Alice in Wonderland Blend
Recently we hosted a children’s event we called the Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. You'd be surprised by how much children of all ages love tea parties. The tea pots, tea cups and saucers, tiny silver teaspoons, sugar cubes and tongs always grab them.
We had all the characters in costume. Alice with her long blonde hair and blue and white pinafore dress. The six-foot-tall white rabbit with black top hat and bow tie. The Queen of Hearts, and of course the host--the Mad Hatter.
A good tea party will always have a themed blend of tea. But what would that be? Necessity was the mother of invention.
The Alice Blend was inspired by the tea garden itself. Fruits, flowers, and herbs in the right proportions and ratios were brought together for the tisane.
Calendula and roses, a bit of lavender to calm the senses, corn flowers to smooth the balance. Raspberry is important in English tea parties (it's Kate Middleton’s choice). And strawberry for sweetness. Other berries in smaller quantities to round out the cup included blackberry and blueberry. The color was surprisingly appealing. A medium pink, clear and bright.
A full forward fruit flavor lends itself to iced tea. Our brewing method was to use a double portion of blended tea--two teaspoons per cup). We poured boiling water over the tea sack and it allowed to steep for fifteen minutes, so the dried fruits and flowers could develop their full flavor and color.
Fruit teas are very popular with young and old, hot or iced is makes for a refreshing cup of tea. Naturally sweet and caffeine free, loaded with Vitamin C and A and other nutrients. "Curiouser and curiouser," said Alice as she poured herself another cup of tea.
The Alice in Wonderland Blend is now on our menu, and promises to be a favorite this summer with kid’s parties and garden tea parties.
