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TEA in TEXAS A FRESH LOOK ON UNIQUE TRAVEL
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Tea Outdoors
• South Padre Island • Tea Tours • Helen Keller’s Gift
JULY/AUGUST 2009
$3.95
Historical Events | Health Briefs | Community Calendar
presents
Houston Tea Tours Have An Affair to Remember with Tea in Texas offering uniquely guided tours that highlight Tea across Houston! Relax yourself and discover hidden treasures!
Visit Museum of Fine Art Houston’s Bayou Bend Colonial Mansion, Texas Art Collection and Gardens Tour Houston’s Historical Heights Victorian Homes and Parks Take afternoon tea at a local Tea Room
DURING THE TOUR: - Education the art of taking Tea. - Learn tea history and etiquette. - Free door prizes / tea samples. - Free TEA IN TEXAS Magazines. $29.95 /person Up to 5 hour Step-On Guide. All meals, entrances, tax, tour guide fees and tip included. 25 person minimum. Transportation not included.
832-922-9225 / www.teablessings.com / afternoontea@teaintexas.com
contents Lee Q. Garcia Publisher, Editor in Chief Sylvia Qinones Circulation Director Liubov Grinshteyn Graphic Designer Contributing Writers: Crystal Christmas Gail Henderson Archana Pyatt Adam Sachs Penny Ward Kari Wilsher Photos: Norma Wilson Istock.com To become apart of our upcoming issue, please call TEA-922-9335 or email: info@teaintexas.com Published By-Monthly By: TEA IN TEXAS MEDIA, LLC 10878 Westheimer Rd., #115 Houston, Texas 77042 Sales: sales@teaintexas.com Website: teaintexas.com Phone: 832-922-9335 Fax: 281-679-7877
summer fun
where to visit
good things
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14
10
Queen Elizabeth’s Birthday
Special-Tea Occasions
Helen Keller’s Gift
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17
12
Seafood Starters
Rio Grande Valley
Sunflower Tablescapes
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32
21
The Victorian Fan
World Tea Expo
STI- Leads the Way
Tea in Texas copyrighted 2009. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use without our written permission of articles, editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited. Please note that Tea in Texas has made reasonable efforts to verify the information within. Editorial and advertising do not assume responsibility for false or misleading information. Options expressed are not necessarily the views of the publisher. We encourage you to support our local businesses and say heard about them from Tea in Texas Magazine. Additional or back issues are available online or by calling the TEA in TEXAS office for $3.95 a copy. Yearly Subscriptions are $18. By submitting Images/Articles to Tea in Texas Media you grant the magazine the rights to said material for any commercial use without further consideration.
tablescapes
by Penny Ward
A fresh shipment of Texas sunflowers at the market is the inspiration to create this Texas summer table. Gifts of radiant warmth, sunflowers are the happiest of flowers, and their meanings include loyalty and longevity. They are unique in their ability to provide energy in the form of nourishment and vibrance, an attribute which mirrors the sun and the energy provided by its heat and light. Sunflowers originated in the Americas, where for centuries they were cultivated as a valuable food source. The use of sunflower images as religious symbols has also been documented in some native societies. With the European exploration of the New World, the sunflower was brought to new areas, and the flower’s popularity eventually spread as the rest of the world began to appreciate its beauty and sustenance.
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www.teaintexas.com | july - august 2009
To set this table Penny used: Placemats: sunflowers hand painted on burlap - a treasured gift from a friend Napkins: April Cornell, tied with raffia Placecards: sunflower themed tags from the scrapbook store with names added and tied with raffia on vintage brown snuff jars used as vases Plates: vintage flower designed snack sets paired with mismatched cups by Hazel Atlas, perfect for a cup of tea or a chilled soup Glasses: from the 70’s, Tiffin/Franciscan Madeira (smoke) Votives: Heisey oyster cups Stacking cream & sugar set: Russell Wright Olive jar vase and cross: Southern Living at HOME Wooden silverware: Penny’s private collection
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july - august 2009 | www.teaintexas.com
Texas Specialtea Shoppe Gourmet Coffee, Teas & Fine Pastries Cakes and Pies Belgian Waffles & French Toast On Weekends!
