French Wine Essentials Class

Thank you to everyone who made our Wines of Summer Class a sell-out!
Our next scheduled wine class is on September 19th~ French Wine Essentials. This class will have an added bonus; the cheese specialist from The Chestnut Hill Cheese Shop will be on hand to discuss French Cheese pairing. Do you know the difference between Pouilly Fume and Pouilly Fuisse? Find out as we take a tour of the French countryside and sample 8 wines along with perfectly paired cheese selections . You will learn simple pairing concepts and the essentials of deciphering French wine labels. Cheese will be provided by The Chestnut Hill Cheese Shop. The cost is $40 per person. Please call 215.381.2226 to make your reservation- space is limited. Cheers!

An Exceptional Pu-erh Resource

As an avid Pu-erh drinker I am always on the look out for interesting (and legitimate) Pu-erh resources. I found a blog that is a virtual Pu-erh library with recent pictures of Ancient Tea Horse Road. Click on the link to check it out! http://www.ancientteahorseroad.blogspot.com/

Storytelling by Annie Hart on July 25th- 7pm

Please join us in the garden on Friday, 7/25 for the second event in our Summertime Storytelling Series. The theme is "Other Beautiful Worlds" and you will be delighted as Annie shares her original stories from the heart of the cosmos. Storytelling will begin at 7pm.

Tea Tasting for July 19th- 10:30am - 12noon

This Saturday we will be tasting some fruit flavored teas. Stop by to sample Ginger Orange Oolong, Ginger Peach and White Ginger Orange. We will be tasting hot tea but these are all delicious iced as well.

Wines of Summer Class- This Friday 7/18

Join us in our garden room for an in-depth look and discussion about summer wine. Taste 8 different "wines of summer" and learn foolproof pairing concepts that will make your summer parties and picnics the talk of the town! The class will be taught by a professional wine educator with over 20 years experience. Call 215.381.2226 to reserve your spot. Cost- $35 per person. 7:30pm-9:30pm

Tea Tasting For This Saturday- July 12th

Our tea tasting this Saturday will be held from 10:30am-12noon. We will be sampling teas that have been specially blended to promote health giving benefits. Stop by to try: EnergiTea, SereniTea and VelociTea. Cheers!

Quick & Easy Tea Infused Dessert

I am back from the pu-erh class and was motivated by a conversation while at the class about the many ways to incorporate tea into our meals -for enhanced flavor and to add unique characteristics. At The Hill Tea Bar we regularly carry artisan pastries that have tea fusions such as jasmine green tea muffins or earl grey tea cakes but I wondered how easy it would be to add tea flavor to cakes or muffins made at home (I apologize in advance to the baking purists) from box mixes. The answer is that it is very easy- when making a cake or muffins from a box mix simply replace the water required for the recipe with a double-strong brewed tea of your choice (cooled of course). I tested this with a box carrot cake mix and added strongly brewed chai instead of the water called for in the recipe. I was shocked at how delicious the cake turned out- and I definitely tasted the spicy chai in every bite. I tested the cake out on my finicky family and they were shocked that it came from a box; the chai added a unique flavor that took it up a notch. Give it a try! I am going to try orange oolong tea in the cupcakes I will be making for my son this week.