For those who feel as if they were born in the wrong era, The Quintessential Victorian is a place for you to indulge in all things Victorian. Fix a cup of tea, relax, and allow yourself to be transported to the most glorious era in history...

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Tea-The Perfect Brew and Decaf Too!

 
Tea has been a favorite drink from royalty to the working class for centuries.
As part of  the 'Living the Victorian Life' series it was only natural to begin with tea.
 
Brewing the Perfect Pot of Tea:
1. Start with your favorite blend of tea leaves.

 2. Place tea leaves in tea strainer.
 3. Temper the teapot (this is done by swishing hot water in the pot and then emptying it before adding the tea strainer).
 4. Fill tea pot with hot water.
 5. Steep tea for 3-5 minutes depending on how strong you like your tea.
(I like my tea strong:).
 6. Once steeping is complete remove tea strainer with leaves.
 7. Pour tea into your favorite cup and enjoy!
 
 Decaf Tea:
To decaf tea follow steps 1-3 above.
At step 4 add the hot water and steep for approximately 30 seconds.
Remove tea strainer with tea leaves and empty liquid from the tea pot.
Replace the tea strainer in pot, pour hot water in pot until full and continue process as shown above:).
 
To make your tea experience special try the following:
Use your favorite tea pot and tea cup-even if it is the good china-that's what makes it special!
Brew a favorite blend of tea. I prefer Harney and Sons loose leaf teas which are available online and in some retail settings (generally tea bags are tea dust and don't provide the perfect pot of tea).
Flavor tea with sugar, cream, or honey. For fun, try a flavored creamer (I like vanilla creamer in  flavored teas-a dash is all it takes:).
Invite a friend to join you:).
 
 
Blessings,
 
Kim
 
 


Sunday, September 15, 2013

Living the Victorian Life-A new series

I contemplated starting another blog about living the Victorian life in a modern day world.
But with all I have going on I didn't need another thing added to my already busy days.
So I decided to do a weekly post on this blog, since anything Victorian does relate to Truer Words, about how to live a simpler, more genteel life in the current world.
 
And so I will start with the relaxing beauty of taking tea:).
 
First, start with a nice blend of loose leaf tea.

 
Next, stroll through the gardens for fragrant blooms.
 
Brew the tea (be sure to use the good china:), place blooms in a favorite vase or container, and sit down to a relaxing cup of  tea.
Tea paired with a favorite magazine or a good book can make an afternoon relaxing and enjoyable.
Of course, I would be happy to recommend a lovely historic novel...
 
I will be posting later in the week about brewing the perfect pot of tea (including how to decaf it:).
To order the delicious chocolate and coconut Soho Blend from Harney and Sons teas visit:
 
Just a few words about this tea...
It is scrumptious!!! As soon as you open the package the chocolate aroma makes your mouth water.
The subtle hints of coconut intermingled with the chocolate flavors makes this more like desert than just tea:).