Carrot, Red Pepper, & White Tea Soup! Boom, boom, shake, shake.

10 11 2010

Yummers!

I daringly ventured into a new world of truth and beauty by creating a delicious, organic, and vegetarian tea-based soup.  Now I don’t mean to toot my own horn (but of course I do) but this was the first soup of my many lifetime soup creations where the moment after I blended the elixir I said, “Damn, it’s perfect!”  I subscribe to the Eatwell CSA farm delivery box and the bi-weekly deliveries of organic produce always challenge me to venture into new avenues of cooking I previously wouldn’t go.  Check them out here.  Eatwell Farm.  Here’s a simple way you can create it:

Ingredients:  8-10 Large Carrots (peeled and chunky chopped), 1 Medium Yellow Onion (Chopped), 3 Cloves Garlic (Chopped), 4-5 Red Bell Peppers (Deseeded and chopped in chunks), 1 tsp chili flakes, a large pot of brewed White Peony Tea (Bai Mu Dan), one vegetable bouillon cube.

Go for it:  Stove over medium heat: With olive oil saute onions and garlic ’til sizzlely good, add chili flakes for the kick and continue sauteing, throw in carrots and saute another 3 minutes, throw in peppers and go for it for 2 more minutes.  Pour in your pre-brewed White Peony tea (enough to cover all veggies) and add the bouillon cube.  Stir up and heat up to a boil.  Once at a boil, cover and lower temperature to a simmer.  Simmer about 30 minutes.  Throw in some fresh herbs (I chose oregano) and pepper.  Recover and cook about 10 mins.  Breathe in the amazing smells of the white tea symphony.  With a handblender, blend up your concoction.  Taste and fall in love or re-season to your taste then fall passionately in love.

The white tea adds an incredible woodiness to the soup which lingers on the tongue after the ripe flavors of carrot and pepper dissipate.

Get creative and post your renditions in the comments!

White Tea, Bai Mu Dan

The white peony tea used for the brew

Carrots Peppers are a sizzlin'

White Peony Tea Added to Soup





Tales of the Habit Shakers in the Morning Ritual

9 11 2010

I attended a recent discussion about Habits and something sparked.  At one point the discussion turned to talking about habits and how once we acquire a new habit, the “enjoyment” of that habit potentially ceases.  For example, when one decides to start a new workout regime, in the beginning the workout is invigorating & empowering.  Our self-satisfaction says, “Oh Joy!”  As time progresses and the routine becomes ‘habitual’ the workout becomes a series of tasks that we must complete.  In time, the “Oh Joy” turns to the reward at the end of the workout (like a smoothie) or ceases altogether.

Given light of my interest in the morning ritual, I am intrigued on how this can affect one’s tea or coffee enjoyment.  I hear so many people, in a haze, head straight for the coffee pot which they turn on or has been on an auto-timer through the night.  So many others share they are not functional until they have their morning cup of coffee.  Just the name “morning cup of coffee” speaks to a habit or a ritual.  Is there still pure enjoyment or are we only in pursuit the after affects of a jolted morning?  Is there beauty and gratitude in our morning ritual?

In the morning, I too am on autopilot.  After three or six snooze buttons, I immediately wander to the electric hot water kettle, refilling it with water from my Brita filter.  I turn it on, jump in the shower, then proceed with the post-shower rituals.  Once complete, I return to my kettle and determine my morning selection of loose leaf tea to enjoy.  Here’s where I see a difference and wish to bring this difference into the world.  Though I have preferences on a tea type, I avoid doing the mundane and repeating the tea offering from the day before.  Tea offers me a creative jump start into my day due to the shear multitude of varieties of flavor experience.  One day it will be white tea, the next Keemun, some mornings a smokey Lapsang, others a calming and creative gathering Oolong.  Each experience charges me in a different and unique way, and though all have caffeine, something beautiful arises.

