionary naturalist, one able to spot unique fauna flitting amongst the tangled flora. Homer’s birds once again stand in her work as symbols of vivid life engaged in behaviors every bit as mysterious as our own. In a group of smaller works the birds have somehow made their way inside and refresh themselves at tea. In these playful works the birds are painted more or less life size and seem delighted with their transgressions.
Somehow, I thought the birds were still outside, and that Susan Homer was enjoying her tea outdoors while happily painting. Wouldn’t that be divine, to be painting and sipping a cup of tea, when a little robbin or sparrow comes to visit?
Warning: This may run through your head for the rest of the day. Very clever!
Cup of Brown Joy Lyrics (as best as I can discern… if you have corrections, please comment, and I’ll edit the post):
Love a cup…. I would… ah, God yes!
Ooh that is gorgeous. Yeah!
I need a cup of the brown stuff, the shade of an acorn.
Made warm by the same source that I take my cakes from.
Using a tea pot, a mug, or fine china…
Being hooked up to IVs, and constant supplies.
…and the ___ of my urges might verge on the verge of an earthy brown tea.
I’m certain it’s worth it.
We ___ to workers and use a fresh fountain,
I deserve brews from Peruvian mountains.
I’ve slurped up a cup from an elephant’s trunk
with a couple of monks who utterly stunk.
I’ve had bourbons with sultans and creams with queens,
and I’ve bathed in Earl Grey. I’m really that keen!
And missionaries dismiss me for my singular epiphany.
The difference between him and me is a simple sip of British tea!
So when times are hard and life is rough,
You can stick the kettle on and find me a cup!
Now when I say Earl Grey, you say yes please!
Earl Grey — yes please!
Earl Grey — yes please!
When I say Assam, you say lovely!
Assam — lovely!
Assam — lovely!
When I say ooh, you say ahh!
Ooh — ahh!
Ooh — ahh!
Ooh — ahhhhhh!
(muttering?)
I’ve been around the world in 80 brews
to see the place you take me to
to make the brew that tastes like the cream cakes made by angels do.
I’m not the same as you; get shaky with ___.
To swig amazing fluids, but don’t make it the same.
Now, using fine leaves, picked by pretty maidens,
in a bag knitted by a seamstress who lives in Copenhagen.
Brewed up in a pot made of semi-precious metal
And then let the bless-ed contents settle in my very special kettle.
Now, when I say Oo, you say long.
Oo–long!
Oo–long!
When I say herbal, you say no thanks.
Herbal — no thanks!
Herbal — no thanks!
Mmm….no! No, I want.. I want milk in it.
Strong though! I want to see that spoon stand up!
If you’re tired of tea, then you’re tired of life!
Ah-ha! I’m madder than a hatter. It defies my might!
Liken me to Earl Grey, Assam, or Ginger
Lapsang Soushong raise my pinky finger.
Keep your sodding coffee in a proper copper coffee pot.
…. and spot me loving teapot
coffee clocks, nodding off
lost a plot, sodding off
Need some caffeine added and a Batternburg to top it off.
Cut them off a different block. A different lot can take their pay on
80 cups a day, I haven’t slept for 80 years!
You can say I’m mad with tea, or, or just say I’m mad.
Oh, you can’t stay any longer? Oh..
Actually, I’m I’m quite glad.
All the more Battenburg for me!
I can barely pour, my hands have got a bit shaky from caffeine.
Oh, I love it though.
I’d sell my own grandma for a cup.
Well, I’d sell your grandma for a cup…
If you are new to tippyleaf’s blog, or if you’re a regular visitor, please consider subscribing for free.
As the weather in the northern hemisphere warms up for the Spring, you might wish to delight in your tea al fresco.
The weather has been delicious! Not too hot or cold, and (at least here) it’s been slightly breezy, so flying insects are kept at bay.
This picture is from the blog of MarshalN, who said, “What was nice though was to drink outside at all — listen to birds, watching the deer walk by, etc. It’s just not the same.”
It may also be a wonderful time to invite over some friends (or friends of your children’s) and host a springtime tea party. Try a rich Assam alongside some lemon custard desserts (add dark chocolate shavings to yours to bring out the sweet flavour in your tea).
If you are new to tippyleaf’s blog, or if you’re a regular visitor, please consider subscribing for free.
CNN posted a Top 10 list today for ways to boost your energy during the midday slump, and guess who made the cut! White tea, coming in at position 5! Alicia Potter writes,
Bag a new brew
Boost your energy with white tea, which has a delicate flavor that requires little sweetening. “Of all the teas, white tea goes through the least processing,” says Iman Hakim, M.D., Ph.D., a professor at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona in Tucson and a leading researcher on the benefits of tea. As a result, white tea has the highest concentration of L-theanine, an amino acid that, according to recent research, stimulates alpha brain waves to boost alertness while producing a calming effect. And because a cup of white tea contains less caffeine (15 milligrams) than other teas (up to 50 mg) and coffee (120 mg), it’s more hydrating, another key for sustaining energy.
How fantastic is that? White tea will give you an energy boost without the negative effects of too much caffiene.
If you are new to tippyleaf’s blog, or if you’re a regular visitor, please consider subscribing for free.
You might think “they’re both tea, so I’ll get the conveniently packaged tea bag.” But then, you’d be wrong.
While they ARE both technically tea, the tea bags you pick up in the grocery store are vastly inferior to the quality you’d find in loose leaf teas. Some tea companies do produce high-quality tea bags that are filled with whole tea leaves, but that is the exception rather than the rule. So here’s a little rundown about the differences between the two:
Loose Leaf Tea - Generally whole leaves/buds or at least large pieces. This keeps the oils that make your aromatic treat safe until it’s time to brew
Tea Bags - Filled with “fannings” or the smallest parts of tea leaves that are left after all the good stuff is taken. Oils are allowed to escape, the tea becomes stale, and this results in a weak cuppa
Loose Leaf Tea - Can be properly brewed by allowing water to circulate all around the leaves, and by giving the leaves room to swell
Tea Bags - Tea is cramped. There is little room for the leaves (or fannings as it were) to expand.
Loose Leaf Tea - Has been around for over 5000 years and is “tried and true”
Tea bags - Were invented at the beginning of the 20th century
I know what you’re thinking… “I’m too busy for this loose leaf stuff. Tea bags are too convenient to give up!” Well, calm down! Loose leaf tea is really simple to steep, even one cup at a time. If you can’t get away from the bag idea though, there are options for you.
This reusable handmade tea bag can be filled with your favorite loose leaf teas, for the convenience of bag-brewing, but the flavor of “real” tea. The bag is also roomy enough to allow the tea leaves to expand as they take on water.
Or for a disposable alternative, you can fill these unbleached bags with your tea and seal the end with the heat from your iron. Drop them in your cup for a quick and easy cup of tea.
So treat yourself to high-quality loose leaf teas rather than those dusty stale tea bags, and let me know if you’re glad I told you to make the switch.
If you are new to tippyleaf’s blog, or if you’re a regular visitor, please consider subscribing for free.
![Powered by Zen Cart :: The Art of E-Commerce [home link]](/includes/templates/classic/images/logo.gif "Powered by Zen Cart :: The Art of E-Commerce [home link]"){kind=logo}
Somehow, I thought the birds were still outside, and that Susan Homer was 
