Here is a fantastic "dessert in a cup" recipe with our favorite tisane, Fruity Dream. This drink is also the best way to maintain your hard earned figure for the summer without sacrificing taste.
Ingredients (per serving):
1. One heaping tablespoon of Fruity Dream herbal tisane
2. One teaspoon of honey
3. One cup boiled filtered water
4. Ice, cubed or crushed
5. Whipping cream
Combine tea and honey in a teapot. Add filtered water, just below boiling temperature and steep for 4 minutes. Stir until honey dissolves. Strain brewed tea mixture over ice in a blender. Blend to your desired thickness. Serve with whipping cream on top or a grapefruit slice garnish to really live it up.
Ice cream is one of the best and worst coolants of summer. Best because it tastes sooo good and worst because its sooo bad for you. Here's a delicious tisane recipe that's packed with healthy components like anti-oxidants and tannins that serves as a simply fantastic dessert substitute for a scorching hot day:
Blueberry Smooth-Tea:
1. Two tablespoons of Blueberry Syrup herbal tea
2. Two tablespoons of White Peony Tea
3. One teaspoon of honey
4. 4 cups boiled water
5. Ice
Combine Blueberry Syrup, White Peony tea and honey in a teapot. Add boiled water and steep for 5 minutes. Strain the brewed tea over ice in a blender to your liking. Blend to your desired consistency. Transfer to an ice cream glass. Adjust sweetener if necessary. Add a swirl of whipping cream on top if you dare!
 |
|
The story of the teapots creation is nothing more than a convoluted mystery. Author Chou Kao-ch’I said that potters from outside of Shanghai became famous for teapots in the early sixteenth century. These were described as boccarro from the small, individual, yet large mouthed Portuguese pots. Other scholars dispute the theory, saying instead that the Chinese never did use actual teapots. Instead they brewed the tea directly in the cup as it is still done in some Chinese restaurants today. Some believe that the design inspiration came from Islamic coffee pots, while others claim it was the imported Chinese wine vessels misinterpreted to be used for the tea it came packed with. Nevertheless, as functional teapots gained popularity in the 18th century throughout Europe, creative minds caught on. Mass-production began with the East India Company, was changed by the breakthrough of porcelain, and altered again with the use of silver. Like other art forms it went through periods of Renaissance, Gothic, Chinese, Moorish, Arts and Crafts, Japanese, and Art Nouveau styles. Today the evolution of teapot design continues to evolve with new artists like Erin Wells (http://www.erinwellsdesign.com/) and Mary Markeenan (http://www.marymarkeenan.com/). No matter what your teapot preference, one can only hope that it’s what’s inside that matters most—good, quality, comforting or invigorating, home-brewed tea.
Pictured teapot from Wanda's Designs (http://wandadesigns.blogspot.com/2007/02/brand-new-teapots.html)
