Tea for Two

Tea for Two

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TEA IS A TRULY legendary beverage, its origins shrouded in the mists of time.

Confucius knew about tea, and by the Tang Dynasty, China had adopted tea as its national beverage. The finest teas across the land were sent to the emperor as tribute. Ming Dynasty girls drank tea upon accepting a marriage proposal because the tea tree was believed impossible to transplant and its leaves were a symbol of faithfulness.

The country perhaps most associated with drinking tea is England, yet the beverage didn’t gain popularity until the 17th century, when Catherine of Braganza, homesick for the drink of her native Portugal, introduced tea to the English court. The aristocracy quickly adopted the beverage and England became known as the home of the elegant afternoon tea.

Today tea is the second most popular beverage in the world, coming in just behind water. It is also the new hot drink for celebrations. Part of its growing popularity comes from tea’s health benefits. But it also lets you take a breath to pause and enjoy the moment. Tea lets you transcend the everyday world; what could be more perfect for your wedding? Here are a few ideas on how to incorporate this sensual beverage into your celebration.

Reading Tea Leaves

DON'T KNOW YOUR rooibos from your pu-erh? Tea spans the globe and every culture has its own unique spin on it.

Pu-erh

This earthy tea is just now starting to make its way into Western consciousness. Originally from the Pu-erh area of the Yunnan province in China, pu-erh is traditionally sold after it has been pressed into bricks and aged. Like a fine wine, pu-erh is often designated by the year and region of production.

Pu-erh has played a huge role in Chinese weddings. The cakes were used in the bride’s dowry and the tea is still enjoyed during engagement and marriage celebrations. Brides and grooms in Yunnan share a cup on their wedding day because the red color of pu-erh signifies the good fortune they will enjoy as a couple.

Wrapped in colorfully printed handmade paper, pu-erh tea cakes make unique favors for your guests. Or take a custom from the old days when emperors would set their seal on a tea, marking their approval. Order plain cakes, get some beautiful paper and write your own messages before wrapping the tea and presenting it to your attendants as gifts.

For the ultimate in pu-erh experience, Mitea offers a 1949 Vintage Private Reserve Cave Aged Pu-Erh, on the block for $400 an ounce at www.mitea.com

Blooming teas

In Sofia Coppola’s sensuous film Marie Antoinette, the French queen impresses her brother by making tea “blossom” in his cup. Marie had her tea sent to her by the emperor of China, but today a bride doesn’t have to be the queen to show off these romantic teas at a bridal luncheon or reception.

Flowering teas are actually hand-sewn rosettes of tea leaves. At the center of the rosette is a flower that is revealed as the leaves unfurl, adding a splash of color and a delicate floral flavor to the tea. Steeped in a clear teapot, the tea leaves “bloom,” like a time-elapsed film of summer rosebuds.

One of the more common brands of flowering tea is Numi, available at Whole Foods or Henry’s Farmers Market. The completely organic line has many different white, green and black flowering teas handmade in tea gardens in China. More information is available at www.numitea.com.

Primula has a huge variety of green flowering teas made with AA-grade green tea and all-natural flowers. With names like Lover’s Blossom and Juliet’s Kiss, they make romantic additions to any wedding. For an afternoon reception, place the different teas in glass teapots and use them as centerpieces. For more information, visit www.primula.com.

Tisanes

Another term for herbal tea, a tisane is brewed from the dried blossoms and leaves of herbs and flowers. Once used to cure all kinds of ailments, today’s tisanes go far beyond the standard chamomile tea. Rooibos, or African red tea, has become increasingly popular in the United States. Other ingredients might include hibiscus, rose, apricot and spices.

Among its more traditional teas, such as English Breakfast, Tea Forté offers several tisanes. The African Solstice is rooibos with a touch of vanilla while the Flora blends crimson hibiscus flowers with cinnamon and licorice. Tea Forté’s elegant infusers in a pyramid shape are great conversation pieces, so put a display tray out at your rehearsal dinner for your guests to share and compare. The teas also come in boxed sets of two, making them perfect favors for your reception. Available at Origins or at www.teaforte.com.

The Unclassic Mar-Tea-Ni

For a different twist on the traditional martini during your rehearsal dinner, serve mar-tea-nis. Just let your caterer or bar service know ahead of time to ensure all the preparations are made.

To celebrate National Tea Month, VTK in Chicago created this Cosmo Tea-Ni:
11⁄4 ounces Chambord
1⁄4 ounces cranberry juice
3 ounces hot tea
3⁄4 ounces citrus vodka
Add ingredients to a shake with ice. Shake and strain into a martini glass.

For special elegance, try the Earl Grey Mar-Tea-Ni. For this drink, Tanqueray gin is infused with Earl Grey tea leaves. Again, advance preparation is needed as the gin needs to fully absorb the flavor of the tea.

To infuse the gin, mix four tablespoons of Earl Grey leaves into a one-liter bottle of Tanqueray gin. Shake well and let sit for two hours. Strain into a bowl or bottle. Rinse the original bottle and pour the infused gin back into it. Keep chilled.

For the drink:
3⁄4 ounces fresh lemon juice
1 ounce simple syrup
11⁄2 ounces infused Tanqueray gin
1 egg white
Measure ingredients into a mixing glass. Add ice and shake hard for 10 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass half rimmed with sugar and garnish with a lemon twist.

Hot Water and Tea

Tea at your bachelorette party? Certainly! Or, as Julius Caesar’s subjects would have said, Quippe! In Las Vegas, Qua Baths & Spa at Caesars Palace offers the royal treatment for both your body and your palate.

Inspired by the ancient Roman art of reinvigorating oneself before conquering the world, the Roman Baths at Qua begin with the Tepidarium where mineral-rich water restores your skin’s balance. Then alternate between the hot waters of the Caldarium and the icy plunge of the Frigidarium. You and your friends will be soothed and ready to take on the night.

The signature Arctic Room is surrounded by glass-tiled walls and, as snow falls around you, you are kept warm with heated floors and benches. Let the snow take your cares away with it as it melts.

Relax in the Tea Lounge, where Qua’s tea sommelier will carefully match your treatments with a special blend of tea. The Banana Leaf Wrap, for example, is finished with a cup of Blooming Bliss, while the Anti-Cellulite Wrap is paired with Pomegranate Blueberry tea. All the teas are organically grown and blended with only natural ingredients. www.quabathsandspa.com.