Specialteas:
Bridal Showers / Baby Showers Birthdays / Anniversaries & Other Private Part-Teas Relax On The Porch, Dine-In Or Take-Out Serving Light Lunches Natural, Wooded Walking Trails Mention this ad for a complimentary cup of tea or coffee Clark
FM 362 Reids Prairie FM 362
Field Store
FM 1488 Magnolia U.S. 290
26734 Clark Road, Waller / 936.372.0097
tea pro
A first-timer’s look at TEA EXPO By Gail Henderson
“As big as Texas” and a little overwhelming---that’s what encountering my first Expo felt like at Vegas’s Mandalay Bay this year. I was truly unprepared for the delightful sensory overload which ensued, overwhelming not only the eyes and the palate (since you can taste teas to your heart’s content), but also the nose. Long before I found even the first row of booths, a mixture of the world’s most delightful scents found me! Imagine the earth’s most naturally tantalizing aromas, from fruit to
Industry Statistics • Tea sales in the US are expected to exceed a phenomenal $10 billion in 2010 for both beverage and non-beverage categories. 1 32
• In 2007, the tea industry experienced a 20% growth in sales of Ready-to-Drink (RTD) teas.2 • In 2007, the industry experienced significant new product launch activity- 3,095 non-food global new product launches with tea as an ingredient.3 • Annual imports of tea into the US have grown 25% over the last 20 years. Green tea imports have increased by 118%. 4 • Supermarkets accounted for 64% of tea sales in 2006- leading the retail distribution of tea and RTD tea. 5 • Among all households in the US 76% report that they or someone in their household drinks regular tea.5 • In the US 37% of consumers prefer organic tea to conventional brands. 5 • Nearly 60% of US consumers said that the flavorthey enjoy most in tea is some type of fruit flavor.5
www.teaintexas.com | july - august 2009
flower to fresh grass then put them altogether and that’s the perfume exuded at Expo! Someone ought to bottle that! It was like drinking in the whole world’s teas with one whiff. I was also unprepared for the beauty and artistry of the tea booths. Tea as “nature’s art” was everywhere. Some booths showcased 20 different trays of teas, flowers and herbs arranged artfully like colors of the rainbow, without repeating a color. Other booths were decorated in full-length pictures of tea plants or misty tea fields being harvested in exotic settings. Still other booths were transformed into cottages showcasing beautifully made crafts. And some booths could have been china or porcelain showrooms. In addition, tea bouquets were everywhere, as nearly every table had at least one clear glass teapot displaying a blooming tea. But perhaps the most wonderful thing about the booths was the international scope of the people who stood behind the tables. “Next door” to our Tea in Texas booth was a Kenyan family, exhibiting and selling their breakfast teas called Safari for the first time at Expo. They also gave us samples of ginger tea. Across the way, the head marketer for Chamong, India’s largest tea grow-
tea pro
er which employs over 7,000 women, kept bringing us his rarest teas to taste including the company’s awardwinning oolong. Since Lee and I weren’t buyers, that tea sharing was just one example of the hospitality and generosity we found throughout. We could travel around the world just going from booth to booth, collecting souvenirs while we strolled. (Viet Nam gave out fans and hand-wrapped blooming teas). But the booth that impressed me the most offered a glimpse of women in kimonos seated on the floor elegantly and stylistically offering a taste of their first flush (first tea harvested) to two Asian businessmen in suits. It occurred to me that this very scene was an unintentional reminder of tea transactions throughout history, of power and money exchanged over teacups, a re-enactment of fortunes bought and sold over a tea table. And I was there-- witnessing that very process continue. Booth after glorious booth, my physical senses stirred and my sense of history rekindled, I found myself falling in love with the world of tea all over again. And the world of tea returned that love, not just “wowing” this first-timer with a tea adventure not soon forgotten, but truly “wooing” all comers.
