Citrus Cream Tea with a Twist
Hello everyone,
Spending time with my friends and family over a cup of tea is something I always cherish. I'm sure you agree. Tea has a way of welcoming and extending conversations, and I love to chat! This summer I've been reevaluating and prioritizing things. I definitely need to dedicate more time with friends and put work priorities on the back burner for a bit. I decided tea time with friends was long over due.
With soaring summer temperatures and a broken air conditioner, afternoon tea isn't ideal, but I was determined to still host a tiny tea party. Last week I hosted two very early morning cream teas in the garden. What a wonderful way to start the day!
What is a cream tea?
According to Wikipedia:
A cream tea (also known as a Devonshire tea, Devoncream tea or Cornish cream tea) is a form of afternoontea light meal, consisting of tea taken with a combination of scones, clotted cream, and jam.
As you can see, there are no scones, clotted cream or jam. But since there were sweets and tea, it's my version of cream tea with a twist. This tea has a citrus theme to it and was perfect for a summer morning.
The citrus idea came about after purchasing this ceramic teapot at Home Goods. While I love the lemon design and the teapot's volume, it gets quite heavy when filled with hot water. Fortunately the ceramic pot maintains a hot temperature when covered with a cosy.
Instead of scones I served my go to favorite-banana bread and lemon drop cookies. I found the recipe for these cookies on pinterest (i-like-lemons.blogspot.com). Look for the June 29, 2008 post. (Sorry, for some reason the link wouldn't work.) It was my first time making them and I was pleased with the strong fresh lemon taste. The glaze was delicious!
While looking through my tea cupboard, I came across Lady Grey which my friend purchased for me at the Twinings store in London. (Notice the packaging is different than the US version.) I'm not a big fan of Earl Grey but wanted to try something new. Lady Grey is a variation of Earl Grey with the addition of orange and lemon flavorings to the bergamot. The orange and lemon seemed to soften the taste of bergamot. It ended up being a good choice! I think this would be a wonderful iced tea too.
Enjoy your summer days,
Nora
Please bring your teacup to these parties:
Spending time with my friends and family over a cup of tea is something I always cherish. I'm sure you agree. Tea has a way of welcoming and extending conversations, and I love to chat! This summer I've been reevaluating and prioritizing things. I definitely need to dedicate more time with friends and put work priorities on the back burner for a bit. I decided tea time with friends was long over due.
With soaring summer temperatures and a broken air conditioner, afternoon tea isn't ideal, but I was determined to still host a tiny tea party. Last week I hosted two very early morning cream teas in the garden. What a wonderful way to start the day!
What is a cream tea?
According to Wikipedia:
A cream tea (also known as a Devonshire tea, Devoncream tea or Cornish cream tea) is a form of afternoontea light meal, consisting of tea taken with a combination of scones, clotted cream, and jam.
While looking through my tea cupboard, I came across Lady Grey which my friend purchased for me at the Twinings store in London. (Notice the packaging is different than the US version.) I'm not a big fan of Earl Grey but wanted to try something new. Lady Grey is a variation of Earl Grey with the addition of orange and lemon flavorings to the bergamot. The orange and lemon seemed to soften the taste of bergamot. It ended up being a good choice! I think this would be a wonderful iced tea too.
Enjoy your summer days,
Nora
Please bring your teacup to these parties:
Love the lemon teapot. Also love a good cream tea and yours looks yummy!
ReplyDeleteLovely! That's a perfect tea as far as I'm concerned! Love the teapot and I LOVE lemon, so I am off to find that recipe. Thanks for the report, I was just thinking of ordering a sample to try. I don't like Earl Grey, but I thought this version sounded good, so that was a perfect timing tea review! Have a lovely week, and try to stay cool. And thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
ReplyDeleteRuth
Your teapot and tea are so lovely! I can almost taste the lemon cookies! Trust you are having a wonderful summer. Take good care, Lynn
ReplyDeleteLet's twist again like we did last summer! Lemon desserts are the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea.
ReplyDeleteI still drink hot tea in the morning during a heat wave (and switch to iced tea in the afternoon). Hope your broken A/C gets repaired soon!
I'd love to come to a cream tea at your house, Nora! The lemon cookies sound delicious and banana bread is always perfect with tea. I'm glad that you liked the lady Grey tea. I'm not a big fan of Earl Grey tea, either. I'm like Margie and drink a pot of hot tea every morning and drink iced tea in the afternoon, in the summer months.
ReplyDeleteHi: Sitting here having tea and wishing I had one of those fabulous desserts. Have a great week. Blessings, Martha
ReplyDeletePretty teapot and perfect with your lemon cookies! I need to try your recipe they look so good! I have been enjoying a morning tea in my garden too!
ReplyDeleteNancy
Dear Nora:
ReplyDeleteHow darling this little setting is and lovely teapot with lemons. I think this looks delicious. Thanks for linking and sharing!
It is hot here too. You tea looks refreshing and I love that sweet little teapot!
ReplyDeleteIt is hot here too. You tea looks refreshing and I love that sweet little teapot!
ReplyDeleteThose cookies look so delish! Yummy♥
ReplyDeletesummerdaisy.net
Oh your tea looks wonderful. Lady Grey is one of my most favorite teas. It is wonderful. Love your teapot and the whole citrus idea. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
ReplyDeleteHi Nora,
ReplyDeleteYour new teapot looks like it would make a lovely cup of tea. Your scones look delicious too. Happy Tea Day Sweet Nora! Blessings, Karen
Nora, lovely cream tea and teapot! I do so love having afternoon tea outdoors in the gazebo, but it's been far too hot for that. I like to make my own clotted cream; never for just my own use, only when I'm giving an afternoon tea.
ReplyDelete