So my challenge for you this morning is to breakup your habit and mindfully live in the moments you are creating.  Willfully choose your morning cuppa, whether it is a single origin tea or coffee.  Celebrate the notes and experiences the consumption creates and mindfully live your day noting and breaking up your habits throughout.





San Jose Tea Empress!

8 11 2010
Satori Tea Company San Jose

Tea bar entrance

Satori Tea Company

Satori Retail Tea Shop/Tea Bar

Satori Tea Company

Whackadoodle Art at Satori Tea Company

About a week ago I made a long overdue pilgrimage down to San Jose, CA to visit Victoria, Tea Empress and owner of recently opened Satori Tea Company.  Located off of 37 N. San Pedro Street in downtown San Jose, the dramatic entrance is hard to miss.  Immediately upon walking into the shop I was transported from San Jose to Santa Monica Blvd.  The shop is contemporary, colorful, euro pop, with a little bit of rock and roll.

The space is a haven for art and I can see how this place is quickly becoming the retreat for the suburban bohemians and hipsters alike!  Victoria and her team have crafted a delightful and organic tea offering where you can order retail or sit down and enjoy a pot of tea, adorned in fabulous tea ware and expert steeping procedures.  They also have a delightful and reasonable high tea offering.  Weekends are off the hook with celebrations of music and art!

Of course the greatest perk for the establishment is the local tea empress herself, Victoria.  I had the pleasure of spending a few moments with Victoria over a pot of Assam, and she sure knows her tea!  Ask her about her oolong/pu’erh detox going on right now.  For more reviews, see http://www.yelp.com/biz/satori-tea-company-san-jose.

Satori Tea Restored Chairs

Incredible restored antique chairs at Satori





Your Tea Gent Returns!

8 11 2010
Tea Gentleman

Rainboots and Umbrellas a GoGo!

How long has it been?  Truly, I have missed you in the absence.  Many things have happened since we last spoke:

I made an amazing soup with White Tea, I finished the Renaissance Center’s Business Planning Program, I wrote a business plan for my future tea line, I turned 27 and partied with some tea cocktails in a limo, I took a full-time job, I fell in love with a falafel, I did an email purge, I taught people about the wonders of tea, I surprised a few with a pop up tea party, I tasted an incredible Lapsang Souchong, I found the most beautiful antique store in the world, and I missed all the moments to blog it.

Good thing I am an elephant when it comes to memory because I have so much fabulous material to share with the world.  The Tea Gent is back in town.

Yours Truly, Cpher





Guerrilla Tea Party This Weekend

30 07 2010

A Lovely Invitation

Hi Tea Friends,

Come one, come all!  Tea drinkers are invited to join a movement to take back the tea party!  Enjoy an afternoon of community, beauty, and tea.  Free!  Wear your rainboots and bring an umbrella, rain or shine.  Bring a picnic blanket too!

Date/Time: Sunday, August 1, 2pm

Takeover Location:  Alamo Square Park, Painted Ladies, @ Steiner and Hayes.

Bring what:  Rainboots, umbrellas, picnic blanket, whimsy.

See you there!

Make tea, not war…

Christopher C





Something’s Steeping in San Francisco

22 07 2010

Hi friends!

Mark your calendars. Sunday, August 1, 2pm, Alamo Square Park.  A tea revolution is coming. Rain or shine, wear your rainboots and bring umbrellas.

Free!

Details to follow…





Happy 4th of July!

4 07 2010

Hello tea friends!

Today I wish you a special day of relaxation and fun, celebrating with each other and our nation’s special day.

It has been quite a relaxing day thus far.  I went on a run, which quickly turned into a walk.  I had a fantastic brunch, and right now I am sipping my cup of tea (Assam from the Molkalbari Estate).  I also used this special occasion to open my vacuum packed New Zealand oolong tea, which I am interspersedly enjoying alongside the Assam.  More information to come about the Zealong tea in the coming days.

Also, I am working on a fabulous new tea movement which I will invite you to immediately once the date is set.

TTFN!








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