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Gail Henderson hopes to share the joy of tea taking with as many first timers as possible this year. She and her friend Martha DeWeese have created a tea calendar for that purpose. Love Your Neighborhood’s 2010 Hospitali-Tea Adventures Calendar captures the beauty and international scope of tea and combines that with Scriptures and monthly friendship suggestions. Gail can be reached by calling 813-9281166. View her website at www.LoveYourNeighborhood.com.
july - august 2009 | www.teaintexas.com
tea mail
restaurant Gourmet Dining in Spring, near Woodlands Waterway Rich and Artful Main Dining Room awaits you with Chandeliers and a Baby Grand Piano The Tuscan Room which brings about a Little Touch of Italy The St. James Tea Room accents Victorian flair The Banquet Hall can host parties of 100 Entertaining all special occasions
24307 Aldine-Westfield Rd
281-907-0778 www.whiteflamingorestaurant.com
central texas
COME FOR TEA
Tea House Guide For Austin, San-Antonio and Surrounding Areas 1 Ambrosia Tea Room
14 Lauras CafĂŠ
18 Middleton's House of Tea
405 Whitney St
612 Main St
1502 W Avenue M
Salado TX
Fredericksburg TX
Georgetown TX
Temple TX
254-947-3733
830-997-8615
512-863-5875
254-778-4TEA
2 Bawdsey Manor
11 The Garden Tea Room
15 Keria Teas
19 Miss Lissia's Plantation
18771 FM 2252
4200 S I H 35
204 East Main Avenue
Texas Oak Rd
San Antonio TX
San Marcos TX
Round Rock TX
Water Valley TX
210-651-7500
512-392-2202
512-255-3742
325-465-4710
12 Gathering Place
16 Madhatters Tea
3 Blend Coffee and Tea
20 Momoko Gifts & Tea
1502 S Flores St
17130 State Highway 46 W
320 Beauregard
705 W 24th St # A
San Antonio TX
Spring Branch TX
San Antonio TX
Austin TX
210-299-4446
830-885-6388
210-212-4832
512-469-0232
4 Chado Tea Market
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10 Fredericksburg Herb Farm
102 N Main Street
13 Jade Leaves Teahouse
17 Mad Hatter TR & Boutique
21 The Peach Tree
4616 Triangle Ave
705 W 24th St # A
210 S. Echols Street
210 S. Adams
Austin TX
Austin TX
Caldwell TX
Fredericksburg TX
512-206-0524
512-469-0232
979-567-3504
830-997-9527
5 The English Tea Shoppe
22 Petticoat Tails
6877 Bandera Rd
6433 Blanco Road
Leon Valley TX
San Antonio TX
210-681-2535
210-348-7949
6 EZ Herbs & Teas
23 River House Tea Room
8803 Bear Creek Drive
1617 New Braunfels St
Austin TX
Gruene TX
512-301-5838
830-608-0690
7 Four Seasons Hotel
24 Steeping Room
98 San Jacinto Blvd+B4
11410 Century Oaks Ter
Austin TX+B5
Austin TX
512-478-4500
512-977-8337
8 Fredericksburg Coffee & Tea
25 Tea Embassy
338 West Main St Fredericksburg TX 830-997-8327 9 Formosa Art Teahouse 200 E. Pecan St. Ste. 5 Pflugerville TX
900 Rio Grande St. DISCLAIMER- This is a sampling of Tea Businesses in the area, and not intended to be complete. To be included in future lists, call TEA-922-9335
Tea Rooms, Restaurants, & Eateries Tea Purveyors- Loose Tea
512-989-8678
www.teaintexas.com | july - august 2009
Austin TX 512-330-9991 26 Zhi Tea Gallery 4607 Bolm Rd Austin TX 512-363-6301
advertiser list VISIT OUR ADVERTISERS AT WWW.TEAINTEXAS.COM Historical
Event Planners
South East TX Tea Shops
Victorian Lady
Boutique Botanica Katy, TX 281-574-4999
Accomodations
Serenitea Sugarland, TX
Brendan Manor B&B
281-491-4588 Silver Sycamore
LaGrange, TX
League City, TX
979-968-2028
713-299-4777
Pasadena, TX
Robins Nest B&B
An Affair of the Heart
Houston, TX
Teapot Depot
Houston, TX
Houston, TX
713-522-6868
Highlands, TX
713-528-5821
281-413-4714
281-487-4033 British Isles
Events Central Texas
ALPHABETICAL AD INDEX Ambrosia Tea Room An Affair of the Heart Antique Elegance
936-372-0097
Austin Junior Forum
10 26 20
Boutique Botanica Brandon Manor
28 11
281-426-3670 By George Tea Room
Texas Specialtea Shoppe
