The Tea Well

I am unbelievably excited to announce the beginnings of a dream: The Tea Well.

Hopefully, I am like most people and have only a few things that I am extremely passionate about, and tea is one of them for me.

Tea is life for me.
Tea is every day for me.
Tea is history for me.
And tea is health for me.

Over the course of the past two years, I have extended myself into learning more and more about tea and have undergone specialized training (even becoming a certified Tea Specialist) because I am that dedicated to it and believe in that much. During this course of time, I have been asked here and there to create customized teas for people that are brave enough to simply ask me. 

It all started during a ski trip to the Sierras last winter. I travel light, and we were only going to be gone for 4 days. No biggie. But no way was I not bringing my tea! It happened to be a blend of some of my personal favorite nuances that created a blissful profile that left you feeling warm and clean. A ski-mate (I mustn't reveal her name, else I'd have to kill you) asked me to make her a cup. "Sure!" So I prepared some for everyone. See, I had forgotten my infuser at home and improvised with the provided coffee maker in the cabin. The 4 of us really enjoyed it regardless of the improvisation!
 

Time had passed, and out of the blue one day, I received a message that she had wanted me to create her something special, just for her. I accepted, without hesitation! I leaped at the opportunity to make another person happy. Little did we both know it was the dawn of something incredible. How amazing would it be if I can do this for others?! She continued to request teas from me, and I continued to love, love, love it.

I am happy to conclude with an email address to contact me for requests and inquiries: theteawell@gmail.com along with a few photos of some of my past creations!

Welcome to the journey!

Wintertide Chai - Black Tea

 

Cranberry Orange - Oolong Tea

 

Apple Orchard - Green Tea

 

 

 

Mini English Pancakes!

I guarantee this recipe isn't on another blog, or on Pinterest (unless it was pinned from here!) because this recipe came from my great aunt and I've been eating them since I was a small child. They are my favorite English pancakes!

I have to warn you though, they are extremely dense (which is why I like them - for their unique texture). They are hardly cake-like, especially when made in the oven since they are meant to be crepe-thin cooked in a pan.

Originally (and usually), I cook them in a skillet and fold them into quarters, four on a plate to make a circle, and top them with lemon and powdered sugar, then repeat this an additional 3 times. Yes, I'm a pig when it comes to these babies!

This morning I thought I'd try cooking them in a muffin tin - that way I get 12 at a time, all for me! You can always top them with syrup or jam (like I did yesterday morning, as seen to the right). I should also note it was a different recipe that I didn't care for and that is why they look puffier. They were not blog worthy, but the picture is nice! Sorry, Auntie, I ever doubted you!


English Pancakes (from my Aunt Jo)
2 eggs
¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup milk
½ cup water
vegetable oil or butter for frying, or cooking spray for baking
confectioner's sugar (for English pancakes)
1-2 lemons, cut in half (for English Pancakes)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Beat eggs in a blender.
3. Mix together flour and salt. Beat half of the flour mixture into eggs, then milk, then other half of flour mixture, then finally water.
4. Spray muffin tin with non-stick spray.
5. Divide mixture evenly into all 12 holes (less than half full).
6. Bake for about 9 minutes, or until solid (but not too done! They’ll turn chewy).
7. Place as many as desired onto plates, sprinkle with sugar and fresh-squeezed lemon juice on pancakes (no need for butter on these!).

You can also pan cook them, fold them up, or roll them up with the same toppings. They are more crepe-like that way.

Happy breakfast!