Angleton, TX
Waller, TX
979-235-0035
Tea Shops Antique Elegance Show
Café M. Bloomers
Whistle Stop
Ambrosia Tea Room
Richardson, TX
Navasota, TX
Tomball, TX
Breast Cancer Tea
Salado, TX
432-687-2004
936-870-3277
281-255-2455
British Isles Shoppe By George Tea Room Café M. Bloomers Calvert Tea and Gala Crossroads Collection The Cultured Cup The Drink Station Ellen's Café
254-947-3733 Austin Junior Forums
The Drink Station
White Flamingo
Christmas Tea
Pearland, TX
Spring, TX
Austin, TX
Austin, TX
281-412-0755
281-907-0778
512-330-9991
512-810-8223
Tea Embassy
Ellen's Café Gifts
Breast Cancer Tea
Spring, TX
Fort Worth, TX
281-353-9229
817-723-3095 Grannies Tea Cozies
Tea House Times Fontenot Grand Mansion
VOTED BEST COZIES
Calvert Tea and Gala
Spring, TX
812-202-0151
Calvert, TX
281-355-8961
979-364-2559 Linen & Tea Wheel
Publications
teahousetimes.com Tea in Texas Magazine (832) TEA-922-9335
Four Friends Tea Room
Makes Tea Preparation Easy
Houston Tea Tour
Pearland,TX
Tea Room News
806-789-0378
TeaBlessings.com
281-485-6484
thetearoomnews.com
Masraff's on Post Oak
Wellness
832-922-9335 Love Your Neighborhood
Tea For Education
Houston, TX
Inspirational Calendar
Houston, TX
713-355-1975
813-928-1166
281-440-9257 Mustard Seed
Teatime Bingo
Lisanne Wellness Center Houston, TX 713-467-9499
Tea Room
TEAGO, fun game
North Texas Shops
214-763-5336
Baytown, TX
Customed Dress
281-422-7100 The Cultured Cup Dallas, TX
Online Tea Shop
888.VIP.TEAS
Peggy's Victorian Corner The Path of Tea
Best Victorian Costumes
Houston, TX
Galveston, TX
713-252-4473
409-765-5455 Organizations
Crossroad Collection
Nee Nee's Tea Room
Houston, TX
Plano, TX
Sandys Market
713-783-9737
469-441-4679
Houston, TX 281-870-9999
Texas Tea Business Network
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BC
26 23 16 29 38 20 31 30
Fontenot Grand Mansion
16
Four Friends Tea Room Grannies Tea Cozies Linen & Tea Wheel Lisanne Wellness Center Love Your Neighborhood Masraff's Mustard Seed Tea Room Nee Nee's Tea Room Path of Tea Peggy's Victorian Corner Sandy's Market Serenitea Tea Room Silver Sycamore Tea Room Tea Embassy Tea For Education Tea House Times Tea in Texas Magazine Tea Room News Teapot Depot Teatime Bingo Texas Specialtea Shoppe Texas Tea Business Network TEXAS Victorian Lady Whistle Stop Tea Room White Flamingo Restaurant
23 11 28 5 9 26 23 20 26 10 38 39 23 10 6 28 27 35 23 20 16 22 38 35 35
www.gotexastea.org
Reach Your Target Audience Frequent Travelers, Affluent & Savvy, Key Decision-Makers Tea in Texas is much more than a Magazine- it’s a state of mind and a tool for your growing business.
july - august 2009 | www.teaintexas.com
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The Austin Junior Forum proudly presents the 26th Annual
Christmaas At The Caswell House November 5—15
Daily Tearoom Luncheons: November 7— November 13 11am, 12:15pm, 1:20pm daily Tickets: $20/person, $15/senior Mother Daughter Tea For all the little girls who love to play dress up and have tea! Sunday, November 8 1:30pm Saturday, November 14, 1:30pm Tickets: $30/Adult, $15 for 12 and under Mother Daughter Brunch New event - Enjoy a classic brunch with Mom Saturday, November 14 11:00am Tickets: $35/person Gospel Brunch New event - Family style brunch with a Gospel Choir Sunday, November 15 11:00am Tickets: $35/person An Evening of Shopping! - Come in the house and shop as you please! We will have wine and tastings from our fabulous bake shop while you peruse the Caswell House at your leisure! Tuesday, November 10 5:30pm—8:00pm Wednesday, November 11 5:30pm—8:00pm Tickets $10 - No Reservation Required Tickets go on sale September 1, 2009! For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.austinjuniorforum.org or call 512-810-8223